C Difficile

[GinaCampbell 434]

She needed to go fetch some labels for my bloods and the poop pot. I last saw it on the wooden desk where everyone sits in the Surgical Assessment Unit.

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[GinaCampbell 434]

Good Heavens! Reading about this on the internet is very scary! Perforated bowels etc. Very worrying!

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[theantichick 2,204]

The bottom line on transmission for c.diff is that poop particles (and they can be microscopic) have to be transferred from one person to another to catch it. It's very hard to keep the particles contained when the patient has explosive and incontinent watery stool. But that's the transmission route. Coughing, sneezing, other physical contact, blood contact - none of these things will transfer c.diff unless there's poop particles in it. I worked with a nurse who didn't bleach her shoes, and her dogs ended up with c.diff. Now THERE was a mess!!!

Something a lot of people aren't aware of - if you leave your toilet seat open when you flush, microscopic particles of whatever you're flushing get sprayed up to 6 feet. So it's scary easy to get those microscopic particles on your clothes, towels, sinks, toothbrushes, etc.

But unless you've had incontinence that soiled your furniture, the main place people can come into contact with it is in the bathroom. Transmission for casual contact like for the movers would require that you had gotten those particles on the boxes and furniture. AND that they touched those things with their bare hands AND that they ate something that they touched with their hands without washing their hands. And note that c.diff doesn't infect most healthy people. Usually people who get c.diff infections have their immunity compromised in some way - age, illness, medications, etc.

If you do have soft furniture (couches, mattress, etc.) that has been soiled, you'll need to find out if there's any cleaning agent you can use that will be effective without ruining the furniture. If possible, I'd consider just chucking it, frankly.

This link has some information about cleaning:

https://cdifffoundation.org/c-diff-infection-%E2%99%A5-home-care/

As for the antibiotics, yes, you are technically more susceptible to a return of c.diff after taking them, but you'll never clear the infection on your own without them. All you can really do is do as much as you can to get your Protein in (which will be easier after they stop the diarrhea) and all the little things to try and stay as healthy as you can otherwise. It may very well take several rounds with the meds to stop this. And it may even take a fecal transplant.

I can't comment on the handling of your samples without getting unladylike. I understand that things are handled differently in the UK, but here in the US, I'd be speaking to an attorney and filing a complaint with JCAHO, CMS, and the state hospital board (basically all of the licensing and certification organizations). If they're that casual with stool samples, then they're not doing due diligence in preventing infections all the way around. I wouldn't be surprised to find a number of hospital-acquired infections in every one of your friends who are also having problems.

[GinaCampbell 434]

The bottom line on transmission for c.diff is that poop particles (and they can be microscopic) have to be transferred from one person to another to catch it. It's very hard to keep the particles contained when the patient has explosive and incontinent watery stool. But that's the transmission route. Coughing, sneezing, other physical contact, blood contact - none of these things will transfer c.diff unless there's poop particles in it. I worked with a nurse who didn't bleach her shoes, and her dogs ended up with c.diff. Now THERE was a mess!!!

Something a lot of people aren't aware of - if you leave your toilet seat open when you flush, microscopic particles of whatever you're flushing get sprayed up to 6 feet. So it's scary easy to get those microscopic particles on your clothes, towels, sinks, toothbrushes, etc.

But unless you've had incontinence that soiled your furniture, the main place people can come into contact with it is in the bathroom. Transmission for casual contact like for the movers would require that you had gotten those particles on the boxes and furniture. AND that they touched those things with their bare hands AND that they ate something that they touched with their hands without washing their hands. And note that c.diff doesn't infect most healthy people. Usually people who get c.diff infections have their immunity compromised in some way - age, illness, medications, etc.

If you do have soft furniture (couches, mattress, etc.) that has been soiled, you'll need to find out if there's any cleaning agent you can use that will be effective without ruining the furniture. If possible, I'd consider just chucking it, frankly.

This link has some information about cleaning:

https://cdifffoundation.org/c-diff-infection-%E2%99%A5-home-care/

As for the antibiotics, yes, you are technically more susceptible to a return of c.diff after taking them, but you'll never clear the infection on your own without them. All you can really do is do as much as you can to get your Protein in (which will be easier after they stop the diarrhea) and all the little things to try and stay as healthy as you can otherwise. It may very well take several rounds with the meds to stop this. And it may even take a fecal transplant.

I can't comment on the handling of your samples without getting unladylike. I understand that things are handled differently in the UK, but here in the US, I'd be speaking to an attorney and filing a complaint with JCAHO, CMS, and the state hospital board (basically all of the licensing and certification organizations). If they're that casual with stool samples, then they're not doing due diligence in preventing infections all the way around. I wouldn't be surprised to find a number of hospital-acquired infections in every one of your friends who are also having problems.

I see that FMT is available here in the UK on the NHS so I will find out what the plan on managing this is.

You will understand that I have lost a bit of faith in their processes but it is what it is.

No soiled furniture etc but thank you for the info.

I am concerned about the blood, white mucus etc. How do I know if my bowel is in trouble?

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Would colonic irrigation help or hinder?

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[ocgirl15 667]

Omg... I was going to ask if they checked you for that with your fecal incontinance. I have known older people that have had it. Very nasty disease. When my grandfather had it about 7 years ago in his 90s and the standard of care was flagyl. Now in the USA they can do fecal transplants... Sounds disgusting but can be a better option. For older patients it can be life saving since morality for elderly is not good. I hope you get the best treatment possible.. In your health care you obviously need to be a strong advocate for yourself. Best of luck!!!

