[Scigal21]

Hi,

I posted a few days ago but got no response. I don't have a doctors appointment until Tuesday and I'm desperate.

About a month ago I finished a 1 month course of rifaximin/xixifan that really helped my ibs symptoms. I felt best the last week on the antibiotics.

I didn't feel as good when I stopped the antibiotics but still better than before - less trapped gas, stomach pain, heartburn, easy bowel movements once a day.

But about 5 days ago I went downhill fast - seemingly overnight. My gas went from odourless to horrible smelling (sulphur like, absolutely room-clearing) and became incredibly frequent (probably every 5-10 min all day).

My bowel movements became really soft, sometimes liquid. I went from having one full and complete bowel movement daily to feeling "constipated" but with diarrhea type stool (if that makes sense!) - I don't go as much or a size often but when I do it's foul and unformed, difficult to feel complete. It also floats and leaves lots of residue in the bowl - sorry for all the details, I'm grossed out by myself.

I have stomach cramps also (not the worst I've had though) and the heartburn seems worse.

I may have a veryy low fever but I feel ok otherwise, maybe just a bit rundown. My appetite is a little off.

But the gas is debilitating - so bad I can't be around anyone. SO foul - and it seemed to happen overnight.

So I'm wondering if anyone knows what's going on?

I went in to a clinic to get a c diff test, but am waiting on the results. The doctor said it was possible but unlikely.

Other things I've considered are a newly developed allergy/intolerance (rice flour maybe?), gall bladder or pancreas issues, yeast/candida or gas producing bacteria take over after antibiotics, or something like giardia.

Any tips on what I should ask my doctor on Monday? Any tests? I was hoping she would suggest another round of rifaximin, and this time I will load up on the probiotics more during and after. Does anyone know if this would help me or should I ask for a different one like flagyl?

I'm really in need of an answer or some support - so if you have a minute please give me a hand...it's been a very long painful year and this is the last straw.

For info - I'm 25, female, take birth control and amytriptiline, aloe Vera and dulcolax for constipation when needed. I take charcoal apsules for gas as well as tu-zen probiotics. My diet right now is extremely limited to safe foods for me (tried and tested) the only thing I changed was adding in a different digestive enzyme (I've since reverted back to the old one with no improvement) and rice flour (also have removed with no improvement yet).

From November 2016-January 2017 I had the following tests, all clear - colonoscopy, small bowel MRI, endoscopy, stool samples bacterial and parasitic, bloodwork checking imminent system etc.

I have not had any tests since this recent spell started, just the c diff test and I'm still waiting on that.

Thanks

 

[Hatemybowels!]

Hmm.... I'd wait for the C Diff test and go from there. Do you have any idea if they did what's called a PCR test for the C Diff test? It's far more accurate than the other test for it. I've had C Diff three times and it gave me similar symptoms on two of the times. Horrible smelling gas and horrible smelling loose stools then full blown diarrhea followed the last two times I had it. I can't even try Rifaximin for my IBS because of my C Diff history. It supposedly won't cause C Diff but it is listed as a possible side effect. So....
Keep us posted and hang in there.

 

[Scigal21]

Thanks for your reply! I'm not sure what test it was and I no longer have the requisition. But I can ask my family doctor on Tuesday, maybe she will order another test if it wasn't the most accurate one.

I'm so sorry you've had c diff three times, that's awful Did you feel really sick when you had it, fever and all? Now I'm a little worried the worst hasn't hit me yet lol...with my luck that would be the case.

I can't see this being just a bug as it's been almost a week, never had a stomach flu that lasted over a few days.

Thanks again, I will update when I've got more info. Huge SIGHHH ugh

 

[Hatemybowels!]

