Gastroenterologist or Infectious Disease Specialist

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Avalon18
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Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2020 11:33 pm

Gastroenterologist or Infectious Disease Specialist

Postby Avalon18 » Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:01 pm

I’m beginning to have problems with the gastroenterologist who has been treating me for c. diff. I’ve had 2 courses of Vancomycin, a Zinplava infusion, and am about to finish Dificid. I haven’t improved much; very limited diarrhea but 5-6 stools per day. I also have dicyclomine, but that does little. The gastroenterologist noted something about a potential colonoscopy yesterday. I’m not willing to do that right now. My gastroenterologist has never been a good communicator, and his office is often non-responsive.

I have been thinking about my treatment thus far, and since my diarrhea has been relatively limited throughout this odyssey - although I’ve had some - I’m wondering whether what I have is really IBS. My initial symptoms were pain, gas, occasional diarrhea, mucous, and very frequent stools. I have been trying to get a copy of my stool sample report, and from what I’ve been told, it simply says c. diff was detected. It isn’t specific regarding toxin or other results. I think it was a PCR GI panel. I may have c. diff in my gut, but perhaps something else is going on, like IBS.

I’m considering seeing an infectious disease specialist instead, or at least for another opinion. Have others been treated by infectious disease specialists? Opinions?

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

Re: Gastroenterologist or Infectious Disease Specialist

Postby NanciT » Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:19 pm

Are you having D 5-6 times per day? Or is it sometimes D, loose, regular? Is everyday 5-6? I ask because Post IBS can be all over the place. You have had several treatments. I needed a Dificid taper , I failed the 10 days. I am 3 months out and still things are all over, some days are fine and others are not.
I have not tested. I have had several GI's when I first had CDIFF in 2015. Now I have an ID who is seems to know the best treatment but not easy to respond or get an appt.
If you feel the D is consistent, I would get another opinion and I would see an ID.

Take Care

NanciT

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

Re: Gastroenterologist or Infectious Disease Specialist

Postby roy » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:13 pm

C.diff is the name of the bacteria.
It's common and testing positive is not a disease.
C.diff colitis is the disease and occurs if your body reacts to c.diff bacteria ( many/most do not react).
If you dont have frequent diarrhea and your ongoing treatment is just because of test results it's a good idea to seek another Dr!
Quite possibly the side effects of all those meds might be causing more problems that they are curing.

beth22
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Gastroenterologist or Infectious Disease Specialist

Postby beth22 » Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:41 pm

All the medication does have its effects. I think all the vanco they gave me irritated my digestive tract more than the c difficile.


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