[theantichick 2,204]

Your docs will need to evaluate the blood and mucus. Could be nothing, could be something. No way to know without a doc investigating. I would under no circumstances do colonic irrigation. There's too high a risk of complications and contamination.

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[GinaCampbell 434]

Omg... I was going to ask if they checked you for that with your fecal incontinance. I have known older people that have had it. Very nasty disease. When my grandfather had it about 7 years ago in his 90s and the standard of care was flagyl. Now in the USA they can do fecal transplants... Sounds disgusting but can be a better option. For older patients it can be life saving since morality for elderly is not good. I hope you get the best treatment possible.. In your health care you obviously need to be a strong advocate for yourself. Best of luck!!!

Am on Flagyl now. I plan to keep on top of this. I am going to contact the infectious disease team at the hospital myself.

I am worried about pain in my bowel and the length of time the inflammation has been present. Blood is never a good sign.

I don't want to make a fuss but at this point, I am getting a bit fed up with the lack of post op care that I am receiving.

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[GinaCampbell 434]

Your docs will need to evaluate the blood and mucus. Could be nothing, could be something. No way to know without a doc investigating. I would under no circumstances do colonic irrigation. There's too high a risk of complications and contamination.

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They have postponed the colonoscopy for two weeks. Not sure how I feel about having another procedure while having C Diff.

I am supplied with a home system for bowel wash out (fancy enema kit) so wondered if that would help get rid of this vile infection.

But thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

I appreciate the advice!

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[theantichick 2,204]

Your docs will need to evaluate the blood and mucus. Could be nothing, could be something. No way to know without a doc investigating. I would under no circumstances do colonic irrigation. There's too high a risk of complications and contamination.

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They have postponed the colonoscopy for two weeks. Not sure how I feel about having another procedure while having C Diff.

I am supplied with a home system for bowel wash out (fancy enema kit) so wondered if that would help get rid of this vile infection.

But thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

I appreciate the advice!

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I wouldn't think an enema would help. I certainly wouldn't do it without the doc saying to do it.

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[rebecca wills 190]

I worked in nursing and they usually diagnose it once they see the stool and smell the stool. C-diff has a pungent sweet smell. And has a slime texture. Once you've smelled it its unmistakable. If at home Kefir is a very good form of natural probiotic. It contains a living culture that can fight the bacteria. First antibiotic therapy though. The complications you've experienced are classic causes to open you up with a low immunity. So Kefir is what you use once home. Do not add sweeteners. Put it into you Protein shake as you liquid. It will rebound your good gut bacteria. Then start putting Chlorophyll into Water. It will strengthen and remove toxins. You will crave it once you start it. Good wishes!

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[GinaCampbell 434]

I worked in nursing and they usually diagnose it once they see the stool and smell the stool. C-diff has a pungent sweet smell. And has a slime texture. Once you've smelled it its unmistakable. If at home Kefir is a very good form of natural probiotic. It contains a living culture that can fight the bacteria. First antibiotic therapy though. The complications you've experienced are classic causes to open you up with a low immunity. So Kefir is what you use once home. Do not add sweeteners. Put it into you Protein shake as you liquid. It will rebound your good gut bacteria. Then start putting Chlorophyll into Water. It will strengthen and remove toxins. You will crave it once you start it. Good wishes!

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You are right. The slime is shocking.

Will look into kefir.

Thank you for your help!

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[GinaCampbell 434]

My bariatric nurse and GP doesn't know the answer so I am just throwing this out there. I am three months into a six months course of lansoprazole. PPI's apparently aren't good when you have C Diff.

Should I stop taking it for now to give my body a chance to get rid of this?

If my bariatric team doesn't know and my GP doesn't know, next point of call? Infectious disease team ?

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[theantichick 2,204]

I worked in nursing and they usually diagnose it once they see the stool and smell the stool. C-diff has a pungent sweet smell. And has a slime texture. Once you've smelled it its unmistakable. If at home Kefir is a very good form of natural probiotic. It contains a living culture that can fight the bacteria. First antibiotic therapy though. The complications you've experienced are classic causes to open you up with a low immunity. So Kefir is what you use once home. Do not add sweeteners. Put it into you Protein shake as you liquid. It will rebound your good gut bacteria. Then start putting Chlorophyll into Water. It will strengthen and remove toxins. You will crave it once you start it. Good wishes!

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It *IS* a distinctive smell... I'm wondering why no one picked up on it before. :/

[theantichick 2,204]

My bariatric nurse and GP doesn't know the answer so I am just throwing this out there. I am three months into a six months course of lansoprazole. PPI's apparently aren't good when you have C Diff.

Should I stop taking it for now to give my body a chance to get rid of this?

If my bariatric team doesn't know and my GP doesn't know, next point of call? Infectious disease team ?

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I can't honestly remember what all we had our c.diff patients on... I'm thinking we were doing Protonix (pantoprazole), but I could be wrong, it's been a few years. I would think the infectious disease team would be the most knowledgeable regarding the latest research on c.diff. I would take what they say over anyone else.

[GinaCampbell 434]

Will talk to them if I can find out how to contact them. Would love to see the letter that they sent my GP anyway. Perhaps I can convince the secretary to pass me a direct number.

Problem is that one team says, ask the other team etc.

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