← Return to What happens after C.Difficile?

Discussion

What happens after C.Difficile?

Digestive Health | Last Active: Oct 27, 2023 | Replies (165)

Comment receiving replies
@johnbishop

Hello @euqcaj, Welcome to Connect. It sometimes takes awhile for members to reply to some questions. I think this may be because unless we have similar symptoms or can answer another members questions we might delay posting hoping that another member will jump in and respond to your question.

While I don't have C-diff, I do struggle with chronic constipation and have used Mira-lax, stool softeners and prebiotic fiber. Lately I have been having cramps in my left lower stomach area but have not noticed a bulging. I do think this may be related to the amount of fiber and stool softeners I take daily. I read where another member has used Align probiotic supplement and it helped their constipation issue. I do think mine also is related to gut health and so may give that a try. I also have been working on exercising the pelvic muscles which can play a part in chronic constipation according to some information I found on the Mayo Clinic website.

Excerpt from link below: "Difficulty with the muscles involved in elimination:
Problems with the pelvic muscles involved in having a bowel movement may cause chronic constipation. These problems may include:
-- The inability to relax the pelvic muscles to allow for a bowel movement (anismus)
-- Pelvic muscles that don't coordinate relaxation and contraction correctly (dyssynergia)
-- Weakened pelvic muscles"
Constipation - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253

Have you discussed your the constipation and bulging symptoms with your doctor?

Jump to this post


Replies to "Hello @euqcaj, Welcome to Connect. It sometimes takes awhile for members to reply to some questions...."

Thank you so much for responding. Yes, I have discussed all this with my doctor. The constipation is chronic and I've learned how to manage it over the years,..............it's not ideal but much better than it was. The C-diff episode was scary and unexpected. It was a result of taking Clyndamycin for a dental issue. I was terribly ill. I've recovered from the C-diff but it has left me with this bulging I've never had before. I did mention it to my doctor but I feel it wasn't really seriously addressed, although I also had a follow up MRI and apparently everything looks good and there wasn't any serious damage to my intestines from the C-diff infection. I was extremely grateful for all this news, especially after I understood what could have happened with C-diff. I am almost 70 years old and I understand this could have been a much worse scenario. So I am grateful. BUT I still would like to "go back to my normal". The extra "bulging" is uncomfortable. As I mentioned in my other email, it comes and goes, fluctuates in different areas, and can make my clothing tighter. I don't like that. But apparently I'm healthy. It's only been three months since I contracted the C-diff, maybe it will just take time to get "back to normal". I really don't know, but I hope this isn't permanent. And I will bring it up with my doctor again if it doesn't go away. I also thought your comment on the pelvic muscles was very interesting. Never in all my years of going to doctors has this been mentioned! I never knew that could lend to constipation. Thank you for the information. Jacque