C-Diff Remedies

Some fascinating news on Fecal Transplant science.. http://www.radiolab.org/blogs/radiolab-blogland/2013/jan/22/poop-magic-gut-cure/

HI U GOOD PEOPLE DOIN, , , , , , , , , don't have a dog in this hunt , but a few days ago fecal transplants was a heated topic on E.C.. Well, the Alopathics are now into the fray so there must be gold in them thar hills.

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/news/20150330/fecal-transplant-treats-serious-recurrent-intestinal-infection

As usual, I just stir the pot and get the heck out of Dodge..... so have at it.

Of course we must have a 20 year double blinded test that involves millions in university research grants.

I figure if the natural folks think it works, then they will take some poop from a healthy kin , stick it in a capsule and go about their merry way. Naturally, they will pass on their adventure to EC and we will be light years ahead of our modern medicine ......as usual. On the other hand, poop may be patentable.

======ORH=====

ORH--they do more than take it in a capsule. They mix it up into a slurry with oatmeal and other stuff and shoot it on up in there, hold and hope the good part "takes". My ibsd is so bad that I would if it got any worse. Lots of folks I know have done it, with good results.

I may be using the fecal transplant technique if the above natural methods and meds from drs don't work. Here's a link to Johns Hopkins that currently performs this procedure. Hope this helps someone...

I would like to know from Lloyd who posted today 12/18/12, what colloidal silver generator he has.

I have been taking CS for months now and have not been sick with a cold or flu. I recommended it to a friend who had been to many doctors because of the pain in her teeth and jaw. No doctors could help her. After the first day of taking CS her pain was diminished. Now it has gone away. She asked one of her doctor's if he knew about CS and he said yes. She asked him why he didn't tell her about it. He didn't have and answer. I also spray it in my dog's eye which was seeping. No more seepage. Also, a friend had pink eye, we sprayed it in and on his eye, next day it was gone. Amazing stuff. That is why I want to get a generator. Just haven't been able to decide which to get. Lloyd, if you could email me, that would be appreciated. Landrov101 (at) aol dot com

Many, many thanks to Ted and everyone on EC who are helping each other to continue with good health.

Sorry---it should have read 4---pure silver $5 coins. Maybe there are other size coins---these were what I used and it saves me a huge amount of $$ compared to buying it at a Health Food Store. Blessings to all who try this---it is SO good.

I have just -almost recovered from C'diff. I have 'red rice yeast , and am reluctant to take it, as what I have now is a yeast problem now. I have now taken Probiotics. I am so drained, and need to eat, but what can I eat not get sick again. Liquids are fine and staying in ( I think). I am 82, 119, (normal 124), and need to know what to eat. Please help! I not ever been sick like this ever. Thank you so much for help or reference.

Just Take 1 cup of home made milk kefir a day.

I like iherb.com, really good prices and fast delivery. But you should be able to get Oil of oregano right off the shelf at any health food store or Whole Foods. In Portland, we have it at the grocery store in the health department.

I'm so sorry to hear of those still suffering from c-diff and very happy to hear of those who have been cured! I've had c-diff for nearly three months; just finishing my third round of antibiotics... Second time for vancomycin but now it's double the dose. I don't know if anyone else has had abdominal swelling and pain and does that fit with c-diff? If anyone is continuing at their job, I'd really appreciate knowing how they are managing with lack of food and energy or the alternate of trying to eat but running to the bathroom all day? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Take care everyone and get better soon!

Cdifhelp, wow - that is quite a story. Thank you for telling it. I have heard about fecal transplants and can't believe something that is so successful has not gotten more attention. Uck factor? Who cares - works and no side effects.

Hi, I've struggling with c-diff for 4 months. I really want to try what your sister has found to be successful. I'm not able to find some of the things she tried.

I wanted to update I ended up using the 2 standardized turmeric 2 twice a day from and 2 of the Maxium strength Grapefruit seed extract twice a day (as the not using it wasn't getting the job done), and 2 of the Daily Enzyme Tablets 2 twice a day. I also used the Primal Defense a bit in the beginning and the Florastor. Then I tapered off the twice a day on the turmeric, grapefruit seed extract and the futurbiotic daily enzymes tabs to once a day (by the way it has betaine HCI and other goodies that are great a killing c diff. I did eat yogurt as well and continued the Primal Defense every couple of days as well as the florastor every couple of days. All taper done now. I didn't need all the other stuff so much to get rid of this but at the beginning I did need to boost up my immune system with some vitamin d and zinc, C. This has seem to do the trick with these ingredients I have been on this therapy about a month. It is pretty much gone, but I'm going to use it a few more weeks to make sure it is gone. Now simply slowly taper off of both just to be sure it is gone. I didn't need the iodine as much as I thought.

P.S. Use the above with my cat just a small full syringe type tube (minus the needle) and only used one a day and she no longer has C Diff either. Crushed up 1 standardized turmeric, 1 grapefruit seed extract and 1 daily enzyme and mixed with yogurt and filled syringe. Also gave her florastor and a primal defense occasionally (every few days as well). She's doing fine too now. And a little fish oil for the both of us. I'm so glad this worked for my cat as well because little people like cats cannot afford to lose too many pounds. This is a success story for us.

