How long does clostridium-difficile last?

If anyone would've asked me about this a year ago I'd have been clueless - amazing the things you learn with experience! haha! ;)

purple- thanks for all your advice on this! obviously several of us are not knowledgeable abut this subject. I spoke with my mom's doc yesterday and he said to continue the probiotics (Reverse, I am giving her culterelle and you can open the capsule and it dissolves well into juice/ water. I have found a product called MIO that dissolves in water but changes the flavor in case your brother wont drink water well. I am not letting her drink tea as it dehydrates and with diarrhea she certainly doesnt need any help being MORE dehydrated!) who ever is changing your brother's clothes needs to wear gloves, close the toilet seat when you flush the toilet...anything to keep the spores from traveling thru the air!

If you get probiotic capsules, I believe you can break them open & stir the contents into yogurt or applesauce. It is also available in liquid form, which might be easier.

C-diff being carried to your mom isn't the issue - she's already got the spores in her system - it lays dormant until the intestinal balance is thrown off (usually by the use of antibiotics) and then it becomes active until it is brought under control again by either vancomycin or flagyll. She will never be rid of it completely in other words - it will just be controlled.

Is yogurt enough, I wouldnt know what to give my Mom for probiotics as she cannot swallow pills. Also, can a healthy person who used to work in a nursing home, carry c-diff to my Mom? Thank you for any advice.RR

I forgot to add that yogurt helps also....if he likes it.

Yes, Culturelle (probiotics) help immensely! The antibiotics kill all bacteria in the intestines - good or bad - and the probiotics help to reestablish the good, which helps in digestion. I am willing to bet the diarrhea he is currently experiencing is the result of the combination of antibiotics and the bacteria imbalance. Get probiotics (there are several brands available) and have him take one WITH A MEAL, but NOT at the same time he takes an antibiotic, or the antibiotic will just kill off the good stuff.

My brother just finished with the Vanco and now has another 30 pills of flagyll. I HOPE this will really put an end to this episode of C-diff. But.. he has been having frequent bowel movements but they are not like before at all. Is this something coming on again?? We have him here at home and needless to say it makes for a lot of changing diapers and looks like rash developing too. I am very worried that we keep on top of this. And also what about the products like culturelle and such Do they really help??

@LGVeal - yes you need to worry, especially if she is having more than 4 loose stool/diarrhea movements per day. The amoxicillin can trigger c-diff to return, so keep giving her the probiotics and amox., but be sure & call her doctor as soon as you can so he can order a stool sample. My mother was told DO NOT take immodium or the like, but I can't remember why...I will see if I can remember. I'm thinking it has something to do with the swollen membranes in the colon, and causing blockages, but i am not 100% sure.

ok, try this again...just tried to send a message and it got lost....
My mom had cdif while in rehab in Nov. they gave her one round (10 days) of vancomyacin and within 4 days she was asymptomatic. test at end of 12 days showed she was clear. that was over a month ago. last Sat. she started amoxiciliin for UTI. on Monday I started giving her probiotics (luckily she has not taken them at same time as amox.!) last night and today she has had loose bowels. always holding it till she is on toilet but very loose. do I need to worry that this is a reoccurence of cdif or should I watch it for a few days..... (the nurse at rehab said she would always be a cdif carrier after having it) it is friday night before holiday weekend... doc will probably be in office on Monday. should she take a med for diarrhea or not?

@kjhinshaw...Ativan is used for anxiety, it is not an antibiotic...I find it disturbing that even though you told the doctors not to give it to your Mom they went ahead and did it anyway...it just really scares me because of what it did to my Mom and aunt, and also all of the other people who posted on other forums. Just be careful...best of luck to you!

I just wanted to mention something regarding the use of probiotics while you or a loved one is being treated for c diff. DO NOT TAKE the probiotics at the same time the antibiotics are given! Wait at least 2 hours afterwards. The antibiotic will kill the "good bacteria" in the probiotic, thereby killing the benefits of the same. My mother couldn't figure out what was taking the antibiotic so long to start working on eliminating the diarrhea - turns out the nurse at the SNF was giving them to her at the same time. Just wanted to pass that on!

Thank you for the wonderful advice and support that you have given during my mother-in-law's recent illnesses. You are so kind! Now she is confined to bed here at home with help from hospice nurses and has just days to live, so your help is no longer needed. Once again, thank you one and all!

Athena3....I don't think she was ever given Ativan when she was being treated for the c.diff. Ativan isn't a antibiotic is it? I thought it was used tor aggitation. She hasn't had any flare ups from the c.diff for close to 2 years or so even though shes had antibiotics galore due to a chronic UTI, and she's on a daily low dose. However she has had a couple of bouts with diarreah the past few days, but I think it's because they have been giving her Ensure, and that sometimes can cause it. They just recently gave her Ativan a couple of times because she was very aggitated and was swearing at everyone, and trying to throw things. That is not normal for her. The first time they gave her too much, and she was like a Zombie, so we told them no more. Then a few weeks later she started that all again, so they did give it to her at a much lower dose once or twice, along with another med combo that they put in a cream form. Both of these are only to be used if and when she's really out of control, and haven't been given for a week or two. After reading about Ativan, I'm now thinking I should tell them not to give it to her again. She has been a lot more out of it more often lately, so now I'm wondering if that's why. It's so hard to know if it's the dementia, or the meds at this point.

