http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#9a2fe49f-2cad-4570-8e59-e8434723c7cf So basically, a bacteria spore could reasonably survive for thousands of years dormant... just lying in wait. That's sort of creepy and disconcerting. Intelligent buggers! Thank you for all your advice & information Craig : ) Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:03:58 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#9a2fe49f-2cad-4570-8e59-e8434723c7cf Katrina 2009-06-22T16:03:58Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#520ca2df-cd13-47c8-b5ab-d1f712bf28d0 He explained that organics in general are higher in natural antibiotics as well as being higher in nutrients and vitamins. His specialized in bacteria. I suppose Organic can be higher in all sorts of good things but also higher in things that an immune compromised body may have an interesting time dealing with. I honestly don't know enough to say with certainty, just thought that was an interesting tid bit from a person who went to school for nursing and specialized in bacteria. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:59:22 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#520ca2df-cd13-47c8-b5ab-d1f712bf28d0 Katrina 2009-06-22T15:59:22Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8390c38e-5870-4ea7-a9e6-f711ed64daa9 "The nurse shared with me that eating too many Organic Foods can lead to a C-Diff infection because there are many foods that are high in natural antibiotics such as mushrooms. I had no idea. I'm beginning to wonder if there is any way for me to heal and be healthy again. I just kind of feel like a shell of the person I was. " I think on that particular note that the nurse had no idea of what she was talking about. A better way to make her point would have been somehting like 'don't eat certain foods without researching them, such as some mushrooms' - organic shojuldn't havesomething to do with it. I'd guess that they might see people for this condition, who happen to eat organic because they've been sick for a few years and have changed their diet to try to fix the digestive system problem, not that they have a digestive system problem because of organic foods. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:46:49 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8390c38e-5870-4ea7-a9e6-f711ed64daa9 girl mark 2009-06-22T14:46:49Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3ad7b853-cfb1-4643-ad64-cd0c8771bbf0 When a bacterium comes in contact with an unfavourable environment, it turns into a spore to survive. The bacterium membrane will form into a hard shell protecting the bacterium's DNA inside. Once that spore comes in contact with a favourable environment, the spore becomes active again, so the hard shell cracks and the DNA becomes active the bacteriums membrane is back, and it begins to replicate every 20 minutes or so. This spore form C.diff is highly resistant to heat and would probably pass through the stomach acid and the alkaline enzymes of the small intestine processes, finally finding it's way into the neutral colon where it will go boom. You would find these spores probably in and around the toilet area, someone would just put there hand on the handle of the door, have something to eat or drink latter, and the bacterium found its way in, it's that easy. Your more at risk to C.diff if your immune suppressed in any way, be that from age, other medical conditions, certain medications, even pregnancy. There would be different strains of C.diff just like there's different strains of Golden staph, unfortunately you may have picked up a more virulent strain in the hospital. Vanc is the only effective antibiotic left that i know of, on top of that even if you have a correct pH balance with all the correct flora bateria in your colon, C. diff will still go unchecked as it uses different nutrients to replicate to that of benificial bacteria. Not all is lost being that you just had a baby, your immune system would have been struggling, and this would of given the upper hand to the C.diff, now that your hopefully on the recovery, once your immune systems back up to it's full potential you would have a better chance of fighting the bateria off, more than likely with the help of vanc. Eating the right foods to improve your immune system may help too, like vitamin and enzyme rich foods. I'm guessing the charcoal would help absorb the toxins that C.diff gives off in the colon. I don't like antibiotics myself but everything has it's place, using vanc to get rid of or cutting the numbers of C. diff down would definitely help and give your immune system a better chance to catch up. I hope this helped, and I hope you get better soon. all the best Craig. Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:08:07 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3ad7b853-cfb1-4643-ad64-cd0c8771bbf0 Craig 2009-06-22T05:08:07Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8d96bc30-e74a-4179-b46b-ef7188655592 I do think the VSL stuff has S. Boulardii in it (tho I haven't checked). You might want to increase your dosage for a little while. In general, things like kefir and yogurt are great ways to maintain the health of your endoflora on a daily basis under normal conditions, however most of their bacteria content is destroyed in the stomach. If you need to overgrow an infection, replace flora after antibiotics, or supply flora to treat something like UC, you probably need a more efficient method of getting the organisms directly to your gut - so take your supplements, too! Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:00:21 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8d96bc30-e74a-4179-b46b-ef7188655592 Phil 2009-06-08T16:00:21Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#c82f606a-2003-4931-98f1-deaeefc02593 Keebler mentions Anti Fungals should be taken hours apart from taking S. Bouldarii (just excuse all my bad spelling, I don't have time to keep looking at how all these bacteria are spelled). I wonder why.. AND this makes me ask if I'm doing more damage taking pro biotics without really understanding if there are consequences to them as well. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:46:20 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#c82f606a-2003-4931-98f1-deaeefc02593 Katrina 2009-06-08T04:46:20Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#1fba6e5b-14f2-4215-8311-d9b3a9eeed7a One more thing that remains a complete mystery to me, which hopefully someone can explain is how something which is already active and in our system can be 'contagious' to another person? If we all have it already then how the hell can we 'catch' it? And if a C. Diff infection is most often caused by antibiotics, which was not my case, then it begins internally... again.. how does it then just BOOM, become contagious? What is the difference between a C Diff spore and C Diff Bacteria? How does the bacteria become this 'contagious' spore? Uggghhhh this is frustrating. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:41:56 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#1fba6e5b-14f2-4215-8311-d9b3a9eeed7a Katrina 2009-06-08T04:41:56Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#16825a44-1d15-4b00-bc29-64520c4cb731 GIRL!!!! I totally read that too and almost asked my doc about that before he put me on the Vanc.. but I'm nursing so I couldn't. The Vanco is a non secretor unlike it's nuclear cousin Flagyll (sp?). I couldn't take the latter because I wanted to continue to Nurse. A woman told me about Activated Charcoal, Apple Pectin & Acidophilous / probiotics in general all being helpful. How to successfully blend these things is a mystery to me... as well as good health : ( Guess the Charcoal would be another option for the binding of the toxin B (or it's bi-product) and carrying it out of the system. Agreed?.. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:37:40 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#16825a44-1d15-4b00-bc29-64520c4cb731 Katrina 2009-06-08T04:37:40Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#eeb531f4-b366-4ba7-8010-95f740bf17da I also believed that the reason we have super bugs was because of unfinished antibiotics and people keeping leftovers in their med cabinets and popping a pill or two when they felt a cold coming on. This could be total bullshit but I don't really know. I guess it might depend on what kind of antibiotic you're on and the duration. ?? Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:33:45 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#eeb531f4-b366-4ba7-8010-95f740bf17da Katrina 2009-06-08T04:33:45Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3ea0fa0c-502c-46f2-b7db-f993a281ae1f Singularity, I believe that about 20% of people that have an initial overpopulation of C.diff never get rid of the over population and it ends up being considered a disease called C.Diff induced Colitis. Which, excuse my French, is just plain fucked up. It has me wondering if the Colitis I've had for 4 years is because of some bacterial gut infection. I'm trying to cut out everything bad but what the hell is left for me to eat? Just fruits and veggies. Plus, if I eat too clean.. Organics and such, apparently that can cause an imbalance as well. I would eat all fruits and veggies if it didn't require constant prep and stayed in my system longer then 2 hours before