Struggling with fatigue and weakness

[JenC]

Hi everyone - I'm new to the group but have been lurking for about a year. I'm 44 year old female, healthy and active before infection.

A year ago I was hospitalized with a staph infection and sepsis. I was treated with IV antibiotics and after 2 days sent on my way with oral antibiotics. I felt weak and my digestion wasn't right. About 3 weeks later I developed Cdiff, but didn't know it at the time. I would categorize it as severe. It took some time and a colonoscopy to get tested for Cdiff and it came back positive. I completed 1 round of 14 days Vanco with no change, another round of the same but higher dose, with no change, then a round of Dificid and a test showed negative. I didn't feel better at all. Throughout this time I struggled with exteme fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and digestive issues. After a follow up colonoscopy to rule out ulcerative colitis (that was my initial diagnosis before the positive Cdiff) I tried to tell my doctor about my struggles. He literally said "push yourself, you'll be surprised!" over his shoulder as he left the room.

I continued to go downhill and became bed bound. This is 3 months past negative Cdiff test. I saw my GP (who is a nurse practitioner) and asked her to do bloodwork. She found I was iron deficient, but I couldn't handle a supplement (gave me chest pains). She recommended a plant-based supplement called Blood Builder. I've been on that since Dec. 2020 and have made slow but steady progress. I returned to work half time in March and Full time in May. I've continued to try to track down help through my GP and the Gastro clinic that treated me, but there have been no answers and no follow-up. Most recently the Gastro clinic (I seem to talk to a different person every time I call) ordered a celiac test and thyroid test. Both came back normal, but the blood draw itself put me back in bed for a few days with fatigue.

In the appointment she recommended I try to go gluten free. I attempted that over the past week but it has upset the very tenuous balance I have and I became very weak and shaky, plus extremely hungry all the time. I have a very limited list of foods I can tolerate and cutting out foods was a bad idea. I started losing weight at an alarming rate and decided to go back to eating gluten over the past 2 days. I haven't been able to work since then.

My intuition tells me I'm not absorbing the nutrients I need, but that suggestion was dismissed at my last appointment as taking place in the small intestine, so that can't be my problem. It's been 9 months since my negative Cdiff test. Should it be taking this long for my gut to heal? Should I try to find a new doctor or perhaps a nutritionist? Anyone experience anything similar? Your advice is appreciated.

[beth22]

Hi JenC and welcome to the site. You can find more information for new posters in the first forum.

I had SIBO after c difficile and lost a lot of weight too and had a lot of food intolerances. There is a breath test that can detect that. It is an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine and people who have that do not absorb nutrients well and have many of your symptoms. I saw a special GI who is a motility specialist. Is there a teaching hospital near where you live? Perhaps you could find a specialist there who is better informed about GI issues. You might also talk to your doctor about doing some type of scan - either ultrasound, CT or MRI of your abdominal region. I wound up with pancreatitis after c diff and that can also give symptoms. There is a blood test for that.

I would also ask about some type of medication that might help you. Some people have been helped by EnteraGam, which is actually a medical food for IBS-D and there is cholestyramine, which is a powder that you mix with water and it helps to bind up toxins. It is actually used for high cholesterol. There are also anti-spasmodics, etc. But, I would search out a good GI for a consult, even if you have to travel a bit.

[JenC]

Thank you, this is all very good information!

[georgina]

You have lost a lot of muscle because of the bad nutrient absorbtion. Regaining muscle mass is very important and it is done only if you have enough protein in your diet , carbs and fats won't help. Do not hold back on white meat ,eggs , fish ,even small amounts of butter ,they are easy to digest and will also help you gain more strength . You can also try a protein shake formula (not the casein or whey) something hemp based that may be gentle on your system which contains lots of minerals as well .

[Bobbie]

JenC,
Anither way of absorbing nutrients is using supplemental drinks. Ensure Plus - vanilla, very cold - helped me. Many different varieties now. Boast is another one but lots sweeter.

[JenC]

Ok thank you both for the info.