Loosinghope.....yes my mom takes a probiotic every day.

Thank you all for these postings and info, scary stuff! I am hoping if we are all extra careful with washing that my Mom wont ever catch this. I guess I should get her probiotics but she does have a full yogurt daily if that helps.
Good luck to all of you, I really feel bad for those affected with this on top of dementia, etc. :(

A word of advise if you loved one has C-Dif and they need an antibiotic please be sure your doctor gives them the Vancomyacin and Flagyl right away with the antibiotic. This will avoid a recurrence of the C-Dif according to my Mothers physician.

It is highly contagious. If someone has been in contact with c-diff and doesn't wash properly, they can spread the germ. Therefore, yes, you can get it at home and/or a doctor's office or a caretaker who hasn't taken proper precautions (gown, mask, gloves, handwashing, etc.). As to levaquin, it seems more seniors or those whose immune system have been compromised have issues. I wouldn't take it for myself but, that's me.

Kjhinshaw, I would have your mom take a probiotic (culturelle, acidophoulus) while she is on the antibiotic.

My heart goes out to all!

To kjhinshaw...I'm so very sorry about your Mom...what a horrible experience. Was your Mom ever given Ativan during the time she was being treated for C. Dif?
Here's the best thing for checking out the situation with Ativan...google "Ativan and the elderly"...the very first thing to pop up is the forum that gave me all the information I needed, but there are other sites you can check, as well. Ativan stays in an elderly patient longer due to the kidneys and liver not working as well to remove the drug...the drug can then build up...my Mom went into the ER after a stroke...they gave her what they referred to as "a lot of Ativan" and she never really came to after that...strangely, the medical records from the ER doctor said she had a TIA, was FULLY RECOVERED (!!!) and would be going home the next day...then along comes the doctor doing the rounds who told us she was now in kidney failure, which she was not in before going to the hospital, and we needed to arrange for hospice...she passed away exactly one week later without ever waking again. Please read the posts made on the forum...I know they will help you make a very informed decision about Ativan.
Best of luck and Blessings to you...
Athena

All advice I can say Is try staying away from doctors they are not God take care of yourself and eat the right foods I have gone at one time to many doctors and none did me any good they took all kinds of blood test still I was the same I spent hundreds of dollars for nothing. I went to see a herbalist and learned on my own about things and herbs it worked for me I feel so much better and look a lot better than I did. Herbs help keep you well once you get real sick then yes for tests you have to see whats wrong. They can only help they only help get you better doctors sometimes once you become sick. They can't keep you well only herbs I strongly believe herbs can if you take it every day and follow what you need to take. I know this cause I have experienced it. Hope this helps!

Reverseroles: My daughter (31) had it . I know she is so much younger, but she had it for almost a year. It started after she was on an antibiotic for a throat infection. She also was on all the "coctails" Vanko/flagyl. Her hair was falling out and she was wasting away. Plus she had to stop nursing her 2 month old! Finally I was advised that she needed to stop the antibiotics and start probiotics. The Iantibiotics were actually making the bacteria grow, so the doggone thing would never go away. My daughter can't swallow pills either, so she was told to buy Floragen 3 capsules.. She was to start out with 9 (yes 9) a day! The bottle says 1 or 2 but the nutritionalist said she would need 9 because all the antibiotics had stripped the good bacteria out of her. She opened the capsule and mixed it w/ plain greek yogurt in the am/ afternoon & pm. The yogurt actually helps the probiotic to work. If you are on antibiotics you would have to space them at least 1 hour before or after the antibiotics so they can be effective. Then, she was able to slowly wean herself down . Each month she would go down 2 pills. The third month she tried to go down to 5 a day, but her gut started acting up, so whe stayed on the 7 a day for another 2 months. Finally, like I said after a year she was good. She still failthfully takes 2 probiotics a day, and she watches her yeasts and sugars. And yes it is very contagious but my daughter made sure she washed her hands. None of her 3 children (one was a two month old infant) or her husband ever caught it. Neither did I and I had to care for her for several months because she was too weak to care for the children. One of the reasons we think my daughter got it was because her grandma was in a nursing home at the time, and my daughter was on antibiotics for a throat infection right after her gram passed away. When my daughter was little she had constant ear infections and of course, antibiotics were always prescribed. She would be on them every 3 weeks until we found a wonderful dr. who said she needed tubes in her ears. After her surgery she didn't get sick any more, but we think all the antibiotics could have stripped so much good out of her, her immune system was weakened. No one ever said that for sure, but it's possible. Whatever reason she got it, I'm so glad she was able to get over it with the probiotics. The pharmacy who was able to get her Vanko in liquid form for her, told me there is an elderly lady who has had it for over 2 yrs. and they are still prescribing vanko for her...Antibiotics to kill something that is caused by antibiotics????/ Doesn't sound logical. Try the probiotics, worse thing they can do is strengthen her immune system.

