HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Something is not right, worried about what it could be?

Support Forums
>
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/23/2017 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
To make my long story a bit shorter. Problems began in February, I was taking Ciprofloxicin for a strange case of epididymitis. During this time, I started to notice anal itching which gradually got worse. One day I had a burning sensation while on the toilet and nothing came out except clear liquid. After that I continued to had itching every single time I went for a BM, then I started to get a sensation like something was in my anus, the size of a marble which would come after each BM and then slowly subside. During this while situation, I've had mostly semi-solid BMs. Almost feels like diarrhea to pass. They are ragged at the ends, they take a solid formation but above water they are very mushy and I keep noticing what looks like undigested particles in them. At least 9 out of 10 BMs will be this way.

Went to the GP, and they did a routine exam. Said that nothing looked abnormal with my anus, except that the skin between my buttocks looked a bit swollen. She did a brief finger exam and found no blood, but obviously she cannot tell what could be going on inside to produce a feeling of knot or ball. I was given RX strength hemorrhoid cream and astringent wipes and told to increase fiber. I guess a GP would not be able to "feel" anything like a tumor just doing a finger exam?

I'm not convinced that it's internal hemorrhoids, worried that it could be much worse. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that hemorrhoids would change the consistency of BMs. I've read that mushy/gooey stool is very bad sign of colon problems. Obviously my skin has become very irritated with constant moisture, which is probably common in most issues where there is leakage. I'm not positive, but I doubt that I could be mistaking the "knot" feeling as being internal when it could possibly external but that thought has occurred to me.

A few of the stranger aspects to all of this, is the fact that symptoms began after taking Cirpo (which I also developed a rash from taking). I wonder if the drug has had anything to do with my problem (C Diff)?? Stranger, is how I ever developed epididymal inflammation to start with, as I know I can completely rule out any STI and I've never had it before in my life. Makes me worry about the possibility of an underlying cause maybe connected to both issues. Mostly what I worry about is cancer obviously, be it testicular, colon, or something related.

Has anyone here been through a similar situation / had similar symptoms, what did you find out about it? Any feedback appreciated.

Post Edited (needsomehelp22) : 4/23/2017 5:02:34 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/24/2017 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
Let me get this straight you took cipro for c-diff that's is what you're saying.
Having almost died from c-diff 5 days in icu don't think I ever was given cipro.
Your asking a question that you should be asking a specialist that deal with this type of problem.
Your cream for hemorrhoid probably isn't working as most don't shrink them
Good luck
Posted 4/24/2017 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Needsomehelp,
I forgot to say that c-diff is the good bacteria being killed of by antibiotics,if you're doctor gave you cipro for c-diff they sure didn't do you any favors as cipro kills the good bacteria
Posted 4/24/2017 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Needsomehelp was put on Cipro for the epididmytitis the best I can tell. His concern is does he have c-diff.

Needsomehelp, I highly suggest you go to the Mayo Clinic's website & read up on the infection you were dx'd with. I use that website when needing info because it is accurate, too much garbage on the web. If you had c-diff you would be very ill believe me. However, you can ask your dr about doing a stool test for c-diff & parasites too. You can always ask your dr to refer you to a gi for a consult, however, a stool test is the place to start.

Since you had some issues with itching & a rash while on Cipro, be sure to advise any dr that you had this reaction.

Take care.
Posted 4/24/2017 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Susie
You are quite correct c-diff is nothing to fool around with and as I said cipro would be the last thing his Dr would put him on,also correct a stool test is the place to start but would you not think his Dr would have thought of this if they know of his concerns.
Needsomehelp go see your doctor and tell them what you're concerned about
Posted 4/24/2017 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
1013, I went to the Mayo's website & looked up epididmytitis & after reading about it I wonder if some of the symptoms are left over from that. The cipro could have triggered the diarrhea especially since he had a reaction to it & yes it destroys the good stuff in the gut.

C-diff I have had & like you was put in the hospital with it, also was given vanc while there & oral meds when released. I have a compromised immune system plus crohns & UC. You read it right, both lovelies, lol. My gi was floored by the UC dx. Odds of having both were so low.

