Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)

Posted by acres @acres, Apr 12, 2016

I am trying to recover from a c.diff infection. This started with taking clindamycin in mid January and 3 days later I became ill with diarrhea and felt sick, loss of appetite etc...Went to the er twice, tested negative for c.diff on my 2nd visit. The Dr. told me to take imodium to rest my colon since I tested negative. That evening I had diarrhea and took the Imodium. Became constipated with pain lower right side. I went to a GI dr. pleading for help, I did another stool test and it came back positive for c.diff. I tried flagyl but could not tolerate the side effects. Tried vancomycin for 10 days. Did not work. Tested positive again, Went to a new gi doctor who prescribed dificid for ten days. I am 31 days post dificid and I have almost constant gut rumbling and urge to go. My 1st bm in the morning is usually semi normal, but after that they are always either pencil thin and or small pieces (2 to 5 times a day). This has been my routine since the vancomycin. I do not get dull blown diarrhea..... My dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy but I an scared that the cleansing will wipe out all my good flora. I currently take 2 florastor pills and 1/2 vsl3 per day. I eat fermented pickles for the probiotics as well..... I have many food intolerances since this whole mess began (fiber, many vegatables, dairy). I also have a strange taste in my mouth most of the time, have very little energy and fight with depression. My primary gave me Xanax .25 but I only take them at night when I cannot sleep...... Went to a nutritionist who put me on a no wheat, soy, dairy, gluten diet. Does not seem to be helping or hurting. I lost 20 pounds and cannot gain any weight (I weigh 120 at 5'7")... I am thinking it might be sibo, or candida but cannot find a dr. to test for these....I am in the right place for help or advice ? The urge to go is awful and limits my once active lifestyle.....
Thank you, Scott

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@itsohard

You are one horrible, disgusting human being. I am reporting you. These people signed up for support, and awful people like you come along to upset people who are already struggle. You should be ashamed of yourself. And cupcake isn't a good name for you.

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@itsohard thank you for your support.

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@itsohard

You are one horrible, disgusting human being. I am reporting you. These people signed up for support, and awful people like you come along to upset people who are already struggle. You should be ashamed of yourself. And cupcake isn't a good name for you.

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@itsohard @cupcake420 and @claudiabrende
It appears that there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding that I would like to nip in the bud before this escalates unnecessarily.

In my interpretation, @cupcake420 was recommending that @claudiabrende see an infectious disease specialist.

@itsohard, it appears that you interpreted cupcake’s suggestion differently, possibly because she signed off with “Godspeed” confusing the message with religion. But this does not warrant an attack on someone’s choice of pseudonym.

I am confident that all 3 of you wish to support one another here. Let’s return to the discussion at hand in helping one another through sharing experiences and support.

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@itsohard

You are one horrible, disgusting human being. I am reporting you. These people signed up for support, and awful people like you come along to upset people who are already struggle. You should be ashamed of yourself. And cupcake isn't a good name for you.

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@colleenyoung I agree, no hard feelings!!!!!

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I am so sorry this happened to you and I think Colleen explained it perfectly. I didn't understand what you were saying at first either.

Now to speak to your idea of an infectious disease doctor - I think it is a superb idea. My husband had a horrible infection - some hospital borne bacterial infection. His urologist and GP were striking out and recommended an infectious disease doctor and my husband was completely cured. It was 10 days on very expensive (but insured) IV medicine. A nurse installed a port at our home and he infused himself, painlessly every so many hours 3-4-i forget and the nurse returned to check everything every day or so.

We were forever grateful

I hope you come back to the site - i have found it enormously helpful as I go through some of the challenges you describe.

Good luck to you and Godspeed.

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Since you mentioned dietary issues I am dropping this prepared note into the chain. You may take it for what it is worth or simply delete. If you would like more information I can explain what I did (lots of phone calls and food logs ); you may write me directly if you want any of the back story.

