Question-------------------------
Followup To d requested a colonoscopy but my family Dr. said there was no need and referred me to a GI specialist. Who knows when I'll get that appointment. Also if I "pull in" my gut muscles, it really hurts, like a bruised feeling. Can this all be from the C-Diff.? My major fears are ishcemic bowel and dying from this infection. Can you please offer some advice on this pain? My abdomen is so sore when I push on it,and this just can't be normal. Ultrasound reveals nothing. I am 27, slender, female, non-smoker. Please help.
Answer -
Hi Christy,
How did you get the C Diff? Flagyl is the treatment of choice for this and it can take up to 10-14 days to completely clear it. You also may have irritable bowel disease which can account for the mucousy stool and abdominal pain.
I would make a concerted effort to take fiber regularly (Benifiber is good) and drink lots of water. I don't think that you have ischemic bowel disease based on your symptoms. The GI doctor might prescribe some other medicines to help with the pain and diarrhea.
Hi, I hope I'm posting this follow-up properly..
Thank you for answering my question so quickly. I am unsure how I got the C Diff in the first place, as I was not in hospital, but I suppose I have been on antibiotics over the last 6 months...but I couldn't find any corresponding times that made sense as far as when I got sick. I have heard of a more "violent" strain of C.Diff in Canada, which is where I'm living, where people have died from this. I'm concerned that my intestines are so damaged from this, and that's why they're hurting all the time. I hate to repeat myself when you've already answered me, but are you reasonably sure (like nearly 100%!) that in my case, ischemic bowel is not a possibility? I've been scaring myself looking it up online and it says that so many cases get misdiagnosed until the bowel is irreparible and the patient dies. Sorry for the paranoia...Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it.
AnswerHi Christy,
No need to apologize. I understand your fear and long term antibiotic treatment can cause C Diff over growth. Ischemic bowel disease usually causes severe crampy abdominal pain to the point of being unbearable and there is usually profuse bleeding from the colon. Your presentation does not sound like that BUT I am not in front of you and can't examine you to decide for myself. I suppose you could always present yourself to an emergency room and let them work you up with labs and an abdominal CT scan. It may seem extreme, but with the system of medical care in Canada (one to which we are heading in the US I fear) that may be a way to bypass the system. If you feel that you can't wait and you aren't getting satisfaction, a little "cheating" can go a long way. It's your call however.
