INFO ON CDIFF

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rmorris
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INFO ON CDIFF

Postby rmorris » Wed Jun 01, 2016 9:41 am

My wife got cdiff in August of 2015. She was given Flagyl and had serious memory loss. The first time I got her out for a drive, we went through an area that she knew and she did not recognize anything. If she does not get up early and get dressed, then she is worse. I have found that by taking out for rides every morning helps her get her mind in order. I do hope that Doctors will improve their research and find a better way to treat this disease, without damaging the memory.

NanciT
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby NanciT » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:09 am

Hello rmorris and welcome to the site,

Please read the first thread which reviews the site information.

I am sorry your wife is in a battle with CDIFF. You don't mention how long she has been treated or if she is still taking the flagyl. It can be a very harsh drug but sadly it is the first line of treatment with many MD's . There are other medications and if one is having an issue with Flagyl, they can be taken off and usually Vancomycin is tried. That sounds like a severe memory loss, did you speak with her doctor? I would call them, not sure if she has completed the course but I would let them know anyway.
Has she improved? How are her CDIFF symptoms?
Hope she feels better soon
NanciT

roy
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby roy » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:23 am

I have never heard of this symptom being attributed to flagyl or c.diff.
Has she consulted a Dr about this?
It sounds serious and should be investigated by her Dr.
8 months on its probably not related to her illness in August.
Please seek a Dr help, even if your frightened of what they might tell you.

Roy

rmorris
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby rmorris » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:30 am

Hi Nancy,
She was in the Hospital for one week, and on Flagyl for a short time. The family doctor does not think the Flagyl is to blame, he thinks it is old age. I started taking her for drives in February. I wish there was somebody out there that could say how long it takes to fully recover.

georgina
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby georgina » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:31 am

Hi Morris
I'm so sorry that your wife is dealing with CDiff.
Flagyl is indeed a very harsh drug with lots of side effects . I know that in rare cases it can cause confusion, dysarthria,depression , weakness , even seizures in extreme cases but i never heard of memory loss. Your wife should get that checked right away with a neurologist or a psychiatrist .
Agree with Nanci about asking for Vanco , it has a higher cure rate and less side effects.
Prayers all goes well!

roy
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby roy » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:41 am

I am assuming she fully recovered from c.diff last year.
That means she does not require treating again with vanco.
Go to your Dr and do as Georgina suggests, get a referral to a specialist.
A Dr should not just put it down to old age.
You need support as well.

NanciT
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby NanciT » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:53 am

I didnt realize how long this has been. Please take her to a neurologist, there is treatment available but she needs a neuro work up. Bring her medical records with her and get the dates she was treated for CDIFF and when you started to notice the loss of memory. Try to keep a record or notes to bring in with you of the changes you have seen.
I would not accept" old age" as an answer, she needs a diagnosis and treatment. There are alot more medications out there now but diagnosis is the key.
Good luck and keep us updated
NanciT

justme
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby justme » Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:44 pm

Morris: Your wife could have had one or more little strokes that weren't physically apparent. I agree with the others, it is too long after C. Diff for it to be related. I had a TIA one year after C. Diff and there was no relation between the two. IMO, "old age" is a catch-all diagnostic category made by lazy medical practitioners. Take her to a Neurologist who will give her a series of tests and probably recommend an MRI to find out what is truly going on. Keep us posted on her condition.
Aloha,
Anne

Bobbie
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby Bobbie » Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:53 am

Morris, how old is your wife? Another welcome to the site.

rmorris
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby rmorris » Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:44 pm

My wife is 85 years old. She got Cdiff in the Hospital. She did have some forgetfulness before, I think we all do. But it was a lot worse after her week stay in the Hospital. The Doctor at the Hospital told her that the medicine she would be given would cause her to have some short term memory loss, but that she would get it back over time. And it really bothers me when doctors say they have never heard of this being connected to Cdiff. After she was released I took her for a drive over roads she had known all her life, and she did not know where she was. I take her for drives in the morning about 4 to 5 times a week and it seems to help her concentrate in the moment and get her mind in order. I can tell you that this problem is a result of the Cdiff and the medicine they gave her.
Hopefully this info will help somebody give me a good answer.
Richard

amyc
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby amyc » Tue Jun 07, 2016 4:51 pm

You really need to take your wife to a neurologist, because they can run tests to see what happened. Flagyl can cause neurological symptoms, and her condition may be treatable. It's also possible the immobility from being in the hospital caused a blood clot to form in a vessel that feeds her brain. These clots can be removed--I have assisted in these surgeries and they work great. But a neurologist has to order tests to figure out what is going on with her. Please ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a neurologist. If they blow you off, please find another primary care physician.

Ril
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby Ril » Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:10 pm

Morris, I am really sorry for what you and your wife have been going through but am glad she recovered from c diff.
The people who take the medication Flagyl (metronidazole) sometimes get confusion, but that should be clearing up shortly after the medication is finished. Also, sometimes older people experience some confusion and disorientation when and after being hospitalized, especially if she already had some memory problems.
I have never heard of c diff causing this and medication is long out of her system. I also would advise going to a neurologist with all the information, including any medications she has taken. This is not really different than what most others have said.
Best of luck to you both.
Rita

roy
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Re: INFO ON CDIFF

Postby roy » Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:11 pm

My opinion is that your Dr's are fobbing you off with excuses.
C.diff and c.diff meds do not cause what you describe.
PLEASE listen to what posters have said.
C.diff or c.diff meds do not cause Altzimers or Dementia and to be blunt you might be dealing with that.
I think we have all been avoiding those words!
You and your wife need support of a medical team that understand what's going on so see your Dr and ask to be refered to a geriatric Dr.
Help is available so ask for it.
Roy


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