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Florida

Rick Kolow


On April 23, 2024, I had a Colonoscopy at Gastro Health in Florida at the Outpatient Center of Delray. Prior to this, I was absolutely fine with no health issues at all. Over the next 2-3 days, I began to have very bad diarrhea and stomach cramps that would not go away. I contacted the doctor after it got bad and he wanted to wait a little bit to see if it subsided. It did not. After 2 weeks of this, I was directed to bring a stool sample for testing.

I was diagnosed with CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE TOXIN/GDH W/REFL TO PCR – (C.Diff). I was then given vancomycin 125mg to be taken 4 times a day for 14 days. I finished these but still had symptoms. I had a 2nd appointment with Dr. Kaplan for a follow up. He put me on a double dose of vancomycin 250mg. This medication costs $60-$80 per prescription. This was followed by an infusion of Zinplava after day 8 of the 2nd course of vancomycin. The appointment for the infusion was June 11, 2024.

This all has completely changed my life and my future plans over the next many months. The doctor told me if it does not get better I may need a bowel transplant or removal of part of my colon. So far, I have not received a call from anybody with help or guidance on what I should be doing. The doctor originally prescribed a medication called Dificid which would have cost me a $2000 co-pay. I learned from Peggy Lillis Foundation that the Dificid medication may be a better alternative than the vancomycin as they said: “Dificid is a narrow spectrum antibiotic that specifically targets the bacteria for C. diff whereas vancomycin is broad spectrum and kills all the bacteria in your gut. The difference is that Dificid allows you to maintain some of your gut health which makes recovery easier. Outcomes of Dificid for treatment of C. diff are slightly better than the outcomes of vancomycin.”

I started my 3rd course of vancomycin June 16, 2024 – vancomycin HCl 250mg – 3 capsules 3 times a day for 3 days, 2 capsules 3 times a day for 3 days, 1 capsule 3 times a day for 3 days Orally as directed for 9 days. I went for a regular physical and the doctor called me regarding my Liver test on 6/25/24 which shows very high levels: AST = 53 & ALT = 144. I stopped Rosuvastatin for 3 months and no drinking. Will repeat liver test and have ultra sound 1st week of Sept 2024. Liver levels is caused from taking the Vancomycin. So far I have not yet had a recurrence. My system is still not back to normal after multiple months but I seem to be on the mend. Phew. Time will tell…

Age


70

Gender


Male

Length


4 months

Source


Other

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