New to CDiff minus common symptoms

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ChuckPe
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Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2018 8:37 pm

New to CDiff minus common symptoms

Postby ChuckPe » Fri Jun 08, 2018 11:46 am

My husband has had a bout of illness since Sept of 2017. In addition he is diabetic. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression. He had all kinds of testing and determined nothing with Gallbladder. In December, while having these symptoms, discovered at ER visit he was having heart issues, moved to Heart care and after a heart attack while there received second stent (first in 2014). Symptoms did not go away post stent surgery, depression worsening, referred to Gastro specialist who ordered stool sample. Meanwhile, in April suffered severe laceration above ankle while moving a mirror, 26 staples and 12 rocephin injections over 12 days (extra cautious because of diabetes and family history with gangrene) . Results from stool sample came back as Salmonella, treated awaiting retest. Managing nausea and vomiting with Zofran and omeprazole, but using less and less as symptoms disappear. Diarrhea seems to have completely disappeared. Laceration slowly healing, seeing DR daily to monitor because of diabetes and proximity on lower leg an receiving antibiotic shots. Retest for Salmonella comes back as C Diff! By this time, worsening depression but all vomiting and diarrhea have disappeared. Flagyl given as first treatment (before seeing this site and valuable info). Depression and fatigue worsening on daily basis, still no diarrhea or common symptoms of C Diff. Assuming that C Diff is resolved and we are dealing with a monster issue with depression. Dr has increased Zoloft and added xanax and trazadone, (which I have read on here can have side effects with C Diff antiobiotics?) Monday, results received for C Diff retest come back positive, treatment is now Vancomyacin, 3 days into that, he seems a little lighter in conversation, slightly less depressed, still zapped of all energy, sleeps all the time and has little appetite. Still none of the stomach or colon issues. He is now also taking a Solaray Mycrobiome™ Probiotic Women's Formula -- 50 billion CFU because I had that on hand.

I read that the low end of spectrum could be no stomach issues, but I understand most patients have severe stomach issues prior to diagnosis. Is the depression and anxiety common for most C Diff sufferers?

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

Re: New to CDiff minus common symptoms

Postby roy » Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:25 pm

Another repeat of "treat the patient not the test".
C.diff colitis is a disease caused by overgrowth of c.diff.
If theres no colitis a positive test DOES NOT indicate that treatment is needed.
C.diff can be part of the normal gut flora.
Also repeat testing should not be done to see if it's gone as that results in exactly what is happening to him.
If theres no symptoms theres no disease.
Check all this with an experienced Dr.

Lisa33
Long Time Contributor
Posts: 2430
Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2014 1:45 pm

Re: New to CDiff minus common symptoms

Postby Lisa33 » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:39 pm

I agree with Roy - I wouldn't treat without diarrhea or symptoms. Treating unnecessarily can actually make things worse. I would also look for a GI doctor well versed with c-diff. Anxiety and depression is very common with c-diff sufferers. He has so much going on other than the c-diff, that I don't find his battle with anxiety and depression uncommon at all. I truly hope he feels better soon, but I would definitely get an opinion of a gastro doctor that understands c-diff.


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