Severe stomach pain, my experience so far...

[Benknick]

I’m a 45 year old male that has been suffering from stomach pain. Please read my experience below. Suggestions are most appreciated.

Three months ago I had to go to the emergency room because I was suffering from severe stomach pain that lasted more than 12 hours and would not go away. The ER administered pain medication and preformed a CT scan. My blood work showed elevated white blood cell counts, indicating an infection. The CT scan revealed mild inflammation in my intestines. They released me with a 10 day supply of antibiotics and wanted me to follow up with my doctor. I completed the course of antibiotics.

My doctor referred me to a Gastro-intestinal specialist. My new GI doctor had me do a stool sample and it tested positive for C Diff. He had me do a ten day prescription of Vancomycin. (very expensive, cost $650 out-of-pocket). On the 2nd day of taking Vancomycin my diarrhea stopped and I was feeling a little better. After completing the 10 day treatment my doctor wanted me to let eight days go by before he had me do another stool sample. During this time I experienced severe gas like I have never experienced before in my life. Extreme gas and flatulence. My theory is the Vancomycin killed the C Diff bacteria however my diet-allowed the C Diff to grow back and when growing back caused severe gas in my intestinal track?

On my second stool sample I tested positive for C Diff again and my GI doctor had me do a 14 day coarse Metronidazole. During this time my stools went back to mostly diarrhea and soft stools.

So after doing a 10 day Vancomycin treatment and a 14 day treatment of Metronidazole I feel I still have C Diff because I still have diarrhea and soft stools? Also, if I eat any aggressive foods such as diary, cheese or meat I tend to have stomach pain and nausea.

Over the last 6 weeks I’ve gone on a vegan diet and have added probiotic pills, powder and gummies to many probiotic foods such as Activia yogurt, Miso soup, broths, ginger, turmeric and fermented foods among other foods that can help bring back a healthy flora in my GI system.

Recently I had a very healthy stool, however it went back to soft today and my stomach feels like it is cramping.

The plan is for me to have my stool tested next week. If I test positive for C Diff again my doctor wants me to have an FMT at the same time I have my colonoscopy done.

Questions:

Does this sound like I have a classic case of C Diff? A case that is being in the 20% of people that C Diff does not easily go away or could it be something more severe such has cancer or Corhn’s disease? -My recent blood work came back normal.

Should I continue longer with the probiotics and special diet to see if I can avoid the FMT?I’ve currently lost 25 pounds and I still can not eat any aggressive food or risk stomach cramping and pain.

Is it possible I have had C Diff over the last five years? I say this is possible because the sever pain I had experienced that sent me to the ER I’ve experienced on average once a year going back the last five years. The pain would last 6-8 hours and then go away. Very extreme pain that was scrapping and relentless that would give no relief. Worst pain ever.

In conclusion, this has been an absolutely miserable experience. I’m trying to be hopeful my strict diet will allow the good bacteria to grow back into my system and remove the bad C Diff bacteria. I’m also going to try a turmeric enema treatment?

If I test positive next week the next step is to scheduled my colonoscopy and FMT procedure.

Any thoughts and suggestion are most appreciated. Bless you!

-Ben