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Flare of Bacterial Infection?!

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Posted 7/18/2013 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I'm starting to wonder if this 'flare' is a flare-up or a different infection attacking my gut! My bloods in the hosp are all coming back perfectly healthy with no sign of anemia or inflammation! I know bloods don't always show up the inflammatory markers but I'm having such severe symptoms surely something would show up?! Could it be C Diff or something else?! I'm having such bad cramping and i dont usually have constant cramping! For those of you who have had C Diff before - how did you know it wasn't just a flare?
Posted 7/18/2013 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I just got out of the hospital with my second round of cdiff along with campylobacter. Cdiff is no joke, and since I had it before I knew I had it again. The cramping is unbearable but as far as differentiating between that and a flare I don't know. For me, I have fever, severe vomiting (even water), chills and hotflashes, and the pain. My first time though my doctor even attributed my symptoms to my flare (for a month and a half!). If your bloodwork is coming back normal, get a stool test. If it's negative you can rule it out at least.
Posted 7/18/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jane! I'm thinking I could just call my GP out to do a stool test! The cramping is very uncomfortable and constant - like period pain - but it isn't unbearable. I have no vomiting. I'm a bit hot and sweaty but we're having a heatwave at the moment and its very hot!
Posted 7/18/2013 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Seems as though something else might be going on...I agree that it's best to do stool samples asap so that you at least know.

Hope you get answers regarding your discomfort. What about rectal meds if stool samples are clear?

q
Posted 7/18/2013 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I recently finished a 3 week course of reveal meds (10% hydrocortisone colifoam enemas) and they gave me relief for the first week but then became ineffective! I'm going to ask my doc for mesalamime enemas though. I'm wondering if my GP will do a stool sample? Or would I have to go to A&E? I don't want them to admit me in A&E and pump me with steroids when I'm just looking for a stool sample. It's 9pm here in Ireland now so I'll have to wait until the morning to call my doc and see! I am prob just being paranoid! I was put on Tetralysal antibiotics at end of April for my skin but I quit them after 8 days as I was afraid they wouldn't agree with me! I don't know of my symptoms are bad enough for C Diff! Have only been to the toilet 8 times today - just liquid/b&m BMs. I have cramping but not severe! It could be something else though so I think I'll get stool sample taken tomorrow! Thanks!
Posted 7/18/2013 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I knew I had c diff because I had been feeling okay and then all of a sudden my stomach was HUGE and really hard. I had lot of bloody diarrhea, fevers, nausea, and constant cramping that never went away. it was just really different than my UC flares- the pain was different.
Posted 7/18/2013 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bananagirl! Did you get tested for it in the hosp or at your local GPs? How long did you have it before realising? I could just be bring paranoid but this flare does seem to be different than usual!
Posted 7/18/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
hey minners. well, I took my first humira dose on January 17 and I noticed my gut was huge around 2 days after that. I started getting all the other symptoms but figured it was just humira side effects. anyway, I waited to see if it would go away, but I kept getting worse and went to the ER feb 6. they diagnosed me with c diff there. I was first on flagyl for a week, then on vanco for 2 weeks, and then vanco again for a little over a month.

it's VERY hard to get rid off so definitely find out if you have it. taking immunosuppressants with it isn't good because of the infection. my doctors were really happy i didn't take the second humira doses. they said it could've killed me with how sick i was.
Posted 7/18/2013 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
My first time I was tested by my gi, and this second time in the hospital only because it was a weekend and I was so dehydrated my body was giving up on me. Even if it's not cdiff it could be another bacterial infection. I had campylobacter this time too but I don't know what it would've looked like on it's own. If I can wait for my doctors office I always do just to avoid the bills from the hospital, but if you can't wait the hospital will help you!
Posted 7/18/2013 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Great, thanks for all the info! I'm going to get my local GP to do it tomorrow for me. Just another dignity-out-the-window aspect of this disease lol!
Posted 7/18/2013 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
You're doing well if you're hanging on to a few scraps of dignity :) Good luck finding some answers!
Posted 7/19/2013 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I think an infection typically affects your blood work causing high WBC and other indicators. I've never had changes in my blood work.
Posted 7/19/2013 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
C.diff usually has a unique smell to it. I've had it before and it is nasty but it is usually easier to treat than a UC flare.

I just got a script to get tested for c.diff. I was tested a few months ago and it came back negative. I asked my doctor yesterday if there was a more accurate C.diff test than the regular one that is usually prescribed. He said there is a recent test that looks in the stool for c.diff genetic material and then inhances it, he said it is a more accurate test but not all labs preform it.
Posted 7/19/2013 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I was thinking i was having the same issue Minners. From working in the medical field for years, C-diff have a very distinct smell as well. I thought that I was able to smell it (nasty I know) but i dont have the cramping like you said and i only feel nauseas but no throwing up.
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