Replied by C.S.M (Vero, FL) on 03/07/2009
Have you heard about probiotic therapy and fecal transfusion? Here is a thread with some good links.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/messages/37490.html
Best Wishes to you and your wife. Hope she recovers quickly!Replied by C.S.M (Vero Beach, FL) on 03/07/2009
Coincidentally, just tonight I listened to an online talk from this MD (see his bio below) who specializes in treatment of recurrent C diff. Maybe he can be of some help. As you are acutely aware, Cdiff is a complicated diagnosis. I have done an online search and have not been able to find any other alternative therapy. Is your wife actually having active diarrhea? The spores do stay in the colon and if not causing diarrhea should not be actively treated. Again, best wishes to you.
Stuart Johnson, MD, DTM&H, is Associate Professor of Medicine at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, Chair of the Infection Control Committee at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ilinois, and a Staff Physician at the Hines VA Hospital. He is a council member of the Anaerobe Society of the Americas and the current President of the Chicago Area Infectious Diseases Society. His main research interest and focus has involved the epidemiology and pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile infections. He is actively studying variant strains of this enteric pathogen that do not produce one of the two large clostridial toxins. In addition, he is studying the role of these toxins in the pathogenesis of C. difficile disease. He has also been involved in clinical research on the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is responsible for most cases of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. He is the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles, reviews, and book chapters.
P.S. By the way, I am not associated with this doctor or facility at all. I only took his name from the medical conference that I watched on line at Medscape. CSM
Replied by Gean (Salina, KS) on 03/07/2009
Please read Meryl's story at http://www.lactobacillusgg.com. Click on "testimonials", then on "Meryl's story" at the bottom of the page. It's about a lady with C. Diff who was healed with Culturelle probiotic, which in their words did in four days what four months of antibiotics could not do. It surely can not hurt. Culturelle can be purchased at Walmart for under $20.Replied by C.S.M (Vero Beach, FL) on 03/08/2009
Another thing--
C diff colonizes in the bowel and should not be treated unless she is having symptoms (abdominal symptoms, fever or diarrhea).
C. diff is a bacteria--it couldn't hurt to use turmeric per the advice here on Earth Clinic.
According to The Peoples Pharmacy --
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/herb_home_remedy_qa/coconut_saves_patients_life.php
"Shredded Coconut and coconut macaroons can be lifesaving for relief of diarrhea from several conditions. The response can be immediate or can take several weeks"
From the same source--consider adding pineapple for inflammatory properties.
In my experience, C diff can cause lactose intolerance at least for a while after the infection. Try a lactose free diet.
Earth Clinic-- Would you please add my response to any diarrhea treatment forums you have? C diff should be suspected in any case of diarrhea now (because of the use of antibiotics in man and animals) and, according to MSNBC, a superstrain of C diff may be in 40% of grocery store meats.
Thank you. And thanks for offering this wonderful resource for people! CSM
EC: Yes, will cross-post to the diarrhea page. Thanks for your research, C.S.M.!
Replied by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 03/09/2009
Hello Ray, Sorry your wife has been ill for so long with C diff. Since C diff usually follows use of antibiotics, it would seem logical that it occurs because the antibiotics killed off the good guys in the intestines. It also seems logical to think that those bad guys called candida albicans have taken over and are causing the trouble.
If I were you, I would look up Ted's remedies on other things, and would probably begin with his methylene blue drops to kill off the candida, also taking probiotics to replace the good guys to keep the candida in check. You can also research other sites regarding
systemic candida infections and natural cures for it.Replied by Anonymous on 03/09/2009
Would colostrum help? Wishing your wife well!
Just google colostrum for c-dif and you should find helpful info!
Replied by Anita (Georgetown, IL) on 03/10/2009
My husband had c-diff for several weeks and we beat it with Bentonite Clay. One tablespoon each day cleared up his diarrhea within about 3 - 4 days time. The bad bacteria in the gut is attracted to the clay and absorbed by it. Works wonderfully!Replied by C.S.M (VERO BEACH, FL) on 03/12/2009
Could you please describe how you take the bentonite clay? Do you mix it in something? Did you take the whole tablespoon all at once or split throughout the day?
Thank you.
CSMReplied by MMAK (Vero Beach, FL) on 04/09/2009
To CSM in Vero Beach...I live in Vero Beach and contracted C-Diff after abdominal surgery. The pharmacist told me he fills 20 prescriptions per week for Vincocin.. the antibiotic used to treat it. I have been on meds since February and it has not gone away. I will try some of these suggestions. Just wondering what your experiences are and if there is something to be said that we are in the same town....and perhaps got it at the same place.
Also, not sure what docs you use.
Thanks.Replied by Kimberly (Lincoln, Ne) on 12/02/2009
Before you give up hope, Please try Pau d'arco tea or a decoction of the bark. This is the only thing that has truly worked in my case. It is a very strong antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial. I have tried yogurt and probiotics. Try drinking one cup of it 2-3 times a day. You can find it in health food stores or online. You will also want to try Wild Oil of Oregano capsules. Make sure they are the real thing and not a diluted copy cat.
Look both of these things up on the web. Wild oregano is a very potent antiseptic, antibacterial as well. Please have your wife and anyone else you know who has C. Diff try these.Replied by Sky (Harrisburg, Pa, Usa) on 02/11/2010
Anita from Geargetown , I know this has been almost a year, but did the c-diff ever return in your husband?
I had the c-diff or may still have it. I was done with the metronidazole (flagyl) last week and felt great. Right before I was done I got my Bentonite clay and diatomaceuos earth in the mail. Since I no longer had diarrhea I only started taking the diatomaceous earth instead of the clay. Also still taking some probitics and drink the cabbage juice every couple of days, but last night I started with the first symptoms of c-diff again....I guess I am not taking enough of something, since it's not cleared up.
I took one TBS of clay last night, again one this morning and I'm hoping to beat this as soon as possible. I wish more people would comment on posts, I am very curious about all of this and would like to know if people have actually beat this bacteria?
Replied by Tabvan (Mechanicsburg, Pa) on 08/23/2010
Sky this was a long time ago. How is your c-diff now at the end of Aug. ? My c-diff started in Feb and I am on my 4th dose of pulsing Vancomycin. This time 3 weeks for each dose which will take me up to Nov. I have formed stool but not floaters yet.
