Newly diagnosed and scared

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juweee
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Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:30 pm

I am a female, 46, generally healthy and active and this is my first time being diagnosed with C-Diff.

I was just diagnosed on Sat night. I was admitted at the hospital on Friday with appendicitis and an inflamed colon after a 5 days treatment of Augmentin after a possible infection from insertion an IUD. At the moment, I am still on antibiotics IV to calm the appendix which cannot be removed due to the infection to the colon (IV bag says Piperacilllin and Taxobactam). I am also on my 6th dose of Vanco (not sure the dosage).

I am still having diarrhea, some mild cramping after taking Vanco, and a little nauseous at times. Other people who have taken Vanco, when can I expect it to do its thing?

I am getting discouraged...

NanciT
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Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby NanciT » Tue Jul 11, 2017 12:10 am

Hello juweee and Welcome to the site. Please read the first forum for all new posters

I am so sorry you had to find us and area going through this. Currently you are on antibiotics to clear your infection along with Vancomycin. Did they test your for CDIFF? Diarrhea can be due to the antibiotics and may not be CDIFF? From your posting I will assume they tested you.

While on antibiotics, it will more than likely not clear the CDIFF until after you are off them. I would ask for an Infectious Disease specialist while you are in the hospital. Make sure your current doctor knows you are requesting a consult. The ID doctor can work with your current physicians and come up with a treatment plan once the infection is cleared. It can be complicated, they are probably watching the current infection which is so important, making sure your lab (WBC) is improving but this can take some time.

The Vanco can cause nausea, they should be able to give you medication ( Zofran works well).

Hoping things improve for you soon

NanciT

juweee
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Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:26 am

Thank you NanciT, this is helpful.

Yes I was diag with CDiff on Sat night (appendicitis on Friday night- double whammy!).

The infection to the appendix seems to be improving but they will likely be keeping me on antibiotics for a while longer and performing surgery later this summer. It's interesting to hear that C Diff may not clear until I am off of antibiotics. It does trigger good questions for my team of doctors.

I am seen by two MDs right now- A surgeon for the appendix and an infectious disease dr for the C diff. Surgeon came by this morning and said I am fighting the infection well and hopes I can go home tomorrow depending on how I can hold down my food today.

I have only seen the infectious disease doctor once so far. I am building up a list of questions for him. I'd love some help in figuring out what questions I need to ask when I see him today. Here is what I have so far:

- Am I still contagious? What do I need to do to make sure I am no spreading this to my teen children, husband or elderly dad when I return home?
- What is the impact of the Zosin (that's the antibiotics to fight the infections) on the C Diff? Whan do we plan to stop the treatment?
- How long will I be on the Vanco (150mg is the dosage), will I continue to take 4x per day or will this change over time?
- What type of diet shall I expect after I leave the hospital?
- How do I prevent this from happening again?
- What are signs that I might be relapsing?

Anything else I should be aware of or asking? Thank you so much for any help. I am so glad I found this board!

roy
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Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby roy » Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:45 am

Do you have copious watery stool or is the c.diff diagnosis just on test results?

juweee
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Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:26 am

I t was diagnosed after a few days of diarrhea (after it eventually turned mucousy). They tested the samples.

Diarrhea is less watery or voluminous now but but I have not been eating much since Friday. I moved on to pureed foods yesterday.

NanciT
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Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:01 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby NanciT » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:55 am

I would keep that list of questions for your ID, currently they need to get rid of the infection, once you are off antibiotics, you will see where you are at with the CDIFF. If they are giving you Vanco, I would talk with him about dose if diarrhea continues. If they discharge you to home, make sure to set apt up with him soon. See where you are at with this in a day or two.

NanciT

juweee
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Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:19 am

Good news, I am being discharged today. I will be on another 2 weeks of antibiotics for the appendicitis (Seftin) and C Diff (switching from Vanco to Flagyl), then another week of Vanco again. I am not sure the dosages yet.

I will also be scheduled for a colonoscopy in about 3 weeks to evaluate progress. My appendix surgery should take place at the end of the summer.

Any advice on taking care of my diet when I go home? They have started to give me Florastor at the hospital so I suspect I will stay on that for the foreseeable future. Anythings that might be helpful or detrimental to my diet? Do you supplement with any electrolytes as well?

Thank you.

