Comment from: mommyofthemase, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: December 01
I am only 26 and thought I had the "flu," but I had been running a constant fever for three months, so I had an appointment to see an infectious disease doctor that my regular doctor set up for me. My regular doctor had taken a stool sample because he had suspected c-diff because I had taken Clindamycin. When I went to the infectious disease doctor, sure enough, it was C. diff! He didn't understand how I got it. I haven't had any hospitalizations in a long time, I'm young, but I had worked in a nursing home when I was 19. We're assuming that's where I was exposed to it even though I followed all the proper procedures when taking care of C. diff residents. I am now on my second round of Vancocin, as I am severely allergic to Flagyl.
Comment from: cad, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: November 19
Reading these comments has helped me cope with my own situation and know there is hope in getting better. Three months ago I had a dental procedure and the dentist put me on an antibiotic as a precaution against an infection. A week after I stopped the medication I started with the uncontrolled diarrhea. Went to the doctors and was told I had C diff. It is now November and I am on my fourth round of it. I ended up in the ER this time with pancolitis, dehydration, and uncontrolled diarrhea. I now have infectious disease in on my case. I was told that I had not been on the medication long enough (Vancomycin). I was on a two week course each time and it comes back within a week. Now I am on Vancomycin for 5 weeks with a tapering course. They also said you just should not stop it. I am also on Questran. It binds the toxin and then you pass it. I am hoping this is it. I have always been healthy and I don't take antibiotics but the dentist scared me about infection so I took it. At this point I would have rather taken my chances on an infection that to go through this.
Comment from: smurf, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: November 19
I developed C. difficile about 2 weeks after being in the hospital for my C-section at age 34. I was on antibiotic to prevent infection after the surgery and then another one started afterwards for a bladder infection. I was started on Flagyl for the C. diff. only to end up with severe hives. Then Vancomycin was started but it never fully cleared up. It took 4 months to clear this C. difficile up. You have to be aggressive with the doctor. I ended up going to a gastroenterologist and he put me on Questran (cholestyramine) which you mix with water and drink before a meal so it helps wash out the C. difficile toxin. That is what helped me in conjunction with Vancomycin and a refrigerated probiotic. I also had a colonoscopy to check to see if the C. difficile had done damage to my digestive system. GO TO A GASTROENTEROLOGIST! If that is not possible, ask for the 3 meds listed that helped me. Family practice doctors sometimes just don't know what they are doing!
Comment from: Jan, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: November 19
At age 48 I was given an antibiotic (Augmentin) for a sinus infection that began my nightmare. I became extremely ill, to the point I was bed ridden from sheer exhaustion because of C Diff Toxins. I was given many doses of Flagyl and Vancocin and neither of these meds worked. I kept relapsing with C Diff for almost 2 years. Finally I got the courage to go to see a doctor who administered a "stool infusion" to get rid of this nasty bug. The procedure worked for me. It has been a little over 2 months now and I have no signs of C Diff and my test results proved negative for the toxins. Of course, I am now very concerned that I could acquire this again because of how many relapses I have had so, for me no antibiotics is a "must" for the rest of my life.
Comment from: ynkeslb, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: November 13
I was diagnosed with C-Diff, have had all the recommended prescription treatments, 3 of Vancomycin, my energy level and social life is nil, I must stay near a bathroom all the time. I am now followed by Infectious Disease Control. I have tried the probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus, but no improvement. I am now to the point of not eating, just living on Gatorade. I see the doc in a few days. This caused me to seek mental health and with the help of a psychologist and a counselor I have mentally improved, but physically have lost 27lbs, don't get to eat out anymore, have to fast 24 hours before going anywhere like doctor appointments, or grocery shopping. I have had 2 ER visits, one that resulted in hospitalization for dehydration.
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I am only 26 and thought I had the "flu," but I had been running a constant fever for three months, so I had an appointment to see an infectious disease doctor that my regular doctor set up for me. My regular doctor had taken a stool sample because he had suspected c-diff because I had taken Clindamycin. When I went to the infectious disease doctor, sure enough, it was C. diff! He didn't understand how I got it. I haven't had any hospitalizations in a long time, I'm young, but I had worked in a nursing home when I was 19. We're assuming that's where I was exposed to it even though I followed all the proper procedures when taking care of C. diff residents. I am now on my second round of Vancocin, as I am severely allergic to Flagyl.
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