To me this is a Success Story, but it belongs here I guess

[Lisa33]

It's been about 6 months since treatment for c-diff and since Sept since I was first infected by the beast, and for the first time EVER, I had what appears to me as a NORMAL-PRIOR-TO-C-DIFF-BM!!!!!! I am so excited, I want to tell everybody! LOL! But, I know other than my husband, the only other people that can appreciate this are you guys on this site! I don't know why this has happened today, but it has and I'm going to consider this the best thing I ever saw since before September! (as pathetic as that is) It is absolutely hysterical that I am this happy about a BM. Although formed for the most part, my BM's never look prior-to-c-diff-normal. I always say that what comes out now is my new normal. I have no idea why today things were different, and I will assume this is a rare siting like seeing a unicorn (LOL), but I am going to enjoy it for today. I just needed to share this joyous event with my c-diff friends.

Also someday, I will have the confidence to post my story in success stories. I just feel like I am not far enough out to post yet, and if I do I may be jinxing myself. I know I'm ridiculous, especially since I was fortunate to have kicked it after two rounds of meds (one relapse in between), but I am still not ready to accept that it's gone for good!

Stay healthy everybody,
Lisa

[seekingcure]

Congratulations! Believe me, we all understand how exciting a normal BM can be to someone who has been through c-diff. It's the small things in life, lol. I hope this will be your new "new normal" from now on.

[justme]

Lisa: GOOD NEWS!! Normal at last. I know how it feels - euphoric. I guess congratulations are in order.
Aloha,
Anne

[Lisa33]

Thanks Bea and Anne! It's really pretty funny that this is the highlight of my life! Lolol. I'll take it though, even if it winds up being just one day!

[zinnia1]

Congrats Lisa!! I know- I was just thinking how elated I will be to not think about what is coming out of me- what others take for normal- boring stuff yet a super big deal!! I wish you continued healing.

[Dobies#1]

Pics or it didn't happen!!
Hahahahaha!!! ONLY KIDDING! Doing the happy dance for ya!

[NikaNik]

Awesome, Lisa! That is the best feeling! I am doing a happy poop emoji dance for you haha. Dobies - lol!!! Cracking up.

[Lisa33]

LOLOLOLOL - Dobies, that was funny! Don't tempt me! Kidding ;-)

[Bobbie]

Congrats, Lisa. You are right. Only people with cdiff can appreciate this.

[Lisa33]

Well, back to the usual weird looking stools again. I'll take the one day though! It was exciting! LOL! I just have to laugh about it. But, more importantly, I can't complain because I am c-diff free and feel blessed to be feeling good. I pray that all of you that are still going through this terrible illness feel good soon too! No matter how badly you may feel while fighting this, remember there is a light at the end of this tunnel.

Here's to another normal poop someday! :-) Smiles to everybody!

-Lisa

[zinnia1]

Hi Lisa- oh well! But excuse me for asking- I am new to this business- but what does a "normal" looking stool look like? I used to be prone to constipation and not drinking enough- but over the course of last seven months of of and on antibiotic use I took florastor daily (which causes looseness for me) and drank lot of water, ate a lot of yogurt etc. So the appearance changed then, but I thought maybe for better… but then ate the protein bar w/the huge amt of sugar alcohol in it and my system discharged it violently and then got the cdiff diagnosis… so now I eat very little, no fiber, and my stools are just small, sometimes long, rather soft and flaky pieces. Who'd of thought I'd miss constipation?! I sort of new how to handle that! Am adding wheat bread toast to see what happens and am dying for a frozen yogurt smoothie- but that has yogurt and strawberries….. :-(

[Lisa33]

To be honest, Zinnia1, I am not sure what normal is anymore either. In my opinion, a normal stool should be brown, one piece, that doesn't float (like a sausage). OMG, I feel weird typing this, but we are in "TMI" section. There is a chart called the Bristol Chart. You can google it. It shows what a stool should look like. Before yesterday, this "normal" stool hasn't happened for me since prior to c-diff. However, like you, I take probiotics, VSL-3 and Florastor, as well as, eat yogurt and Kefir. I also eat mostly gluten free and try to avoid sugary foods. This is a completely different diet than prior to c-diff when I didn't eat so healthy. I think this new diet with probiotics is what changed my stools to be the way they are. They are never consistent - pretty much different every day as far as consistency, color, everything really. I have considered this as my new normal. I also seem to have IBS issues since c-diff. There are days that I will go several times in the morning. I can't pinpoint certain foods that trigger it, but I do know that stress and anxiety brings it right on.

What you describe about small, long, flaky stools is exactly how I was in the beginning stages of my recovery. I think it was from lack of fiber and limited diet as well. As time goes on, you will see improvement with this. I found that when I was able to add more foods along with taking the Florastor, my stools bulked up. For some reason with me, once I was able to eat red meats, my stools bulked up significantly. I know that red meats are not a possibility for many though. I started off with grilled chicken, and added new foods slowly to make sure I could tolerate them. Also, I know some on this site have taken Citrucel or Metamucil to bulk things up too.

-Lisa

[zinnia1]

THank-you Lisa33 ( my name is Lisa too!) what you are describing sounds similar. I have not done red meats for a long time any way due having my gallbladder out a few years ago and I find fattier food tough to digest- and a hamburger on a road trip a year ago about killed me- nothing like holding your breath and gut long the Ohio and PA turnpikes waiting to dash into a funky gas station restroom- and hanging out there while husband and son wait by the car. ugh. I am eating a lot of chicken now, and was wild and crazy w/a turkey burger the other night- no cheese…
Started culturele this week. Will start a citracel tab next. !/2 way thru vanco course despite neg test- think the indian and thai food was culprit…. but now I have to finish. Hopefully anything bad left in my gut will be destroyed!!!!

[Ashley20]

Hi Lisa, i remembered reading this post a while ago and today i understand why you were so happy! :) i had the most normal poop today, and i am so happy. I dont know what i did different, i hope it happens again tomorrow...i been drinking a peppermint mocha latte at starbucks every day this week...maybe its the coffee..lol. Hope you and your family have a great weekend.

[beth22]

Peppermint is given for IBS - they sell capsules of it to take. Maybe it is the peppermint. Happy for you. Something to give thanks for tomorrow.