Possible c.diff

[xsfxsf]

I have been experiencing multiple accidents per day for the past three days, approximately one week after finishing a course of Levaquin for UTI. Other than some fatigue there are no other physical symptoms. Currently I am attempting to schedule a doctor appointment, which is not easy to do. I will try to get to urgent care today.

Are there specific things I should try to do to make this situation tolerable or to ask the doctor when I finally see one? How long does this go on for? Note: I am reluctant to try Imodium because I also have a tendency to constipation and had obstruction last year. As I live alone the logistics are not manageable long term.

[annev308]

Will your doctor call in labs prior to the appointment? That way you could go and see the doctor once the labs are in.

[SCI-Nurse]

Don't take Immodium until c. diff. is ruled out. You will need to submit a stool specimen (which must be liquid to extremely soft) for an analysis for a c. diff. infection. Most labs can do this test within 3-4 hours.

(KLD)

[xsfxsf]

OK apologies for my seemingly endless posts on this subject, which constantly gets annoying in novel ways.

Anyway, the c.diff test was negative. The symptoms are improving (6 days after they started) but I do still get incontinence.

One doctor suggested maybe the symptoms were due to gastroenteritis (and should be going away now). He said perhaps pepto bismol.

One doctor said it was just a reaction to the Levaquin (and could take two weeks to go away). He suggested either yogurt or probiotic. He said maybe VSL#3 might help but did not specifically recommend it. He also suggested an INCREASE in fiber, or Citrucel, which seems like the opposite of the BRAT diet some suggested.

How do people here manage such symptoms? Diarrhea post antibiotic, no fever or vomiting, not c. diff. Increase or decrease fiber? What is the very best probiotic?

[fuentejps]

OK apologies for my seemingly endless posts on this subject, which constantly gets annoying in novel ways.

Anyway, the c.diff test was negative. The symptoms are improving (6 days after they started) but I do still get incontinence.

One doctor suggested maybe the symptoms were due to gastroenteritis (and should be going away now). He said perhaps pepto bismol.

One doctor said it was just a reaction to the Levaquin (and could take two weeks to go away). He suggested either yogurt or probiotic. He said maybe VSL#3 might help but did not specifically recommend it. He also suggested an INCREASE in fiber, or Citrucel, which seems like the opposite of the BRAT diet some suggested.

How do people here manage such symptoms? Diarrhea post antibiotic, no fever or vomiting, not c. diff. Increase or decrease fiber? What is the very best probiotic?

i take dr tobias deep immune probiotic.......not harsh like some

[annev308]

I take Renew Life Ultimate Flora and also drink kombucha and eat yogurt. When I’m on antibiotics I double or triple up on the antibiotics.

[SCI-Nurse]

Anyway, the c.diff test was negative. The symptoms are improving (6 days after they started) but I do still get incontinence.

Yes, diarrhea can be due to gastroenteritis (viral or bacterial) or even food poisoning. It can also be the side effect of many medications. Are you on anything new?

Since c. diff. has been ruled out, you can firm up your stool with Imodium or calcium polycarbophil. Don't overdo it though, as you can easily swing the other way.

(KLD)

[Brent K]

Pepto-bimol. When I had c-diff, I would take 1 dose of questran 2 to 3 hours after taking a dose of vancocyn. It helped.

[triumph]

I take Renew Life Ultimate Flora and also drink kombucha and eat yogurt. When I?m on antibiotics I double or triple up on the antibiotics.

I think you meant you increase the probiotics. I was told to do that too.

After two incidents of having to take an antibiotic I developed cdiff both times, both landing me in the hospital for 5 months the first time and 5 weeks the second time. I now take 2 probiotic capsules per day. My doctor said to double that if I have to have an antibiotic again. I do want to avoid any antibiotic, however.
While I was hospitalized (a few months ago) my husband ordered from Amazon, "New Rhythm Probiotics 20 Strains 50 billion active cultures". It's described on the label as a vegetable, coated capsule.
The bottle was shown to my doctor and he approved my use of it, noting high level of cultures.