C Diff Treatment
C Difficile treatment is focused on a selection of key antibiotics. For many people the c diff treatment works and it goes away after 7-14 days. About 20% of the patients are not cured and more powerful drugs must be used. The common and least expensive drug used is Flagyl (metronidazole). If Flagyl is not effective then Vancocin (vancomycin) is the next choice – but it is more expensive and is also usually reserved for the worst cases, so that strains vulnerable to the drug of ‘last resort’ do not develop.
A new drug called Fidaxomicin is also becoming a C Difficile treatment option. It is thought to target C Diff only and cause less disruption to the intestine as a result
A new therapy that involves placing specially treated fecal matter from a relative inside the intestine of a sufferer is also being researched. The evidence so far indicates that for many it ends their chronic C Diff infections. Find out more about c difficile treatment below.
Your guide to Flagyl
Vancocin and C Difficile
What is the C Diff ‘fecal transplant’ therapy
What is C Diff?
What are the symptoms of C Diff?
How is C Diff treated?
How is C Diff diagnosed?
How does C Difficile make you ill
Why do some people have recurring C Diff infection
How can C diff be prevented
Is C Difficile contagious?
What is C Difficile colitis
What are C Difficile toxins
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
How long after starting anitbiotics am I no longer contagious?
The antibiotics are often taken for 5-7 days for the internal infection. Contagion can still result after that time of others as a result of c diff bacteria spores on your skin and in the environment. Regular hand washing by you and your close contacts and the daily cleaning of all high touch areas in your home such as doorknobs, light switches etc can reduce the risk.
Many carry C Diff without harm until they are ill with something else. The main risk from your infection is to others with ilness that requires antibiotics.
Dave Roberts
Cdifficile.org
can a sitz bath help get rid of c diff?
The bacteria are active in the intestine. A sitz bath may bring some relief to the rectum but it doesn’t get to the core of the infection.
Dave Roberts
C Difficile Infection
Is it possible that it will cure itself? Are there certain foods to help correct the problem. I just finished taking antibiotics and have had diahhrea for three days now. Not uncomfotable but concerning. extremely loose stools and black in color. Quite spastic. Stomach rumbles.
Thank you for any advice you may offer.
I would check with a medical specialist. Probiotic yogurt is thought to help but for your own peace of mind it would be good to be clear whether the diahhrea is c diff related or not
Dave Roberts
cdifficile.org
Can C Diff. clear up by itself?
Not as far as I’m aware but you would need to take proper medical advice. Something that clears up by itself is possibly another type of infection or virus
Dave Roberts
cdifficile.org
My aunt has been dealing with this for a month or longer – she is in shock from the cost of the medication as she had to go to the Vancocin it cost $1800 plus dollars. How are people supposed to take the medication if they don’t have insurance? Now the key question is, will this finally help her?
Is there a minimum amount of time that it takes for the antibiotic to begin to work?
Is there a certain amoun of time that you should stay away from work or other populated areas?
People tend to be at their most infectious while actively ill with stomach issues. Once the diarrhea has stopped and you have thoroughly cleansed yourself you are less of a risk. The c diff spores are hard to destroy and may linger. If they are caught by healthy people via you there may be little ill effect until they have to take antibiotics for any condition they may have.
As a rule of thumb you may want to wait until you have finished the antibiotics
Dave
cdifficile.org
Not as afar as we are aware. The usual course of treatment is for 5-10 days depending on the medication.
Dave
cdifficile.org
It often does but not for everyone. It helps the majority of those who use it
Dave
cdifficile.org
I HAVE A 21/2 YR OLD THAT HAS THIS – 3 WEEKS NOW
I was diagnosed with C Diff 10 days ago and have been on Flagyl since then. I still have diarrhea and every now and then I am constipated. But when I do go to the bathroom I know I have hemroids but it feels like something inside is blocking and I feel like I have to push which is weird with diarrhea. What could cause that and how would I know how to find out and fix it? Help
You’ll need to get expert medical advice re the challenges you’re facing. We’re good on general information but we would be guessing if we commented on your situation.
Dave
cdifficile.org
My 4 year old contracted C Diff after getting an ear infection and perscribed Clavulin. Clavulin killed all the good flora. He was diagnosed Jan 10 with C Diff, Flagyl did nothing for him, he was perscribed Vancomycin which killed the C Diff bacteria as new results were negative. The pain he had from C Diff was so intense he was on 5ml of morphine. The main issue now is he still has severe stomach/intestinal pain. No fever, no vomiting, 1 “normal” bowel movement/day. It is bacically behind his belly button or higher on the right side (not appendix). The Dr said it could be from swollen lympnodes, but would they cause this severe pain still? Is is pretty uncomfortable from 8am-1am. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks – Scott
I had been prescribed an antibiotic for acne for several months. I came down with what I thought was the stomach flu and went to the ER. The ER Dr. advised me to stop taking the antibiotic which I did. I have felt perfectly normal for the last three days untill I got a call that my sample was positive for C Diff and they wanted to put me on Flagyl.
I’m very leery of this since I have no symptoms whatsoever now and I have read so many bad experiences with that drug, any thoughts or similar experiences?
Thanks,
Brendan
We’re only medical journalists so this is a thought rather than advice. If the stomach was reacting to the drugs and has now stopped reacting why risk provoking it with another drug.
The key is that the condition has improved
Dave
cdifficile.org