what can I do to reduce possibility of contracting it again when taking antibiotics?
I have had "C-Diff" and am very anxious when I have to take antibiotics?
Question posted by Sheila Elliott on 2 April 2013
Last updated on 21 October 2018
3 Answers
My3rADV
23 July 2018
I had C-Diff 11 years ago after triple bypass due to so much antibody . As long as it is controlled I need not worry about recurrence . Is this true ?
tonyplake
3 April 2013
Sheila, I too have had c-diff and it was quite simply Hell. I was in the hospital for ten days and causes of it are: your risk is greatest if you are now taking or have recently taken antibiotics. The risk goes up if you take broad-spectrum drugs that target a wide range of bacteria, use multiple antibiotics or take antibiotics for a prolonged period. Are 65 years of age or older. The risk of becoming infected with C. difficile is 10 times greater for people age 65 and older compared with younger people. Are now or have recently been hospitalized, especially for an extended period. Live in a nursing home or long term care facility.
Have a serious underlying illness or a weakened immune system as a result of a medical condition or treatment (such as chemotherapy).
Have had abdominal surgery or a gastrointestinal procedure.
Have a colon disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. Have had a previous C. difficile infection.
Your fear is not groundless and normal, but realize that at some point in the future you may need to take a course of antibiotics. If your doctor tells you to take an antibiotic, tell him you don't want to get c-diff again and ask him to give you the best antibiotic for the condition he is prescribing it. C-diff lives outside the body and is usually transmitted that way so take baby wipes or antiseptic wipes with you rather than use public facilities sinks, etc. I go so far as to flush public commodes with my foot. Whatever antibiotic you may take in the future, look it up here and ask the pharmacist if you can take it with or without food, dairy, and yogurt. If you are not already on a probiotic lifestyle, get on one. A cup of Greek yogurt will do it nicely for you. Best of luck, Tony
Kuntao
21 Oct 2018
There is something called a FMT or what is commonly called a Fecal Transplant. An Infectious Disease MD or a Gastro-Entomologists can do this procedure. A healthy donor is found and the Feces are screened for disease and virus. It is done using a NGT Tube (Naso Gastric Tube) and/or during a Colonoscopy. The liquefied Fecal is shot through a Nasal Feeding tube into your stomach and small intestine. The healthy germs recolonize the G.I tract and their will be small gastric disturbance for a few days. The cure happens as you eat healthy foods like HUMUS and Yogurt live cultures and many forms of Gastritis are cured. Crohn's, acute Diverticulosis, C. Diff. ... etc. It nearly has a 100% chance cure rate. At the very worse it will alleviate symptoms! You will have to call around to see who will do this procedure. A Gastroenterologists or an Infectious Disease Medical Doctor are the one who do this. I hope this helps!!
akara711
2 April 2013
Just curious what are you meaning contracting. I know what you mean on yhw medication situation I hate taking them but it'll help you lol I'm sure they told you what not to have when taking like no alcohol cause it'll make you really sick and make sure you finish them all. What also helps is eating eating lots of that activia yogurt and taking frolic acid pills. Had Cdiff last year after delivering my daughter and its horrible. And don't forget to sanitize the toilet seat after you have gone cause it contagious. Hope this helps if you didn't know.
Sheila Elliott
4 April 2013
Thanks! Had no idea it was contagious! Thankfully I live alone and with that "stuff" sure don't go out! Finally found a yogurt brand that I like. I am taking probiotics now but I'll add zinc. Thanks again.
Malbomb
14 April 2013
I contracted c diff when I was 8 months pregnant from the birthing class that I took in the hospital. It was a Saturday and by Sunday night I was sure I was going into labor because of the painful cramps! After ten hours of this I decided to go to the hospital and sure enough I had c diff! Mind you, I'm 24, healthy and never taken a lot of anti biotics. I was quarantined for over a week. Couldn't eat or drink anything. I thought I surely was dying. After being treated with iv fluids and flagyl I was released. Skip ahead 8 months and I had to get on anti biotics again... I really was apprehensive and anxious about it but was told the only way to treat the Pelvic Inflammatory Disease was to take anti biotics. Reluctantly I did, two days in and I knew the c diff was back. At my 7 month old daughters checkup I told the doc what I suspected and she ran a sample.
I received the call yesterday around five that I am positive for C diff again! And now I "have" to take flagyl and xithromiacin to get rid of the c diff and PID. I don't want to. In fact, I'm down right depressed about it! I feel like my life is over because of it. My daughter is sick with a cold and ear infection and I have c diff and chronic pain from the PID! I'm miserable and my BF thinks I'm being dramatic and he is being so rude about everything I say about it. I hate this.
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infections, clostridial infection, antibiotics
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