I needed to eat again. If I could get some helpful pointers on a wholesome, NOT CRAZY, diet.. I would absolutely eat it. And I mean not crazy in the time factor.. not anything else. After struggling through the last year of my life I've decided to Eat to Live not Live to Eat. And it's really not a difficult decision. In the mean time I feel like I'm floating along. Some days I say F*% it and eat whatever because it seems there's no rhyme or reason to what makes me healthy or sick anymore. I'm on information overload. The one thing I am doing is ingesting a store bought organic, plain kefir.. mostly daily. And taking a pharmaceutical grade probiotic. I did want to back you up on the Vancomyicin thing.. The 10 day prescription is also able to be cut in half and finished in 5 days if symptoms subside. My GI's NP explained that the same daily dosage is prescribed in a 5 day form as well but in my case, I assume b/c of the UC they wanted to nuke me. I wanted to deal with it on my own but they told me death could be a result and after dealing with it on my own for a week and a half.. I believed them. I bought activated charcoal to assist in absorbing toxins in the digestive tract. Says to ingest it 2 hours before or after eating. Any thoughts or ideas on this. Someone mentioned Frucctosacchr... (sp?) and I remember reading something about them being extremely helpful for UC and C.diff infection. Don't remember what I read though. I believe I may need diet advice more than anything to get a handle on how to efficiently consume the proper calories to maintain nursing a baby and constantly running around. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:30:28 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3ea0fa0c-502c-46f2-b7db-f993a281ae1f Katrina 2009-06-08T04:30:28Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#893ce57e-9155-4f9a-82e0-0a1bc1c0ee7a Phil, I'm one of those lucky people, when NOT pregnant, that doesn't experience any pain with UC. Fortunately and unfortunately, I just bleed and can't figure out how to stop that. My stool is almost always formed, not loose. I'm not a typical UC patient, which makes me wonder.. the bodies immune system turns on a part of itself, I believe, because there is something there that shouldn't be. And in my case I believe there is something in the lining of my colon, a bacteria or whatever, that should not be there. Something foreign. I don't think my body is attacking me, I think it's attacking something on the lining and also the lining as a result. I could be completely off the mark but that's my "gut" feeling : ) I've gone untreated now for somewhere around 4 years. Haven't gotten worse except when pregnant. I still don't experience diarrhea. Just extra mucus and blood. I'm at the point where I'd value a medical intuitive's advice more than a doctor's. I think the S. Boulardii is in the probiotic VSL-3 that I take b/c it's formulated specifically for UC and Crohns patients. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:17:21 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#893ce57e-9155-4f9a-82e0-0a1bc1c0ee7a Katrina 2009-06-08T04:17:21Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ef6f5c17-b978-4392-99cd-985f85c382d8 Chloe, Is drinking something like Lifeway's Kefir ok as well? I have 4 babies running around here and brewing anything but a cup o tea is a challenge : ) Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:06:55 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ef6f5c17-b978-4392-99cd-985f85c382d8 Katrina 2009-06-08T04:06:55Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#22255bc2-9641-4218-97fe-19b83bb05bc6 EM, I am really beginning to understand the importance of bacterial communication. Apparently in this situation, Bacteria A in some fashion, spoken in basic terms, 'eats' Bacteria B's poop. When bacteria A is killed off via antibiotics, there begins an unbalance in the system. It's not that C-diff is 'bad', guess it's simply that the C-Diff's excrement is not being taken care of and ends up building up to toxic levels. The part that confuses me the most is that prior to my having an overpopulation of C.diff, I haven't been on antibiotics in over 3-4 years. So that is not the culprit behind my 'infestation' or whatever it is. I finished the Vanco, and on the 7-8th day of the 10 day prescription, the symptoms of this subsided. It was one of the worst things I've ever gone through. When there wasn't food to leave my body I just bled when I went to the bathroom.. a lot. My GI's NP is awesome and listens wayyyy more than my GI, so I usually just try to talk to her. She wrote me a script for VSL-3 but asked me not to take it b4 I was done with the Vanco