Yes to the Saccharomyces boulardii! I had c-diff about 6 years ago, a side-effect from antibiotics for Lyme, and my dr prescribed the Saccharomyces boulardii as you have described, and also Cholestyramin, a prescription-only drug normally used for cholesterol, which binds excess bile and inhibits absorption in the intestines (I'm not a dr but Wikipedia explains it pretty well). I think it also binds the c-diff. It's a powder that dissolves in juice or water, and I had no side effects. Between these 2 things, and also adding Iodoral (I tested very low in iodine), I was gratefully cured of that horrible disease.

Hi Sue, are you still well? Can you give me the name of your doctor in Virginia?

The same thing happened to me and I use the same probiotics that you mentioned and it worked. That antibiotic should never be prescribed. It does more harm than good.

Sue,

Do you remember if you added the Iodoral after you took the s. boulardii and Cholestyramine to clear the c. difficile? Or did you take them all at the same time?

I ask, because iodine is an antifungal, and s. boulardii is a fungus (yeast). So I would think that the iodine in Iodoral would interfere with or negate the beneficial effects of the s. boulardii.

Thanks in advance,

Kelly

Adam, have you considered including iodine in your daily regimen.

Here is an interesting article called "The End of Antibiotics and the Rise of Iodine" and it has some interesting comments on C - Diff.

http://www.naturalnews.com/022800.html

Adam, this is Adam from Virginia Beach! So yeah, I did a course of Flagyl for 10 Days and alternated Probiotics in between, and things were back to, if not better than normal after 10 days.. Of course I thought things were good, so I stopped the probiotics right at the same time the Flagyl was done... A week later it's back... I'm sure the Flagyl worked to a certain degree, but obviously it didn't eradicate it fully and I should have stayed on the probs. So rather than go right to the Flagyl again, I was reading up on the methods and the clay and oregano oil sounds fascinating...

Question though. I bought bentonite clay in powder form, how much would you take and how often daily? and I have 150 mg tabs of oregano oil... However, if the clay is a natural drawing out agent, wouldn't it draw the oregano oil or sacc. boulardii? Definitely would be interested on an update with your status as well.

This is in reply to Adam from VA Beach, posted 2/12/2012 -- Hi Adam, I only know about Sonne's (liquid Bentonite) #7 Detoxificant Clay which I got from their website. Supposedly, you can take 1-4 tbsp in an 8 oz glass of water 1-4 times per day. Have you learned any more about the powder form of Bentonite Clay? Has the Oil of Oregano worked so far for you??? My husband was diagnosed with C-Diff and treated; when checked by flex sigmoidoscopy, then told it looked like he also has either ulcerative or crohn's colitis... The GI said the diagnoses in these cases can change according to the symptoms and patterns of the colitis. I'm very interested in knowing more about the Oil of Oregano, if there is a reputable place to get it from via the internet?

This is probably really old. You may or may not get this. I'm trying to help a friend with UC. He's 18 and had had UC for two years. The past 3 months he has had C. Diff several times, been in and out of the hospital with severe cases. We are thinking he has it again. Do you suggest the Bentonite Clay and Oil of Oregano started immediately? Flagyl has definitely not helped in the past.

Do you have to take them for the rest of your life? Does c-diff come back if you don't take them?

Betty, for my chronic colon problems, I use milled flax seeds daily, aloe vera softgel every other day. I also use magnet therapy for the reduction of inflammation and promotion of healing. I sleep on a M pad at night, and wear a M belt during the day. This is a good baseline regimin, imho. Good luck.

Colonoscopy caused c diff.

There is a mega dose probiotic that is prescription only ask your doctor for it. It helps

Hi. Thank you for sharing your experience. This bacteria is not fun at all. I'm on week 6 of Vancomycin and I'm terrified. Can you please share with me the name of the probiotics that you mentioned and where do you buy them from? Thank you 🙏

FYI, fecal transplants are 100% effective in curing C Diff. Might be worth looking into in your situation. Best wishes!

Tricia,

Where are you at with your infection now? I am on my fourth round of antibiotics for C. Diff. Doctor suggested FMT this morning, but I'm not sold quite yet. I would feel better if other possible factors such as ulcerative colitis and Chron's were ruled out before undergoing a procedure that isn't FDA approved, nor covered by my insurance. Has anyone else had any luck with probiotic therapy?

Any advice would be so appreciated!!! Shayna

i was wondering how bad you had c diff, I was put on flagyl for 14 days felt better but the side effects of the flagly was not fun. I got constipated on it. Anyway, finally had bm after 5 days after antibotics. My bm are off and on kinda normal then diarea. oh. I have gas and off and on adominal pain. I am taking florgen 3 probotics.2 xday now. I'm just lost, can't see the gi Dr. til tuesday and the id. dr til thursday. My drs. put me on vacomicin. but haven't took it yet. They also told me to hold off til I see id Dr. I just dont understand why they dont take this seriously. im getting stressed out. Worried my son will get it since we have to share a bathroom and everything. Anyway, what is the name brand of the oregeno oil you bought??/help please

I got c diff in sept. of this year from taking chymayicin (sorry spelled wrong) from getting a staph infection. (only took 2 doses of it) anyway, I think its back. My stools go from snake like to runs. I'm taking florgen 3 and now florgen, but I'm wondering what you guys eat, I can only eat toast. But I don't have alot of adominal pain unless its related to gas (which I get kinda alot) but I was reading about eating formented foods and using toxic binders like bentonite clay and all kinds of stuff. I lost 20lbs in 6 weeks. I was told not to worry about it today by my gastro. Dr.

