Mae's Case History

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Mae’s Case History <BR> <BR>November 30, 2001 <BR> <BR>My Dentist for an infection put me on a very high dose of Clindamycin. After approximately 5 days I developed severe Thrush. I went to a Minor Emergency Clinic was told by the Doctor that I was on far too high a dose. He cut me back to two per day as opposed to six per day. I was given Nystatin for the thrush. After two days I discontinued the antibiotics due to a small amount of cramping and diarrhea. <BR>I should mention during this time I was caregiver to a 77-year-old woman with C-dif. During the time I was on the antibiotic she was hospitalized and in isolation for C-Dif. I was extremely careful about cleaning, gloves, gowns, etc. I discussed concerns with Nurses, the fact that I was on antibiotics and she had C-Dif. <BR> <BR>December 2001 <BR> <BR>On December 14th, I became very ill. I was extremely nauseated, abdominal cramps and some diarrhea. At this point I was looking after this lady in her home. She was discharged from hospital on December 11th. <BR>On December 15 she became very ill again, and I took her to ER where she was admitted. I did not visit her in the hospital, as I was afraid I would give her the FLU. I remember saying to my husband, I think I have the same thing as -------- has. He thought I was just tired from caring for her, and had the flu, as it was going around severely. After a few days things seemed to settle down. I thought maybe the IBS was acting up. Than about the 22nd of December I started feeling very tired, nauseated, loss of appetite and the urge to go to the bathroom, but not always able. I would be back and forth with diarrhea. I was expecting my period around the 20 of the month. I began to get what I thought were menstrual cramps, but that’s when things got really bad. <BR> <BR>December 25, 2001 <BR> <BR>I was not able to sit and have Christmas breakfast with my family. I was in bed. I had very severe stomach cramps, and no energy. I was so sick that I told my husband I would have to miss Christmas dinner at my sister’s home because I was too sick to go out. That is when we decided it was time to go to the hospital. We went to the ER. I had chills, diarrhea with blood, fever and a rapid heartbeat. It took the Doctor on call and Infectious Disease Specialist not more than 20 minutes to realize I had all the symptoms of C-Dif. They assured me that the C-Dif came from antibiotics. Highly unlikely it came from her, as I was so careful. I was admitted to hospital by an Infectious Disease Specialist and started on Flagyl immediately. Due to being on antibiotics and having been caring for a C-Dif patient. I was put on IV with potassium, gravol, and Demerol. Immediately that night after taking 2 doses of Flagyl my diarrhea became much worse, I went 28 times the following day, and never slept the night of the 25th. Unfortunately due to Christmas there was minimum staff. My family doctor was out of the country for two weeks, the Infectious Disease Specialist was off and I was assigned a Resident Doctor. I saw him once during my stay at hospital. My husband constantly told the nurses that I was worse now on the Flagyl. I was becoming weaker and weaker, and for two days I couldn’t have cared if I died. The Nurses said that it was not the Flagyl, that the C Dif had hit its peak. On December 27th the lab results came back and it was confirmed that I did have C Dif. The nurse came into my room and said “Ihave some bad news, you tested positive for C-Dif.”The Nurses were very concerned with the amount of diarrhea I was having. On December 30 the Resident doctor came and discharged me. He came about 1:00 in the afternoon. He asked me how many B.Ms I’d had today, I said at least 10, he said 10!!!!. He indicated there was really nothing more they could do for me there other than an IV. I asked if there was any other medication I could take, he said No. The other one is far too toxic. The Nurses were quite concerned about me going home given how much diarrhea I had.I was advised to follow the BRAT diet, (bananas,rice, apple sauce and toast). During this time my husband was frantically trying to contact my family doctor, hoping he was back. On the 30th he got a hold of his wife, my Dr. had just got back into the city the night before and was out doing errands. My husband told her I was in the hospital at that he would like to speak to him. I guess eventually she got in touch with my Dr. and he immediately came to the hospital. By this time I was gone and had been discharged.My Dr. than called my husband at home and advised that I should try to start eating and that the diarrhea may settle down some. It did, however I suffered the other side effects because I thought this was the only drug that would kill this ugly illness. <BR>I survived the Flagyl, which I took until January 9th, 02. I felt pretty good and thought I was on the mend. <BR>I was tested again for C-Dif on January 17th, came back negative. <BR>January 19th, I began to feel sick again, running to the bathroom, same thing mucous, scattered stools. The following day it worsened. I went to see my family Dr. on the 22nd of Jan. I am put back on flagyl. Again this is about when my period is due and I am having really bad cramps. I find it interesting that both times the symptoms are bad I am due for a period. <BR>On the 24th of January, I take in another stool specimen. Meanwhile just back on Flagyl I am weak, nauseated, cramping, headaches, dizzy and even starting to have visual problems. The diarrhea settled down but the side effects were too much. I returned to my Dr. on January 28. As soon as I told him of the symptoms he said no more Flagyl. He had the results of my most recent C-dif test, Negative. <BR>We discussed my health, any diarrhea, we decide to not go on any prescriptions and eat lots of Yogurt, and take acidophilus. If any sign of C-dif reappears I am to contact my Doctor or go directly to ER. At that point I will see a specialist. <BR> <BR>It will be interesting to see what happens when I get close to my period being due. Sounds like Amanda and I may have something in common there. I was diagnosed with severe IBS many times by many specialists over the past 15 year, and had not even heard of C-dif until the lady I cared for had it. <BR> <BR>I am hoping for the best. I will keep you all posted with any updates.