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Trying to recover from a c. diff infection (Clostridium difficile)
Digestive Health | Last Active: Apr 11 12:22am | Replies (545)Comment receiving replies
I was having diarrhea and mild upper left abdomen pain. Weeks before my tongue became very dry and now had a white coating in the back that will not go away. It's not bacterial or fungal. I went to a GI for my bowel problems and they gave a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy which had good normal results. I also had blood and stool testing. I got results 24 hours AFTER colonoscopy. All results fine except I have c diff. I got vanco 125mg for 14 days. I'm on day 11 and the slight pain is still there, my stool is orange with black flakes in it and slightly loose. I'm nervous that the antibiotics are not working. Is this normal? I'm also scared to infect others. If first treatment doesnt work will symptoms intensify? My anxiety is through the roof and I cry daily. I lost a relationship with my girlfriend over this, I'm scared I'm going to lose my job, and I'm scared to die. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for listening.
Replies to "I was having diarrhea and mild upper left abdomen pain. Weeks before my tongue became very..."
There is no such thing as "negative results" because we ALL have fungi in our mouths!! Get a copy of the lab report and look it up yourself. If you are honest with your employer about what is going on and you get terminated,,,,,,,,,,,that would be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tell your Primary Care Phusician (or, theretically, ANY plysician or Nurse Practitioner) that you want to find out whether you are immune deficient or not. OR see an Infectious Diseases specialist. You are the person who knows whether or not the Vancomycin is working; unfortunately, most physicians will need lab proof before prescribing another round. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Is the prescribing physician someone with whom you can talk honestly? The more you know, empirically, the better off you will be.....so look up Clostridium Difficile!!!
Hello @rtg103,
Welcome to Connect. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to other members who are talking about c. diff and much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
I'm so sorry to hear about your anxiety, and glad that you've joined the Connect community - you will see that you aren't alone. Here is some information from Mayo Clinic that you may wish to read:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/c-difficile/symptoms-causes/syc-20351691
Another great resource is the Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Page on Connect, where Mayo Clinic experts talk about fecal transplants and much more: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/
@rtg103, could you share a bit about your diet before your symptoms, and at present?
Connect
Are you immune-suppressed? Usually, people with normal immune systems do not get C. Diff. The stuff on your tongue is likely fungal; have you had it tested in the lab? The fact that you have Clostridium Difficile AND what sounds like an OVERGROWTH of Candida Albicans say that your immune system is not working as it is supposed to. If I were you, I would get another stool test a few days after you have completed the 2-week course. I picked up a case of C. Diff in the hospital and it took 3 courses of Vancomycin to get rid of it. Don't worry about infecting others unless they are elderly, newly-born or otherwise have abnormal immune function. How would you lose your job? Hopefully, you can be honest with your employer. You picked up a disease and you can get a letter from a physician which attests to that fact! You may be anxious and cry daily if you wish but, frankly, I would suggest that you educate yourself with regard to C. Diff , Candida Albicans AND tests to find out whether or not your immune systemn is working!! Furthermore, it sounds like you are in need of some emotional support!!!