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

I think doctors know but don’t have the time to sit down and think. You typically have ten to fifteen minutes of their time, and only God knows how many patients they see every day. I think health care in this country has come to a bad place. Hard to get appointments, hard to schedule procedures and weeks go by waiting for a diagnosis. I am in that situation now. I finally got to see a GI who surmised by my symptoms that I have SIBO, put me on another round of antibiotics, and wants to do a CT scan of my GI. Every time I talk to a professional I get more questions than answers. I live with daily anxiety thinking I have an autoimmune disease or cancer and the clock keeps ticking. My PCP told me that the best diagnostic tool was the person’s response to treatment which will then guide the types of tests that are ordered as symptoms resolve or not. Yesterday I saw blood in my stool and freaked out. Yet my PCP said he was less concerned about that than if I had anemia. Ultimately we have to trust on someone who can guide us through this scary process.

I honestly don't think the doctors know much. All they seem to know is what they can read. Many don't seem to care in my opinion.

How do you get rid of follicitice

My diet before c diff was not good. I ate out a lot. Mostly fast food. I drank soda, ate cookies, snack cakes, and potato chips daily. After c diff my only liquid intake is water and kefir probiotic drink. I eat fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. I snack on sugar free candies. I have developed folliculitis on my face and scalp as well as the white patch on my tongue and c diff. I am on my last day of my first (and hopefully last) course of vanco antibiotics. I take klonopin 0.5mg for my anxiety. I'm thinking of going to an infectious disease specialist and a nutritionist to help get me back on track. I'm also going to talk with my pharmacist about additional probiotics and prebiotics to help.

I have cdiff and the doctors dont tell much ...this sight is great to learn how to deal with it

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?

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!!!

Thank you for your reply. I do not know if I am immune surprised. How would I find out? I have been tested for fungal with negative results twice. I go to an oral pathologist Oct. 2 because my ENT is stumped. I'm nervous about my job because my boss is fed up with me missing time from work for doctors appointments and I am unsure of my protected rights in that regard. I am attempting to get psychological support as well as I agree I need that badly for more than just the c diff. I worry about everything. I'm scared I will spiral into a depression so deep and want to die. These antibiotics are not working I do not feel and am nervous my symptoms will intensify when I finish them. Then again, what am I not nervous about?

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!!!

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.