Re: [Lyme-aid] Clostridium Difficile

[Guest guest]

Dear Marta & ,

Is this something that occurs only with IV ROcephin or something that comes

from another source? Never heard of this one...

Thanks!

Blessings & velcros,

Chris

In a message dated 00-03-05 11:55:20 EST, you write:

<< From: BBHMM@...

> >>

>Connie, I had this happen w/in days of starting IV Rocephin ( up to 6 times

a

>day) after about the 4th day I finally asked the dr for something and he

>decided to run a test for Clostridium Difficile (sp ?). Good thing he did

>because it came back pos. ( I was on acidopholus at the time), he said that

>some people are just more prone to get it than other's. If you are pos. it

is

>very important to be treated (Flagyl is the abx of choice)because if it

isn't

>it can do major harm to your body and put you in the hospital or worse

kill.

>I hope that this is not the case, but if your diarrhea continues please

tell

>your dr. Didn't mean to scare, just to inform. I hope this helps.

>

>Your Lyme Friend,

> in VA

>P.S. If the diarrhea has been severe you can take immodium and it will

help,

>but you still need to be tested because it won't go away w/out treatment.

>>

[Guest guest]

this can come from any abx tx, not just rocephin. pj

[Guest guest]

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi

Here is a web site about CD: http://www.bjcom.demon.co.uk/amm/clostrid.htm

and a brief excerpt:

What is Clostridium difficile?In the last two decades, Clostridium difficile has been recognised as a cause of diarrhoea, usually acquired during a hospital admission, which occasionally, and particularly in the elderly, may result in a serious illness and even death. A number of large outbreaks or epidemics have recently been recognised. Two features of this bacterium are of special interest; one is the production of toxins which can damage the cells lining the bowel and the other is the ability to form spores which enable this bacterium to persist in the environment. Not all strains of C. difficile produce toxin, and patients colonised by such strains remain healthy.

What does Clostridium difficile cause?Almost all patients who develop C. difficile diarrhoea are on, or have recently been given, antibiotic therapy. Diarrhoea is the most common symptom but abdominal pain and fever may also occur. In the majority of patients, the illness is mild and full recovery is usual. Elderly patients may become seriously ill with dehydration as a consequence of the diarrhoea. Occasionally, patients may develop a severe form of the disease called " pseudomembranous colitis " which is characterised by significant damage to the large bowel. This may lead to a grossly dilated bowel with even rupture or perforation. Unlike some other causes of diarrhoea, it is rare for C. difficile to spread to other parts of the body such as the blood stream.

How is Clostridium difficile diagnosed?Any patient who is on, or has received, a course of antibiotics within the past few weeks and complains of diarrhoea, should be considered as possibly having C. difficile associated diarrhoea. In the laboratory the detection of the toxin specifically produced by C. difficile in the faeces of patients with diarrhoea is the most reliable way of confirming the diagnosis. Therefore, one or more faeces specimens should be sent to the microbiology laboratory requesting that a specific investigation for C. difficile is undertaken. Such tests are not routinely performed on all faeces specimens but are recommended for specimens from high-risk groups such as those on antibiotics and elderly patients in hospital. The bacterium may be grown on special culture medium but its isolation alone does not conclusively prove that the diarrhoea is due to this organism. Strains of C. difficile which do not produce the toxin are unlikely to cause diarrhoea. Direct examination of the bowel by sigmoidoscopy and taking small biopsies for analysis may also help in confirming a diagnosis, especially in suspected pseudomembranous colitis, but these procedures are not always available. X-ray investigations are sometimes helpful.

How is Clostridium difficile treated?Fortunately, most patients develop only a mild illness and stopping the antibiotics together with fluid replacement, either by mouth or intravenous drip, usually results in rapid improvement. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to give specific therapy against the C. difficile bacterium. Two antibiotics are known to be effective in treatment. Metronidazole taken by mouth is often prescribed as the first choice; if this is not effective then another antibiotic, vancomycin, also taken by mouth can be tried. There is a risk of a relapse of symptoms in about 20 - 30% of patients and further courses of these antibiotics may be required.

Hope this helps explain it,

Hugs,

Marta

>From: Dobelovr1@...>>Dear Marta & ,>>Is this something that occurs only with IV ROcephin or something that comes >from another source? Never heard of this one...>>Thanks!>>Blessings & velcros,