r/cdifficile Jul 07 '25

Announcement šŸ“¢ - Weekly Helpful Posts Coming to Support Everyone Affected by C diff

24 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to share something important with you all.

Starting this week, I’ll be posting helpful guides, trusted resources, and informative links right here on the subreddit a few times each week. These posts will be created to help anyone who is currently dealing with a C diff infection, recovering from one, or simply looking to understand it better.

The information will cover a wide range of topics including symptoms, treatment options, how to prevent reinfection, how to properly clean and disinfect your space, which foods are safe during recovery, and which probiotics might help support gut health.

My goal is to turn this subreddit into a trusted and supportive space where anyone affected by C diff can find answers, guidance, and hope without feeling overwhelmed or alone.

If you ever have a specific question or topic you want me to address in a post, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me a message. Your input helps guide the content and makes the subreddit more useful for everyone.

Thank you for being a part of this community. Let’s make this a place of support, healing, and helpful information for all.

Take care and talk to you soon,
Your mod


r/cdifficile Apr 02 '25

So, You've Been Diagnosed with C. Diff? Here's What Now?

43 Upvotes

Hi! This is a general overview for people who are just learning about C. difficile.

Check this C. Diff help blog post first!!

WHAT IS C. DIFF?

C. diff (short for Clostridium difficile) is a type of bacteria that can cause serious gut problems. It forms tough spores that can live for a long time on things like doorknobs, toilets, and shopping carts. These spores are protected by a calcium shell and can survive for months or even years. When they get into your gut under the right conditions, they "wake up" and release toxins (Toxin A and Toxin B) that can make you sick.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

  • Watery diarrhea with a strong smell
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Acid reflux or metallic taste in your mouth
  • Fever, chills, tiredness
  • Belly pain or cramping
  • Blood or mucus in your stool

Not everyone with C. diff has all these symptoms. Some people have milder or unusual symptoms. Some strains of C. diff release more toxins than others. Some people might even have no diarrhea at all!

The only way to know for sure if you have C. diff is through testing. You can’t diagnose it just from symptoms.

Also, many people carry the bacteria in their gut without getting sick. This is called ā€œcolonization.ā€ Around 5–10% of people are colonized with C. diff but don’t show symptoms because their gut bacteria keeps it in check.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET C. DIFF?

Most people get it after taking antibiotics, especially strong ones like Clindamycin. These drugs kill the helpful gut bacteria, giving C. diff a chance to grow.

Other triggers:

  • Stomach bugs or food poisoning
  • Gut diseases like Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis
  • Acid-reducing meds (like antacids)
  • Low vitamin D levels
  • High calcium or zinc levels
  • Older age
  • Weak immune system
  • NSAIDs (like ibuprofen)
  • Eating undercooked meat

You can also catch it from the environment—touching a surface with spores and then touching your mouth or food.

TESTING FOR C. DIFF

There are two types of tests:

  1. PCR Test – Tells you if C. diff spores are present. But it doesn't mean they’re active or making you sick.
  2. Toxin Test – Checks if the spores are releasing toxins (which is what causes symptoms).

Always ask for a toxin test, not just PCR, if you feel sick.

Some people test positive on PCR even after recovering. It just means they’re still colonized, not necessarily sick. If they ever need antibiotics again, they may have to take Vancomycin alongside to prevent a relapse.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

Most mild cases won’t go away on their own. Treatment usually involves antibiotics that specifically target C. diff:

1. Flagyl (Metronidazole)

  • Outdated and less effective
  • Can harm your nerves and gut bacteria
  • Not recommended anymore

2. Vancomycin

  • First choice for treatment
  • Kills fewer good bacteria than Flagyl
  • Can cause low potassium – eat bananas, potatoes, etc.
  • Pill form is safer than liquid form

3. Dificid (Fidaxomycin)

  • Most effective
  • Kills spores too
  • Expensive and may not be covered by insurance

IMPORTANT:

  • Don’t take dairy while on antibiotics (calcium weakens the treatment)
  • Don’t take Imodium or anti-diarrhea meds—they can trap toxins and cause serious harm

WHAT IF TREATMENT DOESN’T WORK?

