Clindomyacin question: please help!

TJ:  yes, it can cause diarrhea. Are you taking a probiotic?  Keep on it, just in case you need to start another round of antibiotics.  I hope you are able to find an infectious disease specialist and get in soon. 

Please don't be afraid to take the clindamycin because of the diarrhea. Not everyone gets it.  You want to get the antibiotic in you before the infection gets worse. Hit the ER again if you have too.

Call your Dr!  Fever says 'infection' With a fever and your history with infections recently, waiting is not a good idea.

I took clindamycin this summer for an infected spot on my ankle (2 inch diameter, red, angry boil that was getting some cellulitis around it). Keflex was tried first, didn't work (I'm allergic to sulfa so the initial choice of Bactrim was out). After Keflex failed they said they had to treat as if it were MRSA, so a 10 day cycle of Clindamycin and Levaquin. It stopped the infection almost immediately, but it did a number on my GI tract, at least temporarily. Nothing as bad as C diff, but some diarrhea and yeast infection (in the typical place and oral thrush). The diarrhea lasted a few days and was never really bad (nothing like a stomach virus). I ate lots of yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and took several probiotic pills a day. I did end up needing a single pill of antifungal meds for the yeast. N It wasn't horrible -- and much preferred over a systemic infection.

Glennie I understand what you're saying. I tried to edit my post but my phone messed up on me. Sorry. She just said she's heard of so many getting C Diff from Clindamycin so she didn't know why they didn't take it off. There is also a black box warning on it. I am allergic to penicillin, cephalosporin's and Cipro so yes there is a need for certain things. However C Diff can also cause a systemic infection and sepsis, so for ME personally C Diff is very scary. It was by far the worst thing during my cancer treatment, and there are only a couple of antibiotics that they use to treat C Diff. Some even have to get fecal transplants. I have bad anxiety about C Diff just like I do about cancer, so it's like a double whammy for me. 

I wasn't telling TJ not to take it. She asked about it so I was only telling her my experience and what my doctor told me. I'm so sorry if I ruffled any feathers. That wasn't my intent. I just hope TJ can find relief soon. She's been through a lot lately. Sorry for the rant. I just hate what all of us ladies on here have to go through because of freaking cancer! Ugh! TJ keep us posted and hang in there!

tomatoe juice,

you don't state where you are in treatment ? or if your are post surgery?  Differernt antibiotics are meant for different things. . Why were you given clindimycin before ? Why do you still have some? Why were they not finished?   I don't mean to sound harsh, but if your immune system is already compromised and you have an infection and take the wrong medicines, the only thing you may be doing is creating a super bacteria that will be that much harder to cure and will make you sicker.

If you are either in Chemo, Radiation or post surgery, please contact your doctors.They will know which antibiotic is best for you.

I have had a whole host of infections since my first surgery/ mastectomy: pseudomonas aurenginosa, MRSA, ecoli, staph and combo's thereof.  I have taken many pills (allergic to sulfa) some worked others didn't. Some infections have to be cultured to find the culprit and what they are suseptible to.  I have an infectious disease md and it is the best. they have up to date stuff on all of the bacterias and many can do a fast culture in office to start you on the right antib track. Most cultures take a week to get results. I ended up hospitalized  for a week after my TE was removed and this is where I got consult with INF Dis. He put me  on IV antibiotics for 1 month. I was still on chemo and very susceptible to C-diff due to all antib I had been on.  Since I have a port, I learned to administer myself.  Not bad and cured inf.

I have had an infection post Diep in my belly button. Been packing and taking antib thru surgeon , went in to see Inf Dis. he cultured it, told me anti b were correct but dose was not, great improvement in 3 days since I saw him.  From now on I will go to see him first.

Tomatoe I wish you the best, please let us know how you are doing.

Vivian

TJ,, you can continue the probiotics while on antibiotics, just take them at a different time. Space the meds a few hours apart.  Like take the Clinda at 7am,, then the probiotic at 10am,, etc.   That will be ok.

Remember the posted side effects are ones that have happened to even one person related to the med.  Not everyone gets every side effect. Please take good care of yourself. We mother hens worry.

Jarris, I take Florastor once a day but couldn't take it during chemo because my Onc said the ID docs don't recommend it during chemo. It also says on the paper that comes with the Florastor to check with a doctor before using if you are taking chemo. I've heard also that it helps with C Diff.  I did take it with my first bout of c diff and I got over the c diff fast. That was before I started chemo though. Like you say always check with a doctor before taking things. 

TJ how're you doing?