momofsix
12-27-2003, 05:12 PM
Has anyone ever had this infection? If so, have you had any subsequent problems after initially clearing it up? I had it about 6 weeks ago, but am feeling unwell, with moderate stomache upset and am wondering if this could be connected.
Linda
Linda
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Harry
12-28-2003, 11:46 AM
I think the reason your post has not been anwsered is not many people know what kind of infection you're talking about -- I don't???
Please explain what it is and how it affects you??
Thanks---Harry
Please explain what it is and how it affects you??
Thanks---Harry
butterflytrans
12-28-2003, 03:40 PM
C. difficile infection is an intestinal infection with the bug Clostridium difficile which normally comes after someone has been on antibiotics (i.e. it happens in the hospital a lot). It has to be treated with some very strong antibiotics (i.e. either metronidazole or vancomycin). C. difficile gives you bad diarrhea, makes you feel like cra@#!!, is very contagious and can lead to a very serious complication known as toxic megacolon...i.e. part of your colon becomes inflamed, and it inflates to well beyond its normal calibre. It can lead to perforations and catastrophic infections.
momofsix
12-28-2003, 03:42 PM
It is an infection you usually get from taking antibiotics. It's a toxin that overgrows when the good bacteria is destroyed by the antibiotic. It can range from mild to life-threatening (should the toxin damage your colon to the point of perforation). Symptoms are large amounts of watery diarrhia, cramps, fever, etc. I can't remember ever feeling that sick before. The treatment is another antibiotic to kill the offending bacteria, but recurrences are apparently common.
MNangel
12-29-2003, 11:57 PM
I got C Difficile in early October when I was hospitalized for diverticulitis. Didn't know I had diverticulosis. I was on Flagyl and Levaquin, two strong antibiotics, and I caught C. Diff in the hospital. It is a horrible diarrhea. Everything goes right through you. You stomach is always in an up-roar. I was exhausted. I always felt that my intestines were being scraped inside, but I think that may have been the antibiotics. You NEED to stay hydrated. It is treated with Flagyl. It is hard to get rid of because it is a "spore". The antibiotics kill the open spores, but not the ones that are not opened. That's why it is hard to get rid of. It is hard to replace the good flora of bacteria in your system while on antibiotics. I finished my first round of antibiotics and it returned in 5 days. I finished my second round of Flagyl and it returned in 3 days. I am now on Vancomyicin on a pulse-dosing regimen. It is staggered over 6-7 weeks, on and off, to hopefully get rid of it. The hard part is that it can recur within 30 days or so after it is cleared up.
If you think you are still NOT feeling well, you may want to have another stool sample to make sure you do not have a recurrence of C. Difficile. I'm hoping this round of meds will work for me. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm doing lots of praying that this will get cleared up soon. I need to be clear for at least 6 weeks or more before I face LAP Colon Resection surgery. How long did you have c diff?
If you think you are still NOT feeling well, you may want to have another stool sample to make sure you do not have a recurrence of C. Difficile. I'm hoping this round of meds will work for me. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm doing lots of praying that this will get cleared up soon. I need to be clear for at least 6 weeks or more before I face LAP Colon Resection surgery. How long did you have c diff?
momofsix
12-30-2003, 11:26 AM
I had it a week before it was diagnosed, and then started taking the antibiotic for it. You're right - it was brutal. I don't remember ever feeling that sick for that long a time (it took about two weeks to clear up). If I continue to feel unwell, I certainly will return to my doctor. I don't want to go through that again!
suzi47cmt
12-31-2003, 02:36 AM
dHas anyone ever had this infection? If so, have you had any subsequent problems after initially clearing it up? I had it about 6 weeks ago, but am feeling unwell, with moderate stomache upset and am wondering if this could be connected.
Linda
Hi linda, yes...I did find that after having cleared up the infection, I felt well for awhile, then all of a sudden I just felt "ill". I returned to my gastroenterologist, and he restarted me on antibiotic therapy again. He told me that sometimes this occurs, just like with strep throat or other infections. Sometimes the length of the antibiotic therapy just isn't enough, and another course of antibiotics is required. He actually tried a different antibiotic than the first one, and I recovered. However, I still did not feel myself for about 2-3 months after the infection was actually gone.
I hope my reply helped, and that you will soon be feeling better.
take care and God bless.
Suzi L :)
Linda
Hi linda, yes...I did find that after having cleared up the infection, I felt well for awhile, then all of a sudden I just felt "ill". I returned to my gastroenterologist, and he restarted me on antibiotic therapy again. He told me that sometimes this occurs, just like with strep throat or other infections. Sometimes the length of the antibiotic therapy just isn't enough, and another course of antibiotics is required. He actually tried a different antibiotic than the first one, and I recovered. However, I still did not feel myself for about 2-3 months after the infection was actually gone.
I hope my reply helped, and that you will soon be feeling better.
take care and God bless.
Suzi L :)
suzi47cmt
12-31-2003, 02:51 AM
linda, I hope you received my message regarding your clostridium infection. Let us know how you are doing please. Suzi L. :)
momofsix
12-31-2003, 10:42 AM
Sorry, no relation to Rubin. You said you began to feel "ill". How ill was it? Did you start having severe symptoms again, or was it less obvious. I'm not sure if I'm just impatient and need to wait (it's been 6 weeks since I finished the antibiotics).
stronghand
04-13-2005, 03:03 PM
MNagel, Harry,Lindawainwright, butterflytrans,
I am seeking help for a friend who has had MANY recurrences of clostridium dificile. Like MNagel, my friend needs to have bowel surgery, removal of divuticulosis bowel and other surgery. What states are you in? We are in Maryland. We have not found an internist, nor an infectious disease physician who is taking this seriously. They are quick to order Vancocin or flygel, but don't seem to coordinate with the surgeon who wants to do the bowel surgery. Where are you all?
I am seeking help for a friend who has had MANY recurrences of clostridium dificile. Like MNagel, my friend needs to have bowel surgery, removal of divuticulosis bowel and other surgery. What states are you in? We are in Maryland. We have not found an internist, nor an infectious disease physician who is taking this seriously. They are quick to order Vancocin or flygel, but don't seem to coordinate with the surgeon who wants to do the bowel surgery. Where are you all?
momofsix
04-13-2005, 03:46 PM
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. It seems I was fortunate in that my infection cleared up completely after the first round of antibiotics. It did take awhile to feel completely better - it takes a lot out of you. But I have not had any more trouble. Sorry I can't help.
Linda
Linda