My Symptoms – vomiting, nausea, achy stomach, bloat, weakness. Trouble talking, thinking, listening. Pain in left shoulder. All symptoms started slowly and slowly resolved after vomiting at the three to four hour mark. Had asthma as a child. Recent problems started 3 – 4 years ago. I am in very late middle age. Average weight. My symptoms are almost completely under control now and I can look back and figure what I did wrong and remember for next time.
Medical - Had “every test.” GI doctor finally told me to just “avoid trigger foods.”Problem: Couldn’t figure out what trigger foods were. Turned out the problem for me was the preservatives IN the food
Solution: avoid preservatives, especially sulphites which are rarely labeled. I am ever vigilant. Note: If I do happen to eat too much or the wrong thing it sometimes helps to stand up, walk around, take a shower, take deep breaths. Sometimes.

What I Can Eat

Beef, organic chicken, eggs, food after removing skins (apple, avocado, watermelon, etc) canned tuna, maybe lamb. Salad bar items not otherwise excluded. Also yogurt, milk, cheese, fresh fruits and veggies (limited quantities), ice cream (yay). Also cookies, cake – all that stuff you want to keep away from. I ask for a cheese plate for dessert . One – two tablespoons of just about anything. Most food in Europe or Africa. TV dinners – Swanson’s Hungry Man, Amy’s Organic. Always small meals and snacks. Sips of liquids at meals only. Between meals, fine. (I have only ever drunk water or coffee, don’t know about other liquids.) Am never hungry and amazingly have lost some weight.

What I Can NOT Eat

Marinated beef, NON organic chicken, PORK!, most seafood. Canned or frozen or otherwise preserved fruits or veggies or potatoes. Eggs that pour from a carton. Cruciferous vegetables (sort of figured this out) – even fresh. Any of these things that come in a package (note: this is a simple question to ask in a restaurant –“is ______fresh or does it come to you in a bag or is it frozen from another location?) Canned food (except tuna), boil in bag rice, large meals, Worcester Sauce (the worst!). Meal kits (especially Blue Apron). Spicy or fried foods. Large amounts of water or coffee – 8 oz or so – at meals. Wine. Don’t know about other alcoholic beverages. My list could be much longer; I have enough food to satisfy me with my “Can Eat” list. You will want to make you own list.

Again, you may write me directly if you want any of the back story.

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I have cdiff along with fq poisoning,I am seeing an infectious disease Dr I was just trying to help,it was my first day as well but I already feel unwelcome.
I hope you do get to see this before I log off for good.
Good luck

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@itsohard

You are one horrible, disgusting human being. I am reporting you. These people signed up for support, and awful people like you come along to upset people who are already struggle. You should be ashamed of yourself. And cupcake isn't a good name for you.

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And I always say gospeed,it just means I wish you well

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Hi @cupcake420 I encourage you not to leave Connect. I hope you will see that the misunderstanding was due to an unfortunate misinterpretation of your supportive suggestion. As a text-based forum, discussions do not have the benefit of body language, which can help diffuse such misinterpretations. I'm proud to say that these issues happen rarely on Connect. I hope you will give the community a second chance. I, for one, am glad you joined the community.

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@cupcake420 I understand I'm also really new on here and it would hurt my heart if you left due to this. We all need each other for support because with me I feel helpless these days with me not knowing what is going on with my body. It is a misunderstanding and I hope we can move past this. Wishing you nothing but the best. I have not seen an infection doctor, I'll look into it.

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I was upset when you called me a hour ble person,such a big misunderstanding.
I also haven't toon in my breast which I've had since 2003,11 surgeries and round after round of Cipro and levaquin,they did nothing.
For years I've been asking them to remove my breast and finally they are doing it. The reason they gave in is I need both hips replaced before Christmas,two shoulder surgeries from taking the Cipro all my tendons from neck to toe are swollen,torn they are like dried up rubber band ready to give way.depression,anxiety,panic attack and ptsd.
The reason I'll telling you is so you know I was not being rude,I was trying to help.
I'm 50 and going for disability hearing Sept 5
My life was taken away with flouroquinolone,I was a cook for 34 yes. And single mother to 3 sons
They are my greatest comfort thru all of
Good luck in everything

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