Question for people who've had recurrent/repeat episodes of C.Diff. infection that didn't clear up with one course of treatment. Did you develop C.Diff. months/years after you were over it, weeks AFTER a colonoscopy? Think I have.
Recently read that one risk factor for getting recurrent C.Diff. infection is impaired colonic resistance from bowel evac preparation for colonoscopy test. The good-bad bacteria balance in people prone to C.Diff. infection gets out of wack from the prep, just like it can by taking certain antibiotics.
Had C.Diff. and couple of rounds of treatment (Oct. 2008-Jan. 2009), and my Mom had it from Aug. 2008-April 2009), but never heard about this before.
Had colonoscopy June 7 for rectal bleeding. About 6 weeks after the colonoscopy (which came back 100% normal), passed mucus twice and have had diarrhea and liquid stools since. Yesterday, rapid C. Diff. stool test came back negative. Still, I think I have C. Diff.---albeit milder case than before. (False negative rate with rapid tests is high.)
It baffles me. Haven't been on antibiotics (like the first time) and I haven't been exposed to C.Diff. spores, either (to my knowledge), which was the case when I was helping Mom. Maybe the colonoscopy prep. threw my system off and I was exposed to bacteria afterwards. (My bad--been doing a lot of gardening this summer without wearing gloves. Soil carries C. Diff. bacteria!)
Since symptoms started about 2 1/2 weeks ago, have been taking more Florastor (went from 1 pill a day to 2) and upped the probiotics to 2-3 pills a day, instead of 1 pill a day. Also upped the yogurt and kefir drink from once daily to 3 times/day each.
NOT suggesting people shouldn't have colonoscopies. Just cautioning that for those with past C.Diff. infection(s), it's a risk.
Wish I knew; would've upped probiotics, kefir, etc. starting weeks before after the colonoscopy. Suspect my doctors are not aware of risk.
----Yvette