This monster ... i have only had 3 D BM a day for 2 days ... but i never go like that.... unless it’s back. This will
Be my 3 relapse. Now what do i do ?? I have been on flagyl, vanco , and dificid .... if it is back what does everyone recommend? I have been on 2 probiotics keifer and dieting well .
I think it’s back ...
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Re: I think it’s back ...
I’m wondering if i should let this cure itself since ever since i have had cdiff it has gone away within 2 days and stays away for a month or so. Any recommendations
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Re: I think it’s back ...
momo123,
I just met with an infectious disease doctor who informed me that he believes c.diff is very over-treated, and that it can resolve itself in some patients. I thought I was experiencing a first recurrence this last weekend (after finishing my first treatment of vanco over 2 months ago for the initial diagnosis). I was having D. 2 days in a row, and it was pretty bad, including M. But then it stopped and my symptoms have gradually resolved.
And I did test positive, but the ID dr. says he treats more on symptoms, not on the test result.
He told me not to treat. And he told me to wait 48+ hours (next time) as long as I was overall stable, before worrying that it might be a recurrence. I found this helpful. I was sure I was having a recurrence.... very similar symptoms to my first round of c.diff. But it stopped (it's been 6 days now of fairly normal days).
I just met with an infectious disease doctor who informed me that he believes c.diff is very over-treated, and that it can resolve itself in some patients. I thought I was experiencing a first recurrence this last weekend (after finishing my first treatment of vanco over 2 months ago for the initial diagnosis). I was having D. 2 days in a row, and it was pretty bad, including M. But then it stopped and my symptoms have gradually resolved.
And I did test positive, but the ID dr. says he treats more on symptoms, not on the test result.
He told me not to treat. And he told me to wait 48+ hours (next time) as long as I was overall stable, before worrying that it might be a recurrence. I found this helpful. I was sure I was having a recurrence.... very similar symptoms to my first round of c.diff. But it stopped (it's been 6 days now of fairly normal days).
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Re: I think it’s back ...
that is true ... i am at my breaking point this will be my 4th recurrence. My stools have never had M or blood. They never smell at all !!!! Have had hard stool for the last month. So idk my anxiety is so high right now... i am freaking out. I want this to all GONAWAY !!!!
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Re: I think it’s back ...
I don't know if you've already met with an Infectious Disease doctor, but I recommend it.
I would ask him/her about avoiding over-treatment and how to interpret your non-D. symptoms.
Maybe the doctor can put your mind at ease... that varying stools are a normal part of recovery but don't necessarily warrant treatment and could eventually resolve, especially because--as many have pointed out in this discussion board--over-treatment can wreak more havoc rather than healing.
I just had a positive test but chose not to treat after my symptoms resolved.
My doctor reassured me that if I'm overall stable, though maybe not always feeling the best, that I am okay... not in danger.
And as others have mentioned on this site, strange stool patterns can be a normal part of recovery--a few good days, a few bad, back to a few good, and so on.
I've learned that tolerating (being patient with) up and down symptoms in this recovery process is frustrating but maybe necessary.
I recommend reading the Ten Commandments of Surviving CID in the CDI - C. diff. Info. All You Want to Know and More forum. The tip about trying to not get too wrapped up in the disease and focus on other things instead really hit home for me.
I hope that you experience piece of mind while your body continues to heal!
-Brandy
I would ask him/her about avoiding over-treatment and how to interpret your non-D. symptoms.
Maybe the doctor can put your mind at ease... that varying stools are a normal part of recovery but don't necessarily warrant treatment and could eventually resolve, especially because--as many have pointed out in this discussion board--over-treatment can wreak more havoc rather than healing.
I just had a positive test but chose not to treat after my symptoms resolved.
My doctor reassured me that if I'm overall stable, though maybe not always feeling the best, that I am okay... not in danger.
And as others have mentioned on this site, strange stool patterns can be a normal part of recovery--a few good days, a few bad, back to a few good, and so on.
I've learned that tolerating (being patient with) up and down symptoms in this recovery process is frustrating but maybe necessary.
I recommend reading the Ten Commandments of Surviving CID in the CDI - C. diff. Info. All You Want to Know and More forum. The tip about trying to not get too wrapped up in the disease and focus on other things instead really hit home for me.
I hope that you experience piece of mind while your body continues to heal!
-Brandy
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Re: I think it’s back ...
So i will call an infectionious disease doctor on Monday. So should i wait ? To be retested... yesterday i had my first D only 2 times back to back in a month and 2 days. Today I’m fine. I feel like i am stable i still even when i do have D don’t ever feel bad. Can not bring treated damage my colon? I guess i should ask my doc all these questions but i feel like i get so much more from this site. Thank you brandy for reaching out.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
I would definitely consult with an ID doctor.
When my primary doctor couldn't answer my questions, she helped me set up this appointment, and I was able to get in fairly quickly.
I would suggest following the 3 day / 3 D. rule, since anything less than D.--even though you might test positive--isn't usually seen as a reason to treat.
And more antibiotics to treat can also do continued damage to gut.
