abdominal discomfort

[LindaSp]

Hello again and thanks for being there. I have written about my 25 year old and her now 4 month struggle w/C diff following Cleocin and Cipro. She failed 2 Flagyl rounds and is on her 2nd longer course of Vancomycin. Her recovery has been hindered by uti and she took 2 more Cipro pills (oy!)and then macrobid (that culture was negative!) Now she has an ID doc, urologist, IM and GI...Her ID seems good, upped her Vanco for a bit and now she is tapering. The last 2 days she has had more abdominal pain "3" on a 0-10 scale, still only 1 or 2 semiformed stools daily. She continues to take Culturelle, S. Boulardi , and Florastor. I feel she should continue to taper and give her system a chance. But, I can't help but worry that the area on the left side of her abdomen is still churning w/ C diff spores waiting to hatch! She is in DC of all places for the upcoming weekend!
Any further guidance from you who know so much?!!
I have been following others' posts and feel for all of you. Wish there was a simple answer and a magic pill doggone it!

[LindaSp]

Roy,
Surely you know churning spores was a figurative phrase! having nursed for 30 years I know what you mean about doctors being focused on their specialties which is good when you need one!

We are focusing on the ID/GI for now...

Appreciate your appraisal of the "3" scale...We hope, hope, hope for a recovery...

Linda

[anlockwood]

About 7 days into my meds I started abdominal pain and cramping. As I came off of them I thought it would clear up. It actually got much worse(not saying that to scare you). I was a 100% sure it meant a relapse was coming but it never did. I went through many tests to try and pinpoint the cause of the cramps and never found anything. They do come and go and there are some days where it has been a 10 on the pain scale but my rule is to not worry unless it comes along with watery "D". I also found out that Culturelle was causing 95% of my IBS symptoms. I came off of it and the pain went away and the stools evened out. I took it one day when I ran out of Florastor and the severe pain returned. Just my experience though. You can spend so much time invested in worrying about what might happen(trust me I did and I still fight that as my 10 month old is still fighting his battle with c diff). I love some advice I heard on Oprah. By worrying so much about what might become you are living as if she has already relapsed with the c diff. I will keep your daughter in my prayers and kudos to her for choosing to continue living her life and enjoying it to the fullest. She is going to witness a historical moment and she didn't let c diff take that away from her!!
Amanda

[Bobbie]

LindaSp,
A ped. told me years ago, "When you go to a specialist (he -- back in those days it was rarely "she") looks for something wrong in his speciality.
Often true.

I have many of the same specialists but am much older. Am on a preventive dose of Macrobid (50 mg.) daily to prevent recurrent UTI's & IC. So far, so good! Don't take baths -- showers, etc., etc. All the preventatives become tiresome.

Sorry your daughter is continuing to have problems. For abdominal pain, try a heating pad -- no side effects, no co-pay. She is fortunate to have such a caring mother -- and in the medical field. Pls. spread the word that C. diff. isn't always a "little" infection.

[klt03301]

Hi Linda. I've had abdominal discomfort off and on for 10 months, sometimes pretty severe. The pain was hard to deal with at times, and that's an understatement! It does take TIME, like everyone says here. Abdominal pain is not unusual; I had lower back pain too along with some other places I won't mention here.

I pray your daughter recovers soon and never relapses again!

Karen

[LindaSp]

Thanks so much for everyone's support. It is hard to be positive when she has relapsed 3 times! Interesting thought about the culturelle. I mentioned to her that she is taking Culturelle, Florastor and S boulardi, all of which are new to her system as well.
I have wanted to express my concerns to others that have posted.

One of the hospitals I work for just this week provided new guidelines to prevent the spread of C Diff in the hospital environment.

I love my daughter. It is so simple.
Linda

[Bobbie]

Nothing hurts a parent more than seeing his/her child suffer -- regardless of the child's age.

Glad there is more info. re. C. diff. in hospitals. For so many years, it's been "kept under wraps." Tell everyone you know about your daughter's story -- co-workers, friends, etc.

Our best to you, your daughter, & your family.