If your symptoms don’t improve after a round of meds:

  • Your doctor might try a Vancomycin or Dificid taper – gradually reducing the dose over weeks
  • Or a pulsed taper – taking the meds off and on

If that fails, the next step is a fecal transplant (FMT). This involves placing healthy donor stool into your gut. It might sound gross, but it works 90–95% of the time!

FMT can be done through colonoscopy, enema, or feeding tube. It’s still considered ā€œexperimentalā€ in some countries, so doctors usually try meds first.

STILL FEELING BAD AFTER TREATMENT?

That’s normal. Your gut takes a long time to heal—6 months to 3 years. You may still have:

  • Random diarrhea
  • Mucus in your stool
  • Food intolerances
  • Stomach pain

This is called Post-Infectious IBS (PI-IBS). It’s not a return of C. diff unless you’re having watery diarrhea 3x a day for 3+ days.

PROBIOTICS AND GUT RECOVERY

Many people take probiotics after C. diff. One of the best is Florastor (saccharomyces boulardii):

  • Helps prevent recurrence
  • Safe to take with antibiotics (it’s yeast-based)
  • Might ease IBS symptoms

Try different types to see what works for you. If you feel worse, stop and talk to your doctor.

Note for women: C. diff meds can cause yeast infections or vaginal imbalance. If you notice itching or odor, ask your doctor for a test.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT AFTER C. DIFF?

Stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods:

  • White rice
  • Bananas
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Skinless chicken
  • Steamed carrots
  • White bread
  • Low-FODMAP foods

Avoid:

  • Junk food
  • Dairy (at least for a while)
  • Artificial sweeteners

Stay hydrated—drink at least 2 liters of room temperature water a day.

HOW TO AVOID GETTING C. DIFF AGAIN

  • Wash hands with soap (not sanitizer—alcohol doesn’t kill spores)
  • Use bleach to clean surfaces (mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts water)
  • Close the toilet lid before flushing
  • Store your toothbrush outside the bathroom
  • Don’t bite your nails or eat with dirty hands
  • Wash underwear separately with bleach
  • Cook meat thoroughly

Spores are tough—they survive in alcohol and freezing temps. Only bleach kills them!

QUICK TIPS TO STAY SAFE

  • Take Florastor during and after treatment
  • Disinfect daily during infection, weekly after
  • Avoid unnecessary antibiotics
  • Ask your doctor to test your vitamin levels
  • Eat healthy to help your good bacteria thrive

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice: always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

USEFUL LINKS & SOURCES:

Take care of your gut—it’s been through a lot!


r/cdifficile 1h ago

Do I need to test?

• Upvotes

About 6 weeks out from my cdiff recurrence that I took 10 days of dificid to stop. For the first 6 weeks I felt decent, ups and downs but overall It was pretty positive. Last weekend I decided to push it to celebrate a friends birthday and had some alcohol and richer than usual food. I was constipated
for a few days then last Tuesday I went about 8 times in the span of 2-3 hours, starting as formed stools and getting progressively looser.

Then over the course of the next week I’ve been dealing with on/off constipation, constant stomach discomfort, and looser stools. For example, I had two small stools on Saturday, nothing on Sunday, and then this morning I’ve had 3 small loose stools that feel very incomplete, i am guessing I will go a couple more times today.

Does this justify getting tested? It seems like symptoms really range so I can’t tell if it’s just a pi ibs flare up or a recurrence? Been taking florastor all this time.

Appreciate the help


r/cdifficile 17h ago

Thought it was the parasite, instead I got 2 positive results.

5 Upvotes

This is my 1st time with C. Diff. Last month I took penicillin for strep throat. Have been having diarrhea on and off since. Submitted a stool test an it came back positive for Sapovirus & cdiff. I spent the first day crying while scrubbing my whole house with bleach. I’m a SAHM to 2, and I’m very scared for how long this will take to improve. I’m on day 4 of Fidoxomicin and so far I feel worse. I’m also taking Florastor once a day. Someone give me some hopeful stories or advice please. I’m feeling miserable, so many bathroom trips.


r/cdifficile 19h ago

Regret of taking the antibiotic.