Hopefully the poster will come back & see the suggestions.
Posted 4/24/2017 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Susie,
You bet the cipro contributed to his diarrhea,most if not all have that side effect
You and I can't take antibiotics without taking flagel as we can get c- diff back if the poster doesn't come back it shows me there not really interested,considered this is for there benefit
You sure have a few problems,I hope you're having more good days than bad
Jack
Posted 4/24/2017 6:21 PM (GMT 0)

straydog said...
1013, I went to the Mayo's website & looked up epididmytitis & after reading about it I wonder if some of the symptoms are left over from that. The cipro could have triggered the diarrhea especially since he had a reaction to it & yes it destroys the good stuff in the gut.

C-diff I have had & like you was put in the hospital with it, also was given vanc while there & oral meds when released. I have a compromised immune system plus crohns & UC. You read it right, both lovelies, lol. My gi was floored by the UC dx. Odds of having both were so low.

Hopefully the poster will come back & see the suggestions.

Yes that is correct, I was taking Cipro for epididymitis, was concerned that the drug could lead to c diff since it was on the warning label of possible side effects. I have heard many stories of severe adverse reactions to Cipro (some call it Cipro poisoning). There was a host of possible colon problems that I read Cipro could lead to. I only had brief diarrhea and skin rash while on it.

But since then, two months strong I've had daily rectal itching and discomfort sitting with a knot feeling which I can't pinpoint. Skin between buttocks is irritated, and dried out (from obvious leaking) and mushy BMs.

Told the doc about this all. Had the exam, her guess was hemorrhoids but couldnt see anything.

I've been on a daily probiotic for digestive balance and have seen no improvement. Taking daily fiber supplements doesn't seem to effect stool. Also taking saw palmetto for urinary health, seems to help. Tried nightly sits baths with Epsom salt, doesn't do much.

What scares me is how long this has persisted, and of course the possibility of a tumor or something. In my mind, I see something like that causing epididymitis or other random inflammation in the body to occur. Then again I had no rectal/colon issue prior to taking Cipro.
Posted 4/24/2017 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Why not request a referral to a gi for a consult. Yes, you will read or hear horror stories about Cipro or any drug for that matter. I think the Cipro was the culprit for the diarrhea only. I still think a stool sample should be done. The itching thing sounds more like a fungal type of thing. I do not think you really need to worry about a tumor, too much Dr. Google will solve nothing but increase anxiety. I will again suggest you check out the Mayo Clinic's web site for the other thing you had going on.

Take care.
Posted 4/24/2017 7:39 PM (GMT 0)

straydog said...
Why not request a referral to a gi for a consult. Yes, you will read or hear horror stories about Cipro or any drug for that matter. I think the Cipro was the culprit for the diarrhea only. I still think a stool sample should be done. The itching thing sounds more like a fungal type of thing. I do not think you really need to worry about a tumor, too much Dr. Google will solve nothing but increase anxiety. I will again suggest you check out the Mayo Clinic's web site for the other thing you had going on.

Take care.

Yes, that is the next logical step. I guess just wanted give the cream a chance to do something, but I have doubts considering all of my symptoms. I've considering buying a mixture of essential oils to apply topically for a possible fungal infection. Still, I think if all was correct in my gi tract I wouldn't be having off looking BMs for months on end. I guess my thinking is off trying to pinpoint all of my symptoms towards just a single issue.