Does anyone happened to know what probiotics work better?? I am trying to keep my spirits high and stay postive and less stress but its hard considering, cant eat, you share your house with others and worried about effecting people. If anyone can share the names of products they use that will really help or even foods to try.. oh can I pulse or taper if this is my second time with c diff?? Does anyone had any reactions to any antibiotics given???..

I need help please.

Thank you, I was wondering did anyone have any other health problems like h.pylori or anything since having c diff? It's really hard to figure out what to get and that to combat c diff, when I have to watch out for other infections. Does anyone have any suggestions that can work for both even though they are treating for c diff first? Praying that the h.plori goes away. Plus I have a bladder infection. Ugh..help please.

Dennis,

Have you heard or tried SCD? I'm trying to find a GI doctor that would be open to the idea of healing through a diet plan like SCD if medication can be avoided. I have IBS and most likely IBD. Thank you

I'm in the hospital with it now and can't wait to get home to start this. Thank yu for sharing.

Hi there, feelbetter. Curious if you can respond with how your longer term outcome was after kimchi.

I was wondering when taking the bentonite clay were you on any antibiotics for the c.diff. For instance, I am taking vancomysin currently for the c.diff but was wondering if I can and should take the bentonite clay while still on the antibiotics or if I should wait? I have been on flaygl for like 6 days (that didn't work) and now I have been on vancomysin for 10 days and the doctor is extending it for another 7 days. I went to the health store and purchased it and also some super dophlis but I didn't know if I should try the bentonite clay right now? Any suggestions? I need this nastiness to go away. I should also mention this is my second time getting this in 5 years....all because of antibiotics.

Hello Wendy, I don't have the answer to your question on the bentonite clay, but I suspect that the answer is that the worst thing that would happen would be the clay might bind with the antibiotic, which might turn out to be a good thing because most people develop c diff after a round or two of antibiotics, which probably results of an overgrowth of bad organisms after the good guys in our guts are killed off by the antibiotics.

If this is true, then the bentonite clay and taking Probiotics should be more beneficial than another antibiotic. If the expense of probiotics is a problem you can pull up cultured cabbage recipes on-line and make your own much cheaper. Hope you get rid of that unwanted side effect quickly.

Hi Everyone - I am new to this forum and thankful for what I have read so far. I have been dealing with C Diff since August 2008 after taking Augmentin prescribed by my sinus doctor, been on Flagyl 4 times and I have lost 15 pounds. So Frustrating!! I am getting so tired of it all, I am looking heavily into Probiotics and taking the time to really read, learn and take action.

Right now, I am eating Activa yogurt which is helping a little and Yakult another type of yogurt. I am researching Probiotic foods, to make some major changes to my diet. Has anyone heard of Buttermilk as a good Probiotic? What specific foods and supplements do you suggest and what has worked the best for you?

This is the first time I have heard of Bentonite clay and am intrigued. I will look into this as a possible next step. My doctor says that since I have had 3 reoccurreces of C Diff since my original bout, the chance of another reoccurence is quite high.

I am doing all I can to ensure that this dose not happen and I am healthy once again.

I have left several posts about my c-diff but no responses at all.This thing is very frustrating and I am trying to find help and answers.Went today to get more probiotics and the person there told me it is very important to take the probiotic that has Saccharomyces Boulardii in it.

I asked her about taking bentonite clay and diatomaceous earth to absorb the bacteria which I read on EC. She was concerned that if it attracts the bad bacteria it may also attract the good which then becomes a vicious cycle. Does anyone have any information regarding these issues. I am trying to feed my body as much good bacteria as I can and also is it possible to over-do it on the good?

There are so many questions and worries that I have at this point and I'm stuck on finding out more. One says how great the bentonite clay is for your body,a nother one says it messed up their body and so on. I am starting to get very confused about what to do , but need to find a solution to get rid of this bacteria. The medical sites don't know anything other than to keep you on more antibiotics.

I am going through c-diff for the 3rd time. First hospital put me on clear liquids and I was really ill, 2nd time Dr just gave me anti bacterial prescription and no diet and I was really ill, the 3rd time the Dr at the hospital put me on baked skinless potatoes, mashed potatoes, white pasta, white rice, white bread and clear boullion with no salt. No butter, oil or seasoning. This along with anti bacterial drug and I never got the diarrhea.

Hello, I wanted to add this to the list of suggestions for treatment of C-Diff... In 2002 I had C-Diff for 1 month with no relief... Then, someone very knowledgeable(whom I STILL call my guardian angel! ) at my local healthfood store recommended that I take in combination 2 things: 1)Bio-K plus liquid.. This is a very potent strain of acidophilus (CL-1285)which has been studied and proven effective specifically against C-Diff.. You need to start with 1/4 bottle(each bottle is 2-3oz), and work you way up to entire bottle, dosing2-3x /day...

2)Mag O7 capsules, by aerobic Life!!! . The Mag o7 is an oxygen supplement bound to Magnesium... C-Diff is anaerobic and cannot survive in presence of 02... I believe I took the caps first and then 1/2-1hr later the BioK so the caps wouldn't kill the BioK.

I had instant relief but needed to stay on for 2-3 weeks to feel completely better... Hope this helps someone, because C-Diff is misery!

Julie

p.s. I am on this website because more recently I have been suffering from a different type of abdominal pain(weird gas pockets), especially when I lay down, and also seem to have developed milk intolerance (but not lactose, oddly enough as their is an actual test for this) and was wondering if this was maybe a possible result of my prior C-diff infection... Well maybe I will just try my old remedy and see if it works, but also will try the bentonite, because that sounds like it will absorb toxins.. just what I need! ...