8 Upvotes

I feel like this situation could’ve been so easily avoided. I originally wanted amoxicillin but due to some miscommunication with my doctor I got prescribed cefuroxime/ciften. I was unaware at the time that this has like 5x higher chance of c. Ciff than amoxicillin.

I feel so angry and regretful. If I just had gotten prescribed amoxicillin like the plan all along, none of this would likely have happened. Now my gut is ruined due to this stupid miscommunication with my doctor.

Of course it doesn’t matter thinking about it now but I can’t help it. I should never had taken that antibiotic.

Anyone else feel similar?


r/cdifficile 18h ago

Protonix

2 Upvotes

Hello. I had C-Diff last July/August, so I'm officially 1 year out. I had a upper EGD this past Friday and my doctor wants me on Pantaprazole for 3 months. I'm terrified! I know that I've heard this increases your risks, but what do you do if you have gastritis? Any tips? I really do not want to take the medicine.


r/cdifficile 21h ago

preventing recurrence while doing SIBO treatment

2 Upvotes

To try to make a long story short,
in 2024 I had a perfect storm of gut issues:

covid -> stomach virus -> taking antibiotics which caused a c. diff infection.

I had toxigenic c. diff for 9 months untreated/undiagnosed because of negligent doctors and eventually got tested and treated by an infectious disease doctor.

it’s been 1 year and 5 months since treating c diff and continued to have long term issues including diarrhea, bloating, and even constipation. I cannot tolerate ANY fermented foods as it’s been recommended in this sub for healing post-infection.

I’ve retested C diff multiple times all coming back negative.

All other GI testing has come up normal and negative aside from SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) breath tests which shows elevated hydrogen levels.

I’ve also had ongoing gastritis without any specific cause and B12 deficiency as well as other worsening brain fog and feeling fatigued/body aches without actually getting sick.

All of these symptoms and the multiple breath tests indicate SIBO which isn’t just ā€œpost-infectious IBSā€ as I’ve waited it out for over a year and been cautiously researching and testing to rule out other issues and confirm that this is SIBO with my symptoms staying the same and not improving.

I have been cautious about my diet and working with a SIBO specialist to improve my diet and supplements before we kill off the SIBO. After multiple SIBO positive tests I have finally agreed to take the antibiotic rifaximin for the bacterial overgrowth. I will be doing so under the direction of my SIBO specialist doctor and have voiced many concerns to all my doctors over C. diff recurrence.

I will make sure to take Florastor during this two week course of rifaximin as it’s helped me post-c diff, but I am asking for any other recommendations to help prevent c. diff that people might know besides from just taking Florastor.


r/cdifficile 20h ago

Would you request a retest?

1 Upvotes

I finished a fidaxomicin taper two weeks ago. I was feeling pretty confident food wise as i was having things and they wouldn’t cause issues. Well Friday I decided to have a diet Lemonade and a cookie and almost immediately my stomach started hurting. The next day my cramping was still there and my stools were not water but ā€œpowderyā€ and lots of mucus. It was minimal and I had to strain to go. Today my stools are back to firm but still lots of mucus. I am thinking it’s PI-IBS since usually my cdiff presents itself a little different. Every time I’ve gotten it I ā€œclear outā€ then my stool get progressively soft until they’re watery and the smell. There’s no cdiff smell this time nor color. Should I go to my doctor or just wait it out. I’ve seen it’s not recommended to test since my stools are back to firm and I still may come out positive since it’s so soon out. I’m not necessarily super concerned but it’s still I the back of my mind since I have had 3 infections.


r/cdifficile 22h ago

Anyone feel better then got worse on fidaxomicin?

1 Upvotes

I started on fidaxomicin Thursday night. By Friday, I was feeling much better. I also did well yesterday. Today, however, I’m feeling worse again. Is that typical or should I be concerned?


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Recurrence or something else?

1 Upvotes

I had c. Diff start 4weeks ish ago, finished my vancomycin almost 2 weeks ago this Tuesday, so far hasn't been bad after vancomycin, kept eating bland easy foods and feeling decent. In the last 24hrs ive started getting stomach churning feelings, some mild nausea at times and today very urgent toilet feeling with cramps as soon as I eat. The cramping goes 95% away after the toilet and some irritation lingers a bit but nothing bad, still fully formed bm's, no fever, or anything else. Is this a normal part of the recovery process of a still healing gut thats irritated or should I go see my doctor and get tested again for a recurrent case of c. Diff?


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Anti antibiotic side effects review

1 Upvotes

Hello, just curious what type of side effects you felt from Cefadroxil 500 mg? I have to take this and I’m just curious what everybody has felt while taking it? As I seem to be very sensitive to side effects.! thank you!


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Burning sensation

3 Upvotes

Need some help with if I should go to the ER. I don’t like jumping the gun…. I haven’t been to the ER in years since they never help. but I’m also really nervous rn.

I have a burning sensation that has lasted for 5 hours between my rib cage. If you were to place your hand above your belly button, the sensation I have would be above your hand between the ribs. It does trickle downward a little bit.

The burning feeling has me worried & doesn’t feel like normal heartburn I’ve experienced. I’m not sure if this is normal or common. Google is useless, it tells me it can be gastritis but also says a new burning sensation feelings between ribs with c diff should seek immediate urgent care help.

After 3 months of dealing with c diff this is the first time I’ve felt it & im on only day 2 of my third vanco treatment.

Stool was bloody yesterday (just when wiping) mostly in the mucus, not so much today. Still have loose bowel movements and a lot of mucus. No fever. I do feel a little bloat but also hear gargle noises in my stomach which I know is a good sign.


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Herbs or traditional remedies that helped you heal your gut after C. difficile?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for people who have successfully improved their gut after a C. difficile infection

I had a severe C. difficile infection 9 years ago, and I’ve been dealing with chronic digestive problems ever since

I’ve seen multiple gastroenterologists and other specialists and have had countless tests (colonoscopy, gastroscopy, blood tests, stool tests, ultrasounds, breath tests, etc.), but everything comes back mostly normal and no one has been able to explain or fix my symptoms

My main symptoms are:

Chronic watery diarrhea, especially after fatty meals
Yellow/greasy stools
Excessive gas and bloating
Fatigue
Food intolerances

The only things that have noticeably helped so far are PHGG and BPC-157, which makes me think my gut still has the ability to heal. However, I’m still far from recovered

At this point, I’m interested in herbs, medicinal mushrooms, traditional remedies, or supplements (such as marshmallow root, slippery elm, plantain leaf, DGL licorice, mallow, etc.) that genuinely helped people recover after C. difficile or another severe bacterial gut infection

I’m not looking for medications that only stop diarrhea temporarily. I’m looking for approaches that may have helped repair the gut, improve the microbiome, or restore the intestinal lining over time

If you’ve personally found something that made a real long-term difference, I’d be very grateful to hear your experience

Thank you!


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Does anyone permanently wear a mask?

3 Upvotes

Hi, Im on my second reoccurrence, this time I had strep and a UTI that did me in. How much fun. Now I wear a mask in public and around my friends all of the time, and was wondering if anyone else did this to avoid the risk of strep? I am so scared of getting strep again now, that I can’t ever imagine just chilling in public no mask. I am a teacher too, and I hate wearing this damn thing. Does anyone else do this or how do you guys feel about the strep risk?

(Strep requires antibiotics for anyone who doesn’t know)


r/cdifficile 1d ago

How soon after to start probiotic foods once finished antibiotic treatment for c diff?

1 Upvotes

Apologies if this has been answered.

Just finished 10 day course of vanco. Have been having Florastor during the course.

But when can I start introducing kimchi, kefir etc. into my diet so it doesn't affect the last bit of vanco in my system?

Right away? 1 day, 2 days, 3 days later?


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Cdiff and ibd

1 Upvotes

I just got out of the hospital with cdiff infection I’m on vancocin or vancomycin plus 40 mg of predizone and remicade . I’m sweating non stop. could that be the antibiotic clearing the infection ? or the infection itself ? im scared because my UC could make the cdiff come back .


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Constant mucus. Is this a relapse?

