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What Causes Discomfort And Cramping In Abdomen When On Treatment For C-diff?
Question: 3 weeks ago I had horrible stomach cramps, diarrhea every hour for two days with bright red blood. Went to ER and after a CT and blood and stool tests, found out that I had C-Diff. I was not on antibiotics before this and was at a nursing home with mom through mid January. CT scan showed thickening of the colon walls and patches of inflamation. They put me on Cipro and Flagyll for 10 days. No blood for nearly two weeks and for the most part, stool is pretty normal. It's not as hard or well formed as before, but not diarrhea. I go once or twice a day. I'm now on a probiotic and eat yogurt once a day (Activia). Few questions:
1. I finished antibiotics 8 days ago. I still occasionally get uncomfortableness in my lower abdomen with very little cramping, some dull aches and occasional intestinal rumbling. Several have told me that it could take months for my intestines to return to normal. Is that true? Is it normal to still feel a bit unsettled in my colon with small aches, pains and rumblings for months? It's not very bothersome at all except when I think it could be bad.
2. I am going to have a colonoscopy for peace of mind. All my blood work was normal, the CT scan didnt show any tumors or swollen lymph nodes. Is it highly likely that my colonoscopy will show nothing?
1. I finished antibiotics 8 days ago. I still occasionally get uncomfortableness in my lower abdomen with very little cramping, some dull aches and occasional intestinal rumbling. Several have told me that it could take months for my intestines to return to normal. Is that true? Is it normal to still feel a bit unsettled in my colon with small aches, pains and rumblings for months? It's not very bothersome at all except when I think it could be bad.
2. I am going to have a colonoscopy for peace of mind. All my blood work was normal, the CT scan didnt show any tumors or swollen lymph nodes. Is it highly likely that my colonoscopy will show nothing?
Brief Answer:
Following answers to your queries....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms are indicative for early stages of possible bowel inflammatory disease as it was found out that C-diff was positive.
1. It is true that intestinal mucosa needs time to return to normal. This time is up to few weeks and not months.
2. To my opinion, colonoscopy should be carried out to determine if there was a possible infection (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc.). Furthermore, it will evaluate if the infection has already cleared without any remaining lesions.
Measuring the levels of blood CRP (C-reactive protein) is also necessary to evaluate your current health situation (infection).
For the time being, should continue taking probiotics and yogurt as you are doing at the moment.
Hope it was of help! Do write me back if you have more questions!
Dr.Klerida
Following answers to your queries....
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms are indicative for early stages of possible bowel inflammatory disease as it was found out that C-diff was positive.
1. It is true that intestinal mucosa needs time to return to normal. This time is up to few weeks and not months.
2. To my opinion, colonoscopy should be carried out to determine if there was a possible infection (e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc.). Furthermore, it will evaluate if the infection has already cleared without any remaining lesions.
Measuring the levels of blood CRP (C-reactive protein) is also necessary to evaluate your current health situation (infection).
For the time being, should continue taking probiotics and yogurt as you are doing at the moment.
Hope it was of help! Do write me back if you have more questions!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you..
Few questions:
1. How did I get C-diff? I havent been on antibiotics. I got this in early April. I did have a mole removed from my back at a Dermatologist office a week before contracting C-diff. I also spent lots of time in a rehab facility while my mom was recovering from foot surgery. She got out in mid January. We also have a nurse who comes to the house 3 times a week to help mom. Lastly, the week I was waiting for the biopsy of the mole, I was a nervous wreck and totally debilitated by fear. Could any of these factors be the reason I contracted C-diff? I was totally feeling fine until going down hill one day with C-diff.
2. I fear cancer caused c-diff. Given good blood work, no more bloody diarrhea and a clear CT scan (well they saw I had colitis...thickened walls and several pockets of inflammation), is this highly unlikely?
3. Lastly, It was 3 weeks ago today I got c-diff. Been off Cirpo and Flagyll for 10 days. I still get lots of intestinal rumbling and occasionally some pressure pain in different areas of the colon. The pain isnt bad, but it makes me worry and sometimes keeps me awake. Frankly, I feel mostly fine 75% of the time. Is it normal after c-diff to feel this way? if so, for how long?
Thanks!
Few questions:
1. How did I get C-diff? I havent been on antibiotics. I got this in early April. I did have a mole removed from my back at a Dermatologist office a week before contracting C-diff. I also spent lots of time in a rehab facility while my mom was recovering from foot surgery. She got out in mid January. We also have a nurse who comes to the house 3 times a week to help mom. Lastly, the week I was waiting for the biopsy of the mole, I was a nervous wreck and totally debilitated by fear. Could any of these factors be the reason I contracted C-diff? I was totally feeling fine until going down hill one day with C-diff.
2. I fear cancer caused c-diff. Given good blood work, no more bloody diarrhea and a clear CT scan (well they saw I had colitis...thickened walls and several pockets of inflammation), is this highly unlikely?
3. Lastly, It was 3 weeks ago today I got c-diff. Been off Cirpo and Flagyll for 10 days. I still get lots of intestinal rumbling and occasionally some pressure pain in different areas of the colon. The pain isnt bad, but it makes me worry and sometimes keeps me awake. Frankly, I feel mostly fine 75% of the time. Is it normal after c-diff to feel this way? if so, for how long?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Take proper hygienic measures...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
1. C-diff is widespread, including normal feces, healthcare/daycare facilities, etc.
Using of antibiotics increases the chance to get infected. When you have used antibiotics, they have "broken" the normal balance of intestinal flora, so, less "good" bacteria has left. At this point, c-diff gets enough space to grow up and to cause infection as you did.
2. There is no sense to fear cancer. You have not been diagnosed with colitis or Crohn's disease. As long as all examinations were ok, there is nothing to fear.
3. Cipro and Flagyl will help reverse infection. Gas-forming is the reason why you feel intestinal rumbling and occasional pressure pain. Besides taking these drugs, I also recommend to:
- avoid sugar and other gas-forming foods/drinks
- take probiotics to stabilize intestinal flora
- eat often and small portions
- do not rush while eating
- apply good hygienic measures
It will take some time until improvement (few weeks).
Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Klerida
Take proper hygienic measures...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
1. C-diff is widespread, including normal feces, healthcare/daycare facilities, etc.
Using of antibiotics increases the chance to get infected. When you have used antibiotics, they have "broken" the normal balance of intestinal flora, so, less "good" bacteria has left. At this point, c-diff gets enough space to grow up and to cause infection as you did.
2. There is no sense to fear cancer. You have not been diagnosed with colitis or Crohn's disease. As long as all examinations were ok, there is nothing to fear.
3. Cipro and Flagyl will help reverse infection. Gas-forming is the reason why you feel intestinal rumbling and occasional pressure pain. Besides taking these drugs, I also recommend to:
- avoid sugar and other gas-forming foods/drinks
- take probiotics to stabilize intestinal flora
- eat often and small portions
- do not rush while eating
- apply good hygienic measures
It will take some time until improvement (few weeks).
Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Klerida
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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