Thanks

[tmi]

I'm a relatively new member, having been diagnosed last month. This illness has been so debilitating and even though I have been a nurse practitioner for over 30 years, I was so uninformed. Your website has been such a blessing and All of you have helped me cope. . I'm currently undergoing therapy with vancomycin after treatment failure with metronidazole. Unless you've been diagnosed or are taking care of someone with c. diff, it's difficult to comprehend how damaging physically and emotionally it can be. I've lost over 10% of my weight and my hair has been falling out by handfuls. I've learned so much from this website and I would never wish this disease on anyone. My condition occurred due to antibiotic use. I'm grateful for all of the posts people have shared their own plights - I am learning so much. My primary care doctor has not taken any responsibility nor concern and has left me to deal with this on my own. I'm frightened and frustrated. I cannot work until I am well and yet I feel that I can't tell anyone what's wrong with me because I feel as though I would be judged and rejected. I'm staying away from anyone. My best friend (who has battled C.Diff) told me she didn't want to risk being around me. I understand her reasons but it still hurts. I've battled this for over 6 weeks and it's a real trial. If anyone has any encouraging words, I would be grateful. Also, will my hair grow back and when will I stop losing weight--- . Thank you to all who have posted and shared your experiences. This disease really strips one of dignity and self-esteem.

[chinacherry88]

Hi TMI,
Of course your hair will grow again or at least I think so. Cdiff is not a lifetime condition, so eventually you will be OK.
Try to understand your friend. Once you are over with cdiff you will be aware of her concerns - now you just want it to go away, then you will start thinking about antibiotic use and sources of infection-. This illness touchs people in a way you'd never imagine.
Find support among your family and close friends. Me neither did tell other people about my condition but my closest ones.
Stay strong and vent everytime you feel like.

[NanciT]

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, C. diff. Bible, Tests, Antibiotics, Hygiene, and Nutrition.
“Doctors” lists physicians our posters recommended and also a worldwide list of C. diff. specialists with contact information. (Many perform FMT's.) See the 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, vancomycin, or Dificid. 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. Other drugs and treatments are in the pipeline, and there is increased recognition of C. diff. 20l6 will be a year of many advances and HOPE.
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. Some people tolerate them; some develop C. diff again. Don’t take medications for C. diff. unless you are tested.
For more information, see other support groups including http://www.peggyfoundation.org, Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) Support Group, FMT Discussion, Fecal Transplant Foundation, C Diff Foundation, and the UK Support Site. There is also information on some of the better medical sites like Mayo's, Medscape, and WebMD, and the CDC website. Don't use "Dr. Google" to diagnose yourself.
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. The best protection for you and others is thorough hand washing (soap and water are preferable) and good hygiene by you, those around you, and your health care providers.
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 is.
Again, welcome. Remember, the odds are in your favor. (End of letter.)

HELLO TMI,

I have included our welcome letter above and I am so happy you found the site. I agree with you 110% that most of the medical community of physicians and nurses have no idea how difficult CDIFF is. I am also a Health Care Provider (30 yrs) and was actually shocked at how little I knew about this until I was diagnosed. It is very difficult to deal with the MD's, I have had 3 GI's and finally found one who I feel is up on the latest.
Vanco has worked for many so hopefully you will finish the course and be free of CDIFF. It can be both physically and emotionally painful and difficult as you have said, and so few understand that.
Are you taking a Probiotic? I am now 10 months Post CDIFF and still take VSL#3. You mentioned a Primary care, do you have a GI? I would suggest one and ask around if there is one that deals with CDIFF. I found this made a great difference for me.
I lost quite a bit of hair and I am happy to say it has grown back. The weight may come back slowly. Some like myself have Post IBS and my diet has been limited, others do very well and go right back to eating and put the weight back on.
I am sorry about your best friend, but we do tend to have a fear that at times to me feels unrealistic and yet I cannot seem to beat that, I am working on it. I am not sure how long your friend had CDIFF, but I am sure it's all about the fear. We are here for you and you will find a wealth of information on this site and so many who have overcome this illness and are willing to help see you through.

Nancit

[Lisa33]

I agree with the others, and know that you will beat this. Vanco is what cured me after a round of metronidazole failed. We understand all of your feelings. It is a very debilitating illness to battle through. You just want to have your life back and to feel better. Unfortunately, many people don't understand what you are going through unless they have been through it. It's such a unique, confusing illness to understand. All of us on this board do understand and if you need to vent, we are all here.

Hope the vanco kicks this beast once and for all and you can start to recover.
Lisa

[Bobbie]

I have not been on Vanco for years. Just have good old IBS. Thx anyway. You are a sweetheart.

I do have diverticulosis plus IC and frequent UTIs. Also,frequent pneumonia, asthma, early onset osteoporosis - broke vertebrae and left wrist. Also other stuff I don't want to think about - much linked to c diff.

Got both pneumovax shots several years ago and new super duper flu shot - no side effects.

I should be trying to make you all feel better! Thx, all. Hope I won't be so "whingey" tomorrow. Did not sleep well last night so grumpy.

[justme]

All of us eventually return to "normal" after suffering from this disease. But, it is a new normal. The specter of C. Diff is always there, we just learn to push it to the back of our minds the longer we are free from it. It does leave "residuals" for some of us (like IBS and other problems we never had before), but many sufferers return to their regular diets with little or no effect and never suffer from C. Diff again. After 2-1/2 years, I still have IBS, but at least I have been able to return to a somewhat normal diet and gained nearly all the weight back that I lost (good thing I didn't throw away all my old "bigger" sized clothes). I never relapsed, but recovery was a long, long road. Old age (71 now) and overall health had a lot to do with that. This site has been a Godsend for me and, if I can speak for others, it has helped just knowing we are not alone. Somehow, being able to share our pain and problems goes a long way toward aiding in our recovery.
Aloha to all,
Anne