C diff infection after major colon resection

[katie113]

My son is 26 years old.  Just had his first surgery for crohns disease....a very complicated bowel resection.  He was diagnosed with C. Diff a few days after surgery.  Is this going to complicate his recovery and is this something he is going to have to worry about the rest of his life?  They put him on Flagyl for it, but he has taken Flagyl for his crohns disease in the last three months.   I am very concerned that this drug is not going to work or he is going to have to take it for several months.  Could this result in him having further surgery?  He doesn't have much colon left to work with.  I am very concerned and afraid for him.  Any info would be appreciated.  The hospital seems to be taking the whole thing very lightly saying he will recover after treatment with Flagyl and this occurs a lot after bowel surgery.   He has been through so much already.  What precautions do I have to take at home with him?   Like I mentioned earlier, I am very afraid and upset about the whole thing.  

[katie113]

Thanks so much for the information.  I have been cleaning everything down with bleach since my son got home from the hospital today. I am beginning to think hospitals are worse these days at giving you bugs instead of helping you with them!  I work for a major reaseach univeristy so I do have access to an Infectious Disease doc to consult.  I think this is why I am so upset about this...because i already know how bad things could possibly get.  Thank you all again!

[girlvet]

Hi Katie - CalGal is right, the support  group is a wonderful place to find information and ask questions from other sufferers.  Precautions at home, from what I learned would be-

clean with a 1 part bleach/9 parts watere solution (toilets etc) - bleach is really the only way to kill any shed spores.  Everybody wash their hands often - soap and water.  Hand gels dont kill spores. You may wanna "glove up" as well if you come into contact with any items that may hang on to a spore (his laundry etc).   My  husband and I shared a bathroom during my illness and he didnt contact it.

Also, just my opinion - but perhaps you could ask his doctor about Vancomycin.  Its the next in line med if the Flagyl doesnt work.  Many people take it in addition to Flagyl as well.  I would also follow CalGals suggestion of an ID Doc - as your son is battling another serious ailment in addition to C Diff - sometimes non-specialists simply arent aware of the latest C Diff developments -  and its on the rise.  Another habit I picked up was to ask any doc or nurse during my check-ups if they washed their hands.  You would be amazed at how many dont.  It doesnt exactly endear you to them, but some will laugh - and totally understand.  Your son doesnt need anymore "cooties".  Best of luck to you both - hoping he is on the road to recovery.

[CalGal]

Katie, ask for (demand) a consult with an infectious disease doc. C. diff infections can be very difficult to handle/get rid of in people without any form of IBD and for those with IBD C. diff may, in some cases, be even worse. You're right to want to very best care for your son and that would be having him checked/followed by an ID doc.

You can get a lot of good information on C. diff in general at cdiffsupport.org. I don't know if there are a lot of people there with any form of IBDs, but there are loads of people who have first-hand experience with C. diff.

Another good person on this board to talk with is girlvet as she's been through C. diff. Check some of those posts.