Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Well, I'll be! I didn't know the name of what was wrong with me, but I was terribly sick about two years ago. I had taken an antibiotic for an abscessed tooth. I began dragging, then became sicker and sicker. I had diarrhea for two months that only got worse. I was finally throwing up and on the toilet at the same time. It became so bad that I passed out in the bath room, and injured myself. I had to go to the hospital for the second time. They did not find what was wrong the first time. But, the second time, a young intern looked at my past record that I kept, and he asked if I had indeed taken an antibiotic on such and such a date, I told him yes. I was given the same medication you listed Debbie, Metranidazol. It worked. I was terribly dehydrated. Weak as a kitten. Yes, it took quite awhile to pull out of it. The doctors told me that the antibiotic I had taken killed all the good bacteria in my bowel that breaks down the food, and the bad bacteria took over and had multiplied and became very toxic to me. Yes, it would have killed me. Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 9:24:11 AM Central Standard Time, dburnley@... writes: C Diff – the wonderful world of clostridium difficile! My Dad (passed away in November) caught this terrible condition during a stay in hospital. The condition can be fatal and it is quite common to lose their appetite (Dad did). This is now classed as a superbug in the UK and is much worse than you can imagine. There are only 2 antibiotics that can help the condition, one of which is metranidazol. It is something that can take months to improve and is caused by the “bad bacteria†in the gut. It is often as a result of taking other antibiotics or indeed can be passed through the faeces. Anyone touching this can then transfer it by mouth. I know this sounds disgusting but 3 people had it on the ward my Dad was on! It is a very nasty condition and causes the most horrific diarrhoea you could ever imagine, not to mention the stomach pain. This contributed to my Dad’s death in the end and cased him a full 6 weeks of distress before that. There is a link to a UK support group here for you – it is very informative. www.cdiff-support.co.uk <http://www.cdiff-support.co.uk/> . The links page is very helpful. Best wishes Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 I am not sure this could be classified as one of the super bugs, Vallerie. I really don't know. I am just guessing. Maybe someone can clarify this for us. My husband had the super bug and it nearly killed him. It was in a surgical site. Nothing to do with the bowel. It was a bug that had become resistant to antibiotic. The bowel bacteria, is in the bowel all the time, as are good bacteria. They keep the bowel in working order when in harmony. But, my good bacteria were killed, and it left the bad ones to multiply. The super bugs are what people catch all the time in various infections, that have become strong against antibiotic. One is a flesh eating bug. Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 1:13:14 PM Central Standard Time, vjedmonds@... writes: I appreciate the warning about this condition. I have never heard of it. Does sound like a healthy person would be able to fight it off but our older, younger or sicker LOs are at risk. I knew there were certain super bugs that people got in the hospital and I guess this is one of them. When my children were young it seemed like the docs were always pushing antibiotics. My older son always had an ear infection when he was young and had a lot of antibiotics. Then I started reading that lots of bacterias were becoming resistant to antibiotics and our doctor become more cautious about giving out so much medicine. Now when we do have to have medicine we always take a probiotic. hugs Vallerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 C Diff – the wonderful world of clostridium difficile! My Dad (passed away in November) caught this terrible condition during a stay in hospital. The condition can be fatal and it is quite common to lose their appetite (Dad did). This is now classed as a superbug in the UK and is much worse than you can imagine. There are only 2 antibiotics that can help the condition, one of which is metranidazol. It is something that can take months to improve and is caused by the “bad bacteria” in the gut. It is often as a result of taking other antibiotics or indeed can be passed through the faeces. Anyone touching this can then transfer it by mouth. I know this sounds disgusting but 3 people had it on the ward my Dad was on! It is a very nasty condition and causes the most horrific diarrhoea you could ever imagine, not to mention the stomach pain. This contributed to my Dad’s death in the end and cased him a full 6 weeks of distress before that. There is a link to a UK support group here for you – it is very informative. www.cdiff-support.co.uk <http://www.cdiff-support.co.uk/> . The links page is very helpful. Best wishes Debbie C Diff I have been out straight with this new set back..I got a call from doctor after Mike's colonoscopy and they found a fungus infection called C Diff ....he is on an antibiotic but still has cramps and is sick...... he is having the nurse test his blood this week...We have not been able to see grandchildren or leave the house..I ave found support groups for this new strange condition... Hope that I won't be joining one...Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Meg I forgot to add in my last post that I have done a huge amount of reading on c diff so if I can be of any help then please feel free to email me direct. Please though understand that this is a really nasty condition and is a bacteria rather than fungus. The only way you can get a proper diagnosis is by stool samples rather than blood tests. Debbie C Diff I have been out straight with this new set back..I got a call from doctor after Mike's colonoscopy and they found a fungus infection called C Diff ....he is on an antibiotic but still has cramps and is sick...... he is having the nurse test his blood this week...We have not been able to see grandchildren or leave the house..I ave found support groups for this new strange condition... Hope that I won't be joining one...Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Vallerie, It nearly killed me. I don't have a compromised immune system. So, that is why I don't know if it is a super bug, but I thought the super bugs were classified as infections we normally get that have gotten powerful against antibiotic. But then, the bug I had is a normal bacteria that works along with good bacteria in the bowel, to keep the bowel regulated. After the good bacteria were killed the bad multiplied, becoming toxic. Many things are toxic to us that we consider normal to use. The bacteria in our bowels are normal to use when in balance. The bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotic are bacteria that are to be avoided if at all possible. They cause infections; ie; one example, pneumonia. This is my understanding. I don't know if I am correct. Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 1:57:18 PM Central Standard Time, vjedmonds@... writes: Imogene, I don't know if C Diff is a super bug but it does sound like it could kill someone with a compromised immune system. I am glad that doctor was able to dx you as it sounds like it could have been very bad, super bug or not. I have heard about resistant pneumonia and the flesh eating bacterial. Sounds horrible. Hugs Vallerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 I am ready to learn. Thanks . Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 3:04:17 PM Central Standard Time, octoryrose@... writes: It's definitely classified as a " Super Bug " in the UK -- and I believe the same in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Thanks Debbie -- I'm going to add that link to the Links section! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Well thank God for the intern and for your recovery! Debs Re: C Diff Well, I'll be! I didn't know the name of what was wrong with me, but I was terribly sick about two years ago. I had taken an antibiotic for an abscessed tooth. I began dragging, then became sicker and sicker. I had diarrhea for two months that only got worse. I was finally throwing up and on the toilet at the same time. It became so bad that I passed out in the bath room, and injured myself. I had to go to the hospital for the second time. They did not find what was wrong the first time. But, the second time, a young intern looked at my past record that I kept, and he asked if I had indeed taken an antibiotic on such and such a date, I told him yes. I was given the same medication you listed Debbie, Metranidazol. It worked. I was terribly dehydrated. Weak as a kitten. Yes, it took quite awhile to pull out of it. The doctors told me that the antibiotic I had taken killed all the good bacteria in my bowel that breaks down the food, and the bad bacteria took over and had multiplied and became very toxic to me. Yes, it would have killed me. Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 9:24:11 AM Central Standard Time, dburnley@blueyonder <mailto:dburnley%40blueyonder.co.uk> .co.uk writes: C Diff – the wonderful world of clostridium difficile! My Dad (passed away in November) caught this terrible condition during a stay in hospital. The condition can be fatal and it is quite common to lose their appetite (Dad did). This is now classed as a superbug in the UK and is much worse than you can imagine. There are only 2 antibiotics that can help the condition, one of which is metranidazol. It is something that can take months to improve and is caused by the “bad bacteria” in the gut. It is often as a result of taking other antibiotics or indeed can be passed through the faeces. Anyone touching this can then transfer it by mouth. I know this sounds disgusting but 3 people had it on the ward my Dad was on! It is a very nasty condition and causes the most horrific diarrhoea you could ever imagine, not to mention the stomach pain. This contributed to my Dad’s death in the end and cased him a full 6 weeks of distress before that. There is a link to a UK support group here for you – it is very informative. www.cdiff-support.co.uk <http://www.cdiff- <http://www.cdiff-support.co.uk/> support.co.uk/> . The links page is very helpful. Best wishes Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 I appreciate the warning about this condition. I have never heard of it. Does sound like a healthy person would be able to fight it off but our older, younger or sicker LOs are at risk. I knew there were certain super bugs that people got in the hospital and I guess this is one of them. When my children were young it seemed like the docs were always pushing antibiotics. My older son always had an ear infection when he was young and had a lot of antibiotics. Then I started reading that lots of bacterias were becoming resistant to antibiotics and our doctor become more cautious about giving out so much medicine. Now when we do have to have medicine we always take a probiotic. hugs Vallerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Iward27663@... wrote: > ...The super bugs are what people catch all the time in various > infections, that have become strong against antibiotic. One is a > flesh eating bug. Yup. jacqui (from Puget Sound) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Imogene, I don't know if C Diff is a super bug but it does sound like it could kill someone with a compromised immune system. I am glad that doctor was able to dx you as it sounds like it could have been very bad, super bug or not. I have heard about resistant pneumonia and the flesh eating bacterial. Sounds horrible. Hugs Vallerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Oh brother! I am sorry about your husband. This experience is a very different scenario, than what I thought. I sure want to hear from others as well. I know you all are out there. Give me some insight from all of you, please. Imogene In a message dated 1/2/2007 6:07:38 PM Central Standard Time, mimiartsy@... writes: Hi all ..I have been reading all the posts o C Diff...My husband spent the summer in and out of hospitals because of his compromised autonomic system which caused dangerous falls,orthostatic BP,2 blood clots,dehydration etc..the BC came after they took him off coumadin because of the falls..one requiring 6 stitches in the head..He was never on any antibiotics...at this time I am guessing that he got this HORRIBLE C.Diff from the hospital or rehab center... ...he is 68 ...I asked the doctor if autonomic failure was causing the diarrhea and he said no...constipation is involved..and of course his compromised immune system...Meg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 It's definitely classified as a " Super Bug " in the UK -- and I believe the same in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 You can never get things too clean I suppose but remember that it is not an airborne virus and the main way you pass it on is by mouth and you are never going to touch the diarrhea and not wash your hands so yes is is a scary thing but try not to worry yourself into a panic attack Meg. Deb c diff http://www.bioquell <http://www.bioquell.com/us/default.asp?id=150> ..com/us/default.asp?id=150 It is a " super bug " ...I found this article..go to above site..the nurse is coming tomorrow..we have an appt next week with the gastro doctor... I have been cleaning everything..I know that they say ordinary cleaners do not help but I feel better..I have joined 2 support groups for c diff I have anti bacterial soap everywhere and purell wipes..no hand towels but have disposable towels..Trying to think of everything..This is very scary thing...Meg (husband dx 2005 LBD,BP problems due to autonomic system and dx last week with C.Diff} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Debs wrote: > You can never get things too clean I suppose but remember that it is not > an airborne virus and the main way you pass it on is by mouth and you > are never going to touch the diarrhea and not wash your hands so yes is > is a scary thing but try not to worry yourself into a panic attack Meg. Although most of us would not knowingly touch diarrhea and then put our fingers in our mouths, the same thing is accomplished by people not washing after having a bout of diarrhea, then touching doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards, elevator buttons, or the many other things that are touched by other people after them. Health care professionals know that handwashing is a hugely important part of stopping the transmission of disease - both viral and bacterial. One should also keep in mind that the mouth is not the only place that bacteria and viruses enter the body. Eyes and nose are also portals and we should resist touching our faces at all without washing our hands first if we have been exposed to other people and whatever they might carry. For those of us who are immune compromised (my diabetes puts me in that category) or who are caregivers for elderly folks, for children, or for people who are seriously ill/immune compromised, hand washing is a must. I agree that Meg should not work herself into a panic attack, but taking precautions is wise. I would also like to point out that antibacterial cleansers are not necessrily effective against viruses. Spending money on high-priced cleansers labeled as " antibacterial " can be expensive while not necessarily being any more effective. This article: http://www.nbc6.net/health/3026157/detail.html discusses the fact that one should spend 15 seconds really scrubbing one's hands when washing, and discusses that soap manufacturers are not required to tell you just how much of the antibacterial product is in their soap. It may be enough to kill germs, and it may not be. However, the experts agree that the combination of soap, water and the friction of rubbing your hands together and rubbing germs OFF is what is most important in hand washing. Also keep in mind that illnesses caused by viruses are not prevented by antibacterial products, but regular soap is an effective antiviral. jacqui (in Puget Sound) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Jacqui, Thank you for this information. I for one am old enough to remember the days when the theory of high use of antibiotics, the great cure, could produce " superbugs " with resistance. It sounded like science fiction at the time. Voila! With that, when I heard the same theory made about the use of antibacterial soaps, cleaning products, I stopped using them for the choice of soap, water and a good 15 sec. scrub. I do fear the increase of superbugs with the use of " resistant " products that don't quite get rid of the bacteria, just encourage them to become resistant. With that, were I fighting an inhouse bug, I would go the distance. It is the routine use of antibacterials I fear. > Health care professionals know that handwashing is a hugely important > part of stopping the transmission of disease - both viral and bacterial. > > One should also keep in mind that the mouth is not the only place that > bacteria and viruses enter the body. Eyes and nose are also portals and > we should resist touching our faces at all without washing our hands > first if we have been exposed to other people and whatever they might carry. > > For those of us who are immune compromised (my diabetes puts me in that > category) or who are caregivers for elderly folks, for children, or for > people who are seriously ill/immune compromised, hand washing is a must. > > I agree that Meg should not work herself into a panic attack, but taking > precautions is wise. > > I would also like to point out that antibacterial cleansers are not > necessrily effective against viruses. Spending money on high-priced > cleansers labeled as " antibacterial " can be expensive while not > necessarily being any more effective. This article: > > http://www.nbc6.net/health/3026157/detail.html > > discusses the fact that one should spend 15 seconds really scrubbing > one's hands when washing, and discusses that soap manufacturers are not > required to tell you just how much of the antibacterial product is in > their soap. It may be enough to kill germs, and it may not be. > However, the experts agree that the combination of soap, water and the > friction of rubbing your hands together and rubbing germs OFF is what is > most important in hand washing. Also keep in mind that illnesses caused > by viruses are not prevented by antibacterial products, but regular soap > is an effective antiviral. > > jacqui (in Puget Sound) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.