Surgery or not to have surgery?

This forum is for discussions related to C. diff. including symptoms, doctors, medical advances, medications, If you are a new poster (joined within the last month), you can post more often for two months from your date of joining. After that time, one post per day only about "you." You can post more often to support others. Post other topics in Free Form Discussion and Chat Forum.
sonolady
Brand New Poster
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:48 pm

Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby sonolady » Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:29 pm

My name is Jacque and I am a 35 year old female. This past September my husband and I began our journey to start a family. Early October I started to not feel well and complained of RLQ pain. Professionally I am a sonographer and decided to scan myself and to my surprise found an inflamed appendix. I promptly called my PCP and they couldn't see me and told me to go to the ER. I had a formal ultrasound done with finding of appendicitis. The on call surgeon came in and was apprehensive to go to the OR as I had in 2005 a MVA that required a splenectomy and repair of right acetabular fracture. He was worried about adhesions and suggested a CT to confirm the U/S findings. I had a elevated CRP and WBC and low potassium for lab work. The CT came back inconclusive due to all of the artifact from the right acetabulum. In the surgeons 15 years he had never had a "negative CT and + Ultrasound for appendicitis. He decided to keep me observation and the next day I was discharged. Saw my OB-GYN normal pelvis exam nothing going on there as a differential. My colleagues couldn't believe that they didn't take it out and I called and had asked for a repeat Ultrasound and to have the radiologist present during the scan to confirm the prior findings. He agreed it was my appendix and that it was leaking. I was admitted for 3 days on IV antibiotics and then sent home 7 days oral augmentin and A F/U with the surgeon a week later. He decided to give me 10 more days of augmentin and then schedule surgery the week before Thanksgiving. Every week checking my CRP value. I was taking align for a probiotic.

The week before surgery I woke up in the night with nausea, diarrhea and clammy feeling. I spent the night on the floor. I got up in the AM and went to work a little tired but ok. Well I had more diarrhea and no feeling of wanting to eat or drink. Had lab work done per usual that day. The next day the surgeon saw me in the hall and said "hey, your CRP is elevated?" "You feeling ok?" I explained how I had been feeling and he said you have C-diff. "I'd bet that's what it is." I was in total denial, I know what that is.. It's what we all get weird about and bleach like crazy.. "Nope I don't have that, no way." Well I get a call Saturday its +. He had already started me on Cipro and Flagyl. I stopped the Cipro as it was not needed. I declined so fast that weekend. Monday I went to work. The on call Dr. Saturday couldn't tell me what to do and said I needed to speak with an infectious disease specialist. I was so scared and wanted to protect my family. We have a foster baby in our home and I wanted to protect hubby and the baby. The on call surgeon was a real jerk; forgive me if not allowed to say that. I don't know if you have to give the baby up or not he said. :( not what I was asking..

We treat this like the plague in the hospital how do I treat it at home? Reading articles on the internet is pretty scary and the information is all over the place. OCD to hand washing and bleach toilet and hard surfaces during active infection.

The surgeon who saw me on a regular basis I ran into in the hall and we had a mini conference in a closet. It was heated. I was angry and scared. He couldn't tell me either if I should be at work. "I didn't do this to you." "You knew the risks." I wasn't having diarrhea I had a formed BM that AM, just didn't feel good. I took myself out of work for the next 2 weeks good thing as I got worse. I dropped 10 lbs+, didn't have much to lose already. Flagyl made me so sick and I ended up with diarrhea again and saw a different surgeon whom put me on vanco for 10 days. I could hardly stand up in the shower or take care of myself. My husband was my rock taking care of the baby 100% and everything else. The surgeon said that I could have the appendix out 2-4 weeks post treatment. "That it really should come out." I couldn't get in to see the ID for a week; she agreed with the current treatment and agreed I should wait as long as I can to have the appendix removed and sent me on my way. I couldn't believe that was it? I made another appointment as I was still feeling sick on vanco extreme nausea in the AM, fatigue, more weight loss, not hungry, anxiety, insomnia, white tongue and general ill feeling. They don't see people unless they have a problem. I wanted to have a plan for the future. In case of a relapse. To have a plan for surgery at a later date. After reading on this support group some have said not to take vanco prophylactically and bulk up on pre and probiotics. She agreed to see me the week before surgery and after for a check up. She said to try to get back to my normal eating habits that is what my body needs. To stop bleaching everything its not normal. It was unnecessary and she wanted to prescribe something for anxiety. I said 'no thank you!' I've made an appointment to speak to a councilor, which isn't a bad thing!