as they don't yet know how one will effect the efficacy of the other. So I waited and started taking it after the script of Vanco. I take 4 pills a day, 2 morn / 2 night. Plus I am drinking Lifeway's Organic, Plain Kefir Daily. I'm eating primarily what I want, although lately I've noticed an increased intolerance to citrus via WICKED Canker Sores on my tongue and insides of my cheeks. I can't speak when I get them and swallowing is difficult because my tongue swells up where the sore is. This is a new thing now and I feel like I just can't catch a damn break. So any info about the root cause of Canker Sores would be beneficial as well. The nurse shared with me that eating too many Organic Foods can lead to a C-Diff infection because there are many foods that are high in natural antibiotics such as mushrooms. I had no idea. I'm beginning to wonder if there is any way for me to heal and be healthy again. I just kind of feel like a shell of the person I was. ps... i wish there weren't so many deleted posts. i never got a chance to read them and as this was my thread, i am interested in what everyone has to say. regardless of how polite or impolite it is. not trying to be rude, just honest. i was bummed to see there were posts that i could not have the opportunity to read myself before they were removed. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:04:04 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#22255bc2-9641-4218-97fe-19b83bb05bc6 Katrina 2009-06-08T04:04:04Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#b0d1ff4f-b4c2-4163-8707-c893919d0f72 I would look into Oregano oil, it's supposed to do wonders for killing bacteria. Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:15:34 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#b0d1ff4f-b4c2-4163-8707-c893919d0f72 Tinkles 2009-06-01T18:15:34Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#595c2bc4-add4-4fe9-aab9-a42f4dd5f171 grow your own kefir! it's a yogurt-like probiotic drink. it could help, especially using it after a round of antibiotics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kefir Sun, 17 May 2009 07:35:37 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#595c2bc4-add4-4fe9-aab9-a42f4dd5f171 chloe 2009-05-17T07:35:37Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#36ecd043-357e-4d5a-aac9-72af05cf3480 Did you know microbes(bacteria) can speak to one other. 5% good bugs 5 %bad bug and 90% can behave good or bad depends who is running things in the gut flora.This means get the good guys in order so they can teach the other how to behave. Brewed probiotics(kefir,kombacha,EM) work best because they have a growing cultured relationship with other microbes and speak many forms of microbe "talk" they have a greater succses in establishing balance in the bodies 400 bug tribes. The more diverse bugs in the brew the better. Sat, 16 May 2009 04:38:08 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#36ecd043-357e-4d5a-aac9-72af05cf3480 $item.owner.firstName 2009-05-16T04:38:08Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#7e0b0ac3-b46e-45b0-9417-26d3a0e68526 hey Phil, you'll see that I posted the same recommendation in my post above yours do people read other people's posts before posting themselves? this is an actual inquiry not an attempt to be snarky to Phil - I come across this A LOT: people don't read other posts and then post the same thing as though it were the first time being posted. Also, people not THOROUGHLY reading the posts of others and therefore, responding improperly due to their mis-reading. Anyhow, with regard to the essential oils mentioned above - I have a great paper on their efficacy if anyone would like to read it, I'd be happy to email it. Once you are done with your vancomycin proceed with the probies and such as to do so now will not have any effect; vancomycin being the uber antibiotic Are you scheduled for a follow up visit with your physician? Fri, 15 May 2009 20:44:29 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#7e0b0ac3-b46e-45b0-9417-26d3a0e68526 Singularity 2009-05-15T20:44:29Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8fff808d-dc6a-4d55-8526-7470876b3c28 you also are subject to having good manners here. please employ them. Fri, 15 May 2009 20:43:08 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#8fff808d-dc6a-4d55-8526-7470876b3c28 Flint 2009-05-15T20:43:08Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3955b3b9-9db9-462e-9eba-fc6a5f2a2bd9 ''please read posts thoroughly before posting your own comment antibiotic resistance is a reality what is a myth is that you need to take your entire prescribed cycle of antibiotics '' you also are subject to having good manners here. Fri, 15 May 2009 20:40:07 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3955b3b9-9db9-462e-9eba-fc6a5f2a2bd9 Flint 2009-05-15T20:40:07Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#da84723a-6b2b-4aa6-b19f-5f8b6e2c55a1 please read posts thoroughly before posting your own comment antibiotic resistance is a reality what is a myth is that you need to take your entire prescribed cycle of antibiotics Fri, 15 May 2009 20:37:48 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#da84723a-6b2b-4aa6-b19f-5f8b6e2c55a1 Singularity 2009-05-15T20:37:48Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#cdf2241b-58d7-409c-81f2-9f5409c5c6c6 Are you familiar with the probiotic organism Saccharomyces Boulardii? It can be very useful in helping with U.C. You can find it in a variety of probiotic preparations. The least expensive one (and most effective) I've found is Digestive Advantage Colon Care, which you can find in major drug stores. Anyway... as an assist to your recovery, it might be something to add in to the mix. Fri, 15 May 2009 15:18:27 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#cdf2241b-58d7-409c-81f2-9f5409c5c6c6 Phil 2009-05-15T15:18:27Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ed7f26e3-492d-4960-ad86-889a7bd74819 I hope everyone knows this already- some essential oils are very dangerous to take internally. It has nothing to do with the manufacturing process, in those cases- they're just literally poison internally. Essential oils are way more concentrated than when in the original form, and your body isn't equipped to handle that amount of active constituents. Be very careful with that. Fri, 15 May 2009 14:16:23 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ed7f26e3-492d-4960-ad86-889a7bd74819 girl mark 2009-05-15T14:16:23Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#f500df00-40ef-499b-9f37-691dd00ba7fe If you're going to take probiotics or any other method, take it at least two hours away from the antibiotic, otherwise you'll cancel out the effectiveness of the antibiotic. Fri, 15 May 2009 11:18:16 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#f500df00-40ef-499b-9f37-691dd00ba7fe Karen 2009-05-15T11:18:16Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#850e6174-a2c2-4dd3-8406-9ea0ee83d496 high quality essential oils are available from a variety of sources, not just this one. looking at a companies phyto-spectrum anaysis, its manufacturing process (which will be mentioned on the label if it is appropriate to internal use), which also reflects its heavy metal analysis. There are dozens of medical quality essential oils out to the public, this company is nothing special, and is pricey, for what an oil does. The four theives blend is not based on synergy. the original recipe was prepared in vinegar, which is substantially different than the aromatics derived from essential oils only. Nor was the formula intended to be used the way it is. Its antiquity is what gives it a 'pedigree', not nessisarily its components. trace amounts of rosemary, camphor and cloves is its basic recipe. Actually burning the vinegar itself would have the same effect. for essential oils to have the strength of anti-biotics, they need be injected. (see Dr. Jean Valnet). while applying them and consuming them internally does have some effect, - for them to be as effective as anti-biotics - mere taking them in capsules will not assure the kind of protection you feel it does in comparison to the biotics. For oils to be effective on that level, you have to have a fairly un-sensetive body, so the oils can be taken or applied as frequently needed for their aromatic constituents to act in ways similar to anit-biotics. i, like many in this tribe, do not desire or want what a standard doctor has to offer. However, its good to know what situations can end in death, if not instantly taken care of. We should not 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'. Most things healthy, are already used. but modern science DOES have some small part to play in understanding our bodies in a wider spectrum, and does have a few things to offer the human race. Fri, 15 May 2009 07:05:38 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#850e6174-a2c2-4dd3-8406-9ea0ee83d496 Flint 2009-05-15T07:05:38Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#7b83da2c-206b-4eb3-8b0e-f4fa5047b731 Take a look at this list to see how effective essential oils can be against bacteria... http://www.secretofthieves.com/bacteria.cfm While c-diff is not specifically mentioned, you get an idea how broad the effects can be. Also, bacteria and viruses have never been shown to mutate in the presence of essential oils...which are much too complex--hundreds of compounds vs a handful with with the typical antibiotic. Now imagine the synergy of several powerful essential oils together...with thousands of compounds. Then imagine some that are pure enough that the FDA considers them OK to take internally. Take a look at Inner Defense... http://www.secretofthieves.com/thieves-inner-defense.cfm I regularly do a course of two per day simply as maintenance. (Just feel they are good for me anyway...blood sugar, oxygenation, blood purifying, etc.) But I just started doing 2 twice per day to get serious about a 20yr toenail fungus issue. (In other words, I feel safe about taking lots of it.) If I were dealing with c-diff, I'd be doing the same. Along with a good probiotic to repopulate the gut. Sorry, it's an MLM. But it's the only brand of oils I trust to take this seriously...not talking incense and feel-good candles. And you're welcome to buy at retail. Or you can do like me and just about everyone else when we first joined...become a distributor only for the sake of the 24% discount. No sales required. Think of it as a Sam's or Costco membership. Gov't forces you to jump through some hoops to "earn" the discount. And, if you wish, we could talk about another oil blend in a gel cap with your "digestive issues" in mind. Among the many values of pure essential oils is that they are many times more concentrated than herbs. For example, one drop of peppermint oils provides the nutritional equivalent of 28 glasses of peppermint tea. But if they say "for topical use only", it's a clear sign that not only do you NOT want to take them internally, but you shouldn't even use them topically because they are conforming to cosmetic standards...of which there are none. Despite the claims of "100% Pure" on the label, the "For Topical Use Only" cop out is a good sign that they have the same toxins as name brand shampoos, toothpastes, etc. with poison warning labels. Fri, 15 May 2009 05:20:29 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#7b83da2c-206b-4eb3-8b0e-f4fa5047b731 Caleb 2009-05-15T05:20:29Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#53bed20a-1cd0-4cc3-b4a4-6d961ada58df I had c-diff and about six other nasties for about 6-7 years. Taking the HSO bacteria formulas like Primal Defense is what cured me along with some good diet changes. There is also a nice yeast in the Primal that helps resist other bacterial pathogens. Fri, 15 May 2009 03:59:49 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#53bed20a-1cd0-4cc3-b4a4-6d961ada58df Parad 2009-05-15T03:59:49Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#d3da9d64-0418-454d-9dcb-28a7ad7b1c3e antibiotic resistence in not a myth for my own experience. and that is something i have to take seriously, with immune system issues. but thats just my 2 cents. Not worth much in todays currency. :) Fri, 15 May 2009 03:50:05 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#d3da9d64-0418-454d-9dcb-28a7ad7b1c3e Flint 2009-05-15T03:50:05Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ff540325-3bcd-4f3e-bff8-85d5b2af8977 the irony here is that vancomycin fails in over 25% of c diff cases which is why it has become extremely virulent in the past decade. fucking western doctors and their inability to be proper antibiotic stewards. but I digress. First, you do not have to complete the entire vancomycin prescription if your bacterial load has decreased significantly. That said, I am in no way attempting to diagnose you nor direct you what to do in this regard. I just want to help dispel the myth that people think you need to take ALL of your antibiotic prescription. This myth actually lends to antibiotic resistance. I have a multitude of published papers to which I can reference you. Second, it is imperative that you start restoring your natural beneficial flora as soon as possible. This means serious probies (see Jarrow) and enzymes (see Enzymedica) as well as the elimination of white foods, caffeine (bummer, I know), smoking and alcohol. Jarrow Saccharomyces boulardii is amazing stuff (and there are hundreds of peer reviewed papers to support its efficacy) http://www.jarrow.com/product-265 Apple CIder Vinegar - two tbs twice daily in water (with honey) is an oldie but goodie Fiber is very important - Arabinogalactan, Fibersol-2 and Fructooligosaccharides Fri, 15 May 2009 03:28:19 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ff540325-3bcd-4f3e-bff8-85d5b2af8977 Singularity 2009-05-15T03:28:19Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#edb98a2e-742b-400f-85a8-135207ccbec0 here's a quote from another post that makes sense to me vfrom what ZI've read: http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/79661?