IBS or CDiff Relapse

[jab0066]

Hello all, I have been doing much better since last year but recently I started having some worrisome symptoms. I became constipated but when I passed stool, it was small and loose. The stool comes out solid, but breaks apart in the water, slightly tinting it. I occasionally have a watery stool after a greasy meal, but mainly stool that breaks apart two to three times a day. I have slight stomach discomfort and is very gassy. I have gurgly, liquid sound going through my colon. I am also nauseated at times. Does my symptoms and stool sound like a relapse, or IBS. Just looking for opinions. I recently lost my job and I don't have any insurance. It makes it hard to deal with issues like this.

[amyc]

Hi Justin, sorry to hear you lost your job and are feeling unwell. The only way to rule out C diff is to have the test, unfortunately. If you don't have blood in your stool it's safe to take pepto bismol. I've had several doctors tell me that if Pepto solves my problem then it's not C diff. If your symptoms get worse you should probably be tested.

[beth22]

Sometimes malabsorption can cause those kinds of stools. That can be caused by various things, including IBS and SIBO. Pepto used to help me with that as well.

[georgina]

Hi Jab0066
Sorry you are having issues and to hear you lost your job. Your symptoms do not sound like a Cdiff relapse , they sound more like a IBS flare-up but like Amy said , the only way to know is to get tested. Try to eat bland for a couple of days and see if things are firming up.

[jab0066]

Hey all, thanks for the responses. I will give Pepto a try today and see what happens. I will call my GI to see how much a stool test would cost me without insurance. I'm sure its more than I am willing to pay, but at least I will know.

[beth22]

Some labs give a discounted rate if you do not have insurance. Check around. I think Quest is one of them, or at least used to be.

[jab0066]

Thanks Beth!!! I did call around and found a test for only 60 bucks. I did run into your post about the c diff returning for you. I am so sorry to hear that and still you are here being supportive for everyone else. I hope you can rid yourself of this awful infection for good soon. Thanks again for your help and support.

[Cm1619]

Hi! In my opinion, based on my personal experience, it sounds more like IBS than C diff. I've been retested for c diff 3 times now and I'm only 2 months c diff free!! All negative. I could have sworn I was relapsing every single time but never was. Nausea, loss of appetite, 5-6 loose stools upon waking(formed but loose), weight loss. Drives me crazy but my GI finally said its PI-IBS brought on by stress or anxiety bc I eat VERY bland most of the time. I've had two food slip ups and definitely got IBS from that as well. Hope you feel better soon. Of course, if your symptoms keep getting worse you'll know to get checked out!! For me the fever part was the only thing different with my active c diff and IBS.

[Ril]

I also agree with what the others have said. If you have been doing better all this time and nothing has changed in terms of exposure, chances are that it is IBS. I am 3 1/2 yrs out and my GI dr told me this week that my bad IBS symptoms are still from PI IBS, so there is no time limit on that for some people. If it is a full c diff relapse it will get much worse- and the pepto won't help. Your job loss, anxiety, etc all play into IBS and your symptoms can certainly match. Here's hoping.
Rita

[jab0066]

Thanks CM and Rita, things have improved greatly this past weekend. I hope that it continues. Thanks again for the feedback.