Preparing for a hospital stay

Postby **administrator** » Wed Aug 15, 2001 7:25 pm

DiDi User ID: 9788223 Aug 6th 2:17 PM I've just read the latest updates to Dave's posting (What My GI Doc Said). I've heard of Questran, that it binds the toxins. Can anyone tell me if cholestyram and Questran are the same thing? My poor abused system certainly needs a break! I can't get anyone to give me vancomycin (around here, it's like you're asking for morphine!). I've just tested negative for C-diff for the THIRD time, despite still having the symptoms, and am just about ready to bang my head on the wall in sheer frustration! I'm wondering if I could at least get my doctor to prescribe Questran just so my system can get a break from the toxins that make me feel so ill and so the good bacteria can get re-established. Would it be worth asking? If by any chance the test was actually accurate and the symptoms really are something other than C-diff (such as what??), would Questran do more harm than good? Or is it one of those things in the "can't hurt, might help" category? I'd feel better approaching my doctor about this if I at least have some information on the subject. Anyone? Thanks, folks, and God bless. Dave User ID: 0735934 Aug 6th 10:05 PM The problem with that (I think and I'm not a doctor) is they bind with the toxin, NOT the organism. So theoretically you would have to stay on Cholestyram forever. You should find a good specialist for GI. "There's really not much more we can do" is not sufficient. My general doctor said that. "Your tests were negative, but you still have diarrhea and abdominal pain? Maybe something else is going on there. We should do some other tests to rule out other things besides c-diff". My GI doctor said that when the tests came back negative. He gave me Vanco anyway, since I had a history of positive and negative tests over the last 6 months. But he pointed out, there are other problems that can occur and ran some tests. Your doctor didn't do that. You might want to find a gastroenterologist for a second opinion. TESTS can't hurt. (I had an abdominal CT scan to rule out an abscess and different, non-cdiff, stool tests, and he wants me to do a endoscopy test if I get any worse). DiDi User ID: 9788223 Aug 7th 0:46 AM Dave, thanks for your response. Yes, I do know it's the toxins that are bound, not the organism. I'm thinking of this as a stopgap measure, until I can "prove" I still have C-diff at which point MAYBE some vancomycin MIGHT forthcoming... But, now that I think of it, taking something to bind the toxins might affect the test results. I guess I just can't win, huh? However, I do now have a doctor who's "on the ball" and he has indeed ordered a plethora of tests to figure out what's going on. I'm seeing a new gastroenterologist next week, and there should be an endoscopy in the near future. And my doctor thinks he will probably also refer me to an endocrinologist. The fun just never ends, does it? Hospitals, clinics, labs, doctors - that's about the extent of my social life, these days! Well, that - and the excitement of the occasional dash to ER, that's always a thrill... <IMG SRC="http://www.cdiffsupport.com/discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)" width="15" height="15"> Allison User ID: 2184934 Aug 7th 9:55 AM Didi, Oh yes you can win. Persistance in the face of fear and frustration is how you beat cdiff..............and a doc who will prescribe vanco. I agree with Dave- you may need other tests to rule things out. I had a bevy of them. After all returned normal- THEN I got my vancomycin. Interesting about the endoctronologist- I've learned that cdiff had also affected my hormonal system. (after the fact). See Dave's post "Tingling with Vanco?". Hang in there! Dave User ID: 1725214 Aug 7th 7:44 PM I'm working out, running, and doing Yoga. I'm eating lots of fiber, yogurt, Culturelle once a day, Vanco, lots of water, Gatorade (for electrolytes lost to diarrhea). I'm gonna kick c-diff's •••!! I believe we can ALL win. Scrawny little organism. I spit it at it. Puh! Dave User ID: 1725214 Aug 7th 7:54 PM Always look at it as just a thing to conquer. Like exercising. At my worst my colitis really hurt bad, I spent 5 hours in an ER, and a week in bed. I started running when I felt better a few weeks ago, and I still hurt. Only got about 1/4 of a mile. I swore that I would get up to a mile soon, it was just a goal I HAD TO ACHIEVE. So now it is with getting rid of this. I have an aggressive doctor and now my attitude is, IT'S JUST ANOTHER GOAL TO ACHIEVE. If it cannot hurt me in my heart, it doesn't stand a chance in my gut. Knowledge, preserverence, relaxation, and a little help and treatment... I believe I can beat it!!! Smile <IMG SRC="http://www.cdiffsupport.com/discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)" width="15" height="15"> DiDi User ID: 9788223 Aug 7th 10:53 PM Hi, Dave! Love your attitude! I'm not much of a runner, but I used to love walking, could walk for miles, good brisk pace. Now I figure that every time I can manage a gentle stroll around the block in the evening, with the love of my life by my side, I WIN. At one time, I could barely make it to the end of the street. Live, love, laugh - and never give in!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Fri Aug 23, 2002 4:15 pm

EXERCISES TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE: 1. Lay nude on the front lawn and ask the weed man to probe you with his applicator. 2. Drink a quart of Sherwin-Williams Eggshell One-Coat Coverage Interior Flat White #2. Then have your child stuff his slinky down your throat. 3. Put a real estate agent's 'Open House' sign on your front yard and lie on your bed dressed in a paper napkin with straws stuck up your nose. 4. Put your hand down the garbage disposal while practicing your smile and repeating: "mild discomfort". 5. Set your alarm to go off every ten minutes from ten PM to seven AM, at which times you will alternately puncture your wrist with a Craftsman (squarehead) screwdriver and stab yourself with a knitting needle. 6. Remove all actual food from the house. 7. With several strands of Christmas lights strung from a coat tree and onto yourself, walk slowly up and down the hall. 8. Urinate into an empty lipstick tube. [Guest Posted by: 'Sandy']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Sat Aug 24, 2002 10:20 pm

This is wonderful!

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:18 pm

made me laugh until i almost peed myself. [Guest Posted by: 'kate']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Wed Sep 04, 2002 7:39 pm

this was just what i needed. a good old fashion laugh. thank you [Guest Posted by: 'frances']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 9:01 pm

good one!!! [Guest Posted by: 'marie']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 12:50 pm

Sandy, So true, so true. Dignity is the first thing to go during a hospital stay. They used to wake you up to give you a pill to put you to sleep. Go figure! [Guest Posted by: 'Bobbie']

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:32 pm

A good laugh...much needed as I prepare for my first colonoscopy! Thanks.

tealas · Postby **tealas** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:28 pm

Ditto!

I was just laughing until the tears came out of my eyes.
I'm ready for mine ;-)

Teala

Preparing for a hospital stay

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