Hi Julie, just wondering how many of the O2 capsules you took daily anddid you have to take an antiiotics or just that and the Bio K? Thanks so much - TANYA

Did the cdiff disappear?

I take colloidal silver when c-diff symptoms return and it works very well. I get the silver from ___ and an 8 ounce bottle lasts for 6 months or more. It's good for killing over 1,000 types of bacteria and it can be used in place of antibiotics which will prevent one from getting c-diff in the first place.

Have you tested negative for C.diff after taking the colloidal silver? I was told that silver helps but I want this disease gone.

Try oil of oregano it seems to really work as well as colloidal silver.

Silver Sol is better than colloidal because it is smaller particles and can enter the red blood cell and be carried to all parts of the body. It is not ionic but a new solution by a Dr Pedersen and has a patent. My c-diff started the end of Feb 2010 and I am on my 4th round of pulse with Vancomycin. I was hospitalized 2 times for a week each. And 2 times in the ER overnight and then left go home because the vomiting stopped. I started with two doses of Flagyl and got deathly ill during my 2nd dose which was my first week in the hospital. I had IV Flagyl and Vancomycin was started. I am now pulsing 3 weeks at time since the week long treatment didn't help. Just started on 2 times a day and so far all stools are formed. This has been a LONG year.

Wanted to ask the question about stools floating when we have C-diff. It is formed but sinks does that mean we are not healing?

I know there are many different companies that make Colloidal Silver and many different strengths! I was wondering if anyone has tried a strength of 2000ppm which is SUPER STRONG? Most sold in stores is only 50ppm by comparison. Has anyone tried this? For something like C. Diff treatment?

Hi Richard,

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Father.

I have seen a few things developed for C diff recently. Fecal transplants have a high success rate but difficulty delivering the material to the intestine. A new pill has been developed to bypass this, and to avoid possible problems with a live donor, research is looking at developing the correct bacteria (and other factors) in the lab. Both look promising for those suffering from C diff and other bowel problems, like Crohn's. I can't get the link to post, but if you Google "Pill for C diff" several articles from JAMA, science magazines and newspapers will show up. Successful trials with small groups of people have been done, with success rates in the 94% range.

Hopefully, others will receive more effective care in the future, regardless of their age.

I wonder if Ted could weigh in on this. People are saying that yogurt is a good way to go when I've heard from nutritionists that yogurt is usually loaded with sugar which is never good, it is a milk product and for C Dif you are always advised NOT to use any dairy products for a while. Also I doubt that yogurt has the levels or variety of pro-biotics needed to actually help with C Dif. Also, I notice that just today someone wrote a frightening warning about C-Dif here with NO suggestions on how to help. Personally, I'm not happy that I just left my mothers hospital room who is frightenly ill with C-Dif, I come to this site for answers and I get more fear. I will contact a nutritionist on Monday about this and if he enlightens me anymore, I will add some HELPful tips about C Dif according to what he has to say. On my own I have read about Colustrum supplements, and (believe it or not) Fecal transplants. I am sure each case is different so I'll mention that my mother was on anti biotics for a urinary tract infection she got a week after having a hystorectomy. I will add more information on Monday night if our nutritionist can enlighten me.

Hi Patti, Since we know that C dif often starts after antibiotics, it would seem to be a result of the good guys getting killed off in the intestines,letting the bad guys take over and create havoc. If this is truly the cause then the cure should be in killing off the bad guys and replenishing the good guys.

Please read recent posting in EC on maple syrup/baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) cure for cancer (can also click on link to article in IMVA (International Medical Veritas Assn. by Dr. Sircus) where this information came from in which he states that he preferred black strap molasses instead of maple syrup because you don't have to boil it). The explanation of how it cures cancer is to saturate the sugar that the mold thrives on with the baking soda which kills it, so the unsuspecting mold (probable candida) gobbles up the sugar, not suspecting that it is poisoned and is killed off, and the cancer goes away on its own. Probably the slaughter of the bad guys gives the body time to replenish the good guys, bringing the system back into balance and good health.

The rapid way to replenish the good guys is probiotics, which can be expensive, but if you have the stamina to make your own cultured cabbage, it is supposed to replenish the good guys quickly. Recipes for this and for Asian Kimchi (another cultured dish) can be obtained on line. Just type in "cultured cabbage recipe" or "Kimchi recipe" in the search window. My son recently made his first batch of Kimchi using the recipe calling for Napa or chinese cabbage, green onions or scallions, ginger root which he loves and I found it better than the commercial brands that he shuns because of pork or shrimp, etc. in them.

I am now on my first batch of cultured cabbage. Sure glad that it calls for 4 ounces of it mixed with 4 ounces of water, because when you open the jar it smells somewhere between sauer kraut and flatus (anyone doesn't know what flatus is, the four letter equivalent begins with fa..). This definitely doesn't whet my taste buds, and one is instructed to drink it 2 or 3 times each day until ones feces no longer stinks and until it floats. By the time my cultured cabbage juice is used up, my son might have a partner in making Kimchi and using it as a side side with each meal instead of drinking the cultured cabbage (Kimchi is also a cultured dish).

Fortunately I have never had C dif, but this is the route I would probably take. In fact, I pulled up the cultured cabbage because I suspected that I might have a lesser problem secondary to many antibiotics during my hospitalization this past spring, despite the fact that my good and wise doctor gave me probiotics throughout the hospitalizition to prevent problems with killing out the good guys.

