c-difff/colitis

[sahm1970]

Does anyone suffer from colitis as a result of c-diff?

If so I was wondering (and I know this is subjective to each person's pain tolerance) how bad the stomach cramps can be.

I think I have colitis (yet to be confirmed) but when the pain hits (under my left rib) it's out of this world. Can't eat or drink. Pain extends to back and it is so bad I don't know what to think.

FYI update: 4th time (c-diff test positive) but doctor won't put me on vanco again until I see an Infectious Disease Specialist (awaiting appt.)

Thanks for anyone's reply :-)

Also any good questions you guys can think of I should ask the IDSpecialist when I see him/her?

[Vikingjeff28]

Ok, for me, they were bad enough to hospitalize me for a total of 30 days. I was not eating, barley drinking, laid on couch with heating pad until it became unbearable. They tried oral painkillers but those made it worse, I needed IV Dilaudid and Anit-Naus drug thru IV as well. They had to put me in to hydrate me thru IV. I pray for you as mine was very bad. When I began to try and eat I went gluten free, helped a ton. I drank 5 ensures a day, brought me back from the brink. You will get better, focus on it but it hurts, I know.

[sahm1970]

Yes, I ended up in hospital as well. But only for a day. And after some IV drugs I could finally get down some crackers!

I try to meditate everyday good health and feeling better.

Thanks for your input!

Kim

[Suezer]

I do believe some people only get cramping and diarrhea, and lots of it (the D)
I did not have endless bouts of diarrhea. What I had is what you described, and very little of anything passing really. The area of the pain you describe is the transverse colon, my attacks always started with violent waves of pain under the rib cage ,all across that area. And though I would have multi trips to the restroom with urgency, it was never massive "D" as alot describe..
It was colitis, It mimicked my prior bouts of Ulcerative Colitis from 20 years ago( went into remission back in 1994 or something!) I thought it had returned at first, until I looked up side effects of the RX I was on.

The pain is very frightening and when you have the inflammation of the colon as seen with colitis,from C Diff it is quite painful!

So you are not on any medication ? How long until you can be treated, I think it is not good to wait too long.. when I relapsed the 2nd time,it was a Sunday- I had to call an on call Dr. at my regular clinic, they prescribed Vanco immediately and that Monday I was reffered out to an ID specialist.

Good luck and feel free to pm me anytime if you want to vent or have any questions!

[beth22]

You might want to ask the ID doctor about getting an ultrasound or some kind of test to view your gallbladder and pancreas, which could also cause pain, especially if you have a lot of nausea, which are symptoms of pancreatic and gall bladder problems too.

[Hua Kul]

I concur with beth22, the location of your pain could indicate pancreatitis, which could just be coincidentally occuring when you have cdiff. Not to alarm you unnecessarily, but pancreatitis is not to be taken lightly, it can be fatal in a few days. It can be caused by gallstones that get stuck and block the pancreatic duct. One characteristic is unrelenting pain, which isn't relieved no matter what position you are in standing, sitting, or laying down. Generally it can be diagnosed with a blood test, if they find certain enzymes in your blood, and you should have the ultrasound to see if you have gallstones. On another note, I am completely SHOCKED that you tested positive for cdiff but the doctor won't prescribe the antibiotic. THERE IS NOTHING ELSE A SPECIALIST CAN DO FOR YOU--YOU HAVE CDIFF!!! Unbelievable. My best wishes.

--Hua Kul

[Suezer]

I would be more convinced it is your colon, given the recent relapse ect.
I am currently experiencing the same pains ;I got 76 hours off last dose (trying to get beyond 72 and more towards an every 4th day pulse) and the stabbing knife pain under /between my ribs has started again. It was The 1st "acute"symptom I had 1 day prior to my initial episode. So when this happens I really get nervous. Its like a fullness there and when you try to breath or you sit wrong it really hurts like knives. I wish I knew what was going on in there!

I think right now dont worry about all the "what ifs" and focus on the obvious, as if it isn't already enough. If it were me, after the C Diff settles down, and you are still feeling that symptom, then consider all the other things it could be. Just my opinion, this illness is stress enough on its own..

[cindym]

I have dealt with pain and cramping for over 7 years and it is due to the colon going into spasms according to my doctors. I take xanax at the beginning of the pain starting and if I get to it in time it takes it away within 20-30 minutes. If not then I have to go ahead and take bentyl or levsin as well and it takes a while longer. Also if you have diverticuli you can be experiencing pain from that as well. It is a matter of finding out what works for you and having a doctor work with you to keep it from happening.