My last dose of vanco was November 21st in the AM. I was feeling pretty good all in all. I returned to work after the holiday. A little ragged but pulling through. Its the aftermath that I'm struggling with now. Constant worry of a relapse. Wanting to just move on and have C diff be a monster from the past. The surgeon convinced us to stop trying to conceive until this is all over with. I'm contemplating not having the appendix out as its not bothering me at the moment. I peaked last week and cant find it( its been waving at me in the past)! So I had a follow up last week with the surgeon and he was talking about how "wouldn't you feel bad if you were to get pregnant and you get sick again and lose the baby?" "Really would be best to get this out and have it out of the equation." "I don't have a crystal ball to say whether it will give you trouble in the future or not." My husband and I are on different planets on this decision. He is leaning towards me having the appendectomy and I'm not. I want to continue to get stronger not relapse and get pregnant in a few months. After reading it could be part of my immune system and with having my spleen removed I need all the help I can get! I will tell you this though that I either regenerated a piece of spleen or there was an accessory spleen! Who knows if its functioning or not, maybe testing on that later? An article I read indicated that the spleen is responsible for creating antibodies against c diff. Anyone out there have a similar situation?

My family wants me to go to a larger city out of state for care. Likely some country bumpkin rural Maine hospital has not had the volume or experience with situations comparable to mine? Any of you have suggestions for specialists in New England that you have had great experiences with? Both C-diff and GI surgeon?

This past week I also have been having decreased formed more mushy falling apart BM :( odd odor the past 2 days as well. No fever. Slight nausea in the AM but I chalk that up to pre poo because I feel better after. Only 1 time a day early AM. I know you have a section to talk about this topic forgive me if not allowed. I'm obviously worried about a relapse only being 4 weeks out as of Saturday. I would want to catch it early. I have a call into the DR asking for a test. I'm eating my normal vegetarian diet. I have a sweet tooth but have nearly cut all that out. What have been your experiences?

I hope that you all continue to be well and that the medical field continues to make advancements to eradicate this monster. Thank you for any insight and for your time.
Jacque :) Keep swimming

beth22
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 10852
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby beth22 » Thu Dec 21, 2017 8:18 pm

Welcome to the site. Please read the first forum for information for new posters. I would do a test for c diff if you continue to have symptoms, otherwise not. One thing to think about, is that if you get appendicitis again it would mean more antibiotics and that is what you want to avoid. Also, ask your surgeon if the surgery can be done without giving you iv antibiotics.

roy
Administrator
Posts: 4193
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 1:05 am

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby roy » Fri Dec 22, 2017 12:16 pm

Your posts difficult to read (make them short and concice).
It seems to say you diagnosed yourself with appendicitis and ended up with c.diff because of antibiotic use.
Currently the c.diff is gone and so is the appendicitis.
If that's the case it sounds like a perfect ending!

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

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby NanciT » Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:20 am

This is a complicated post. Watching two separate medical issues carefully, I would test for CDIFF if D starts up again and continues. One thing you have not mentioned in your post is your CBC, something that is watched carefully to determine if there is an infection going on with the appendix. That is something I would have checked watching the WBC, symptoms can go away with appendix and return quickly.

Feel better soon

NanciT

sonolady
Brand New Poster
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:48 pm

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby sonolady » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:22 pm

Nancy and Roy,

Thank you for your responses. Yes, there is a lot of information in my post. I had read in the guidelines it was ok to have multiple questions in the same post and to only post once daily in this particular subject. Going forward I’ll be more concise:)

Yes, I did diagnose myself with appendicitis and then my colleagues formally diagnosed me. Yes, I was treated with antibiotics which likely caused c diff. I had elevated CPR and WBC and low potassium otherwise my blood work was normal. I completely understand how quickly the appendix can act up. I’m just asking if anyone here has had a similar situation as mine and what they did. I would like to keep it as long as it’s not simmering and I’m feeling well. I see the surgeon next Thursday for follow up.
Jacque :) Keep swimming

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

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby NanciT » Tue Dec 26, 2017 8:44 pm

I do believe we had one poster in a similar situation. If you put Appendix in the search bar the thread will come up. Just from my experience in healthcare, I would see that surgeon for another opinion. I have seen patients wait and later run into trouble.

NanciT

Microbio
New User
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2018 7:59 pm

Re: Surgery or not to have surgery?

Postby Microbio » Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:56 am

I actually got my c diff from the antibiotics after my appendectomy. As awful as the entire experience is, I would do it again (just maybe at a different hospital).

Depending on the cause of your appendicitis, you may have to get it taken out. I had what they call a fecalith, a hardened ball of poo, and you need surgery for that.

I was actually offered the chance to just take antibiotics for the appendicitis as part of a study, but in the European population, 25% of people who did this had to go back and get their appendix out. Not to mention that appendicitis can give you D and make you quite ill.

The most important thing for c diff is to get a good army of good bacteria down there before it flares back up.

In the end, though, it's what you decide.


Return to “General C. diff. Discussion”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests