C-DIFF diagnosis

My husband's stool sample tested positive for C-DIFF. Doctor is precribing Vancomycin. Anyone familiar with this? Does a C-DIFF diagnosis mean no UC? 

Colonoscopy yes, sigmoidoscopy, no. He's been through the gamut after first being diagnosed with UC last year: Asacol, Prednisone, Lialda, Remicade (3 infusions, with no results, so we stopped). Then his former GI wanted him to participate in a Crohn's research study - I said enough, seems like this guy is just guessing, let's get a second opinion. New doctor said he wants to do his own tests, and ordered the same blood work, C-Diff, and has my husband scheduled for a pil camera procedure. C-DIFF came back positive, where former doctor said no C-DIFF was found. New doctor wants to start him on Vancomycin.

First off, Cdiff and UC are totally different. When having both at the same time, it is hell. Now, if your hubby had an initial scope and dx UC, than I'm assuming that is all he had at the time. Cdiff can be seen via scope if the infection is bad. Otherwise, it may lurk behind the scenes mucking the water of a true dx and treatment. That said, he could have cdiff colitis which is nothing more than infectious and cureable. Or, he could have both and you will need to get rid of the cdiff, so he can manage his UC.

Flagyl is typically prescribed for cdiff before vanco. Vanco is stronger and used if Flagyl doesn't work. In the case of recurring cdiff after multiple treatment attempts (20% patients), the only hope would be a fecal transplant.

For now, go with what the GI is saying....(ask about flagyl). Chances are your hubby will get rid of it....if not, start researching FT.

Flagyl got me 100 times sicker. Like.. pre-Flagyl before they figured out I have C. Difficile without treatment, I was going maybe 15 times a day.

One day into Flagyl, I was going more than 40 TIMES/DAY. My GI said Flagyl typically makes most patients really sick before they get better, but usually give it because it's MUCH cheaper than Vancomycin.

However, I just wanted to get better faster, so they switched my medication.

I have been on Vancomycin for less than a week now, and I'm down to going 3 times a day!