Combo Poop - Anxious

[NikaNik]

Hi, friends!

A couple days ago marked four months off my Dificid taper. I've been doing really well! This past week I've been using the bathroom 1-3 times a day (usually one or two) and a few times I've noticed that my first poop will be normal but the second part comes out in a pile of shredded pieces or flaky piles. Sometimes it feels burny, if that makes sense and then I get nervous that it'll be D but so far it hasn't been. It happened on Sunday, yesterday and today. Been eating very bland since Monday so I don't think it's food related. I'm a bit anxious about work and have some mid-cycle spotting and cramping so my hormones are a bit haywire.

Since it's been happening more often, does it sound like it could be the beast trying to make its way back? Would any of you get tested? (My c diff specialist had told me months ago to only test if I had D 3 times or more a day which, thankfully, in four months of recovery I haven't.)

I've been doing so good with my anxiety and today I just feel like I'm going to worry about this forever. I know so many folks are suffering so I feel badly posting this in comparison.

Thanks to anyone who is around to listen. You all are fantastic!

xo
Nikki

[NanciT]

Hi Nikki

I think many go through really off days and a great deal that is not consistent. I am 11 months out and still have IBS. It sounds to me like IBS, which is never consistent for me. Stress can throw it all off along with diet change of any kind. I have am still having days when things are loose, then a day when I cant go. The burning can come from if you go from 1xdat and then suddenly 3xday. Any increase for me can cause that.
The anxiety of all of this is terrible. Hang in there...you have been doing great.
If things were to continue, call the doctor. More than likely they will tell you to wait but it gets down to peace of mind...which is so difficult during any part of cdiff.
BIG Hugs!!!
Nanci

[seekingcure]

It is so difficult to distinguish c-diff from IBS. How are you feeling in general? If you are not feeling unwell overall, then it is probably just IBS and not c-diff. As you know, it is unlikely for c-diff to come back that far out without taking antibiotics or being re-exposed. And, for me, the two times that it actually was c-diff as opposed to IBS, I had very severe abdominal cramping; so, unless I have that, I just chalk pretty much everything else up to IBS. Praying things even out again for you soon. Hang in there!

[NikaNik]

Thanks, ladies! I appreciate your input and support. I feel fine otherwise - and have a decent appetite (anxiety lessens it a bit). I have minor cramping around my ovaries and my tummy feels a little more gurgle-y than usual but my monthly cycle is weird this month so I think that's why. I definitely don't feel sick like I did with c diff and my bathroom habits are nothing like they were when I had c diff so I'm hoping this is just IBS type stuff.

[Lisa33]

Hi Nikki - It does sound like IBS to me as well. When I have my IBS episodes, it's exactly like you described. Mine will usually last 3 days in a row, and things will then go back to "normal." If you are feeling good otherwise, it's most likely IBS. When I have cramping from my monthly woman visit, it makes me have to go to the bathroom, so that could definitely have something to do with it as well. Try not to worry. It's unlikely to be c-diff again.

Lisa

[Jackie25]

Hey girl! Sounds like IBS to me too, definately don't think its c diff this far out in your recovery and you not having any antibiotics or anything :) the burning I've had too. I think it's just from going more to be honest. And the consistency, I was told, as long as it's not WD and you otherwise feel okay then it's irrelevant lol

[Bobbie]

Nicki,
I had a FMT 3 years ago and still have "off" days. I also did after my other bouts of C diff. I remember how upset I used to get, but after all these years, it does not bother me as much.

See CDI - Hormones.

Don't worry about bothering anyone. You are an asset to the site.

[NikaNik]

Thanks, everyone. Bobbie - so sweet of you to say. You are all fantastic! I looked back at a log I keep (a poop log - never thought I'd have one of those LOL!) and it seems throughout the four months I've had a regular stool followed by the flaky pieces type deal happen quite a few times so maybe it's part of my new normal for a bit. Hasn't happened in a couple days and I feel good! I bumped up my Enteragam to 3 times a day instead of 2 just to give my immune system/gut healing a boost but skipped a dose yesterday and still did fine. Tried some foods I haven't had in a little while yesterday and so far, so good. I'm super hungry lately - which is a huge welcome. I think my anxiety was hindering my appetite and now I could eat the house haha. Thanks again, all! : )

[ResearchGrandma]

After I requested a prescription of Enteragam from my GI doctor, she gave me a sample box, which I have been cautiously trying. I have mostly been using only 1/2 packet/day. I think even at that low dose it seems to be helping a bit. I find the taste when mixed with water to be slightly unpleasant. To me the taste has hints of a cow or barnyard somehow. Drinking it quickly helps . I tried mixing the Enteragam that had already been dissolved in water with some vanilla almond milk, but it just made the almond milk taste like the Enteragam. Has anyone else gotten it to dissolve in something else that manages to mask the taste?

[seekingcure]

It's not as terrible mixed into a small glass of concord grape juice (about 4 ounces). I also tried pomegranate juice, but that doesn't mask the flavor as well as the grape juice does.

[NikaNik]

I'm with you ladies - the Enteragam taste is not so great. I've gotten pretty used to it and sometimes just use water but like to mix my morning dose with Kefir. Yum! : )

Research Grandma - it can take 4-6 weeks to see results so that is great that it's helping already. My c diff specialist is a big fan of it (he prescribes it with c diff treatment and to continue after for several months). It is supposed to not just help with IBS but also heal the gut, boost the immune system and disable c diff toxins (if present). I like it!

[achan]

Nikki,

I know this was posted about a month ago, but I'm so glad you posted this. I've been having exactly this happen today and yesterday, just after FMT and I was going to post to ask about it because I've been worried, but since seeing this post, I feel a lot better about it. It's really helped my anxiety to read this. Going to call the doctors who performed the FMT to see if there is anything I can do to try and help it form back up as I have to go to work tomorrow. I'm a teacher and can't really leave the kids if I have an urgent calling to the bathroom.

Again, so glad I found this post!!

Amanda

[NikaNik]

Hi, Amanda!

So glad my post was helpful to you. : ) It's enough to drive anyone crazy! But I really think you'll be fine. Mine was IBS and firmed back up shortly after and I'm sure yours will too. : ) Yesterday was my birthday and also marked 5 months off my Dificid taper. In that five months I've had D maybe 7 or 8 times almost all on different days. I even went three months with no D at all. Well, yesterday, as a Happy Birthday to myself I had a good BM followed by a small amount of D and then formed pieces (combo weirdness). I was freaked and worried (c diff PTSD!). But this morning was back to formed. I've been eating bland so I think it was menstrual-related as it's that time of the month. Matter of fact I started keeping a list of BMs and foods and I noticed D or odd stools around ovulation and period time. So I think the hormones play a role.

I hear you on the job anxiety. I'm a wedding and family photographer and can't exactly be stuck in the bathroom either. Fortunately I work with my hubby so my anxiety lessens since he's there to cover me if I need to use the bathroom (or sometimes just feel like I have to) which fortunately has only happened a couple times in all the many things we've shot the last five months. Hang in there and try not to watch or worry about the potty show. ; )

Blessings,
Nikki

[achan]

Nikki,

Thanks for the kind words of support. I hear you about the c diff PTSD, lol, sometimes I wonder if those of us who have had c diff will ever find ourselves not worrying about it again. I'm trying to remind myself that it's kind of like I have to start the recovery process all over again, even though I was fine only a week ago and eating whatever I wanted to having to cut out lactose and gluten again and going on a bland diet. Oh well. This is an important time to try and stay positive!

Thanks for the encouraging words!!
Amanda