Question
I got C-Diff 5 years ago. For all of you who don't know what C-Diff is, it's when a doctor gives you too many antibiotics for your system and it wipes away all your bacteria-good and bad. Then a strain of bad bacteria is able to run rampant in your body. I was in ICU for 10 days and they didn't think I was going to make it until they finally figured out what it was. I was always soooo healthy before that! I NEVER got sick. I ran marathons, exercised daily, was the essence of health...now I am ALWAYS sick! Has anyone else had this problem? Do you know something that can boost your immune system?
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Vitamin A can help a lot with immunity. I get sick frequently myself, but I've noticed that when everyone else is getting cold around me and I take a ton of Vitamin A, I won't get sick. Also, taking a lot of Vitamin C helps too- especially if you drink those Emergen-C packets.
Thanks so much! I'll try the Vitamin A. I do take a lot of C, and goldenseal, and echinacea, and cayenne!! I hadn't heard to try A.
Why would one get a C-Diff? (I'm curious because I've never heard of one and can't quite figure out why someone would get one. We need to the good bacteria in our bodies as much as we need air! Proper digestion is only maintained by the bacteria, as are many other functions of the body)
She didn't "get a C-Diff"; she got C-Diff. It's an iatrogenic disease, not something she did voluntarily.
Ah ok. That clears up my confusion. Thank you :)
Jessica, it's caused by antibiotics! :-) A doctor gave me 4 at once and it nearly killed me. I was in ICU for 10 days and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Usually only old people get it. Yes, we do desperately need good bacteria in our bodies and for the last 5 years have been trying to build it up again through pro-biotics, pre-biotics, flora, acidopholous, yogurt and anything else I can think of.
Check into a book called "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. This is the book that some health supplement stores use to assist customers in their purchases...(think of stores like GNC which is popular in the Midwest). I have a copy of the third edition and it has a section entitled "weakened immune system." The list of recommended supplements is quite lengthy but there is a description of how the supplement will help boost your immune system. For example, Garlic stimulates the immune system, Kelp supplies a balance of mineral needed for immune system integrity, etc. I would definately recommend checking the book out and reviewing the list, as it gives recommended brands to use or what to look for to ensure you are purchasing a quality supplement as well as the dosage to take to acheive optimum health! Good luck and God Bless!!!
Thanks, Keri! I appreciate everything you wrote. I will definitely look into the book. It sounds like something I need. :) God bless you too!
Echinacea does not actually help the immune system. It was recently debunked by the FDA... so take one less thing so your body can adapt naturally.
There is a production line called Young Living, www.youngliving.com, they have all sorts of oils and things, and yes they really do work! The oils can become rather expensive, but because they are so pure and everything, they are completely worth it! :)
I have Cdiff 2, I got it last year and I refuse to take more antibiotics so I go to Whole foods or your local health food store and despite what all the other girls say I know this really the only thing that works. Buy Probiotic Capsules and take them every single day twice a day, Stay away from dairy ie Milk, cheese, ice cream because it makes Cdiff worse. As long as you keep your immune system high and stay away from junk food and to much soda you can keep a lid on it. There is also Probiotic smoothies and yogurt you can buy that i recommend in addition to the capsules. Good luck!
Thanks Zoe!! I do the exact same thing. I try so hard and get frustrated that I still get sick as often as I do. I don't drink milk or dairy-ooh, I do eat pizza though. I never drink soda and don't have a ton of sugar. I really eat sugar and take pro-biotics as well as pre-biotics. Right now I'm dealing with a lot of stress. That may be part of it.
I haven't heard about the Probiotic smoothies or yogurt. I've got to get all over that.
When I exercise, it tears my immune system down. Does that happen to you? I used to be a marathon runner, weight lifter, etc. before this happened and now if I push it at all I get sick. Can't do more than about 7 miles at a time.
Thank you so, so much for writing in. I appreciate your feedback. Most people don't know anything about C-Diff.
That's odd that it affects your physical activity. Working out actually improves my immune system and helps it go away but everyone's body is different. If its really bad for you, you can always buy the 50 billion organism brand because the usual dose in Probiotics is 5 billion per capsule and the higher dose pills usually dissolve in your intestines as apposed to your stomach. Do you know if there is an 'cure' for it? Or if you can some how completely get rid of it? I found all my info online and from some alternative doctors my Mom knows so if you have any information other than more antibiotics I'd love to hear it as well. Thanks! - Zoe
Zoe, I've never heard of the 50 billion organism brand. I think it may be what I need because I recently started a different pro-biotic brand and I think I'm feeling a little better. I'm going to look it up after I finish typing this. I try all different things right now. I HATE that I get so run down working out. When I was in the hospital, I was in ICU for 10 days and was losing 2 gallons of fluid a day. My bp was at 46/23 and they were getting ready to life flight me to a different hospital when the results came in. I don't know if everything became so depleted it's just going to take a while to get back up. I don't know. I've been online a lot looking into answers and slowly I feel like I'm getting stronger. Thank you so much for your advice! I really appreciate everything you say. I know a good alternative doctor in a different state that I actually trust. I may go to him. If I do, I'll let you know what he says. :)
My mom says those cod liver oil pills help you not get sick but I'm not sure if they build up the immune system. Right now, she says it's good to take it, especially with swine flu going around.
