Negative Test After Positive

[Mauler]

Hi, I have scoured this site for a potential answer but could not find one. I will try to be brief with my question. Last January I was diagnosed with cdiff after a colonoscopy (due to gas and bloating issues- plus I was due for one) and treated with Flagyl. In April a second stool test was positive for cdiff. About four-weeks ago I was treated for cellulites and took 6-days of Bactrim and one day of Augmenten (florastor every day), and my hand infection cleared up. I continued with probiotics since April--using Florastor and PB8. 11-days ago, I developed diarrhea which started at 3xday to 6 x day for five days including fatigue, nausea, and dry hacking. After sending off a stool sample for analysis (took one Flagyl 500 mg), I started Flagyl due to the fear of cdiff. Today my stool sample result was negative for cdiff. I understand the false positive and negative but I doubt one Flagyl would alter the results.

My Question:
Has anyone every gotten rid of cdiff after a positive test without the use of the antibiotics used to eradicate it? Since I was positive in April, I thought I should have tested positive this week. Please note that I have used probiotics religiously since April 2015.

Thank you for your time and I will appreciate any feedback.

[NanciT]

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Hello Mauler and welcome to the site. The above letter is for new posters.

Looking at your history: You were diagnosed in January, treated with Flagyl and then tested Positive in April. Did you retest in April due to symptoms? Most GI's do not retest unless there are symptoms. How were you feeling at the time? There are alot of factors here. Have you consulted with the GI who did the testing in April? Sounds like you were on Probiotics but no actual treatment at that time. Have your current symptoms continued?
I would consult your GI who recently put you on the Flagyl.

[georgina]

Hi Mauler
So sorry that you are dealing with CDiff.There are many people that can still test positive after treatment for CDiff but they don't have symptomes , and they are just carriers and don't need to be treated.Bassically what you have to look for after CDiff treatment is the resolution of symptomes , not a negative test.

[Mauler]

NanciT and G

Hi thank you for the responses. The reason I had a second test in April was because I thought I was suppose to get one. My local clinic was able to do it. I did not go back to the GI until the test was positive. I did not have symptoms then, so my GI recommended florastor and considered me asymptomatic.

You are correct there is a lot going on here, I did leave out that I am Lactose Intolerant and coincidentally my downfall began after eating a yoplat brand yogurt (did not contain casein) I have not been right since, but my GI said that would have cleared up in a day.

So my current symptoms are loose stools every morning like clock work (5am every morning) and diarrhea. This morning I went three times -- the last one being diarrhea. I am on Flagyl and yesterday was the first day I did not take an imodium or zofran because I felt as if I was getting better. After consulting with my pharmacist and GI, both said that Flagyl will cause diarrhea.

[Mauler]

georgina wrote:
> Hi Mauler
> So sorry that you are dealing with CDiff.There are many people that can
> still test positive after treatment for CDiff but they don't have
> symptomes , and they are just carriers and don't need to be
> treated.Bassically what you have to look for after CDiff treatment is the
> resolution of symptomes , not a negative test.


Yes, that is what my GI said-- as well as the test cold be false but it is a "good test"

[Lisa33]

The other thing to note is that if you are experiencing an active c-diff infection (I am not sure if that's the case though), you should definitely not take Imodium. The toxins need to come out, not stay inside.

[roy]

C.diff is a bug that is part of the natural flora in around 5% of healthy people.
If the population was tested every 6 months a different group to the last ones that carried c.diff might now have it.
When the gut is healthy and ballanced the c.diff is prevented from becoming a disease by your immune system, your healthy flora are part of that immune system.
C.diff and a lot of other potentialy dangerous bugs are dealt with by the body on a very regular basis.
As with any bug it can be a temporary resident and just move on.
You can also be colonised and be immune to the toxins (thats why a vaccine is possible) and it causes no disease.
Being diagnosed by colonoscopy is unusual.
Ask if the diagnosis was because he saw psudomembranes or was it done by culture.
If it was culture that must be followed up with a toxin test, CULTURE IS VERY unreliable.
Theres many strains of c.diff that are totaly harmless but culture shows them all.

PCR and antigen tests might also show c.diff positive if you have a strain that does not produce toxins.

Flagyl can cause D because its messing with your flora.
it can also cause c.diff as its killing the good flora that a healthy immune system needs.

[Mauler]

Roy,

My diagnoses through colonoscopy, I could not really answer because they were just biopsies that were sent off to a lab I suffered from polyps so I am due every five years for colonoscopy. Back then Symptoms of unusual bloating and gas pains; I suppose they were just trying to rule everything out. As soon as I started Flagyl back then it resolved my issue within two or three days. I am feeling better today and my appetite returned. I remain on a bland diet and other than the yellow stools which I hope will clear up soon.

MODERATORS' NOTE

I deleted the quoting of Roy's answer, as it takes up unnecessary space and is against the rules, See first forum.

Again welcome to the site. Glad you feel a little better.

[beth22]

When I have had positive tests with few symptoms, my doctors told me to take Pepto Bismol, which I did. Later on, I had negative test results.

[Mauler]

Thank you Beth

[Mauler]

I was hoping not to have to repost on here since my two December cdiff tests were negative and after Flagyl I was okay until last Wednesday, when I started feeling like I had the flu, but after battling severe nauseous, vomiting a few times, mild fever (100.5), diarrhea, chills, fatigue, I went to the urgent care and was told it was a virus and hang in there--keep taking immodium and zofran. Well I had to go to the emergency room last night for anti nausea and IV for dehydration. I feel much better today, with somewhat of a small appetite. I attributed it to the raglan helping me move food from my stomach and making me hungry. Unfortunately my CDIFF DNA test was positive now after two prior negative tests in December and taking Florastar daily, so now I doubt this was viral after all. This is so depressing-- I am hoping to see my doctor tomorrow. Any advice?

[beth22]

It could still be viral. I had an intestinal virus before and I was leaving on a trip, so I decided to test. By the time I got the test results, the D had subsided, but the test was positive. I tested again - still positive. Doctors told me to take Pepto Bismol with my meals and I did. When I got back from my trip, the test was negative. I think the virus just activated some spores in my system. Perhaps the same happened to you. See how you feel. If the symptoms subside, then most likely your doctor will not want to treat. I would go easy on the Imodium though. If it is c difficile, you don't want to trap those toxins in your system either.

[Mauler]

thanks for the reply. It really was excellent to read and made me feel so much better. I know the immodium thing is one of my fears. But you are the second person I have read mentioning pepto-

[NikaNik]

So sorry, Mauler. I hope you continue to feel better. I agree that it could be viral. As for c diff, it's not unusual to test positive for c diff DNA via a PCR test even for a while after treatment. If the DNA is positive they will sometimes they will run a c diff toxin test (EIA) and see if the c diff is dormant or producing toxins (if the toxin test is positive they usually treat if the person has symptoms).

[Mauler]

thanks Nika, I just left the my doctor's office and he prescribed 14-days of Vanco- now I will wait to see if the insurance will cover it. I asked about the odds of the viral thing, but he said judging from my symptoms and the positive test it would be really bizarre that my illness was not from the cdiff.