I am getting nervous that maybe I've gotten c-diff again (after 6mo)...I went camping last weekend and ever since I've been back, I've had D with some solidish BMs mixed in there. For the past week I haven't gone more than 2-3 times in one day and it wasn't ever overly-urgent, but when I did, it was usually very loose. Now yesterday I had D and went 4 times in the morning within 1 hour of time, but then totally stopped all day/night until this morning where again I had a BM that was at first formed, but then loose after and then I had to go back and go again and it was full D again within really minutes of the formed stool.
I can't figure out why I would be having an entire week so far of weird BMs that are mostly loose... Yesterday I started a bland diet. I've also been taking some probiotics for the last several months and never had issue, but I dunno if I should stop those too in case they're suddenly causing me issue? Have any of you had that happen?
Cuz I figure either its a bug/bacteria (God forbid c-diff) or its something I am eating/taking that continually is upsetting my insides.
Starting to get nervous...
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
Schism,
I have had almost this exact thing happen just recently; I even went into urgent care and was tested positive.
But when symptoms subsided soon after, I consulted with an Infectious Disease doctor who told me not to treat unless D returned for 48+ hours.
(It has now been over 8 days with only 1 episode of D. and mostly normal-ish stools.)
I had read many helpful things on this board that encouraged not over-treating and waiting 3 days of 3 or more watery diarrhea.
Even my primary doctor told me that if there are formed stools between D. episodes, to relax.
I would recommend connecting with a doctor, preferably someone with c.diff expertise (like an Infectious Disease specialist).
And I would be cautious about over-treating, as it's my understanding that a test can turn up positive long after initial treatment. That said, consult with a doctor, don't be afraid to get a second opinion, and if all factors seem to point to a serious infection, then it can be treated--but only as needed. I'm learning that more antibiotics to treat can also lead to more problems for the gut, so I only want to be treated if absolutely necessary.
I hope that your symptoms subside and that you can get the medical support/expertise that you need!
-Brandy
I have had almost this exact thing happen just recently; I even went into urgent care and was tested positive.
But when symptoms subsided soon after, I consulted with an Infectious Disease doctor who told me not to treat unless D returned for 48+ hours.
(It has now been over 8 days with only 1 episode of D. and mostly normal-ish stools.)
I had read many helpful things on this board that encouraged not over-treating and waiting 3 days of 3 or more watery diarrhea.
Even my primary doctor told me that if there are formed stools between D. episodes, to relax.
I would recommend connecting with a doctor, preferably someone with c.diff expertise (like an Infectious Disease specialist).
And I would be cautious about over-treating, as it's my understanding that a test can turn up positive long after initial treatment. That said, consult with a doctor, don't be afraid to get a second opinion, and if all factors seem to point to a serious infection, then it can be treated--but only as needed. I'm learning that more antibiotics to treat can also lead to more problems for the gut, so I only want to be treated if absolutely necessary.
I hope that your symptoms subside and that you can get the medical support/expertise that you need!
-Brandy
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
Thanks for the info Brandy. I was the same way on my initial diagnosis -- I was worried it might be c diff (was having diarrhea for 4-5 days) after I was on antibiotics 2 months prior. So I went into urgent care and they said nah you don't have c diff. I demanded to be tested. I tested positive and they were appalled and the PA immediately wrote prescription for Vanco and told me I need to start taking it right away.
So I started that afternoon, but the funny thing is, my D stopped ever since that morning I went into the urgent care. I was told on this forum that if I had cdiff and watery D as a result, it wouldn't stop after one vanco pill. So honestly I kind of regret jumping to the vanco treatment and wish I just would have waited a while as it really seemed to be self-resolving and I'm not even positive anymore if I ever had an 'active' infection, but the PA basically scared the shit out of me.
It sounds like the ID you have is good and cares about your wellbeing instead of just getting you out of his/her hair.
So I started that afternoon, but the funny thing is, my D stopped ever since that morning I went into the urgent care. I was told on this forum that if I had cdiff and watery D as a result, it wouldn't stop after one vanco pill. So honestly I kind of regret jumping to the vanco treatment and wish I just would have waited a while as it really seemed to be self-resolving and I'm not even positive anymore if I ever had an 'active' infection, but the PA basically scared the shit out of me.
It sounds like the ID you have is good and cares about your wellbeing instead of just getting you out of his/her hair.
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
You said you went camping. Maybe you picked up another infection - even a parasite. I would call your GI and ask about having a test for ova and parasites and a stool culture if the D continues.
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
If I go to doctor for “D” and get a test and still test positive for c diff, they’re going to want to treat me for it.
The past few days I've had D in the AM followed by silence the rest of the day. I know the marker is D 3 times per day for 3 days. I technically went "3 times" this morning, but it was all within 10 minutes and now it's silent. Does that count as 3 times or one episode? :P It's also been 9 days now of loose BMs. Also having some gassy/gurgling throughout day. Obviously I am terrified of c-diff so my worry is that it's that, but just lingering around and staying mild waiting to get severe...
I've ordered a GI MAP test which is a q-PCR test that does test for c-diff toxin a/b as well as many different pathogens and parasites. It will take a couple weeks from now before I get results, though. But then again, my D is not profuse and I feel fine otherwise, so I don't think I'm at risk of dehydration or anything.
The past few days I've had D in the AM followed by silence the rest of the day. I know the marker is D 3 times per day for 3 days. I technically went "3 times" this morning, but it was all within 10 minutes and now it's silent. Does that count as 3 times or one episode? :P It's also been 9 days now of loose BMs. Also having some gassy/gurgling throughout day. Obviously I am terrified of c-diff so my worry is that it's that, but just lingering around and staying mild waiting to get severe...
I've ordered a GI MAP test which is a q-PCR test that does test for c-diff toxin a/b as well as many different pathogens and parasites. It will take a couple weeks from now before I get results, though. But then again, my D is not profuse and I feel fine otherwise, so I don't think I'm at risk of dehydration or anything.
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
Went all day again without any more BM at all, but now I was trying to sleep and my stomach is wrenching around and I have these slight nausea waves. Tried to have a BM and was able to have one, wasn’t D, just small formed bits.
I dunno what’s going on. Nervous!!
I dunno what’s going on. Nervous!!
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Re: Starting to get nervous...
Just wanted to check in to see what ended up happening.
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Three Day Rule - Starting to get Nervous
Good job on sharing info. Misery does love company!
Remember , the three day rule is not medical info but a rule of thumb to help get through the wait, watch, and worry stages of c diff.
To repeat:
Have u heard of the three-day rule? I made it up many years ago. It is a "rule of thumb" that can be helpful.
The Three Day Rule: Don't be alarmed by mild symptoms unless you have three "bad" days in a row or if your symptoms become drastically worse. If this happens, call your doctor. Please remember, this is just a guideline to use when you panic after one or two bad days and think, "Oh, IT'S back." The rule doesn't always apply, but what does with C. diff. ? It's a variable and frustrating disease.
Remember , the three day rule is not medical info but a rule of thumb to help get through the wait, watch, and worry stages of c diff.
To repeat:
Have u heard of the three-day rule? I made it up many years ago. It is a "rule of thumb" that can be helpful.
The Three Day Rule: Don't be alarmed by mild symptoms unless you have three "bad" days in a row or if your symptoms become drastically worse. If this happens, call your doctor. Please remember, this is just a guideline to use when you panic after one or two bad days and think, "Oh, IT'S back." The rule doesn't always apply, but what does with C. diff. ? It's a variable and frustrating disease.
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