Thank God for you people

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Megs717
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Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:49 pm

Thank God for you people

Postby Megs717 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 12:51 am

I haven't contributed to this site, but I've read nearly everything I can get my eyes on. I guess that's what happens when you're stuck at home for nearly two weeks. Hello everyone, I guess I am one of the latest victims - oh, how the mighty have fallen. I am a 37 y/o female, up until recently, healthy as a horse. I decided to have a C02 fractional laser done, and my Dermatologist gave me a ten day course of Clindamycin to prevent infection. I am happy to report it worked, my post laser face didn't get infected, but unhappy to report my colon did! Hindsight is 20/20, and now that I think about it, my wrinkles weren't that bad - and certainly not worth this!
My laser procedure was done on the 19th, and I finished my abx on the 29th. Two days later, I had D, but it only lasted a weekend. My significant other and I both thought we had a bug, as we both had it. He got better, I did not. That next week, I kept using the bathroom. I wasn't experiencing D, but was still going way more than I thought was normal. I thought "maybe the antibiotics upset my stomach some," well - I was half right I suppose. Last weekend I went back to Minnesota to visit family (I currently work in Iowa) Friday/Saturday I felt awful, and by my drive home Sunday, I was stopping every 30 minutes. At that point, I drove myself into the hospital.
I checked in and explained my symptoms. They did some blood work, looked at me via ultrasound, and sent me on my way with the "flu." I had mentioned that I'd been on abx. I went home after some IV fluid, and went to sleep. The next day, I was going nearly non-stop. I was trying so hard to remain hydrated, and thankfully was halfway successful. I am blessed that one of my good friends is a pediatric GI doc, and she text me to check in. I told her I wasn't feeling well, and she said "go back in, this is C Diff." I had never even heard of this! I went back in, explained to the doctor what my friend told me, was tested/confirmed that night.
As of now, I am taking Flagyl and Florastor. The doctors never mentioned probiotics to me, another one of my GI friend's suggestions. Flagyl has not been fun - this coming from a girl that's taken Accutane. Flagyl is worse! My last pill is Wednesday night, and from there I'll closely watch myself over the next few weeks. My doctor sure seems at a loss here, so I called Mayo (those of us close to the Mayo are blessed) and they have MANY doctors that specialize in this. I explained the meds I was on, but should a relapse happen, I'd like to be seen there and they agreed. Amen. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. But, like every other facet of my life - hope for the best, but always be prepared! Until then, I'll continue dousing down my bathroom in Clorox Healthcare, wash my hands (seriously, my skin looks like leather on my hands) and keep the probiotics flowing!

Again, thank you so much to everyone that's contributed to this site. It gives so much comfort and peace of mind to the newbies like me, that find ourselves ferociously googling some weird illness we'd never heard of.

Megs717
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Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:49 pm

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby Megs717 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:02 am

Oh, shoot. I did not mean to post this in questions, rather general discussion and I can't figure out how to move it! I blame the Flagyl :/

georgina
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 10:07 am

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby georgina » Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:17 am

Hi Megs
So sorry you are dealing with Cdiff.
Glad you can get in to see a specialist from Mayo clinic , they are really knowledgeable and will come up with a great plan to get you rid of this. You mentioned you are now taking Flagyl. Most of us started with this drug even though is not FDA approved for Cdiff but is still given by doctors due to it's low cost. Unfortunately is has the lowest cure rate and is has the worst side effects ,myself and many here were unable to deal with those side effects and we got switched to vanco . Vanco is a better option , has minimum to almost no side effects as it doesn't get absorbed into the bloodstream but there is also Dificid that in my opinion is the best drug to treat this infection because is made to target ONLY clostridia and it won't damage the good flora (unlike vanco that kills 20% of it). As for probiotics , try not to go overboard with them , one or two brands are more then enough otherwise they can create more discomfort into your GI tract. Also , try to stick to a bland diet as it's the only way to heal your gut , eat healthy and easy to digest foods and as your gut heals you can add more foods back into your diet ,one new food at the time.
Sending positive vibes your way!

Megs717
New User
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:49 pm

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby Megs717 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:42 am

Georgina,
Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I am currently taking Flagyl. It is awful, but I powered through the first few days of it (before I found this site) terrified the C Diff symptoms wouldn't go away. Aside from the physical pain and weight loss, it caused a lot of anxiety. Once I stumbled upon this group, I realized there were options, and a lot of helpful tips/tricks. However, I am nearly to the light at the end of the tunnel, so I've opted to finish it out. Should I need another course, you'd have to trick me by wrapping it in cupcakes or chicken, because I'll never take this garbage unless it's life or death. The side effects are no joke! I hate the dizzy feeling. If I am going to spin, I'd at least like wine to be the culprit. I am far from a C Diff expert - but after hours of reading this site, I've learned two important things which I'll definitely apply to my own situation.
1) Find a knowledgeable doctor
2) Post C Diff GI tract is NOT good. Had I not read many posts about life after C Diff, I'd constantly think I'm relapsing and give myself a stroke - which brings me to a couple questions. If my gut is extremely sensitive, how do you know if you've relapsed, and I keep seeing things about a 3 day rule and a 7 week rule? What exactly are these rules?

beth22
Long Time Contributor
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby beth22 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 2:54 am

The 3 day rule is just a guideline. It means if you get D, give it 3 days. Eat a bland diet and see if it improves. If it is IBS, it generally will. If it is c difficile, it will just keep getting worse and you might not be able to wait out the 3 days. Not sure about the 7 weeks. The further out you are from taking meds without a relapse, the better the odds at not relapsing. Probably the 7 weeks refers to that. However, people have relapsed months later. Many continue to take probiotics or drink kefir after treatment. I still take probiotics daily and so does my mom. She had c diff back in 2006/2007 and has had to take antibiotics since and did not relapse. I have not been as fortunate, but FMT has helped me.

georgina
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 10:07 am

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby georgina » Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:09 am

If you don't see any improvement while on Flagyl and the side effects are making you very sick , I do not see the point of finishing the course. Go back to your doctor and ask to be switched to either Vanco or Dificid. I really don't understand why doctors insist on giving patients Flagyl as a Cdiff treatment , is NOT FDA approved!

Megs717
New User
Posts: 25
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2018 4:49 pm

Re: Thank God for you people

Postby Megs717 » Fri Mar 02, 2018 10:14 pm

georgina wrote:
> If you don't see any improvement while on Flagyl and the side effects are
> making you very sick , I do not see the point of finishing the course. Go
> back to your doctor and ask to be switched to either Vanco or Dificid. I
> really don't understand why doctors insist on giving patients Flagyl as a
> Cdiff treatment , is NOT FDA approved!

I relapsed badly within 3 days. I met with a GI who said she doesn't even prescribe it anymore. Miserable experience, but on Vanco now. Fingers crossed... again....


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