OK, I had a discussion with myself to deal with one thing at a time...

that's great news. I am the same way, I stress about every little thing. yesterday I was so stressed over a bit of gas, I thought things were going downhill for sure, today, I am doing much better. I think we have to take these things one day at a time and realize every one deals with unpleasant symptoms here and there, even people who don't have UC. I hope the enemas help you. Your husband shouldn't make you feel like it's gross to use an enema, it's really not a huge deal. It's probably less gross than he imagines, no one would even know what you were doing if you didn't tell them. I've used these things in front of my finance and he had no idea what I did. He is clueless...

Max

I think your GI is correct to treat C. diff. pro-actively, rather than having it come back worse later. Good that you are taking VSL#3 at the same time. The jury is out whether antibiotics cause UC because in some people it can make them better (Babeinthewoods?).

I had a very brief let-up of symptoms probably due to antibiotics a couple years ago. Alas it didn't last but I also was not taking probiotics at the time, that would've helped I think.

What is the new way you are dealing with the enemas? I try every night -- half the time it is leaking ot as soon as I get it in!!

Glad to hear you are doing better!

katkat...sounds like a great plan! You're dealing with much more than many of us....but the only thing you can do is deal with each thing individually and all at the same time...this and that for whatever..etc.

What's your trick for the enemas. I asked you in journey's thread about the shape of the bottle...etc. but answer me here.

As well, i asked in other posts who's the doctor you'll be visiting here in wpg?

q

Hi guys
My hubby knows I use them and that they were giving me a difficult time before and is okay as long as it helps me. The only part he said he knows he couldn't do is do that for me, that's why he said he'd probably throw up. He's really squeamish. Go figure, some guys think they can do everything except stuff like that.

When I started the antibiotics which was Jan 14.11, took the morning dose (4 pills) at about 9:30-10 a.m., requires pills to be taken on an empty stomach then by lunch, my guts felt like they really tightened up, probably more like dried up, it was a strange feeling, and I was extremely hungry, more hungry than having a late breakfast. My pains had gone away, the burning gnawing back pain, the UC pain left side and my burping had all disappeared and I could actually breathe normal, big breaths. It felt really good. I was actually amazed and mentioned that to my coworker except for the minor burping and mild heartburn when the prevacid pill started to wear off just shortly before taking the evening dose. I felt like this for the next two days. then Sunday, things started feeling a bit more different. I started to feel like I was bloating inside but you couldn't tell from looking on the outside. Then the pain around the rib area centre and right started showing up. Then the burning sharp little pains Tuesday evenings were awful. Like someone had a little sharp instrument and was jabbing under my right ribs now and then. It would take my breath away, then I had to walk, as though walking would remove me from the pain but of course it didn't. As I walked it helped a little bit each time i burped, no farting of course which probably would have helped more if it happened. I find that when I'm in a flare I rarely do that. strange. but still flaring on these antibiotics since Sunday Jan 16.11

Then it continued like that for Wednesday and Thursday. I couldn't finish the last evening dose as I thought I was truly going to explode inside. And I could literally feel myself drying out inside and it felt tight inside. My kidneys felt like they were drying up and it felt at times like I was going to start a bladder infection or something. I would have a minor twinge now and then when I had to go pee. Oh yes, and the indigestion returned mildly Monday and then from Tuesday on, it was indigestion burning. Barely any burping but when I did go, it was mostly watery peanut butter color and it would burn my butt. Right until Friday afternoon, I have to do a stool for the c-diff testing, probably do that tomorrow, was supposed to do it for Friday but didn't have the energy to pick up the kit. But no really major butt burn now.

