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Is It Normal For My Elderly Husband To Still Have Severe Diarrhea After 11 Days On His Second Vancomycin Treatment For C. Diff?
My 83 year old husband in on his 11th day of the second treatment of vancomycin for c diff. His first treatment was for 10 days and he continued to have severe diarrhea so he was continued on a 14 day treatment of vancomycin. He has not had a formed stool yet. Is this normal? I am concerned. Is there anything he can do? He has a history of diverticulosis.
Fri, 3 Jan 2025
Hello,
C. diff infections can be challenging to treat, especially in older adults or those with a history of conditions like diverticulosis. Diarrhea persisting during treatment may indicate incomplete eradication of the infection and damage to the gut lining from C. diff toxins, which may take time to heal. If a standard course doesn't work, doctors sometimes prescribe a tapered or pulsed regimen of Vancomycin to prevent recurrence and allow the gut microbiota to recover.
For recurrent or refractory cases, FMT (fecal microbiota transplant) can be highly effective in restoring healthy gut bacteria. Diverticulosis can make recovery from infections like C. diff more complicated. Inflammation or irritation in the colon may delay healing. That's why multiple approach is required including therapeutic and supportive measures.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
C. diff infections can be challenging to treat, especially in older adults or those with a history of conditions like diverticulosis. Diarrhea persisting during treatment may indicate incomplete eradication of the infection and damage to the gut lining from C. diff toxins, which may take time to heal. If a standard course doesn't work, doctors sometimes prescribe a tapered or pulsed regimen of Vancomycin to prevent recurrence and allow the gut microbiota to recover.
For recurrent or refractory cases, FMT (fecal microbiota transplant) can be highly effective in restoring healthy gut bacteria. Diverticulosis can make recovery from infections like C. diff more complicated. Inflammation or irritation in the colon may delay healing. That's why multiple approach is required including therapeutic and supportive measures.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Albana Sejdini, General & Family Physician
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