I didn't realize until yesterday that you are supposed to insert the hemorrhoid cream. Since the box says not for internal use, yet they provide an applicator for doing just that. By internal use, I guess that they mean don't consume it? Because that's thrown me off and I've probably been doing it wrong the whole time.
Posted 4/26/2017 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Needsomehelp,
Yes you have to insert the medicine so it can get up far enough to do its job,my next suggestion is to visit a retal/ Colon doctor as they have a instruments to be able to look right up there and see what if any thing is getting on
Posted 4/28/2017 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Sure sounds like yeast overgrowth to me. Has your doc thought of that? I was on cipro for a week for diverticulitis and I developed quite a yeast infection. I had to take fluconazole for a couple weeks to get rid of it.
Cipro is a nasty drug and can cause some neuropathy........but I'm thinking you could have a yeast infection.
Posted 5/4/2017 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I went to a different doctor this time. They seemed fairly certain that my itching, redness, and knot feeling was the result of fungal overgrowth from the Cipro. Gave me a one time dose of duflican, and a ketoconazole cream to apply for one to two weeks.

It's frustrating how different the reactions are between different doctors. On the one hand, the first doctor never even mentioned the possibility of fungus to me, and after finding no evidence of hemorrhoids by exam, still prescribed me hemorrhoid cream. This doctor, after hearing my story took a quick look and stated with confidence that it's a fungal infection.

Who do you trust? It's hard to say. They could still both be wrong.
Posted 5/5/2017 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Antibiotics are big culprits for yeast infections. Do what the 2nd dr just told you plus eat some yogurt. Certain antibiotics give me horrible yeast infections & Diflucan clears it up.
Posted 5/5/2017 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

straydog said...
Antibiotics are big culprits for yeast infections. Do what the 2nd dr just told you plus eat some yogurt. Certain antibiotics give me horrible yeast infections & Diflucan clears it up.

A couple of questions I have that I forgot to ask the doctor. Should I stop using the hemorrhoid cream now, or does it matter? Also, do you think I can use the applicator that came with the hemorrhoid cream to apply the anti-fungal, or should it only be applied on the surface?
Posted 5/6/2017 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
If you don't have hemmies I see no point in using it. Call your pharmacist & ask about the anti-fungal. You should have received a print out with it & had instructions on how to apply.
Posted 5/7/2017 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I agree..........I'm a retired medical professional and I'm in total disbelief of how bad so many doctors are these days. I would have guessed yeast immediately. As I said above, when I had cipro for diverticulitis, I had to take 2 solid weeks of a higher dose of fluconazole (generic diflucan) in order to get rid of oral thrush. I'm not sure one dose of it would help you........so after a week of having your one dose........and you're still having itching......call the doc and insist on more diflucan.
Yeast in some of us can also be worsened by eating too many carbs. Good luck with your treatment and I hope you feel better soon. And I wouldn't return to the first doc.
Hemorrhoids can definitely cause itching, but if your doc didn't find any of them with a finger exam........then I, too, question why she ordered the cream.
Hmmm....keep searching for a decent doc... but I know they're hard to find.
Posted 5/8/2017 4:05 PM (GMT 0)

CathyA said...
Yes, I agree..........I'm a retired medical professional and I'm in total disbelief of how bad so many doctors are these days. I would have guessed yeast immediately. As I said above, when I had cipro for diverticulitis, I had to take 2 solid weeks of a higher dose of fluconazole (generic diflucan) in order to get rid of oral thrush. I'm not sure one dose of it would help you........so after a week of having your one dose........and you're still having itching......call the doc and insist on more diflucan.
Yeast in some of us can also be worsened by eating too many carbs. Good luck with your treatment and I hope you feel better soon. And I wouldn't return to the first doc.
Hemorrhoids can definitely cause itching, but if your doc didn't find any of them with a finger exam........then I, too, question why she ordered the cream.
Hmmm....keep searching for a decent doc... but I know they're hard to find.

My itching has become a lot more mild, not completely gone, but I'm still feeling plenty of irritation when I sit. The doctor said it was the inflammation between folds of skin causing that. I took the 150mg one time pill, but I'm also using a topical cream. I expected it all would be knocked out by now, I still have a few days to go, but it's holding on.

I read something online about how these infections can build a "bio-film" on the skin to protect themselves and effectively become immune to anti-fungal meds. They suggest tea tree, lemongrass, and oregano oils would break down this film and clear out the infection. I might have to try that.

Post Edited (needsomehelp22) : 5/8/2017 6:26:49 PM (GMT-6)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply