Hi all, I started taking Metronidazole 500mg 1 tablet 3 times daily for 2 weeks when I tested positive for C-diff on the 20th Feb. On the 1st March I had an appointment in the GI clinic. Within a few minutes of seeing them an ambulance was ordered to take me in because two Dr's could not hear any bowel sounds. It was so fast and scary, I just spent 8 days in the hospital for this and I came out on Saturday 9th. I was ok leaving and felt I was going in the right direction, I asked before I left if we could test for C-diff again but was told once the antibiotics have finished then so has the C-diff. So I didn't think any thing else about it, that was until yesterday when my stomach became distended once again, and in and out of the bathroom many times. It does not matter what I eat or drink I have this pressure feeling that just gets so much worse when I try to eat and drink. When I have a MS flare I get that pressure feeling and know it isn't normal.
I was also told today that even if I had the C-diff test done again and it was positive again, it would not make any difference because the toxin would still be in the body and would still be positive. Is this true and does anyone know how long before being tested again before it becomes a true positive again.
Thanks, Liz.
Has anyone had this happen to them when testing positive to C-diff/colitis?
Question posted by ukliz on 14 March 2013
Last updated on 22 July 2013
5 Answers
Hi Ukliz,
I said a prayer for you girl! I use to work in the Health field and every time my patients had C-dif I had to gown and wear a mask and gloves. I'm surprise you are home with this because you can transmit it to others without proper precautions. I guess they explain that to you. I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for answering, everyone had to gown up and mask for the fist 5 days I was in the hospital, after spending 8 days in this hospital which I really hate I was keen to get out as quickly as I could. Thanks for the prayer I could do with all the support I can get at the moment. have a nice weekend, Liz.
C-diff infections are treated with 2 week course of Flagyl. The problem happens when the bacteria develop resistence and breakdown the intestinal lining allowing migration of bacteria which is called toxic megacolon. The intestine becomes so distended that the blood supply is compromised and death of the colon can occur. This is what scared your doctors. The colon stops functioning. The bowel continues to fill with fluids but is unable to expel them. Abdomenal distention, pain, no bowel movements or bloody mucoid stools are prominent signs with rapid deterioration into shock. Death can occur. In the normal course of Cdiff the colitits continues for several weeks even after finishing anitbiotics. The test can remain positive for 4 weeks after treatment as the dead bacteria is evacuated over time. Your symptoms are the indicator. Can it flair back up after finishing the antibiotic, yes. You should be followed by a gastroenterologist who can monitor and treat you. He will likely want to perform a colonoscopy to evaluate your colon for problems.
Thanks for explaining it so well, I tried to get to see the Gastro Dr but when I got a call, I was told to see my PCP. I have lost 12 pounds in weight now which is a lot I think, I am so uncomfortable still today. But as you said and my PCP it is going to be weeks for this to clear up I haven't had any pain meds since the start of my hospital stay. But I am getting close to going to the ER, if I am still like this on Monday I guess I will have to go back to the PCP.
Have a good weekend, Liz.
I wouldnt wish C-diff on my worst enemy.. However I would have insisted they do another test. you were in the hospital for 8 days! You should have been clean as a whistle. But with hospitals secondary infection can be the worse. With Colitis or any of the intential issues they should checking for. My husband works in the medical field and he said it take about 30 days for C-diff to get out of your system and that is if they had you on antibiotics.
I had done the sample on the 19th Feb and on the 20th I was put on antibiotics for 2 wks, and I got admitted into the hospital on the 1st March. It took that long to get to see a GI dr, and within a couple of minutes of seeing me she sent for an ambulance to admit me for treatment. She and another Dr could not hear any bowel sounds, and I was in a fair bit of pain. I was on Dilaudid for the first 4 days and then they had to start tapering of, but that would mean I would of had to stay longer but I didn't want to so I just went cold turkey. it was very hard and I new doing it in the hospital was better then doing it at home. Two days before I left I was so uncomfortable, they did an xray and I had a partial blockage so they gave me Miralax every two hours until I went to the bathroom better. But the last 48 hrs at home I have been really uncomfortable and I am not taking or have taken any pain meds since I went cold turkey, because it is the only way I can judge if things or the pain gets worse. It is ruff, Liz.
I have cdiff reacuring I got really well then here it comes again. I went an a crackers and peanut butter. Got really feeling good. I had full meal of chicken ,peas ans applesauce. Went right through me. What next?
I have cdiff reacuring I got really well then here it comes again. I went an a crackers and peanut butter. Got really feeling good. I had full meal of chicken ,peas ans applesauce. Went right through me. What next?
You have to get rid of the toxins that is true. But I've never seen 2 weeks of flagyl get rid of it. What bothers me is you're getting worse again. That shouldn't be happening. I'd call my dr if I were you.
I have called the PCP, he said call the GI Dr's . I left a message and they said the GI Dr had spoken to the PCP this morning and they want me to see the PCP again. Doesn't make sense, if it gets much worse I will have to go to the ER, but I will go to the main hospital in stead of the one I have just spent time in. Thanks for your concern though, have a nice day Liz.
Liz- I have a bad stomach that's under control. I'm 5'2"--and several times I bloated so much that I had to wear me's x-large sweat pants. I can only imagine the pain you're going through-and I hope that you find resolution.
I can't offer anything but prayer and wishes for your stomach to get better.
Thanks, for the prayer and good wishes and hope you have a good day. Liz.
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- Side effects of Metronidazole (detailed)
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