Hi, Two weeks ago I was given antibiotics for complications of the flu bug, they call the Antibiotic the Zpack, a 5day course, I also had an Antibiotic shot.

The day after starting the pack I felt really well, but as the days went on, my throat felt not quite right, and the day of taking my last antibiotic pill,as the day progressed I could feel the original symptoms start back, hence early hours I awoke with terrible lower back pain, which ended up with me being admitted to Hospital, after tetss done etc a day later I was diagnosed with C.diff. I am now on 1500MG of Flagyl antibiotic which is not nice to take, I feel very lethargic, weepy, in other words just extremely miserably ill.

I read on this site of other people having had this awful C.diff and using the Bentonite Clay,where would I purchase this from please, I know one can purchase this clay at Farm Shops, but would be afraid to use that incase it has other additives??

As well as the 1500mg Flagyl daily, I am taking Aloe Vera Gel,and Acidophilus tablets trying to get my Colon flora back to normal. I would take the Bentonite Clay if I knew where to get it and maybe anyone who knew could email me. I would be very grateful for any advise.

What I want to know is...WHY do Drs give Antibiotics to patients knowing there is a chance they will strip the patients' good flora from their Colon and end up like myself with C.diff, it is appalling,and reading through there are many people around in the same situation as myself, these Flagyl are causing heartburn, fuzzy head, sickly feeling, is probably the liver trying to deal with it all.

I hope someone can help me please as to what I can do, and to advise me where I can get Bentonite Clay from.

Thank you. Regards Jacqui

Hello there. Thanks to all who make this wonderful resource available to us! I usually buy bentonite clay online from Mountain Rose Herbs but I have also found it in bulk at Whole Foods around the vitamins section. I hope this helps.

i bought it from earth's living clay. Carol who runs the business responds to questions if you have any about the use, so it's better than a random chain that carries it. I am taking it to prevent and control c.diff. relapse (i've had it for the past 3 months) one 2 oz mixture in the morning before you've eaten and one in the evening - at least an hour after you've eaten. you mix 1/4 cup of the clay with 2 cups of water and shake the mixture before you pour the doze. Also, make sure you use all plastic or glass materials for the spoon and bottle and cup from which you drink, since metal will interact with the clay and strip it of its positive function. keep us updated on how you beat this horrible disease!

I was diagnosed with c.diff. in March after having taken antibiotics and had bloody diarreah for several days. The flagyl was working while I was taking it but a week after the 10 day therapy the symptoms were back. I went to the emergency room to avoid waiting for an appointment, but the doctors gave me levaquin, which is an antibiotic that makes the condition worse. Somehow it made it somewhat better, but when I went to see my primary doctor 5 days later he put me back on the flagyl, which didn't make much of a difference any more. I was then given vancocin, but decided to take 3 days off all medicines since I was going to see a specialist then. I had diarreah about 5 times a day. I started taking probiotics and 4 days later my symptoms were significantly reduced. I tried the vancocin once but was allergic to it -- it is a very strong antibiotic and actually its side effect -- just like the flagyl -- is mild diarreah, which is what I already had. I started taking cholestyramine, which binds the c.diff. toxin and causes constipation; also I started eating only white rice and white bread and some baked potatoes - very plain food, with aminoacid supplements (rice powder) and vitamins, esp. vitamin C. Also, I got about 5 different probiotic brands with several strains - you want those that give you billions of cultures - like 50 or 100 per serving. I have been free of symptoms for almost two weeks now and my last test was negative, although tests are not 100% reliable. You have to keep checking it every couple of weeks. All in all my advice is to stay off the antibiotics as much as possible and take lots of probiotics and keep a starchy simple diet. Certain herbal teas have also helped me -- calendula (or marigold) and plantago lanceolitis - 1 tablespoon per 400ml of boiling water is left for about 30 min. Strain and drink before eating 3 times a day.

We recommend the interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal called: Rising Foe Defies Hospitals' War on 'Superbugs'

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122160848756745487.html

I have had this since 12/29/09. I thought it was a side effect of the z-pak antibiotic I was taking after have my deviated septum surgery.when I talked to my Dr. he said that the zpak should not have this side effect and to take pepto also prescribed some anti dirrareal med.and Flagyl. after a month there was no improvement and I went back to the DR. where they did a stool sample. about a week later I was told I have c diff and they then called in a PX. forthey other antibiotic for this condition since the flagyl did not work it seemed to be getting better but after a week of stopping the new med. The condition now is back to a very watery stool. Will it ever go away? What happens if it does not I heard this is a very dangerous infection. How does one live with this. I hate to go to work just incase I need to use a public restroom. Yes I have a phobia about public restrooms. How will I go on I am awaiting another visit to my DR. he is on vacation until 4/5. This is an awful situation.

I am suffering from my 3rd time with cdiff, First time was in May, 2009, and just recently March,2010. Was hospitalized both times for 2-3 days. I am on Flagyl and 2 other probiotics. I took Flagyl for 3 weeks and 1 week later I started having recurrent sx. So I am no on Flagyl again and planning to do the pulse dosing. It is so frustrating because the doctors etc. do not know much about this and I have spent hours on the web trying to discover the best probiotic and the best way to get rid of this. I have lost over 10 pounds and just want my life back. If anyone knows the best diet plan to follow please respond or any other advise.

