Megan H.'s Case History

[kazoo22]

I began having between 5-10 loose stools per day in the beginning of 2005(I was 28 years old and 3 months pregnant with my first baby). Fortunately, I did not have any abdominal pain, nausea, bloody stools, or some of the other symptoms many people experience, although I did have lots of gas. I brought it up to my OB who didn't think much of it and told me to wait and see if I got better on my own. It did not improve so I brought it up again the following month and the OB still didn't really address the issue, so I figured maybe it was part of pregnancy and I'd just wait it out.

Nine months after the start of the symptoms I was up to about 15 loose stools per day, tons of stomach gurgling (it sounded to me like the bubbles rising in a water cooler after you get a glass of water), and plenty of gas and gas pain. I finally saw my family doc who ordered a bunch of tests and told me I had c. diff! I was totally shocked!!!

I have been a nurse in an ER for four years and have taken care of many patients with c. diff, but didn't realize I had it because my symptoms are so mild compared to what I usually see. I took a few rounds of Macrobid for UTI's during my early pregnancy, and took Clindamycin for mastitis 2 weeks after delivering my son. I believe I may have been exposed to c. diff at work and just developed an overgrowth due to all the antibiotics.

I completed a 15 day course of Flagyl (500mg twice a day) today, and have noticed some improvement. Although still having loose stools, the frequency is down to about 5 times a day and the gurgling and gas is significantly lessened. I also saw a GI specialist who ordered another screen for c. diff (even though I told her my concerns about a false negative so soon after the Flagyl). So I'm currently just waiting to see if my symptoms continue to improve or not. I will post an update on further outcomes/treatments.

Megan

[kazoo22]

Five days after the Flagyl I relapsed with symptoms the same as before, and the c. diff test was negative. Saw the GI again and was given Vanco four times a day for 14 days. Noticed some improvement on the meds, was sort of worse off the meds for a few days and then things started to improve. I am now 2 weeks post-vanco and have much less stomach/intestinal gurgling, and am using the bathroom about 5 times a day. Stools are not solid but for the most part they are not of the very loose consistency I was having before.

I have adopted a wait and see attitude for the time being, as I know many people have a new normal after c. diff. I hope that it's gone but I guess time will tell. Will update with any future developments!

Megan

[kazoo22]

It is now June of 2006 and I am pleased to say that I have not had another relapse of c. diff. I certainly am not the way I used to be in regards to bathroom habits, but I guess this is the new me!

I now usually have BM's about 2-3 times daily, mostly soft, formed stools. I am generally able to get any gas out like a normal person so am not so bloated all the time. I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my second child and am thankful for feeling better!