C.difficile - Interstitial Cystitis Network Support Forum

louise · 04-24-2005, 07:30 AM

Hi,

While taking antibiotics has anyone else developed the bacterial infection
C.DIFFICILE? I have had it twice before; the last time was in 2002 and I was very ill with it having to be hospitalized for ten days. In the past five months, I have had two Botox treatments which seemed to cause me some urinary retention which then led to having more UTIs which led to the vicious cycle of taking antibiotics again. After my terrible experience in 2002, I swore I would never take another antibiotic again - and I didn't for the first couple of years. But with what has been going on recently is a whole new ball of wax!! I know a lot of you gals can appreciate what it is like to have one UTI after another on top of having IC - there is no word to describe the pain. So of course I took a few courses of antibiotics and they did clear the infection - for a while.

Then when I went for my second Botox treatment in the hospital about five days after arriving home (I have to drive three to four hours to get the Botox) I started to feel sick and very tired. To make a long story short (and it IS a long story after spending more than eight hours in the ER!!) I have been diagnosed for my third time with the bacterial infection called C.DIFFICILE.

The day I was diagnosed was April 1 and I can honestly say I wish it was someone's idea of a bad April Fool's Day joke!! It's bad enough being sick with the C.Diff. with the diarrhea, fever, general malaise, cramps, worsening of bladder pain, etc. but having to take the medication to treat it is almost worse. The main treatment of choice for C.Diff. is the strongest antibiotic we have called VANCOMYCIN. It is a miserable med. to have to take but at the same time I have to feel fortunate that there is a drug that will treat the infection but sometimes it can take a long time to do so.

When I had the C.Diff. in 2002, it took me more than eight months to recover from the infection and I was on Vancomycin most of the time. Every time I would stop taking the Vanco, the C.Diff. symptoms would return within two to three days. I did this over and over again somewhere between eight to ten months and it was worst experience I have had with all my health problems over the years. For months on end I could not leave my bedroom or bathroom due to the severity of the diarrhea. The one optimistic point this time is that I am not as sick as I was three years ago and I am very pleased about that. But nonetheless, I still have C.Diff. and I am taking Vancomycin to eradicate the bacteria.

If anyone else is having to cope with this "monster" of an infection, please reply as I would dearly love the company and support. I told my GP that I just CANNOT go through what I did three years ago so we are treating the infection aggressively and I am hoping I will be able to get rid of it within a few months. I am trying to keep a positive attitude but when the Vanco itself causes depression, horrible urethral and bladder pain, tingling sensation all over the body, etc. etc. some days are not so good.

I would very much appreciate any prayers that you would like to say on my behalf as I battle this very "difficult" (no pun intended - "C.Difficile" -) intestinal bacteria. Sincere thanks for your support and understanding.

LOUISE

P.S My husband and I were feeling so blessed to know that this year both of our children are making us grandparents for the first time - one in July and the other in September. So I have a real good reason to beat this infection and get better by the time my first grandchild arrives and I can hold him or her because I no longer have C.Difficile. I can't even think of the alternative. Many thanks again for your good thoughts and prayers.

***ICNDonna*** · 04-24-2005, 07:35 AM

I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers your way.

Warm hugs,
Donna

Rose Fish · 04-24-2005, 10:57 AM

Dear Louise

I am sorry I cannot help you with your antiobiotic treatment but I do have a question for you and I am hoping you can answer it. I noticed that you leave in western Canada and I live in Toronto. You mentioned that you are doing botox and right now I don't know of anyone in Canada doing Botox. Can you please tell me where you had it done with a phone number or address. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks very much,

Rose Fish

louise · 04-24-2005, 11:26 AM

Hi Rose,

I went from Edmonton to Calgary (three + hour drive) for the Botox treatments. I also know a doctor elsewhere in Ontario who I believe does not do injections with Botox, but has helped other people with bladder and pelvic pain using other anaesthetics. If you would like further info, I would prefer to PM or e-mail it to you. Please let me know what you would like me to do. I am happy to help you as much as I can.

LOUISE

***Katrina*** · 04-24-2005, 03:34 PM

although I have gotten infections while on an antibiotic I have no idea which ones. I hope you feel better soon!

***Sarojini*** · 04-24-2005, 04:06 PM

I really hope you begin to feel better soon

It sounds like a nasty bug to have, and I hope it clears out faster this time!!!

Ginny · 04-25-2005, 03:56 AM

Louise,
I know exactly what you are going through. I also had C-diff and needed to take Vancomyacin and Flagyl. They are very strong antibiotics as you know.
When you are on antibiotics do you take acidophilus or eat yogurt?

I don't know what to tell you to make you feel better. The only thing is this will pass. Email me privately if you need anything.

Ginny

***dyno*** · 04-25-2005, 06:17 AM

Sending prayers you are feeling better soon.

mallenajolie · 04-25-2005, 06:47 AM

Best wishes, I had this horrible bug too about 5 years ago, it is horrible. It took me almost 6 months to get totally rid of it.

louise · 04-26-2005, 08:22 AM

Hi Gals,

I haven't been to this board in a long time until I got sick recently with the C.Difficile again. So many thanks to you who have also suffered with this terrible infection. I think I mentioned that I had it for eight to ten months three years ago. So far I have been sick with it for a month. I am submitting stool cultures today and tomorrow so please say a prayer that the toxin for the C.Difficile does not show up. That would really make my day.
I still feel sick like I have an infection but I know from before it takes quite a while to recuperate from the effects of the infection.

This board has always been great for the many super considerate men and women who come here every day looking for help, understanding, a shoulder to cry on, or just a place to talk with someone else who knows what you are going through.

SINCERE THANKS!!!

LOUISE

Rose Fish · 04-26-2005, 02:08 PM

Hi Louise - Just read your post and wishing you the best of luck with your stool samples. I have everything clears up rather fast this time.
I just emailed you but I am fairly new at doing this and not sure if you are receiving them. I was wondering if you could pass on to me the name of the doctor in western canada that does botox and the name of the anesthetic doctor in Ontario that you mentioned. You can email me or pm.

Thank you sososo much.
Take care, Rose Fish

louise · 04-27-2005, 10:30 AM

Hi Rose,

If you want to e-mail me directly, you can do so at

rsmonty@telusplanet.net

LOUISE