17 and C diff

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Cieraaaa
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17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:38 pm

Hey guys! I'm new here and I'm gonna give you a back story. (Sorry if I bore you to tears!) I got sick February 2014 and I went to the doctors after having a persistent fever that would not go away and constant bowel problems. They did everything they could do to help me, but they couldn't figure it out. Test after test was done and still nothing. I kept going to the doctor and my mom was demanding answers. She was tired of me getting poked with needles every time I came in. My actually Pediatrician basically gave up on trying to figure it out and she then sent me to a Infectious Disease doctor 60+ miles away from where i live. I'll be honest, I was not that hopefully of him finding anything wrong with me. Well, 9 tubes of blood later and some X-rays my results came back, nothing showed up besides I was very very vitamin deficient, (this wasn't new to me because my previous doctors had told me that as well). After that I basically gave up on everything. I was done going to the doctor and having her treat me like I was a liar. She just didn't believe me that I was actually sick. I felt like she was saying I was a hypochondriac. Well, my nurse practitioner (I LOVE HER!!!) has always been absolutely amazing. I was now documented as a FUO. Fever of Unknown Origin. I went in for a check up with my Nurse Practitioner and she asked why I never came in for my fevers and i told her I was tired of being tested for random stuff. She then told me she had been working on my case on the side and taking classes about fevers of unknown origin and ways of diagnosing what it could be. She suggested I see a GI doctor and then referred me to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist the same place my infectious disease doctor is and I went into him and he acted like he didn't believe me either. BUT I FINALLY GOT A DIAGNOSIS!!!!! I cried but not because I was scared but because I was so relieved! I also got told that i not only had c diff, but also a parasite.
My teachers at school are a challenge though. They're constantly giving me Crap about not coming to school because I'm "sick" they don't believe me. My doctor gave me a note excusing my absences from school and my secretary at school said she wouldn't accept it because "most parents won't take their kids to the doctor just because they have a stomach ache". I'm so frustrated with them because it's unfair and they need to stay out of my business. I'm just so mad and tired of being told "you don't need to be going to the bathroom this much!!" And stuff like that. Ugh. Advice?

teresajo103
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby teresajo103 » Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:19 pm

Cierra....

I am really sorry you are having such a hard time with cdiff. It is not something that people can see....therefore they get tired of it real quick. I have been pretty lucky with the family support...but I did have a doctor tell me that I might have cdiff but the symptoms were mostly in my head. Try not to let people get to you...for one thing they are obviously ignorant to cdiff and for another you do not need the stress. Find a good doctor that will listen to you and that you trust. Once you do that you will be on the right track to getting well.
You are young and you will probably do just fine getting well. I sure hope you are better real soon. Let us know how you are doing.

beth22
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby beth22 » Thu Mar 19, 2015 11:31 pm

STANDARD INTRODUCTION:
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum “All Users Read This First” and subtopics “Site History” and “Information and Guidelines for Posting to our Discussion Boards.” (Note limits on posting.) This will guide you in using the site and answer some of your questions. Read Dr. Borody's articles. Also see the topics under “CDI” – particularly Recent CDC Report, The C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.

“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a list of C. diff. specialists throughout the world with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the new forum “FMT’s and FE’s” or “Media Reports” for new information on C. diff.

The majority of patients (about 70%) recover with one to two rounds of Flagyl or Vancocin. An unfortunate small percentage doesn’t and can suffer for months. Most recover unless there are factors such as advanced age or other severe health problems. New treatments include FMT's, which have a high cure rate, and Dificid. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. You can help by educating your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Help us make others aware of C. difficle – which will lead to further advances in treating and/or preventing the infection. If antibiotics contributed to your C. diff, be careful about taking them again. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.

If a medication contributed to your case, please fill out an Adverse Event Report online at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm. Under "Resources for You," in left-hand column, click on "Report a Serious Medical Product Problem Online." (Allison provided this information.)

The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing and good hygiene. (See Dr. Borody’s articles and “CDI.”) For more information, see other support groups on Facebook, including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, the Mayo Clinic and Web MD web sites, and “The FMT Foundation” under “Links” on the homepage.

This is a support site not a medical site. We can’t give you medical advice but can tell you what worked for us and offer support. No one will understand what you are going through except someone who has/had this unpredictable disease. All of our moderators and frequent posters had/have C. diff. (or a loved one with it) and know how physically, emotionally, and financially disabling it can be.

Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)

Cierra - I'm sorry that you have had to go through so much, but at least you finally did get a diagnosis. How are they treating this or is the treatment finished? I know that even after treatment, you can still have lingering effects, all kinds of strange bowel movement, food intolerances, etc. Your doctor or your parents should write a letter to the administration of the school explaining that your illness is something that necessitates your using the bathroom often at times, much like someone with Crohn's might have to do.

I teach high school. We sometimes get an alert from the administration that a particular student is having health issues. Your school administration should do this for you and let all your teachers know that they need to excuse you. I had a boy last year who had Crohn's and I would never question when he had to go to the bathroom or why. Every two months or so he had to miss school because he had to go and be infused with a treatment called Remicade. Sometimes he would miss more than a day because of it. I think your parents should speak to the doctor who treated you, explain the situation and ask him to write a letter to your school. This really is not ok on the school's part.

How are you feeling now? What did you take for the c diff?

Cieraaaa
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Sat Mar 21, 2015 12:38 am

I'm on a an antibiotic that starts with an M (can't remember the name) and Zantac. It just really sucks.