I am on my third bout of C. diff since the middle of February 2010. I contracted C diff after being treated with Avalox for pneumonia. I have been prescribed the standard protocol of Flagyl for the first episode, Vancomycin for the second and am doing a tapered pulse dosing of Vancomycin now. Sacharrmyces Boulardii has made a huge difference in my ability to live with C diff. I was taking as many as 20 450 mg capsules a day at the beginning of my third outbreak and only had about 2 bad days, compared with being bed ridden for 5 or 6 days with the first two episodes. I have now dropped down to about 6 or 8 capsules per day and can mostly lead a normal life. I don't think Sacharrmyces boulardii stops the bacteria, but literature indicates that it may destroy the toxins that cause the problems with the intestines. It also is very helpful for diarhea. Sacharrmyces boulardii is relatively inexpensive, about $12 for 50 capsules if bought over the internet.

I was diagnosed with C Diff back in May and I am already on my fourth course of antibiotics. I have had both Flagly & Vancomyacin. I am very interested in the Pulsed & Tapered Dose strategies for the antibiotics. Can anyone share the dosage and frequency used for either?. My MD will only perscribe the standard 4 times a day for 10-14 days. I have read several case studies on line that show both Tapered & Pulsed dosage with favorable results for patients with multiple relapses. They do not however provide any details and while it seems that most doctors are just guessing when they treat C Diff, I would like to hear what dosage & frequencies were effective for real patients! Any and all input would be appreciated. I am researching all the "alternative" therapies as well. I just started on the probiotics. So I will share the results soon.

I was diagnosed with c. Diff. On October 14, 2010, after being symptomatic for four weeks. I had been given Omnicef for pneumonia but had started to have the beautiful yellow, smelly, and loose stools even before taking Omnicef. A few weeks previously, I had taken Clindamycin for an infection in a tooth that needed a root canal. The fact that this spore is so tenacious has me discouraged and fearful of relapse. I am on a 3 1/2 week regimen of metronidazole and pray it knocks it out of me. I've not been able to attend my college classes and find myself falling behind. It is devastating to me, because I'm a straight A student and loath anything below an A. I also have endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, so I'm suffering four-fold. The good news is I am in good spirits and keep on going, because there is no other alternative. I'm frequently washing my hands and using Clorox wipes and bleach to clean. I have yet to do laundry, because I don't feel well enough. I also know I cannot ask any friends to do it for me due to how fastidious the spores are. The last thing I want is to put a friend at risk. I know I'm supposed to stay away from milk, but I just can't. I am taking Culturelle as a probiotic, and I thank whomever said to take it at least two hours after taking metronidazole.

Hi Miri, I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering with this nasty bacteria. Usually people will get C. Difficile after using macrolids or any antibiotics of a large spectrum. The problem is that C. Difficile is a part of our normal flora but once we wiped out our flora, this bacteria takes advantage of the situation and grows wildly. If you are taking Flagyl, you can add S. Boulardii. Because this yeast has shown very interesting anti-C. Difficile activity. The other thing you can use is oregano oil. The problem is the oregano oil cannot reach the low intestines and get absorbed very quickly from the stomach, duodenum and it will never reach the sites where C. Difficile is. I don't know if a slow release formulation of oregano oil exists. But that will be the best choice against this nasty bacteria. You can take oregano oil slow release( if it exists) and S. Boulardii. Also L. Reuteri is a lactobacillus bacteria that inhibits the growth of C. Difficile. You can add that to. You need also L-glutamine to restore the damage colon mucosa. If the above treatment won't help, then look for a hospital or a clinic that can grows your own probiotics from your stools to billions per capsule and that can help you to eradicate C. Difficile. Also Ask your doctor for a antibiogram to know for sure if Flagyl is working. Because if flagyl is not working, there is no need to keep taking it. Hope for you the best help.

My C-diff was the cause of overdose on Cleocin. I was given this antibiotic for an insect bite during our vacation in July. The side effects from this drug were really evil and eventually the doctor ordered me to quit taking them. Two weeks later I had such bad abdominal pains I couldn't function. I dropped off a stool sample to the lab and two days later was prescribed Flagyl. Three weeks on the Flagyl and no change at all. I dropped off another stool sample to the lab & was prescribe vancomycin for 20 days @ 4times a day. Guess what? 2 days after I finished that dose, I dropped off another stool sample to the lab and it came back negative. I was starting to get bad again by the end of the week so the doctor had me return the following week to drop off yet another sample which came back positive. I had been told by the pharmacist that this is the last resort antibiotic and there is nothing else that can fix this problem.

I have been taking probiotics that I get from a supplement store and have a new treatment plan. I do two days on, one day off for 2 weeks now. My problem is that the days I don't take anything, I am very sick by the end of the day still. I'm sure this pulsing treatment thing will work because I've heard from many people how successful it is. I also drink 32 oz of gatorade daily which keeps my potassium up. I am extremely allergic to milk, bananas & mint so I am limited on how I get these nutrients that my body needs. I have noticed that I crave coleslaw. After reading the information earlier about the cabbage, it makes sense. I was really concerned about messing up my digestive system with a vegetable that is so thick, but I haven't had any issues at all with it. I guess I've been very lucky because I haven't been hospitalized with this disease. I had also read that people with acid reflux issues have an environment that's more comfortable for these spores to live in. The information that I have found on sites such as this one is very informative. I am just tired of being sick all of the time and really concerned for my husband who is probably at a greater risk to get this disease, too.

