GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

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Napper
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Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:41 pm

GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby Napper » Wed Nov 29, 2017 9:13 pm

So, my GI Dr had me on both Vanco and Flagyl. I'm still feeling nausous, diarrhea, loud tummy noises. I was told to go see an infectious disease Dr. He'll tell me why I need to do.

Had anyone on here been readmitted into the hospital? I was told that if I get dehydrated, to go to the ER. I'M AFRAID TO. If I do, I'm afraid they will keep me. I just want to be better.

NanciT
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Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby NanciT » Wed Nov 29, 2017 11:33 pm

They don't generally keep you unless it is absolutely necessary. It is very important to go in if you think you are dehydrated and get fluids. Although I did not have a lot of D with CDIFF, I had vomiting and was in the ER 14 times during the year I was being treated for CDIFF . I had never been to an ER before, but had chest pain, vomiting etc and was dehydrated throughout. They did not admit me, just gave me Potassium which was always very depleted along with fluids.

It was not until I started getting better I found out Vanco can cause low potassium, none of the ER doctors new that.

Its good you are going to an ID, I would talk with them about Dificid.

Until then, go to the ER if you have weakness or other signs of dehydration.

I hope you feel better soon!

NanciT

Napper
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Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:41 pm

Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby Napper » Thu Nov 30, 2017 5:34 am

Thank you. I tried talking to the GI Dr about Dificid, but he put me on Flagyl instead. So, taking 2 antibiotic is killing me. I don't see the ID until the 12th. But, at least by that time I'll know if I'm cured. The low potassium bothers me. My son's father-in-law was admitted because of that. They never found out what caused it. What are the symptoms?

NanciT
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 3035
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:01 pm

Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby NanciT » Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:48 am

I would call the ID and get on a cancelation list, also tell them you were put back on medication that is making you very ill. If no luck there and you are feeling terrible, go to the ER. You can look up the symptoms for hypokalemia, in my case it was extreme weakness and cardiac arrhythmia. In my case the ER doctors did not know this was why I kept coming back, it was my own research.
It is listed as "Rare" on some sites but not other's as a side effect. I was on Vanco first for 10 days, then on a pulse taper for 3 months.

It can be tough but sometimes you need to push to get in to these specialist. If you do go to the ER, ask the ER doctor to CALL the ID and they will often get you in sooner. Explain how terrible you are feeling and have been trying to get in.

Wishing you the best with this. Drink "smart water" which contains electrolytes

NanciT

amg
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Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby amg » Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:29 pm

I mention this every chance I get -- Flagyl is an inferior medicine for c diff. It is not even FDA approved for c diff. The reasons it is a bad drug are:

1) higher relapse rate than with vanco or Dificid - prob due to it destroying more of your good gut bacteria which you need to fight c diff off
(note being on both Flagyl and c diff will harm more of your intestinal good bacteria then either one alone)
2) terrible side effects like nausea, fatigue, brain fog, bad interaction with alcohol, thrush
3) tastes awful and difficult to swallow
4) possible neurotoxicity

Many c diff experts have moved away from prescribing Flagyl at all for c diff, and they think the high c diff relapse rate is in great part due to use of Flagyl. We have linked to this discussion by experts from a conference last year several times on this site. Here it is again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CkVWszzr-o You can forward to 1:15 where the Flagyl discussion starts.

Dificid spares most of your other gut bacteria, sparing the good bacteria which we know fight c diff. This is crucial in preventing relapses. And it works against spores.

Napper
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Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:41 pm

Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby Napper » Thu Nov 30, 2017 8:02 pm

Thanks again for your support! I tell you, this had been a rough year. Three surgeries then this. Plus my MIL had a stroke so my husband is trying to care for both of us. Although, I push myself so he doesn't HAVE to, but am realizing it's not a good thing to do.

I am stopping the Flagyl. I called my GI Dr, who is the one to prescribe it, along with the Vanco, and told them how awful I feel and I want to be put in Dificid. The nurse said she'll call me with his answer tomorrow. I don't understand why he put me on it. Wouldn't he know it's not good?

If I have a relapse in the meantime, all the more reason to put me on the Dificid.

Napper
Regular User
Posts: 54
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:41 pm

Re: GI Dr. passed me on to an infectious disease Dr.

Postby Napper » Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:41 am

GI Dr called and said to keep taking both. Nope. He also said if I'm feeling that bad to go to the ER and have them test a sample. I know from reading that I will still test positive. I'm beginning to wonder if he even knows the answers. And I also feel like I've been left to fend for myself.


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