Actually too much vitamin C can be a very bad thing......try Vitamin D....and the best thing is its free.....you get Vitamin D from sunlight
Good luck getting things back on track. My nan wasn't so lucky. She got it and it killed her..
I'm not surprised, but I am so sorry to hear that. Best of luck to you.
Actually, doesn't sunlight help you process vitamin D? You get it from vegetables and stuff and then it's useless without sunlight to help you process it. The sunlight doesn't actually "give" it to you.
And yeah, I'd never heard of this. It's scary to hear that this can happen. My best wishes to you for dealing with it.
All I can think of is what everybody else has already said...
Yeah, I am quite disciplined and can't believe how "weak" I am sometimes. Getting better all the time though. I don't talk about it but thought I'd throw this out. Maybe I will figure something out.
Thanks for your comment!
pumpkin seed oil. eat lots of fiber and try maybe taking cold FX. It has things in it that boost your immune systems .
Pumpkin Seed Oil? I've never heard of that but I am so open to anything! I will try it. I'm not sure what cold FX is. Is it a brand? I can google it. Thanks so much for your help!
Just found your feed/story and was honestly wondering how you were doing? Did the suggestions help you at all? I had heard of this happening to people before but didn't know the technical term. Now I'm a bit scared of antibiotics. Cold FX is available in Canada. I personally cannot take it cause I'm a Diabetic but my Canadian friends swear by it. I swear by taking some Vitamin C, D and Calcium every single evening. And if I feel a cold comign on then I take Zinc.
I have a friend who's battled and won against the worst case of Lyme disease in the U.S and during it she would have to work out to help her meds work into her blood stream but it completely wiped her out too. Sometimes I think over working your body can wear it out too much. Maybe keep exercising but not as much as you did before. I'm sure that's horrible especially since you seem to really like working out but hopefully one day you'll get back to your old level.
I hope you are feeling better! Keep us posted please.
Thanks so much for the advice and the nice email! :) It was appreciated. I am doing well. If you didn't know me, you probably wouldn't think anything had ever happened. I'm a positive person and not one to complain and I do okay. It's been 7 years and I can keep going all day with out a rest, I don't have to take several naps during the day any more. If I start getting sick, I have to go to bed until I get better or I get really sick. I need more rest and am so frustrated I can't exercise as much/how I want to but I can tell I'm getting stronger all the time. Just frustrated! It's like my body can't keep up with my spirit-if that makes any sense. Luckily, I eat VERY healthy, exercise almost daily and am wise with how I'm feeling. (I've learned to be! Otherwise I pay later. :)
What vitamin C, D, and Calcium do you take? Is there a certain brand you prefer? I don't think I get enough calcium. I'm sure where my body was so depleted of vitamins and minerals I possibly need to take more than I do.
I'm glad to hear your friend beat Lyme disease. Wow! Good for her.
Thanks again for your comment! I'm sure someone out there knows how to "beat" this and I'm grateful for any suggestion.
Stephanie,
While antibiotics can certainly be the cause of c-diff (and in your case sounds like that is what happened) however, for others out there I want them to be aware that is not the only cause! I work for a gastroenterologist and we treat this often. If caught early on (an most doctors should know the symptoms well enough to test!) it is easily treatable with antibiotics. Not washing your hands, or comming in contact with someone that is not washing their hands can cause the bacterial infection which resides in your colon. This bacteria can live on a dry surface for UP TO 30 days! That is why, it is SO SO important to maintain a clean and healthy environment no matter where you are and to make sure you are teaching your children proper hand washing techniques! Stephanie- if you haven't had much luck with other treatments, although it seems you are doing much better- I would try getting a pro biotic (activia is one that is OTC) These help add good and bad bacteria to your colon so that you are better able to fight infections such as c-diff. Keep your head up! You will get better!
Stephanie,
While antibiotics can certainly be the cause of c-diff (and in your case sounds like that is what happened) however, for others out there I want them to be aware that is not the only cause! I work for a gastroenterologist and we treat this often. If caught early on (an most doctors should know the symptoms well enough to test!) it is easily treatable with antibiotics. Not washing your hands, or comming in contact with someone that is not washing their hands can cause the bacterial infection which resides in your colon. This bacteria can live on a dry surface for UP TO 30 days! That is why, it is SO SO important to maintain a clean and healthy environment no matter where you are and to make sure you are teaching your children proper hand washing techniques! Stephanie- if you haven't had much luck with other treatments, although it seems you are doing much better- I would try getting a pro biotic (activia is one that is OTC) These help add good and bad bacteria to your colon so that you are better able to fight infections such as c-diff. Keep your head up! You will get better!