Now I'll deal with each item as it comes up, if c-diff happens (probably will) have to do the flagyl (metronidazole) that helped clear it up last time. But I can't remember what they initially started me off with as I was out of it on morphine for a week in 2004 because of the gut spasms. Oh it was bad, before going to the hospital, I fainted a few times and it was strange because each time I fainted, I would be in a completely white area (not sure if it was a room) and it was so calm in there, no echo, but pure softness. I remember starting to get angry because if this was heaven, was this it, I expected more? But then I'd come to again. Anyhoo, I did go home with the flagyl. I didn't experience anything significant with them, can't really remember because I was also on steroids, those alone were keeping me busy, let me tell you! But if I do have to, I will definitely let you know how it is to be on the flagyl. Almost forgot, I am still taking bio-k yogurt and was while on the antibiotics. I just purchased renew life ultimate flora critical care 50 billion haven't tried it yet though. I do note on the warning on the box: do not use if you are experiencing nausea, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea or severe abdominal pain. so I'm a bit hesitant. do all capsule probiotics have same warning?

quincy: dr moffat. I don't know anything about him/her, or even if m/f. are you familiar with or know something of?

The enema bottle shape in the usual round 3 inch. tuby shape, flat bottom with about a 2 inch straight tip with rounded straight end, quite uncomfortable i find but what else to work with. My method similar to another thread posted a while ago by (not sure I can leave this post without searching the name again) but goes like this. back onto the floor, feet on the bed or couch (less height difference) like I'm going to arch my back, hold myself up that way, then put the darn enema in slowly, (although I still am fighting with the darn air issue, have to figure that one out yet) and then I sort of stay in that position for at least 2 - 3 minutes. Let gravity do its stuff and you can feel the liquid going through. I don't warm it or anything, yes, it's a bit cool but at least I can feel it going through where it needs to go. then I go onto the bed and try as heck to hold it in all night but if can't at least 10 to 15 minutes. This was last night of course, hoping it gets better next few times. Yes, it's a bit of art, isn't it, to get it juuust right?

Sorry for the long boring story, but thought I'd get it out before I forget. Good evening, I'm off to do what I have to do. Yuck....p.s., i'll change my signature tomorrow.

Just an update on my situation, I have chosen to stop Flagyl because after 5 days of treatment I saw no improvement in my symptoms (eg. stool continued to remain unformed). Furthermore I had another stool test done during that time which came back as negative for C.Diff toxins and culture.

In addition to that I saw worsening of my symptoms: increased bloating and cramping, increased abdominal/rectal pain, increased urgency, increased feeling of incomplete bowel emptying and exacerbation of proctitis.

I am really angry at my GI now... caused me to take antibiotics when I really wasn't having drastic symptoms in the first place. I just hope the damage the antibiotic has done can be repaired soon. Will never trust him again.

I am so sorry you are feeling so ill katkat. Is the morphine helping? How did you get stones in your gall bladder?

I will be submitting another stool sample tmr to get another diagnosis on my possible C.Diff. I called my GI today and he was happy for me to stop the antibiotics as he said I hadn't shown any improvement and also two stool tests had said I was C.Diff free (as opposed to the one stool test done by him saying I was positive for C.Diff). I have decided to continue with the antibiotics for 2 more days to ensure any potential C.Diff is gone. After which I'll pummel my gut hard with probiotics to restore any lost good bacteria.

I definitely won't trust doctors as much anymore after this experience.

Hi Babeinthewoods. The problem is I am not certain whether I have C.Diff or not. I am submitting another stool test tomorrow and hopefully will get the results by the end of the week. I have one more day of Flagyl then I would have completed a 7 day course so I'll probably just finish off the course and see what happens. After telling my GI of my increased frequency to the loo he advised just taking a 7 day course instead of the original 14 day course he prescribed initially. He seemed indifferent whether I stopped the Flagyl today or stopped it after 7 days as he said it will make little difference.

Thanks for your advice. I'll update how things are going if I notice any change.

I think labs should find a more accurate method to test for C.Diff. The fact that I got conflicting results in 3 stool tests would indicate that the tests we currently have are useless.

It is tricky to deal with multiple problems. I just got my course of blood thinner reduced by 67% which although it will not be halted for another 2 months it lowers my concern regarding how on earth I would stop one of my really bloody flares if it started.

Now I am pretty much just dealing with UC and it seems to have evolved again to where I do not need a long list of meds, just my sulfasalazine - will see how it goes and keep everything else at the ready.