Should I find a new doctor?

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cookie21
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Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2018 8:18 pm

Should I find a new doctor?

Postby cookie21 » Fri Aug 03, 2018 1:29 am

I was not on AB or in hospital, but somehow got c diff in March. It came on suddenly for 2/3 days. I went to a walk in clinic and she gave me cippro and Bentyl. I went back two days later and asked to do a stool sample(I thought I had food poisoning). That weekend I felt better. No symptoms so I didn't do the sample. But then one week later I did the sample because the D came back. Turns out I have c difff. They gave me flagy for 10 days. And told me to see a doctor for follow up. I went to a GI and they said to call if happens again. Last night, the symptoms came back; pain, WD with mucus. I called the doctor and she told me to take Imodium twice a day and to get a stool sample done. I called back after I was told at the lab it could be 5 days before results are back. When I told them this, they said they would gave me flagyl to start.

Is this the normal process with c diff? To start with Imodium and to be put on flagyl again? I wanted to ask for something different but the office was closed. I also thought I should wait for the results.

From what I have read, doctors are no longer prescribing flagyl for c diff, yet I am on it again? Should Imodium be taken as well?

I had it in March and it is now August. Is that considered a relapse?

I have no fever. Just camps, and WD with mucus. It seems to be worst at night; around 12am.
After I was told I have c diff, I now take probiotics every day.

Should I find a new doctor or is this the normal process to wait and take anti diarrhea meds?

AllisS
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Re: Should I find a new doctor?

Postby AllisS » Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:45 am

Hi cookie, welcome to the site. Please read our guidelines for all new posters when you have a chance -- first entry on Intro page.

Your own research is correct: Flagyl is no longer the first-line treatment for C. diff. You should ask for either Vancomycin or Dificid. That said, I do think you need a new doctor, as she should have been familiar with this change in treatment protocol. Her recommendation to take Imodium is also unwise; this and other anti-diarrheal drugs can cause even more problems when taken by someone who has C. diff.

Try and get an immediate referral to another GI doctor -- preferably one who specializes in C. diff -- or an infectious disease doctor. You can also try to self-refer; call the GI or infectious disease department of a hospital or major medical center, if you have access to one, and stress that you're feeling ill and need to be seen ASAP. Avoid walk-in or urgent-care clinics for this problem; they prescribe antibiotics unnecessarily at a high rate.

As for probiotics, you don't mention which ones you're taking or in what doses. Don't overdo with probiotics; they can cause GI symptoms, themselves.
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

georgina
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Re: Should I find a new doctor?

Postby georgina » Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:32 pm

Definitely DO NOT take Imodium!

cookie21
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Re: Should I find a new doctor?

Postby cookie21 » Fri Aug 03, 2018 11:18 pm

Thanks. This board has been very helpful. I didn't think I was supposed to take the Imodium. But, I didn't know what else to do, as I still had to function during the day, and was going about almost every 1-2 hours. When I started the Flagyl yesterday, I started taking Florastor; just one a day. Once I get the results from the lab, I will push for Vancomycin or Dificid. Or should I just finish the Flagyl? I will already be on day 5 on Monday, when the results should be in.

I haven't told anyone that I have c diff(not even the first time). I just tell people I am not feeling well. Not even my own family. I just tell them I am sick and to not use my bathroom.

georgina
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Re: Should I find a new doctor?

Postby georgina » Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:31 am

My opinion is that if you already started Flagyl you should try to finish the course. Who knows , maybe it will work for you. There are several people on this board who were cured by it , so fingers crossed that it will do the trick for you too. But if is not resolving your symptoms or it makes you feel worse , do push for the main treatment. Florastor is a good probiotic , it's yeast based and it can be taken along with the antibiotic , but if i were you i would be taken it twice per day. I can relate with the embarrassing feeling of not wanting to share your illness to everyone else but i would let my family know what i'm dealing with ,maybe someday you will need their help (getting you to the hospital , making you meals if you feel weak and unable to do it ,etc) and have them take all the proper hygiene measures such as : proper hand washing.


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