weight gain WITH c.diff???

[Lynda]

Looking for Advice,
My daughter is 18 yrs old. Mentally handicapped, deaf, epileptic. She has not been hospitalized since 2003 and the last time she had an antibiotic was 2005. She has been around a person who's was hospitalized (me for cancer) but that was in 2006 and I never got c. Diff.
She started her 'runs' end of August after having spent 10 days at a specialised sleep away camp in July. She would complain of stomach aches but not severe and she started soiling herself on her way to school. The drive can sometimes take 1 hour with traffic and the driver cannot pull over on the highway.
We had been to see the doctor by end of September and he thought that she could be lactose intolerant. We did all the testing for it and because the results were not completely conclusive the lab said that it was strongly possible.
We started giving her lactaid when we gave her something with lactose, cut out all major milk products. That seemed to help for about a week (probably just taking her off milks gave her some temporary relief). Then it all started again and her school said that it must not be that and that Tina, my daughter, could not return to school until the problem was resolved.
Back to the doctor who finally sent her for more tests which included stool samples. Those came back positive for C.Dif. 5 days before Christmas. We started the meds. By January 7th we sent her to school. It had been about 7 days after the end of her course of meds and we thought she was ok.
She came home that day, again having soiled herself (which by the way upsets her to no end). So it was back to the doctor. He prescribed the next course of treatment this time for 14 days. After the treatment we did all the stool samples again. Results are due in today.
As for her daily life. She was already a little over weight but now she seems to have ballooned. She doesn't eat much because she's afraid it's going to hurt her stomach but she is having three regular meals a day. She does drink alot and it seems like she goes to the washroom alot but I'm not there all day to take account of volume. She also doesn't move around much because everytime she's tried to excersize she would have the runs. We live in Quebec, Canada and with the winter (lot's of snow and cold) she doesn't go outdoors much. Someone did suggest that maybe she is retaining water and that will be one of the questions I ask my doctor today, but the weight gain has me very concerned.

[Bobbie]

Lynda,
Welcome to the site. Read the first forum ALL USERS READ THIS FIRST & its subtopics – especially the announcements: PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST and GUIDELINES FOR POSTING TO OUR DISCUSSION BOARDS. They will guide you in using the site & answer some of the most frequent questions. Read Dr. Borody’s & Dr. McDonald’s articles and some of the topics in FAQ – especially Hygiene, Nutrition, & Testing.

Let's hope your daugher is one of the lucky ones (80%) who recover with several rounds of Flagyl or Vanco. If Flagyl is not working, I would suggest Vancocin to her doctor. Hope you are able to take her to see a GI or an ID as they are usually more versed with "tougher" cases of C. diff.

You've certainly had more than "your share." I have a son with multiple problems (although not as severe or in the same category as your daughter) & his childhood & even now is "tough." You must be a strong woman to handle all of this plus your own illness.

The weight gain question is a tough one as most people lose rather than gain weight. I would definitely ask your doc. Is there any "after school" fitness programs you could enroll her in after she is over the C. diff.? Could she be "snacking" on high cal. foods when you don't know about it?

Please keep in touch with us. It's brave people like you who keep me working on this site.

Our very best & let us know how you & your daughter are doing.

[markjs]

I have never lost weight. I personally get ravenous when I have c-diff. I have gained before, but not as much as I should have considering my intake of food. Don't know if her appetite changed but I know mine does. I have always been able to eat when others cant. I have a very strong stomach. My c-diff sysmptoms are rarely severe, until recently I never even sought treatment but I am almost sure I have had c-diff for years.

[Lynda]

Her results came back last Thursday - All Negative!
She seems to have the same type, long term mild to mod. runs.

I drove her in to school today and still had to find a washroom real quick. Before they found the c. diff. the docs thought she was lactose intolerant. I'm now thinking she's been dealing with both.

She had a bowl of cereal with regular milk at 8 this morning by 8:30 we had to find a bathroom off the highway real quick.

I'm now going to treat her as lactose intolerant and I'm currently looking for a good nutritionist for her.

You guys have been great, thanks for the support.

[sungirl]

Lynda
I have been struggling with cdiff for the last year or so and one of the things I have been struggling with is weight gain. I had my gallbladder out and lost 20 pounds after the suggery. When the cdiff hit me I gained 30 pounds over 3 months. Which was pretty amazing sice I could not eat solid food for that entire time and was taking in less than 500 calories. Had lost some of that weight when I my last relapse hit and i have put on 10-15 pounds again and again not able to eat much. But I always seem to do the opposite;) Also as a side note I am lactose intollerant and celiac (plus other food allergies) so if you have any questions on the front feel free to ask.
good luck

[Bobbie]

Lyndia,
Find a board certfied dietician for the best advice. You have a your hands full with her previous problems & now this. You must be a strong woman. "Hats off to you." Our thoughts & blessings.