#000014 (snipped) "Saccharomyces boulardii can both provide some competition for C. difficile in the GI tract, that will not kill off the C. diff, but may help control it a bit. The cholestyramine binds the C. diff toxins so they do not do as much damage, but again it does not kill it" Cholestyramine is the prescription drug for cholesterol that happens to lower inflammation (c-reactive protein specifically, a major nasty) and absorb some toxins from things like . I take Welchol, a similar drug with no sugar or other crap that cholestyramine has. Your doctor is unlikely to know about htis offlabel use but it's absolutely amazing stuff. I don't know how it'll react with a body that's got colitis. Fri, 15 May 2009 03:02:34 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#edb98a2e-742b-400f-85a8-135207ccbec0 girl mark 2009-05-15T03:02:34Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#319037fd-a9db-4e76-8c57-394a6f07eaae For example, the first post I saw tonight on Lymenet is my friend Tracy asking about C Diff because her kid just got it apparently. The doctor they're talking about REALLY knows his stuff, so any advice in there should be pretty good: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/81218 Fri, 15 May 2009 02:55:45 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#319037fd-a9db-4e76-8c57-394a6f07eaae girl mark 2009-05-15T02:55:45Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#439a74c5-5262-4380-bba5-38a1ea868e3b yeah, you don't want to get anything resistant to vancomycin, it's a pretty important last-ditch antibiotic for some life-threatening conditoins. Fri, 15 May 2009 02:52:02 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#439a74c5-5262-4380-bba5-38a1ea868e3b girl mark 2009-05-15T02:52:02Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3a828881-cdf6-439a-a9f4-c85588229c4a A lot of people with Lyme end up with this, so your best bet for information on how to treat it most holistically is to do some searches on the Lyme forums (where some people are in exactly your situation- c dif, suppressed immune system (pregnancy would do that possibly in your case), ulcerative colitis, and not wanting to take more antibiotics). you'll also run into some serious woo-woo garbage there, and some lingo you'll have to ask a bout- most of us aren't exactly thinking clearly. Anyway, search here: www.flash.lymenet.com and do a search for both the full name of the bug and the abbreviation you posted. My member name there is MariaA, in case you want some lingo navigation help.. It's a really tough bugger to deal with apparently, I'm glad I have a gut of iron. Certain antibiotics seem to make people more prone to it than others, at least when taken for months or years like we take them. I think the main way to prevent it is to have a lot of probiotics in your system. I'm not one of those people that think s that pro biotics fixes everything, so I don't give that advice lightly- I've heard that from tons and tons of different people about c. difficile. Fri, 15 May 2009 02:48:49 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#3a828881-cdf6-439a-a9f4-c85588229c4a girl mark 2009-05-15T02:48:49Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#9c1c3a90-e207-44a8-92c3-ec0227605767 follow the whole course of anti-biotics. So, god forbid, you ever have a life threatening emergency, you will not be resistent to them. Thu, 14 May 2009 18:53:52 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#9c1c3a90-e207-44a8-92c3-ec0227605767 Flint 2009-05-14T18:53:52Z http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ce8a48e6-96f9-40ab-9119-f98a025ef9f2 So because anything odd likes to magnetize itself to me, naturally one of the happiest moments in my life MUST quickly be followed by contracting some crazy bacteria called C-Diff. I had my daughter, Avalia, 3 weeks ago to the day and picked this bacteria up in the hospital while having her. I already have Ulcerative Colitis so this has just wreaked havoc on my system. The docs put me on Vancocin, generic for Vancomyicin. It's an extremely powerful antibiotic that I'm not sure is actually helping me. I don't wonder if I had an overpopulation of C Diff years ago which caused my Colitis to begin with?? No one in my family has tummy issues so it's peculiar that I've come down with this. If the antibiotics don't work, I've heard of using Apple Pectin, Charcoal and Probiotics to bind the Toxin 'B' and carry it out of my system while repopulating the good bacteria. Any info about ACV and this bacteria? Lemons? What would you suggest? Thu, 14 May 2009 17:54:14 GMT http://herbalmedicine.tribe.net/thread/546f432d-94ad-4373-a07f-87b72798b151#ce8a48e6-96f9-40ab-9119-f98a025ef9f2 Katrina 2009-05-14T17:54:14Z