NanciT
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Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:01 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby NanciT » Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:13 am

Great news! Happy you are improving. I do recall you have an ID, please make sure to follow up with the ID. A bit confused as to why they would change the Vanco to Flagyl? Your case is different because you are still on Ceftin , once off that you will see where you are.

I would push for an appointment with the ID to review all of this. Make sure to time the Florester apart from taking not only the Ceftin but also the Vanco and or Flagyl.

Go slow on the diet and then add foods. If you are feeling well, start bland and then add. I drink "Smart Water" with electrolytes to help supplement.

Most important advice I have is keep updated with you ID during this process

Wishing you the best!

NanciT

juweee
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Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:01 am

Thanks Nancy, I got clarifications. I will be on both the Vanco AND Flagyl for the next 2 weeks (same time as Ceftin), then Vanco alone for another week.

Thanks for the tip about food and Vitamin Water. I'll come back with an update,

Drake
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Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2017 11:01 am

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby Drake » Mon Jul 17, 2017 11:52 pm

I'm so sorry to hear that your scared and are having issues. I hope you feel better. It scares me as well. I joined today and have read so many of other people's stories on this website and it did help me feel like I'm not alone and maybe I can learn from someone else's story.

Soimez
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Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby Soimez » Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:18 am

Hi juweee it takes about 3 days on Vanco till things start improving my suggestion to you is take bio k every morning and also get yourself some good kefir and other fermented foods like sauerkraut.. sauerkraut maybe be a little hard in your tummy but blend a bit of it up. But take bio k once a day kefir 3 times a day and Sacc boulardi twice a day. I relapse twice and I was taking ton of probiotic pill (garbage) and just eating regular foods it wasn't till I did my own research and realize you need to eat fermented foods and prebiotic foods to get your healthy bacteria back in check... good luck and you will get better.

juweee
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Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:25 am

Thank you Solmez for the advice.

It's been 9 days since I was diagnosed and things are looking better every day. I started Valco 9 days ago at hospital, came home 4 days ago with both Valco + added Flagyl for another 2 weeks (+ one more week of Vanco). It doesn't help that I am still on Ceftil to treat my unoperated appendicitis for another two weeks.

I wanted to ask you about probiotics. I have been taking 3x 500mg of Sacc Boulardii each day (Florastor) and 3x 4oz of kefir 1hr after each meal. What is the difference with the bio-k? My mom used to swear by it.

I was reading about holding off on cruciferous vegetables for now, but I am not sure why. I love kimchi, I assume that would have the same benefit as sauerkraut right?
~~~
Drake, I am so sorry you have come down with this terrible illness too. I am feeling 1000% better today, which may give you hope of recovery. I am still scared of the future, of transmission, or my future surgery, but this board has been incredibly helpful so far and it is great to feel that people are along with us on this journey. Sending you positive vibes!

Soimez
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Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:40 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby Soimez » Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:33 am

Bio k is a 50 billion probiotic in the forum of food (drink) it's what they will give u here in Canada if your hospitalized with CDiff, it's just extra Good bacteria I def recommend you take it, atleat while your on the antibiotics and for about two months after.. also you need prebiotic foods in your stomach so the healthy bacteria can feed on it and over take the bad ones.. Food is medicine and I will stand by that the rest be of my life...

juweee
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Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:26 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby juweee » Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:20 pm

Solmez,
Is there a specific Bio-K formula that you recommend? I remember my mom also taking one in yogurt-like form (in Canada). Or is the regular capsule what you normally take?
Thank you.

AnxiousJ
Regular Contributor
Posts: 214
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:24 pm

Re: Newly diagnosed and scared

Postby AnxiousJ » Tue Jul 18, 2017 3:59 pm

I just want to second Bio K. I live outside of Chicago so it isn't as readily available as it is in Chicago. However, some Whole Foods carry the drinkable form. My Whole Foods didn't but I special ordered the mango soy as I am now dairy free :( before an after a recent surgery and I really think it is a great product. We traveled to Mexico this past June so I ordered the Bio K pills from Bio K as they can be kept out of the fridge for short amounts of time and I wanted to be able to travel with it. Once I got to my hotel room I refrigerated it. They are pricey however a really good product in my opinion. I am 44 , female and healthy otherwise as well. My mom is in a nursing home so I suspect that it how I developed it in Jan 2016. I tested neg in April 2016 and have been ok (so far) with the exception of high anxiety now and mild ibs.


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