Also, my doctor has written a note that I need to go to the bathroom as needed and excused absences because of how sick I was and they still didn't believe me. My doctor was FURIOUS. She called and called and called my school and she gave them a piece of her mind and told them it was not their business what was wrong with me. Something I didn't mention earlier because i forgot is that my mom doesn't want school knowing fully what's wrong and that I have C diff because they wouldnt let me come back to school until it was gone and I cant afford to miss that many days. So my doctors just called and told them to abide by my note and stop trying to be in my business and to start following their orders they have given them. My doctors agreed that they didn't need to know because they would blow it out of proportion. Also, my school is bad about the administration saying things to students about someone's health and I don't want everyone knowing I have a problem with my poop. I gave my doctors note to the secretary and there was a student standing behind her and I said I didn't want anyone else reading it and she basically read it out loud and the student behind her read it too. Now I'm scared she's going to go around telling people I have bowel problems.

getwellsoon
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby getwellsoon » Sat Mar 21, 2015 6:41 am

The next step for your parents might be to call the school board and file a complaint. Hard to believe a school would act in such a fashion. They sound like a bunch of nuts to me. I would threaten them with a lawsuit if I were your parents. Hope you can get this straightened out. You have enough problems to worry about with your health and they are adding to them. Hope you have a better day today. let us know how you do and what happens. We are here for you.
CAROL

Cieraaaa
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Sat Mar 21, 2015 11:50 am

Oh you would be surprised. My school is ridiculous. I go to a school way out in the country and they're a bunch of hicks and hillbillys. Lol. I am too, but they can't keep their mouths shut about anything. The only one I like is the nurse because she has an idea of what's going on and she told me that If anyone had a problem with me going to the bathroom then to tell them to call her. She thinks I just have IBS because that's all we wanted her to know. Doctors didn't want to tell her I had a contagious infectious disease and parasites.

roy
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby roy » Sat Mar 21, 2015 12:01 pm

What are the symptoms of your illness?
If it's classic c.diff symptoms then mayb you should not be going to school.

Cieraaaa
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Sat Mar 21, 2015 12:08 pm

Severe stomach pain, constantly feeling sick like I'm gonna throw up and have to go to the bathroom. I can't eat or drink anything not even water without it really upsetting my stomach. I have fevers, hot and cold flashes, I get these really bad dizzy spells and I just feel like crap when that happens and I get all clammy and sweaty.

My nurse practitioner told me I was fine to go to school. My GI said nothing about school or work or a follow up appointment

Misscshell24
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Misscshell24 » Sat Mar 21, 2015 1:14 pm

First off, I'm sorry you're going through this. I can relate to the feeling of doctors not believing you. Also to not wanting everyone (or anyone) to know about your symptoms or diagnosis. Ibs seems like a good cover story.

I'm guessing the M medicine is possibly Metronidazole, which is another name for Flagyl. Flagyl can be a difficult drug for many and cause some of the symptoms you're having, but c diff and parasites can cause some of the same symptoms. May be worth talking to your mom and doctor about a follow up appointment and your symptoms, if they don't improve soon. Again, I'm not sure of the Rx you're on or the parasite you have (the M medication might be the necessary one to treat it), but some switch to vanco for c diff and find it easier to take with less side effects. So might be worth asking your doc and checking on what age it's safe to have that medication. At the least, see if there's something you can do to help with your symtoms. Like something for the nausea and a bland or brat diet. It's good to keep hydrated and try to eat frequent small amounts of food. Hope you're feeling better soon. Let us know how everything goes.
Michelle

Bobbie
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Bobbie » Sat Mar 21, 2015 2:27 pm

Cierra,

So sorry you have c diff - nasty infection - and a parasite. GI problems are tough to deal with at any age but it must be awful as a teenager as other teens can be no nasty. If one asks you about your health problems, reply, " Why do you need to know. Are you writing a book?" This used to work way back when I was a teenager but that was many years ago.

Your school is not handling this well.

What caused your c diff? Were you on an antibiotic or hospitalized?

We've had other teens on the site. Do a search for them. They all recovered quickly. Your youth is in your favor.

Wash your hands often and well for you own protection as well as others. See CDI - Hygiene.

Best to you. Keep posting to let us know how you are doing.

Cieraaaa
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Sat Mar 21, 2015 4:18 pm

I was sick and they put me on broad spectrum antibiotics and Ive been on some type of antibiotic the past year and so they think that's how I got it.

Bobbie
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Bobbie » Sat Mar 21, 2015 5:00 pm

Yep, broad spectrum antibiotics will do it. See CDI - Antibiotics.

roy
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby roy » Sat Mar 21, 2015 6:52 pm

Do you have frequent watery D or is it solid poo several times a day with belly pain?
Are you a female or male?
Do your parents know your posting here?
If that's a no there's no problem!
But we might suggest you tell your Mom and get her involved as well.
Roy

Cieraaaa
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Cieraaaa » Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:31 am

It's both watery and solid. I'm a girl lol. I've mentioned it to my parents. My mom barely knows how to work her phone lol

Bobbie
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Re: 17 and C diff

Postby Bobbie » Sun Mar 22, 2015 12:52 am

PM

Username:Mlbbarry1


Monica Mibbary was a moderator for awhile and her 17 year old daughter - think her name is Michala - had c diff and then a FMT several years ago. Ask Monica about her daughter and if you can contact her. Don't remember the names of any of the other teenagers on the site -one was a 17 year old boy. Put:"recommended by Bobbie at the c diff support site" on the subject line.

Only another teenager can understand what you are going through.

I would tell your parents you are posting on the site, and you might show the school nurse the site with some of the Media Reports with the stats on c diff. Even some nurses know little about the disease.

Read as much about c diff as you can stand, I know - it's an "icky" disease. Stay hydrated and try to decrease milk products and excess sugar like soda from your diet.


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