C. Dif Diagnosis...now what?

[devgarsmom]

Hello! Turned 40 & am losing my mind...!  I started getting stomach pains, etc. & ended up at doc.  Ends up I have diverticulitis (found by ct scan) & another test indicated I have c. dif.  I feel like my colon is 'lumpy' or something & gasy & I also am having acid reflux along with it.  I'm starting to get scared that I have so much wrong with me at the same time.  My diarrhea has slowed way down now that I'm on day 3 of antibiotics.  I feel like I'm going to die though!  Will this flagyl help my c. dif.?  Just looking for some kind of encouragement because I'm beginning to get a bit 'freaked out'.  Thanks so much in advance!  

[CalGal]

First thing is to calm down and relax. You're not going to do yourself or anyone else any good if you spin out.

C. diff is an unfortunate consequence of taking antibiotics and most - docs and the general public - doesn't know about it, which is both good and bad. It scares the bejeezus out of lay people when they find out. But what is more worrisome is that many doc's don't have a clue.

When you go to the cdiffsupport website, make sure you read up on the use of probiotics and do, do, do consider their use. They make help you one heck of a lot especially since you're on more antibiotics. They should be taken at least 2 hours after taking the antibiotics - and take them religiously for many, many months after the C. diff is cleared.

I don't mean to frighten you, but if your doc didn't discuss the fact that C. diff can be 'catching', again check the website for info. And then call your doc and talk to him or her about that. With kids around you've got to be triple cautious with hygiene/washing/cleanliness, etc.

[devgarsmom]

OK...thank you.  I'm from a small town so I'll have to check into that, not quite sure what kind of doctor that is.  I guess I'm just overwhelmed by all of this happening so fast.  Just to put a 'cherry on top', I've realized my nose is swollen on both sides so I must have another sinus infection.  Which is how I got c. dif. - antibiotics!!!!!!  Now I'm COMPLETELY scared.  I'm only on day 4 of flagyl (feeling much better, but will visit your suggested website) & I don't know what to do AGAIN!!  I guess I'll wait & talk to the surgeon on Monday who I have a scheduled colonoscopy with & go from there.

I think I just want to be 39 again...I'm just scared for my kids sakes =(

Thanks you for taking time out to discuss this with me, I've never known anyone to have c. dif. before!

[CalGal]

Devgarsmom, C. diff can be a very difficult problem. If you're not working with an infectious disease doc for this condition, please consider it. Also check with those on www.cdiffsupport.org for more information. Flagyl may or may not be the best treatment for C. diff depending on what strain you're dealing with.

I'd love to give you encourangement but the very best way to encourage is to make sure you get adequate treatment for both conditions and the very best way to treat C. diff. is by being armed with all the facts and information.