When should you go to the Doctor?

[impatient1]

I've been posting about my mom and C Diff, but last night I started getting sick myself.

Stomach pain, which I had for about a week. I didn't think it too odd b/c I already have IBS and have bouts of stomach pain from time to time.

Then last night I got diarrhea, this morning it was worse, I actually used the bathroom on myself a little (which I haven't done since I was a kid). It has a mucousy consistency. My sis says I feel like I have a fever, and I'm having chills. I just feel really weak, nauseous and crappy. I don't live with my mom, but I have visited her a lot during her illness.

Am I being paranoid b/c of my mom? Is this something I can just give some time to resolve, or should I go to be seen before/if it gets worse? How long did you guys wait before you actually went to the Doc? It may just be a stomach virus, and I'm willing to wait it out, but then again I have seen how my mom has gotten when she waited it out. Oh, I took a course of Z Pack about a month to a month and a half ago, right before my mom got sick. Could that play a role in getting C Diff after this long?

[Jenny]

Hi impatient1,

In my opinion, given your history, I would contact your Dr now, not to meet but to arrange for you to submit a stool sample to a lab. Testing does no harm, results take a little while and some Dr's don't like to treat without a test first. If symptoms go away in a few days, great, but if not you've got a head start. You could start some probies as soon as you have submitted a sample. Hopefully it is just a stomach bug. Keep yourself hydrated and try the BRAT diet if you can eat at all.

Hope you and your mom feel better soon.

Take Care

Jenny

[Bobbie]

I agree with Jenny. It is probably a "stomach bug" or your IBS, but it's best to be certain. Since your mother has C. diff., get a test "just in case." See FAQ-Tests.

[impatient1]

Well my fever is gone, and I've only had diarrhea once more. I feel better, just having some stomach pain. I feel winded a little easy too when up and about.

If I get any worse again I'll make an appt. with my GI. But if it is C Diff, is it possible for it to resolve on its own?

Thanks for responding guys.

[Jenny]

I have heard that it is possible for c diff to resolve itself when antibiotics are the cause and then you stop the offending antibiotic. I would think it is possible to have c diff growing as part of your flora, just to cause trouble from time to time, but when ab's are involved c diff takes over and causes bigger problems. I do believe that it is possible that probiotics can in a healthy person keep c diff in check. Just my opinion, but most likely I think if you suffer from IBS that is what I would look to first as the culprit.

Jenny

[Bobbie]

impatient1,
Read Dr. Borody's article. Yes, it is possible for C. diff. to resolve on its own. BUT if your symptoms become worse, do contact your doctor.