After I had a really bad Lyme flair about 4-5 weeks ago I've developed horrible stomach issues. I haven't had a solid BM in over a month - it's pure liquid (sorry for the TMI). It's not constant all day diarrhea but when I do go (mornings and evenings) it's just the runs. Also, my stomach grumbles constantly. I mean 24/7, you can hear it from across the room.
On top of this I've had zero appetite, relentless nausea and low grade fever. As a result of this I've lost 16 pounds in the past month and I was already thin to begin with.
When all this started I was on an antibiotic break. Lyme symptoms flaired horribly on top of the GI stuff, and my Lyme doc put me back on abx. I've been back on for a week (ceftin, Zith, Mepron) - in a weeks time on the abx several symptoms have improved - night sweats, joint pain, etc. but GI stuff is worse.
I called my GI doc yesterday and he can't see me until January (January?!?) and when I explained my symptoms he told me to go to the ER. I went to ER this morning. I was dehydrated and my potassium was low so they have me IV fluids and IV potassium. Tested for c-diff, 4 hours later test came back negative. I was sent home with potassium pills and told to follow up with GI. I haven't taken any abx today.
My Lyme doc is aware of all that's going on and honestly I don't think even he knows what to do. Anything else that could cause month long diarrhea? Maybe babs? I just don't know what to do anymore...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think you have to have 3 tests for the c.diff... 3 stool samples.
if that is not it... look to giardia or even candida/yeast
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Want to add that on top of this I do have a severe Candida problem, accompanied by oral thrush. I'm on Diflucan for that. The die off is miserable!
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
There are tests for the toxins that C diff produces and I think those take a week to be cultured and tested in the lab.
Can you go and get your results? I bet they didn't do toxin testing for your c diff.
Keep going back or see a gp for toxin testing.
Throw that duck from the ER into the alligator pit!
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Thanks TuTu. I do have yeast issues (don't we all?), and am trying to get it under wraps.
Greta, it's official! He's in the alligator pit!! So...yeah. I've pretty much determined that I have Cdiff. I have every single symptom of it, and all of them made worse by this latest barrage of antibiotics. Oh man. This creates quite the conundrum for me as I'm also dealing with active Bart and Babs, and go downhill quickly (days) off of meds. Ah well, I'll figure it out and find a way. I always do. Never a dull moment!
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Greta, I'm going to call my Lyme doc again in the morning and see if I can't just go straight to a lab and pick up the more sensitive test? He'll know what to do (I hope!)...
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Good idea, Lauren.
I remember when I had a scare my doc specifically said the c diff toxin tests took a while to come back, so in the interim we started c diff treatment with tinidazole and florastor.
Flagyl is also used.
Hopefully your doc can get it sorted out ASAP.
That ER doc...well, hope the Gators crunch him/her up good.
Posted by micul (Member # 6314) on :
I would suspect Blastocystis Hominis. It goes hand in hand with Candida. It's best to use a specialty lab like Great Smokies (AKA Genova Diagnostics) to diagnose it. Hospital labs, Quest, and Lab corp will probably not detect it, even if it is there.
You can try rifing to see if it helps. Two of the best freq's are 595 & 13469
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :
Thanks for the info Micul! I'll try those this morning. Maaaaaaan I don't wanna take Flagyl!! *stomps feet like a two year old* Maybe I can just close my eyes and wish all this away...
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
Oh right! I forgot about Blasto Hom.
I think Daynise had trouble with that also and went the natural route to get rid of it.
May be PM Daynise for symptom comparison.
Posted by lymielauren28 (Member # 13742) on :