The first time I had it I didn't really feel sick but it got bad fast. I had the stinky gas and soft stool for a few days, then started passing blood and mucusy diarrhea. The second time I had a low grade fever and had the stuff I described and it had a very distinct smell, sort of a sickly sweet/barnyard stench. I went to the ER and the first test was negative. I stayed one night in the hospital and they sent me home and told me to take Imodium, which is a big no no if you have C Diff! Well it was a false negative and I was home a day in a half, started having diarrhea again, and my fever shot up to 105. So back to the ER and they did another test and it came back positive. I stayed in the hospital five days and they put me on Vancomycin for 14 days. Then four weeks later I relapsed and had to go back to the hospital. Once it hit I was going at least twice every hour. I'd think if yours was C Diff you'd probably know by now. I'm no doctor of course though! Each case is just different. My case was different because I was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer so the second and third times my immune system was compromised. The first time I had it was after my mastectomy so I hadn't started treatment yet and I took Flagyl and recovered quick. Anyway, I'm not looking for sympathy. Just was giving you an example of how each case is different. But now I can't take antibiotics unless it is an absolute MUST. Antibiotics don't actually cause C Diff but if you swallow a C Diff spore, say like if you're in the hospital or nursing home then take antibiotics, which wipes out your good gut bacteria, the C Diff spores will take over causing the actual disease. With that said C Diff spores are in the environment too, so it's not just an illness acquired in the hospital or nursing homes, however the majority of cases are still acquired in those settings. This is why proper hand washing is so important. Hand sanitizer does not kill C Diff. Bleach is the only thing that kills the spores on surfaces. Sorry for all the rambling but just giving you some basic info. Also, other bugs CAN absolutely last awhile, some even 10-14 days. There's many different ones besides your basic 24 hour stomach bug. If you're negative for C Diff, and I sure hope you do, then hopefully they will test for other pathogens, which can cause similar symptoms. Hope you're better soon. Hang in there!

 

[Scigal21]

The c diff test was not completed because my stool was not "liquid enough". After posting this I began to feel better for about 5 days, then the whole thing restarted. Stools became loose and extreme gas - in talking 5 second long ones every 5 minutes. I was bloated so much I looked 6 months pregnant. Again, it happened seemingly overnight. This lasted for about 5 days (same as last time about) and now I am starting to feel better again. The gas has gradually reduced (but still more than normal) and bms are more solid. What the HECK is going on? I'm petrified that this will come back in a few days! This had only happened once when I spoke to my doctor last and she seemed completely unconcerned, just brushing it off as normal "ibs" - but I have NEVER had these symptoms before a few weeks ago and nothing changed. I'm starting to think it sounds like giardia but don't want to self diagnose. But since I've had a long history of stomach issues, it's hard to convince my doctor to do the tests, even though these are new and debilitating symptoms

I should also mention that this time around I was extremely nauseous, shaky, weak and pale. But no fever, although I kind of felt as though I did have one - I was achy and exhausted.

I've had such a long painful year and this is just the cherry on the sundae from hell. Seriously. If anyone has any advice or has had similar symptoms please let me know.

 

[Barney71]

Hey, I can't really know what I can say to you, but as I already said multiple times sorting out your diet is very important and so many of us actually belittle this problem. I was one of those people, that has belittled this problem as well - but we can't do this, we need to see what kind of food works better for us and what kind of food doesn't. It's extremely important step, which has helped me greatly to be honest. I could recommend you making a journal, where you can post those things, that work well for you and those that don't - it will take some time before you can draw conclusions, but our tendencies vary quite a lot.

 

[Scigal21]

Thanks, but I have been working with the best dietician in my city for about 4 years. I have tried a dull elimination diet, fodmap free, gluten free, lactose free, low histamine, and extremely low carb, each for a sustained period of time. Some things helped, some didn't. I haven't changed my diet since long before this began. And in fact one day I ate nothing but chicken breast with no seasoning and still had symptoms. I'm not new to ibs - I've had problems for almost 10 years and have tried a host of meds, supplements, diets, etc. The reason I'm posting is because these are brand new symptoms not AT ALL typical of my ibs. I have never had these symptoms, especially in this cyclical fashion, ever in my life. So I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a similar experience and could offer some advice. Just want to be super clear! Thanks again