Need help for a friend with C.diff

[carolm]

Hi all,
I have a close friend battling a c.diff infection right now. She is taking Vancomycin and wanting to know what yogurts/ live cultures/ probiotics will help her repopulate her gut. I’ve never dealt with c.diff and have not ever responded well to probiotics, but I know that some of you here have dealt with c.diff.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Carol

[tommyboywalker]

Probiotics are a crap shoot to be sure with all of the different strains available and it's impossible to know exactly which ones our guts need at that particular point and time.

I did a Google search and this is something I found posted on Web MD regarding strains of probiotics recommended for C Diff.

"Saccharomyces boulardii are recommended with this type of bacteria. It appears to help, especially when combined with lactobacillus strains"

But I also saw one study that indicated lack of support for use of probiotics to treat and prevent recurring C Difficile.

Mayo Clinic says that the role of probiotics in this type of infection is controversial. Some may recommend letting the GI heal organically without probiotics.

So like many things GI related, "your results may vary".

I will check in with two friends who have had C Diff and see what their opinions are and post back if I get new information. I wish your friend all the best; it is nice of you Carol to post here for info for her!

[tex]

Hi Carol,

The problem with treating a C. diff infection is, of course, that some (or even most) of the little buggers may be antibiotic-resistant, so there may be survivors. Consequently, my own experiences (with eradicating all my gut bacteria) may be of no value in this case. I've been through two major abdominal surgeries (emergency gut resections with no time for cleanout first) that required complete eradication of all my gut bacteria, by means of several days of IV-administered antibiotic cocktails. Since hospitals are proven reservoirs of numerous species of pathogens, I was concerned both times that I might develop a C. diff (or some other) infection. I never used any probiotics afterward in both instances, and I never had a problem. But maybe I was just lucky.

I do have a suggestion, though, that should be useful. Be sure that she's taking vitamin D and magnesium to insure that her immune system is performing at it's best. Unless she knows that her vitamin D level is already in the 60+ range, and she's been taking the RDA of magnesium, she heeds to help her immune system all she can. I've wondered if people who get C. diff infections might have compromised immune systems to begin with. As I'm sure you're well aware, a deficiency of either vitamin D or magnesium (or both) can cripple the immune system.

I hope that whatever she decides to do, it works for her.

Tex

[carolm]

Thanks Tommy and Tex,
I was working when I posted and knew I wasn’t going to have time to do much research this afternoon, so I greatly appreciate your time and attention to my question.

I did tell her at the end of last week, to be sure she was taking chelated magnesium glycinate and to be aware that her vitamin D3 level needed to be between 60-70. And Tex, as usual you are correct, she has a lot of autoimmune issues- psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis primarily. She’s on methotrexate and in the past has tried Humira. I think she’s considering a biologic again. I have talked to her repeatedly about getting the Enterolab tests done, especially as her autoimmune issues have worsened and leaky gut is a major factor in the development of autoimmune diseases. And of course I’ve suggested she at least go gluten free and why but she just doesn’t see the necessity. I am just sure she would improve. It hurts nothing to try. But she is a nurse and has much more faith in western medicine than I do. She’s also on high blood pressure meds, cholestyramine, and a pain med. Piling on more meds and continually getting worse.

Anyway... it sounds like there is no specific live culture or probiotic that is known to be helpful during c.diff treatment. Autoimmune support makes perfect sense.

Tommy let me know if you get any insights from your friends.

Wishing you all the best,
Carol

[jlbattin]

Hi Carol,

I have a friend that took Florastor and said it helped her. Florastor has that strain of probiotics that's supposed to be best for it. Saccharomyces boulardii

I take Florastor myself on a regular basis and do well with it myself.

[carolm]

Thanks Jari! I share that with her.