Severe Case of C Diff After Antibiotic Allergy

We spend a lot of time talking about the bad news in this discussion group - here's the spot for the good news. If you've had c-diff and are now well, please tell us about it here.
mlg0208
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Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:17 pm

Severe Case of C Diff After Antibiotic Allergy

Postby mlg0208 » Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:43 pm

Hi there, I recently was able to have huge success in overcoming C Diff. I hope that my story can provide hope for others suffering from this, even though in the depths of a severe case of C Diff it feels like you will never get better. When I was very sick and researching more about my mysterious illness, I could only find posts about how people never fully recovered, and continued to struggle every day with pain and episodes, and I was worried this was the inevitable. Hopefully I can provide some hope for those going through this to keep pushing on.

It all started with a bad respiratory infection. I usually never take antibiotics, but this time I was so sick it was my only option. Immediately after my first dose, an episode hit. (For reference, by "episode" I mean diareahha). I thought my stomach was just getting used to the medicine, and since this episode was not painful, it seemed like I was fine. Over the next week and a half, I continued having an episode right after every dose, and as the week went on the cramping and pain increased. About 7 days later I was having up to 10 episodes a day and not able to stand eating food. I felt exhausted and weak. The cramping continued to increase steadily until I was basically stuck in my bed for most of the day. I was in too much pain to do anything but lay down and try to get through it. I finally stopped the antibiotics, but by then it was too late.

The next day, my pain was unbearable. I could hardly move but had a friend help me get to the doctor. We tested a sample which came back positive for C Diff. At this point, my episodes were unbearably painful, up to 15 a day with constant pain. The next two days were even worse. I have never been so sick in my life. On Saturday, after being awake all night with cramps and episodes, I checked into the emergency room. At this point I was vomiting from the pain. They gave me pain meds, ran some more tests to be safe, and then sent me on my way with a prescription for pain medicine. After the IV meds I felt better and was no longer in pain, just tired. I started my first dose of Flagyl on the way home. I thought I was through the worst of it. I took sleeping meds to sleep through that night and when I woke up, my condition had worsened considerably. This was the absolute peak of my illness. I had nothing left in my system and so the cramping was tremendous. I had not eaten in days and at this point could not even keep water in. Stubbornly I tried to wait it out and see if it would get better. Then came the uncontrollable vomiting, much worse than the day before, which was from the pain. This time it felt like when you have the flu, and I was seriously concerned. Vomiting and too weak to get off the bathroom floor, my friend came in to check on me and immeadiately took me to the ER. I was absolutely delirious and barely conscious. I knew something was seriously wrong. They ran more tests and gave me a huge dose of morphine to knock me out. They also gave me several bags of IV fluid. A few hours later I was discharged again, to go home and give the Flagyl time to take effect. Thankfully the IV fluids helped and even though I was still in pain from cramps I felt somewhat better.

Over the next 24 hours I would make a miracle turn around. The episodes continued but were fewer and longer between. In 24 hours it was down to about 5 times a day. I was able to move around more between the episodes and my cramping was gone, except for during episodes. Every dose of flagyl seemed to get a little better. I was only eating plain yogurt and oat meal but my body was gaining back strength. By about the 8th day of Flagyl I felt 100%. My appetite came back and I was finally able to enjoy all the foods I had loved before. Even pizza and Mexican! I finished out 10 days of Flagyl (at 3 times a day) along with a strong probiotic twice a day. I am now fully recovered! It has been a week since my last Flagyl dose, and I have continued the probiotic (with plans to continue using twice daily for the next 6 months, in case of recurrence). I am so thankful for my health and to live a pain free life again! I am so grateful. It feels like an absolute miracle to feel this good again after such a severe case of C Diff. I hope that this story can offer hope to others, that even in the most painful moments, keep fighting and continuing treatment and your body will eventually be able to kick the infection.

roy
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Re: Severe Case of C Diff After Antibiotic Allergy

Postby roy » Wed Dec 02, 2015 8:02 am

Thank you for taking the time to post.
I dont want to upset or frighten you but what you describe is 100% typical of a c.diff infection.
All those symptoms are classic c.diff. (apart from the vomiting)
If your Dr considered your c.diff severe you would have been prescribed Vancomycin.
Luckily you seem to be text book recovering.
Just for info though 3 out of 10 will relapse a week or two after being treated with Metro so do keep an eye out for symptoms returning.
With average luck your recovery will be perfect.

Roy

Ashley20
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Posts: 225
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:48 pm

Re: Severe Case of C Diff After Antibiotic Allergy

Postby Ashley20 » Wed Dec 02, 2015 8:54 am

I also took Flagyl and i have a hard time believing that it actually cured my cdiff. All i read is how it doesn't work very well. I had a mild case and my last dose was August 23, i have one bm every morning and haven't had diarrhea for a while. I can eat pizza too but not all mexican food. I hope you continue to get better, although flagyl doesn't work for everyone it has worked for some.

Lisa33
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Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:45 pm

Re: Severe Case of C Diff After Antibiotic Allergy

Postby Lisa33 » Wed Dec 02, 2015 3:11 pm

Here is the formal welcome letter.

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.)

Thanks so much for your post - it gives hope to so many others. I'm so glad you are feeling 100% better. As Roy said, keep a look out for symptoms, but most likely you are in the majority like Ashley who has been cured by one round of Flagyl.

Continue the good health, and thanks for sharing your story.
Lisa


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