Five or six years ago I had a c. difficile infection. I was having intestinal distress and pain (more than the usual that seems to come with this illness). I went to a walk-in clinic and for a change, I had a nice thoughtful Dr. He had me do some tests and they called me later to tell me I had c. difficile.
The antibiotic for that is usually Flagyl. It's famous for making people nauseous. The Flagyl made me vomit so much that after 3 1/2 days I had to stop treatment. I had a great Naturopath at the time who told me to take a potent fermented probiotic called BioK. My repeat test a few weeks later was negative so I assumed it worked.
Well as those who read this know, I've had serious intestinal woes after 2 infections last winter. The second infection (in Feb.) felt a lot like the c. difficile, but at that point I was negative. My NP and specialist gave me more tests to do in the summer, but I didn't bother. I was frustrated with lack of answers.
In a moment of intestinal distress and weakness this week, I went ahead and did the tests that were sitting in the cupboard because I didn't see how this problem couldn't be an infection?
Well it turns out I was positive for c. difficile toxin again. Unfortunately the social welfare disability I'm on won't cover the other drug (non-flagyl one). So now I wait until Monday to see if there is a way around it, or some program that might cover it for me.
I picked up a pack of BioK in the mean time.
For those who haven't heard of it, c. difficile is famous for its hospital outbreaks. In its most toxic form, it can kill people. Milder infection just causes diarrhea and intestinal pain. It usually hits after someone takes an antibiotic. The antibiotic wipes out the good bacteria in the gut and the c. difficile then invades. The toxin created can cause major bowel inflammation, even perforation. In my case (I've only taken antibiotics once in over 20 years and that was for the c. diff) I figure it's just the fact that I'm immune compromised.
I was so frustrated today because I tried to go pick up the BioK myself (I often can't manage errands). It's only 2 blocks away (I drove) and only one person was in front of me in line; but I came out dizzy, shaky, weak, and crying it was so awful. I'm pretty sure it's the OI as I had a couple sessions of seeing stars this morning when standing up.
How can I be this sick? It's so frustrating - my useless body. I hate that I have already lost 10 years of my life to this sickness and it doesn't seem to be improving. I'm so frustrated with living my whole life mostly laying down, trapped in this stupid house. I want to do a simple errand. It's ridiculous, I'm 41 not 101!
To top it off, there is some drama going on here and I can't even escape and clear my head because I'm trapped here by my body, in this house. More than anything I could use a run like the old days, or even a drive.
i am so sorry. thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather, I'll get through it, but it's nice to know I have my online support friends.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that upnorth.
ReplyDeleteNormal people do not know a waiting line can be a huge challenge to people like us. I had those moments. i remember many times i had to sit down on ground, people looking at me with strange eyes (some of them were nice, asking me if i was ok). I also had a type of sick feeling if I was hungry and could not get to eat immediately (sounds like low blood sugar). And this sick feeling was not predictable! I still remember many times I encountered such condition while i was doing grocery shopping, even though i immediately drove back. the way back home felt like thousands miles long, and i felt dizzy, hands shaking, my body was like a hollow thing without any energy.
however i am doing pretty good recently. my diet is getting better and my energy is getting better. lots of boring time when i cannot read and exercise, but i get used to it, fighting against that feeling emptiness.
i hope you get some good rest and get better soon. good luck with your drug coverage.