vent: hubby doesn't get it

Hey there heatmiser. I'm sorry things are sliding downhill again. But there's a possibility that it still is c-diff - my husband has also been struggling with c-diff, and his doc always says to get at least 3 negative c-diff tests before deciding firmly that it isn't c-diff. Also, we always put the sample on ice, and deliver it that way to the lab, so as to have the best chance of a valid result.

Also, our GI says that once you get past c-diff, you can have post infectious IBS. My husband got c-diff again last September (after being free of c-diff for about 9 months without vancomycin - his first crohn's flare up and c-diff infection coincided and landed him in the hospital for 45 days . .. it was terrible), and his stool sample was positive, and they put him on vanc for 2 weeks. Even after stopping the vanc, he continued to have problems on and off for weeks. He seems to have stabilized now somewhat (other than for the reactive arthritis he was diagnosed with either because of the c-diff, or crohn's or the flu shot).

Our GI says if you have more than 3 continuous days of tummy problems, then, it most likely is either c-diff or crohn's, but if it is a slip here, and it gets better, and a slip there and it gets better, it could be post infectious IBS. He said that for 3-6 months after a c-diff infections, PI IBS could play a part.

So, don't panic yet. And if it is crohn's, maybe it's time for some of the bigger meds.

((hugs)). Hope you feel better soon.

PV

heatmiser said...
Does anyone else feel like they'd rather have something curable and be done with it

Yes, definitely. Please sign me up for that trade-in program. I kinda get that "oh, you're still sick?" vibe from oblivious people.

I definitely understand what you're saying - my Crohn's diagnosis came after a month of severe abdominal pain and years of constant stomachaches and diarrhea. During the weeks right before my surprise diagnosis I was beginning to feel literally like I was just going to die because no one could figure out what was wrong with me and fix it already. I finally had exploratory surgery and only then did the surgeon see what was causing all my sickness - when I woke up from surgery and was told that I had Crohn's, I was relieved even though I didn't know a thing about the disease, because now at least I knew what it was and someone could help me. Sometimes even a problem is good news because if you know it's there, you can fix it!

I have a question though - could someone tell me what c-diff is/means? I've never heard of this before.

Thanks for the replies.

PV, I am so glad to hear this info. I do have this feeling they may be wrong. I thought the test took 48 hours to get results but they called me the next day. I did keep it on ice and got it in within the 2 hour limit they gave me. Wow, 45 days! I thought my 4 were bad.

And if the results are correct, I guess I had a flareup with the c-diff last time, and it means my cd symptoms are different than they used to be. If I never said it before, I hate this stupid disease!

Thanks for letting me vent.