Does this make sense?

[Zoe]

My GI doctor put me back on Vanco for 2 weeks. He had me do a sample for c-diff 3 days after I started the meds (positive). And again yesterday which is 9 days on Vanco, the test today came back negative. But what good is it going to do to test while I am on medication? I went to the lab and got the results from my test today, the hospital here is horrible with faxing test results. I just faxed the results to my doctor so I haven't heard from him yet. Has anyone heard of doing this before? I just don't see what the point is. He had also done a blood test, everything with that came back good except my liver, the results said it was high, I don't know how high, because I don't know what "normal" is. I am sure that it is due to all the antibiotics they have had me on. Has anyone else had elevated test results on your liver?

Thanks, frustrated Zoe...

[gent76]

I had been put through a gammit of blood tests, including a liver test. All came back normal, with exception of the liver test coming back a smidge high. I was retested on the liver panel, and that time the test came back normal.

All these tests were prior to me being diagnosed with C-diff.

[WOWOWOW]

I too had high liver tests while going through c-diff. It wouldn't hurt to ask your Dr. the reasoning behind the additional c.diff testing. It may be something as simple as they want to know how soon the vanco kicked in. I have learned much like c.diff ,Dr.s are different for everyone as well.

[Nancy1]

I agree that it's not a good idea to test while you are on meds. As you probably know, it's best to wait 10 - 14 days after finishing Flagyl or vanco to get a good test result. Some docs don't understand this. That being said, I tested negative after 15 days off meds, the day after I had been diagnosed with p colitis by sigmoidoscopy, so there is no question it was cdiff then. And I tested positive after 6 days off vanco. Go figure.

[Bobbie]

I don't believe my liver was tested after my lst hospital stay in my lst 4-yr. bout with C. diff.

When I was first hospitalized, I had pneumonia, sinusitis, a UTI, & C. diff. I was assigned a new young doc. as my general practioner didn't have hospital rights. (My allergist admitted me; I found out later my g.p. did have visiiting rights.) I was so sick all my blood counts were wacko & Mr. New Doc. told me I had one of three things (several were fatal) & as he left said, "Have a good night now."

He then decided he was going to "run me" through some painful tests, including a spinal tap. He had called in a rheumatoid arthritis specialist (I can't remember why) & when I asked this specialist if all the infections could result in the high levels, he laughed & said, "He's just practicing." I decided "Not on me." I refused the tests, told Mr. New Doc. I couldn't work with him, called his practice & asked for another doctor. When I told the receptionist my story, she said, "That young man (Mr. New Doc.) needs a month in the hospital as a patient. Even though I had already been diagnosed with C. diff. (pseudo. mem. colitis) with a colonscopy & a chest X-ray verified pneumonia, this doc. just had to find something else wrong.

You'll find many similar stories on this site. Don't be hesitant to question your doc. Every state has laws regarding "patients; 'rights." There was a brochure in my hospital room about this which gave me the courage to "speak up."

You'll also find many "good" stories about caring doctors. None are perfect, but most do try. I imagine it's easy to become jaded after years of training, long hours, & stressful situations. Most are well paid, however, even for a wrong diagnosis.

I believe all meds. go through the liver. Am not in the medical field, but ask your doc. if this could account for high count. Get over the C. diff. & then worry about other problems. They might resolve themselves.

For testing info., see FAQ-C. diff. Tests.

C. diff. is a highly individual disease which probably makes it harder to diagnose & treat. Difficle means "difficult to culture."

[cindym]

During my long bout of cdiff I am continually tested for pancreas problems but to my knowledge never the liver except for the routine labs they do. Best way to find out is just be BOLD and ASK. I never let them do anything without explaining to me why now. Remember, ALWAYS get copies of all lab work and test results......I had a horrible experience of losing a doctor and all his records were sealed. It took me forever to get copies of the test done on me so now I ALWAYS request copies. You will be amazed at some of the things you find out that you were never told!