Heidi's case

[Heidi]

I am 26 years old. I live Pennsylvania (Poconos) I was diagnosed with C. Diff almost two weeks ago.

My whole saga began this past summer. I went on a 10-day Caribbean cruise with my boyfriend and his family. On the last day of the cruise (July 2nd) I was having horrible pain in a tooth that had previously had a root canal. I visited the ship doctor (from Australia!) and she prescribed Amoxicillin, Flagyl, and pain meds. As soon as I got home I made an appointment with my dentist and I was told I would have to see a root canal specialist. He put me on 10 days of Clindamyacin to clear up the infection for then. The pain went away, but I still had to have the root canal redone. I had the root canal redone on August 2nd and the endodontist put me on Clindamyacin again for 10 days.

During the next few weeks I had several bouts of watery diarrhea but it was here and there. I made an appointment with my primary physician. He ordered a stool sample and it came back negative. Since I was still having bouts of diarrhea he referred me to a GI specialist. (Keep in mind…I'm a teacher and during all of this I was starting school for a new school year in a brand new building and grad class at night.)

I made an appointment with the GI doctor for the second week in September (right after my birthday). He ordered more stool samples, said to eat a low fiber diet, scheduled a colonoscopy, and to come back in 4-6 weeks. Again, the tests showed nothing yet I was still having the symptoms. The next week was rough. I would have to leave my classroom and practically run to the bathroom. It was so embarrassing. I would take Imodium (at the advice of my doctor) and it would stop me up for a day or so and then I would be right back where I started. Two weeks after I was at my first GI specialist appt. I was feeling very sick (dehydrated, watery diarrhea 10-15 times a day, nausea, feverish (but no actual fever, and very lethargic). So, I made and appointment with the physicians assistant. While telling my symptoms I began to cry because I was so upset and frustrated that I was not getting better at all. Again, they ordered blood tests. They bumped my colonoscopy up to the next day and gave me a prescription for Compazine (nausea). So, not only was I feeling sick to begin with but now I had to prep for a colonoscopy…I guess I was used to it anyway!

The colonoscopy showed that I had colitis or ulcers in my colon/large intestine. I wish the doctor would have waited a little longer to talk to me about the procedure b/c I was still really groggy. He put me on Asacol (2, 3 x a day) and Rowasa enemas (once a day at night). Great….not only am I feeling sick because everything is coming right out of me, but now I have to put medicine in me! The first night I had to do the enema was very upsetting, but after that it was like a piece of cake (even though I hate it). I wasn’t getting better very quickly. My sister came up one day to make me chicken soup and for moral support and my mom came up for two days to keep me company. I was still very weak but felt a little bit better. I had a follow-up appointment the next week. The GI specialist explained colitis and stated that he thought I may have Crohn’s disease because the ulcers were scattered amongst my colon/large intestine. He ordered an upper GI barium x-ray to make sure. (Because of what happens later I never had it done).

I went back to work the next week and wasn’t feeling that great. But, I made it through the week. But once again, I felt sick the next week and had to leave work early on a Tuesday and was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. When I was admitted they took my weight and I’ve lost a total of 10 pounds…off my already small 5’4” frame of 120 pounds. While I was in the hospital I was put on an IV with Cipro and Flagyl. The first night I was asked to give a stool sample and it came back positive for C-Diff. It was a little embarrassing that the nurses and hospital employees had to wear yellow gowns, gloves, and masks to come near me! I was starting to feel a little better after they let me eat dinner on the 2nd night in the hospital. I was released on Friday afternoon and told to eliminate dairy from my diet. I was feeling better over the weekend, but I still felt very weak.

I returned to work on Monday. My daily medicines were 6 Asacol, 2 HSO Probiotics, 1 Calcium, and 1 Flagyl in the morning. I Flagyl and 2 HSO Probiotics in the afternoon, and the same morning meds at night…not to mention the Rowasa enema every other night. I was feeling much better by the end of the week, but not 100%. I went a little overboard on Sunday since I thought I was better. I had an Egg McMuffin for breakfast, an Arby’s sandwich and fries for lunch, and PB & J for dinner.

I finished my last Flagyl (10 days) on Monday morning. By early evening on Monday I was feeling sick again…feverish, upset stomach, nausea. I had two bouts of diarrhea (not very watery, but not formed). That night I had to go to my grad class and give a presentation. Needless to say I probably didn’t do my best.

I woke up today not feeling that great. I feel nauseous, and I have an upset stomach. I’ve had two BM’s today, but they weren’t as good as they have been. I have my follow-up dr’s appointment today, so we’ll see what he says. What I want to know is…what is it? Colitis, Crohn’s disease, or C-Diff that is causing all the problems and making me sick. Do I even have colitis/Crohn’s or has it been the C-Diff all along? Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I’m sick of being sick and frustrated! As soon as I think I’m getting better, I feel bad again. I just keep hoping that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone keeps telling me to be positive, but it's really hard when I keep feeling sick.

I can be contacted at hfeulmer@yahoo.com

[Heidi]

I got home from work today and after having a little sore throat all day I looked at it with a flash light and there's a long white blister looking thing down the side of my throat. Is it related to the C. Diff?

I had my follow up appointment and the GI doctor left everything as is and ordered a new stool sample to see if the C. DIff is gone. DOesn't know if the colitis/Crohn's is antibiotic related yet, but hopefully it is.

I got to see my primary doctor as well and he swabbed my throat for a culture and tried scraping it off...no luck. Going to wait until the culture comes back before taking any meds/antibiotics. I'm scared to take any kind of antibiotics now. Very afraid of getting really sick again.

[Heidi]

I stayed home the next day (Wednesday 10/19) because I was starting ot feel worse. Then, thursday I was able to get into the doctor. They said the C. Diff and the throat culture were negative. I honestly feel that the C. Diff is still in me. My primary care physician mentioned putting me back into the hospital. I can't keep doing this! So, they put me on another round of Flagyl and added Prednisone. They said they're treating me as having having inflammatory bowel disease now. I just want to get better. I have to go back to the doctor on Monday (today is Friday) and see what they have to say before I can go back to work. Not to mention now I have to miss my Niece's/goddaughter's birthday party this weekend. I'm so sick of sitting around not feeling well and having to miss everything.

[Heidi]

I saw my GI doctor today and he took me off the Flagyl. He said that the C Diff test was negative and I should be fine without it. He kept me on the prednisone. Has me taking 30 mg once a day. I have to get the upper GI x-ray follow through to see if it is Crohn's. My head is spinning with colitis, crohn's, and C. Diff. I just want to know exactly what it is and how to be back to 100%. I took 2 prednisone (10mg) today and I felt racy about 2 hours afterward. I guess my body just has to get used to taking that much at once. I took it right after I ate too. He told me to eat everything b/c I need to get the nutrients to help gain the weight back. He said I should be getting much better within the next few days and to call him next Monday. So...we'll see. I hope I make it!

[Heidi]

Today is Wednesday and I saw the doctor on Monday. I am feeling much better that's for sure! I'm back to work and am only haveing 3-4 "almost" normal BM's. I'm eating as much as I can (within some limits) to get my nutrition and hopefully some weight back. I am getting the upper GI small bowel follow through test done next Friday to determine if it is Crohn's. My GI doctor said that the C. DIff could have been caused from the colitis or it could have been a false/positive test for the C. Diff.
I just hope the days keep getting better as they go on...I'm trying not to over do myself too much but it's hard when you're feeling a lot better even though not 100%!
Wish me luck!