To Catherine from Portland with C-Diff: Have you tried colloidal silver for your c-diff? I think probiotics is the correct direction for this to clear up, however the 32 oz of GatorAde you are drinking each day could be slowing your recovery from this. It is very high in sugar (works against probiotic benefits), and dangerous levels of salt to be drinking long term daily, and also has sucrose and fructose in it (Splenda and corn syrup.. Weight gain and other health problems), and artificial dyes and flavorings. If you want to make your own sports drink (safer, more effective and cheaper) I found this recipe:

Ingredients for Homemade Organic Sports Drinks:

* Pure Organic Fruit Juice (No High Fructose Corn Syrup! )
* Water or Green Tea
* Organic Sea Salt

Directions: Fill your sports bottle with half juice and half water (or tea). Add a pinch of organic sea salt, shake, and enjoy!

Hi Catherine, You should take oregano oil slow release with S. Boulardii. This yeast antagonists against C. Difficile and also reduces the toxin loads. You add to that Flaxseed oil and some probiotics.

Dear Lisa in Thousand Oaks,
I'm also in So Cal. Am very interested in how you make your homemade kefir. I resolved a case of c. Diff with store bought kefir once about 2 years ago, now treating for borderline suspected sibo (xifaximin) and want to start kefir immediately when finished to prevent another bout of c. Diff. Can you point me to a prior posting of yours that explains how you make your kefir? Wold be endebted.

Many Thanks,
Danny

Hi Danny, If you go to the kefir section here on EC you will see my posts regarding kefir and its benefits. I also post sites that you can learn more about it. Since you are here in CA, may I suggest you also consider using raw milk to make your kefir from. We are okay here in CA regarding raw milk. At least for now... If you have any other questions, I would be happy to answer them! Hope this helps.

My story is similar to the ones that I have read in here. All starting with a prescription from a dentist or doctor for an antibiotic. My GP told me that Dentists are big culprits of prescribing Amoxicilan and Clyndamycin, both are "Broad Spectrum" which means they kill every bacteria... Good and bad. I was first given 7 days of Flagyl, and of course the c-diff returned 4 days after completion. My second case of c-diff was so severe that after I had emptied my body of anything resembling a stool, my bowel then went into spasm and continued to try and force anything out of me it could. I had nothing left but blood and mucous and the pain was so severe I ended lying on the bathroom floor sobbing which is where my husband found me and rushed me to the hospital. The pains and cramps made childbirth seem like a walk in the park. The hospital gave me IV Vancomycin and a morphine shot (which they say is necessary to stop the bowel spasms) and I was very grateful for it I have to admit. I spent two days in hosptial under quarantine and then sent home to continue my Vancomycin in pill form for 10 more days. I had been warned that c-diff can return over and over and decided to be pro-active about recovery this time so I phoned a Naturopath and this is what he told me.

First he said that Probiotics are 100% necessary for this. So are Vit B's and a whole host of other nutrients to restore the good "Gut Flora" after this infection. He gave me Immune Boosters, heavy dute suppliments L. Glutamine and put me on an IV of nutrients 2 X week for 4 weeks. He said that c-diff needs to have a very agressive approach or I could have it stay dormant for years and it could take me up to 2 years to just get back to normal.

I have taken Acidophilous anytime I take an antibiotic and the average number per pill is around 100 million in drug store brands. Everything I read on-line said I needed a much higher dose for c-diff recovery. So I bought one from the pharmacist that was 10 Billion per pill. However the Naturopath told me that I needed ones that were 100 Billion per pill to treat this particular problem. Hi comment to me about eating yogurt and taking health store pro-biotics and/or off the shelf brands was, "It's like trying to put a forest fire out with a garden hose". All are fine for maintence of a healthy routine but once you get something that has killed off ALL your good bacteria they aren't effective enough to do any good. Once healthy again then by all means go back to low dosage pro-biotics and eating yogurt if you choose but don't be fooled that they will help you once you are dealing with something as severe as C-Diff.

Hope this helps some of you. Naturopaths aren't cheap and usually not covered by medical but I think it is worth the money. Even my doctor told me that most doctors aren't trained in nutrition and this type of medicine and a Naturopath was a good otpion. I have paid literally thousands of dollars for my dogs at the vet.... Why would I not spend money on myself for this. The total cost was about $1200 for the IV nutriants and about $400 for the heavy duty probiotics and supplements. Oh and the next time someone offers me a prescription for an antibiotic I am going to be asking a lot of questions and thinking long and hard about whether I really need them or not, believe me.

After reading your post I was just thinking about when I had that for 6 months and lost all my weight, it would be wise to also add a potent supplement of vitamins and minerals and omegas if you could keep them in your system long enough to absorb them.

None of the meds they gave me helped and only seemed to make me feel worse. I did use a lot of over the counter pain meds for the stomaches, taken with a saltine cracker.

You also might benefit from coconut oil or meat to heal the digestive tract.

I have had c diff now for about a year. I have been through 6 different doses of vanco and the new meds called difficel and now I went thur a fecal transplant and it did not work. 4 weeks later I will have to go through another fecal transplant. I heard someone say that pain meds make the spores worse. I am having a terrible time with this; if anyone has any other ideas, please pass them along for me. I go next week for another transplant, please say prayers.

Barb: One of the best local natural antibiotics is Oil of Oregano. Take 2 or 3 soft-gels before retiring. In the morning take a broad-spectrum high organism Probiotic (4-60 billion units).

