Urgent please read.Antibiotic info

Hello, Hope to save anyone from going thru this. I had my lap ryn on 5/28/08.Surgery went well and recouped well BUT>> Prior to wls I had a root canal and was on antibiotics. Then I'm sure while in hosp. for surgery I had antibiotics. Antibiotics while sometimes necessary, It wi-pes out also the good bacteria in your intestines. Because of that I ended up with a BAD bacteria called C-difficile. That has caused me severe diarrhea and more loss of work time.  This is usually obtained during a hospital stay or long term care facility. This bad bacteria can KILL. Please look at the web site about this so you and your loved one's never have to go thru this. I'm weak and miserable. Please pray for me. I have been on antibiotic Flagl for a week and still having diarrhea and weak.  Please educate yourselfes to not have to go thru this miserable condition. Go to  www.mayoclinic.com/health/C-Difficile/DS00736. God Bless and thank you. Michele

You can get c. diff during hospitalization even if you haven't been on antibiotics, but the antibiotic treatment you had just prior to surgery combined with a couple of doses of antibiotics with your surgery probably made you a little more susceptible. That bug is becoming the number one infection control issue for hospitals, and yes, it is nasty! Sorry you had to go through that after surgery. My Dad got it several years ago after prostate surgery, and he was sicker after he went home than he had been with the surgery. He got over it with flagyl.

-Wanda

Thanks Wanda, It looks so far that Flagl is not working for me. They also say it can re-occur alot.

If it is any consolation,my Dad's surgery was over 10 years ago, and he has never had a recurrence. Here's just another hint; I had terrible diarrhea after I got home from surgery, and they tested me for c. diff, but it turned out I had become lactose intolerant after the surgery, and once I cut out all whey based protein and dairy, it cleared up almost immediately. Just a suggestion to consider.

-Wanda

Hi Michele:  I am sorry that you are so sick with this.  C. Difficile is a very well know complication of antibiotic therapy.  Although it is very unpleasant, most healthy people who get this never ever die from it.  It takes 10 days to 3 weeks to resolve so you need some patience on your flagyl.  You must keep your electrolytes stable because the diarrhea makes you lose so much potassium.  That is what causes all of the fatigue.  So keep your fluids up and make sure your doctor is aware of your continuing diarrhea.  Best of luck and have a speedy recovery.

Thanks Gary for taking the time to respond. I've been on (yuk) Flagyl for 7 days now. Called in sick today to go back to pcp Dr. They sent me to hosp. to get more blood work and a CT scan with contrast. Well all came back normal. They just said to continue the Flagyl for the remaining 3 days that I had then to let them know how I was doing. I'm a letter carrier so that does do to well with having diarrhea. Thanks for your encouragment. I just thought that after 7 days I'd have no more diarrhea.Michele

Hi Michele:  I forgot the main message.  You should probably start on some probiotics and help replace the colonies in your gut with beneficial bacteria.  This is over the counter and about two per day should do the trick as well as your flagyl.  You should also probably stay on this all the time because it is so good for your gut.

Anyone in a hospital MUST ask every health care worker, AND visitor to wash their hands with warm soapy water when entering your hospital room. Many times a nurse will say she just washed them at the nurses' station, but just ask her to do it anyway. They should wash for about 15 seconds, including the back of the hands and the wrist, also scrubbing the nails and fingertips into the palm of each hand. Then rinsing well, and using disposable towels. Using hand sanitizer is useless against C-Diff.

I  always take bleach wipes to the hospital, and wipe down bed rails, call buttons, faucetts, toilets and handles, door knobs, top and underneath the tray table, and all chairs. I understand many people would feel this is over-kill, but with supergerms in many hospitals, this prevents infections and problems later on.

Thanks Sally, You are so right. If ever I have another hosp. visit I will follow your good advice. Michele

I am sorry u r so sick at the moment, and boy can I relate. After my RNY I was in the hospital for almost 6 weeks!! Not typical...One thing led to another, and I think the whole start was the catheter. I ended up with a bladder infection, started antibiotics...WHAM C-Diff Hit!!  A NIGHTMARE.

I am having a hernia repair in about 2 weeks, and agree with the previous poster about bleach wipes and having everyone wash their hands WELL before the tough me. I will be in overnight, and that scares me to death! I am sure it will work out., but dont want to go though that again.

Good luck!

Boyzz