Stool sample while on Dificid

[Napper]

I'm probably heading to the ER today to get rehydrated. Last weekend I had to go to the ER also. While there, they wanted to collect a sample. Won't or come back positive since I'm still on antibiotics? Or would it come back negative?
Also, if I go to the ER today, can I catch a sample at home in a clean Tupperware? I read that you can and but a bag of ice in whatever you carry it in to keep it cool. But, I'd hate to do this and it comes back with a wrong result because I'm on Dificid.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!

[cdiff454]

I'm not really sure what the test would accomplish at this point anyway since you're already on dificid and are presumably going to finish the full script regardless of anything (I'm assuming you already tested positive and that's why you're on it in the first place). I don't think test at this point will tell you anything one way or another. But maybe that's just standard practice for the ER and you'll have to go along with it, but it seems like wasteful te$ting to me.

When I was in the ER both times they refused to let me bring my own sample in, they wanted to make the collection themselves. I even offered to transfer my sample from the bowl to the testing vessel myself while in the ER so the nurse didn't have to perform the honors but she refused to let me and demanded she do it herself. YMMV.

[amg]

You've been on Dificid for days now, and you're still having enough diarrhea to necessitate going to the ER for rehydration? I'm so sorry to hear that. It seems you should have had a clinical response by now. Are you any better at all? Are you worse? Are you scheduled for an FMT? There is a strain - NAP-1/027- that is resistant to standard therapy. A c diff specialist might be indicated here, because you might need someone who can think outside of the box and who is familiar with the less common treatment approaches.

Good luck today.

[NanciT]

Sorry you are going through this....I know that terrible feeling of heading back to the ER. If you are on Dificid, there really is no point to testing.

What they need to look at is your electrolytes and more extensive lab to make sure all is OK. I also wondered if you are still having D?

I also continued with dehydration while on Vanco despite I had no D at that point. It caused hypokalemia and they had to keep giving me Potassium. During the DIficid taper, I also landed in the ER with dehydration, abdominal pain etc. but these can be side effects to Dificid.
I really feel for you, let us know how you do

NanciT

[Ril]

To answer your questions however, you have to bring in samples in the hospital container so I wouldn’t take one from home. I am not sure what your point would be anyway. I doubt that they would do a simple test to determine c diff as they would likely be negative while you are taking Difficid but there are many other things they could appropriately test for.

If this is the 2nd time to the ER despite being on Difficid something is wrong, either the diagnosis or treatment. I agree with Amg. Get a referral to a c diff specialist for a treatment plan review.

Rita

[Napper]

Thanks for your responses. I'm actually having the FMT done this afternoon. Scared, to tell you the truth.

[amg]

So glad you're having the FMT! I hope you feel better quickly. So many people have been helped by FMT, and you were not getting much relief from oral medication. Let us know how things go!