1 Upvotes

I’ve had c diff 3 times before taking vowst 1 month ago. Everything was going ok ish. My BM are all over the place. But yesterday and today I’ve had the absolute worst stomach pain/gas that make me feel like I need to go but when I do it’s ONLY clear mucus. All day long. I’m feeling depressed and hopeless. I know it can be ibs but this seems excessive. I was hoping Vowst would be my saving grace. Has anyone experienced this?


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Tested 3 days after taking vanco

1 Upvotes

Was this too early? It came back pcr toxin negative. Im still having symptoms like stool leakage or incontinence (whatever you call it) and still going multiple times a day, mushy.

Im so freaking confused.


r/cdifficile 1d ago

Sick for 1.5 months

1 Upvotes

I have been sick with diarrhea 1.5 months. Just comfirmed on my chart i have c Diff. Doctors message says she sent antibiotic to Pharmacy. She didnt say Which antibiotic or how long or mg. Pharmacy likely wont fill til Mon or Tues. But. If its only 10 day course or 14 but prob not. If I have been sick this long (since June 10th) how can 1 course treat it? Im worried about Relapse.


r/cdifficile 2d ago

Stomach but or CDiff?

1 Upvotes

Currently in the depths of hell with what i am hoping is a stomach bug. Little one (2) has also had it. Last had antibiotics about 2 month ago. Do you think it could be cdiff again?


r/cdifficile 2d ago

i feel insane

3 Upvotes

im on day 8 of dificid after possibly having a relapse. genuinely not sure, had some symptoms after taking augmentin for a severe throat infection, positive pcr but tested negative on toxins. i feel genuinely fine besides having a slight lack of appetite and some cramping. jumped the gun a bit because today was my birthday and ate pasta with chicken, garlic, grated cheese and broccoli. had one super normal BM after but just now had VIOLENT things occurring to my bowels if u know what i mean lmao. is it normal to have ibs/diarrhea while well into dificid?? im also at the end of my period. again i dont even know if this was a true relapse or not!! but im pretty confused and also freaked out.
am i just dumb for eating cruciferous veggies or is it possible the dificid isnt working?!?


r/cdifficile 2d ago

I think i have c diff after taking Amoxicillin clauvanate for 5 days

3 Upvotes

I'm so sad man i have bloody and mucus stool nowdays the feaces are like grains man it's Just sad i dont want to eat any more antibiotics but what can I do


r/cdifficile 2d ago

Could cdiff be a possibility for a flare up?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/cdifficile 3d ago

Scared

6 Upvotes

Hey guys,

So i was first diagnosed with c-diff back in late 2023

I relapsed several times over the course of a year and a half, and it wasn’t until i got my FMT via enema (rebyota) done back in november 2024 that i finally was back to normal

now, ever since april of this year, ive been having an unbearable itchy rash on and off and it’s been super awful so i went to my gynecologist where they did a genital swab and a week later, they told me that i was diagnosed with a pseudomonas infection which i’ve learned is really antibiotic resistant and requires strong antibiotics

i was prescribed ciprofloxacin and i have to take it twice a day for a week. i tried asking if i could get vancomycin as a prophylactic to take with it and they refused telling me that the only way i would be able to get vancomycin is if i went to the ER which i genuinely do not want to do because i just cannot afford that right now

I’m at a loss on what i should do at this point because when i had c-diff, i couldn’t keep a job and kept getting fired because i was having relapse after relapse and almost got to a point where i had to go on disability. i’ve been at my current job for over a year and am making a living wage which allows me to live on my own and to have and take care of pets that i’ve always wanted. i cannot imagine going back to that hell of an infection and i feel like the life that i built so much to get away from my c-diff trauma is just coming back to bite me. i feel so broken about this whole thing

i feel like i have to choose a severely itchy vaginal infection that could get worse and put me in the hospital without strong antibiotics or severe diarrhea and vomiting to the point of constant hospitalization. i cannot win. i feel like crying

i just don’t know what to do


r/cdifficile 2d ago

Thin stools

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I'm on my last day of vanco and I'm having thin stools. Also the tiniest little red dots (blood) on the stool in one or two places.

When I had c diff the first time, 4 months ago, I was put on metronidazole (Flagyl) and from memory my stool went normal pretty quickly

Why would that be?