Do this for one week then add 50mg Zinc w/ 5-10, 000 iu of Vit-A away from meals. Home made Kefir will also help populate the gut w/ good bacteria.

hi Barb from Indiana, I think I'm following your route...would like to know if you have finally conquered the beast?

I was diagnosed with C-Diff on Feb.14,2008. I had initially gone to the Dr. with bad stomach pain & sore throat & was prescribed Omnicef. On day 10 I had bad diarrhea with blood. I went to the ER. A week later I got a call saying that I had C-Diff. I took 10 days of Flagyl which was one of the worst experiences ever. I still have upper abdominal pain from time to time. I want some relief.

I contacted c diff after being prescribed clindamycin for infection. I had 2 rounds of vancomycin, 2 rounds of flagil, took florastor, and culturett faithfully. I also started drinking Kefir. This started January 1, 2009 and I could not shake it. I wound up in the hospital in February. In April, my gastroendologist decided to do "bacterial" therapy. Another name is fecal transplant. My husband was the donor. Since I was 53, I needed a colonoscopy anyway, so my doctor did both at the same time. I have not had c diff since. Automatic cure after all these months. Now I am getting ready to face breast surgery and am loading up on florastor, kefir, and culturette. I hope it does not come back but if it does another bacteria therapy is in my future.

I have had another recurrence of C Diff, but am unable to find a doctor willing to do a fecal transplant. Does anyone have the name of a physician that will perfom one?

To Dianne in Rives: A fecal transplant is also called a fecal enema, and normally a family member is the donor. You instantly have the benefit of healthy bacteria, flora, without introducing cultures to your system orally. I think you could find out how to do this yourself online... Everything is online.. That's how I found this thread! Fighting C-dif in my 88 yr old Dad, second bout in three weeks of Flagyl... If this doesn't cease, 6 to 10 diapers a day.. We won't mention sheets)here comes the enema!!

Regarding fighting clostridium difficile in your 88 year-old father - My mother had c. Diff. At 88 also (caught it in the hospital). The doctors were at a loss. A child's dose of bovine colostrum had her bowel movements back to normal within 24 hours. In 2 weeks she was back at home, and lived another year. Get bovine colostrum capsules at your local health food store.

My 84 year old mother has had diarrhea for 3 months now. First month her gastroenterologist refused to think it could be C Diff despite fact she had been on 2 yrs of antibiotics for recurrent UTI's and most recently CIPRO and Levaquin (which I have since learned are notorious for causing C Diff. ) Ended up in hospital dehydrated and had colonscopy and sent home. 2 nights later fell while cleaning diarrhea and fractured her spine w/bone fragment wedged against spinal column and couldn't walk. Back in hospital, colonoscopy results came back with collageanous colitis in meantime. Had 7 hr neurosurgery for spine, a few days later diarrhea even worse and diagnosed C Diff. I think she had it all along although they said it didn't show up in colonscopy (is this possible?) Started her on Flagyl 4 days, then switch to Vancomyacin. Then her heart rate became irregular, fluid built up etc. Sent her to rehab and 4 days later she was VERY ill and back to hospital with infection in blood stream (doc said from all the diarrhea), heart attack, congestive heart failure, atrial fib, SVT, pneumonia... We almost lost her. Infectious disease doc was great (wish he'd been called in earlier)and he chose an antibiotic for the blood stream that wouldn't aggravate C Diff and wouldn't let them put her on any other antibiotics. Started her on Floraster and lactobacillius in hospital (at least they do that now). She got better, blood stream infection and C Diff both got better. Her heart functioning was 25%, and only 2 2wks earlier it was strong and fine. They did angiogram and found 95% blockage in LED artery and put in 2 stents. Doc told me that stress of being so sick and diarrhea so long can cause veins to restrict and plaque to be knocked off, blocking the arteries.

She is now out of hospital back in SNF for rehab, and diarrhea started getting worse again pretty quickly even tho on Vanco for 4 wks. Doc extended it 10 days more. Meanwhile - I expressed concern that she may have a UTI (with diarrhea in diapers and CNAs not making effort to get her to bathroom no wonder! ), and put her on Macrobid without telling me. Now I know and am torn - the UTI could make her very sick again, but so can the C Diff. He says Macrobid isn't one that causes C Diff like Levaquin does. So I compramised and said ok to 5 days of it. Making myself sick too worrying about this, managing it, advocating and researching. Are there any good antibiotics she could be on that won't make C Diff worse?

I agree with Joyce that yogurt is the best for curing C-diff. My mother has the same thing from antibiotics killing the good bacteria. I get her Kefer yogurt drink that she has every morning. Suppose to be the best probiotic.

Thank you Dolores from Lancaster for sharing your story about your brother and C-diff. I am so sorry for your loss.

You are right about needing to be proactive in our health by empowering ourselves and our families. As a former C-diff sufferer (1995 when I was given Biaxin and Cipro for walking pneumonia), one thing I strongly recommend for getting and staying healthy is taking a very high-quality probiotic daily - eating fermented food helps too.

Take care, Bess

I had cdiff last year after the first round of flagyl for 14 days it came back after 3 or 4 days, then I went on metrodinasol (vancocymin) for 14 days. Again I thought I was finally rid of this horrible thing, but it came back after 3 days again. My doctor, and I also did some research, put me on 21 days of flagyl and that is what finally did it. I also take an Activia yogurt everyday and 1 pill of saccaramyses Boulardi MOS and I have been free for the last 9 months. As a matter of fact my stomach has never been this good even before CDiff it must be the probiotics. I hope this helps.