Geesh this is scary, I heard of this once and I was told no one recovers from it. I heard it was severe diarehea from a hospital, what is it and can you get it at home or in a dr office? Could my Mother catch this from a caretaker that I hired/ or if they had been at a nursing home before here? I myself take levaquin every time I am sick, like 2-3 times a year, is this bad for me also? I so hope all of your parents get well and my heart goes out to you all. I never heard this about levaquin or ativan. I can give my Mom a klonopin if she got aggitated but I will only give her one to have a mole removed in January, as she doesnt need one regularly. Is one yogurt a day sufficient for probiotics, she cannot swallow pills? Any advice appreciated and good luck to you all.

Athena3,

Can you please elaborate on the drug Ativan. As I posted earlier in this forum, my mom had a terrible expeiance and outcome with c.diff. She now has dementia, and they recently have perscribed Ativan as needed for her agitation. She's only been given it a couple of times so far. She has a chronic UTI so she has been given antibiotics several time over the past many months, but so far no c.diff. Thank you.

My mother (92 years old) caught it doing my step-fathers laundry when he was in an ALF (Alzheimer's ward). She has been in an out of the hospital for a long period of time due to her condition from it.. They now have it under control having taken Vancomycin and Flagyl. Plus at one point they had to use another medication as she was so bad. Plus she takes Florastor and they also have her on something on the order of Metamucil. Her health has improved considerably since she has followed this regimen of medications. She was weak, could hardly walk and lost considerable weight during this time. During the different times of being hospitalized with she ended up in physical therapy in a NH. She is not a candidate for surgery due to other health issues. But must say at this time she is doing the best she has in years aside from the effects of minor strokes she suffered over the years. At one point we had her admitted to Hospice as she was to the point she was so exhausted from fighting it. She is now back in the first stage of Hospice as they are monitoring her condition but at this point could graduate back out if she keeps up the progress she has been showing. As a caregiver I will say it has been a long process to get to this point where she has a more meaningful life. It is good to see her be able to enjoy the holidays with us and take part in things she hasn't been able to in the past several years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you work through this.

I have heard of the above (fecal transplant) - I think it was on an episode of either ER or Grey's Anatomy, actually!

Check out the mayo clinic website. One of the latest and very effective treatments for nasty resistant C. dif is a fecal transplant from a healthy person in order to replace the normal gut microflora. It's pretty safe and can work like a miracle. I think that more doctors should consider this option. Hope this helps.

My brother who has MS is just getting over the C-diff he contracted in hospital or rehab. How awful it has been for him and the family trying to get this under control. First time flagyll did not work. Second time when he was weak, dehydrated and not able to even get up did they take him to the hospital and put him on Vancomyacin. He is now home again and on Vanco for another week. He has STILL not regained the strength he had in September. I will surely try anything anybody has to suggest to keep this c-diff away! Going to go get him probiotics for sure.

thanksAthena....and losinghope. The PT working with her right now has suggested I consider some sort of antidepressant for her as she wants to sleep alot and the other day she was very snotty to him...due to a few other signals I asked her doc to prescribe amoxicillin for her as I think she has a UTI.... will ramp up the yogurt tmro! dont want her to lose good bacteria that will help keep cdif at bay! it sure is a vicious circle isnt it. I will also put levaquin on her allergy list....

I was able to get rid of my mother's c-diff after a partial hip replacement. She was in rehab and never got rid of it. I brought her home thinking it was over! Not so...very nasty! I gave her Vancomyacin every 6 hours without missing a dose and she got rid of it. No mistakes are allowed with this illness!! Good Luck!!

LGVeal - I strongly suggest that she not take levaquin any longer. As I said, I note on all medical documents for mom that she is "allergic" to levaquin. They always ask what kind of reaction she has had and I tell them. My friend does the same for his mom as it has happened twice for her and both times she was on levaquin. Thank goodness it cleared up quickly for her with the use of flagyl. I would ask a nurse or doctor their thoughts on levaquin.

I feel for all of you...I went through this personally and it's completely miserable...one thing I would like to add is to please not allow the doctors to prescribe Ativan for your loved ones possible anxiety if they are elderly and especially if they also have dementia...it can literally mean the end for them...I also know that from losing relatives to it...prayers to all of you and those who are going through this...

gosh! we were very lucky by the standards spoken of here! my mom got C-dif after surgery for broken leg - either at hospital or rehab... in isolation with another lady who had gone thru 3 rounds of meds. my mom only took Vancomyacin and was clear after one round of 10 days. I was told by the nurse practioner that she would be a carrier from now on. Losing Hope- that is interesting b/c my mom was on levaquin for congestion prior to the CDif..... I have been giving her probiotics/yogurt daily since she has come home. what a nasty infection CDif is!
Good luck RRcc!