Because we've had our gut flora wiped out by the strong antibiotics we've already taken, we're going to have tough symptoms, perhaps up to a year or two, even more. But it doesn't mean we're relapsing/recurring, even when the test is positive. It just means we're in recovery--trying to heal.
All that said, a wise doctor w/expertise in c.diff is your best bet and should be your ultimate advisor;
just don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion if someone says you should treat--I had an urgent care doctor and my primary doctor tell me that they wanted to treat before the infectious disease doctor said, "don't treat."
Ask for a specialist!
I've been reassured that I'm not doing damage to my colon by not treating, as along as there are no serious signs of the disease and I'm stable.
But of course see what an ID doctor says. Most have solid expertise in c.diff.
When my primary doctor couldn't answer my questions, she helped me set up this appointment, and I was able to get in fairly quickly.
I would suggest following the 3 day / 3 D. rule, since anything less than D.--even though you might test positive--isn't usually seen as a reason to treat.
And more antibiotics to treat can also do continued damage to gut.
Because we've had our gut flora wiped out by the strong antibiotics we've already taken, we're going to have tough symptoms, perhaps up to a year or two, even more. But it doesn't mean we're relapsing/recurring, even when the test is positive. It just means we're in recovery--trying to heal.
All that said, a wise doctor w/expertise in c.diff is your best bet and should be your ultimate advisor;
just don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion if someone says you should treat--I had an urgent care doctor and my primary doctor tell me that they wanted to treat before the infectious disease doctor said, "don't treat."
Ask for a specialist!
I've been reassured that I'm not doing damage to my colon by not treating, as along as there are no serious signs of the disease and I'm stable.
But of course see what an ID doctor says. Most have solid expertise in c.diff.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Thank you.. yes i feel stable very well so actually more then. I guess i could say I’m a lucky one seeing all these others are so sick .. for 2 years i have dealt with this on my own until jan. This year. My last antibiotic i took was May 2017 which was clindimycin. As i think back i remember days i had D 2-4 times back to back then just went away for weeks or months.snd finally i was like ok let me go see if i have IBD. So i am very well stable today have been fine all day one BM this am. Which was mushy but not water. I ate lunch and drank a lot of water today. And have been fine. So i guess we will see i wil call ID doc on Monday.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Brandine is 100% correct. If my GI and ID doc would have listened to me when I had a couple bad days I would have over treated and done more damage than what 1 course of AB already did. The advice I got was to take some benefiber and wait it out unless it was worsening or lasted longer than 3 days. I’m glad my doc wasn’t as freaked out as I was. Go for a walk, join a gym, anything to get your mind out of the toilet.
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Re: I think it’s bac
Momo123,
Good idea to call in an ID. Call ASAP as it might take awhile to get in - perhaps GI has an in with one.
Remember.this site does not give medical advice but offers support. We can tell u what worked for us - as can other posters.
You seem to give conflicting info.,I would make a list of dates, meds., symptoms to take to ID
Best of luck. Keep us posted,
Good idea to call in an ID. Call ASAP as it might take awhile to get in - perhaps GI has an in with one.
Remember.this site does not give medical advice but offers support. We can tell u what worked for us - as can other posters.
You seem to give conflicting info.,I would make a list of dates, meds., symptoms to take to ID
Best of luck. Keep us posted,
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Yes i am starting walking and yoga which has helped a lot. I’m just ready to not have to worry anymore. Thank you all for all your help i will contacting a new ID doc tomorrow.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
I have had normal BM since Saturday =afternoon... and only went 2 times then D. I have some strange very light cramps almost like menstral so I am not sure when people say they cramp where and what there cramps feel like. I have never hurt in 2 years. So i called my doc this am and LM praying I get some answers bc I am so confused on what to do.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Update still normal BM once twice a day. Saw my doc today she is really pushing a colonoscopy to see if i have inflammation in my colon. She told me she didn’t want to retest me since i only had 2 BM of D on Friday. She wrote me something for anxiety that helps with IBS As well. So now I’m just kinda playing the waiting game. I have not had any burning in my upper stomach since i started the dificid. Burns a little in my lower but not even enough to really notice when I’m not thinking About it. And maybe it’s my female things csnt really tell. I am just gonna continue to take my VSL #3 4 times a day.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Who told you to take VSL3 four times a day?
That's possibly a cause of your stomach problems.
If you keep going to doctors with such very minor symptoms your going to end up with invasive and probably unnecessary investigations, or treatment you dont need, that will probably have worse side effects than your already experiancing.
You dont have any c.diff symptoms but at least your Drs recognised you have an anxiety problem and has suggested treating that.
That's possibly a cause of your stomach problems.
If you keep going to doctors with such very minor symptoms your going to end up with invasive and probably unnecessary investigations, or treatment you dont need, that will probably have worse side effects than your already experiancing.
You dont have any c.diff symptoms but at least your Drs recognised you have an anxiety problem and has suggested treating that.
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Re: I think it’s back ...
Well my doctor told me i could take up to 4 a day .. i put 2 in my shakes in the morning and usually take one at night before bed. I have still not had any D it’s been 5 days. So we will see.
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