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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Diagnosed With C Diff And Given Vancomycin And Switched To Flagyl. Diarrhea, No Abdominal Pain. Suggestion?

My 90 yr old mother was diagnosed with c diff, acquired in the hospital several weeks ago. She was about 93 lbs then, she is down to 87 lbs now. They gave her Vancomycin and then switched to Flagyl. She is now also taking Florastor twice a day. She continues to have diarrhea. I don't think it is considered severe? Because she doesn't have abdominal pain or bloody stool, but she is getting really depressed because she cannot eat without pretty much immediately defecating, and she does need to eat. She is in a nursing center, under the care if an overextended physician, who has not seen her since Sept 20. She is in Pittsburgh, I am in Chicago, and I don't know what to do. She has had I think 2 cultures come back negative for c diff now, but does that mean anything while she is on the Flagyl?
Fri, 11 Oct 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic

Usually complete resolution, after using appropriate medication, is within 7 to 10 days after the medication is started. Vancomycin and metronidazole are the recommended medications with vancomycin having a better rate of response.

It would be expected that her diarrhoea should have resolved by now if this time has passed.

Approximately 20 % to 27 % of persons with a first time episode with this bacteria can experience are relapse . This relapse occurs 3 days to 3 weeks after treatment has failed.
In this case however the stool cultures would have come back showing the bacteria.

It is possible that her intestinal wall is not yet repaired itself to allow for the absorption of food. If the bacteria is gone, then this healing should occur and she should see a decline in stool frequency soon.

I hope this helps
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Diagnosed With C Diff And Given Vancomycin And Switched To Flagyl. Diarrhea, No Abdominal Pain. Suggestion?

Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic Usually complete resolution, after using appropriate medication, is within 7 to 10 days after the medication is started. Vancomycin and metronidazole are the recommended medications with vancomycin having a better rate of response. It would be expected that her diarrhoea should have resolved by now if this time has passed. Approximately 20 % to 27 % of persons with a first time episode with this bacteria can experience are relapse . This relapse occurs 3 days to 3 weeks after treatment has failed. In this case however the stool cultures would have come back showing the bacteria. It is possible that her intestinal wall is not yet repaired itself to allow for the absorption of food. If the bacteria is gone, then this healing should occur and she should see a decline in stool frequency soon. I hope this helps