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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Clostridium Difficile Colitis Be Treated?

I was diagnosed after an attack of diarrhea in November of 2014 and colonoscopy thereafter with diverticulitis attack then and of course diverticulosis. I treated it with the right foods for two years and no problems. In January 2017 I got diarrhea and after taking Cipro and Flagy I went into C-diff (confirmed with a stool fecal test. I was on Vicomyocin and after got a urinary tract infection and after those antibiotics went into C-diff again. Then I too Dificid - to make this story shorter, I am on my fifth treatment for C-Diff. The last time I had the antiobiotic I was cured and ate properly for two weeks and then bang it is back again. In between these infections I had a feces transplant which did not work for me at all unfortunately. So now I am on Dificid and worried This is my fourth day and still stuffing and unable to eat mostly everything so eating things that don t hurt me and small amounts and often. My question is, what is next for me, how can I solve this? I am a 76-year old female and I was working full time with a reporter on my computer at home so now I am really bad and so so worried. Is there anything else I can try? Thanks
Mon, 27 Aug 2018
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Clostridium difficile colitis infection can be mild or severe. In more severe cases, vancomycin is preferred over metronidazole. The reason for this is that compared to metronidazole there is normally faster resolution and a lower risk of recurrence. Vancomycin is not absorbed and acts directly at the infection site. It is normally used for up to 2 weeks. Everyone responds differently to medication so if you cannot tolerate the vancomycin you can use the metronidazole instead. In terms of possible recurrence of infection, this can actually occur in 20 to 27 % of persons. If it is going to happen , it occurs 3 days to 3 weeks after the antibiotics are completed. As regards to diet, the most important aspect is maintaining your fluid volume to prevent dehydration. There are oral rehydration fluids available but you can also use diluted fruit juices/flavored sodas. Food- there are no specific recommendations for this infection but in general boiled starches and cereals (eg potatoes, rice, wheat, oats) with salt are recommended for persons with watery diarrhea. Crackers, bananas, soup, boiled vegetables may also be used.

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How Can Clostridium Difficile Colitis Be Treated?

Hi, Clostridium difficile colitis infection can be mild or severe. In more severe cases, vancomycin is preferred over metronidazole. The reason for this is that compared to metronidazole there is normally faster resolution and a lower risk of recurrence. Vancomycin is not absorbed and acts directly at the infection site. It is normally used for up to 2 weeks. Everyone responds differently to medication so if you cannot tolerate the vancomycin you can use the metronidazole instead. In terms of possible recurrence of infection, this can actually occur in 20 to 27 % of persons. If it is going to happen , it occurs 3 days to 3 weeks after the antibiotics are completed. As regards to diet, the most important aspect is maintaining your fluid volume to prevent dehydration. There are oral rehydration fluids available but you can also use diluted fruit juices/flavored sodas. Food- there are no specific recommendations for this infection but in general boiled starches and cereals (eg potatoes, rice, wheat, oats) with salt are recommended for persons with watery diarrhea. Crackers, bananas, soup, boiled vegetables may also be used. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.