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Washington

Emma


Before getting C. diff, I was a normal twenty year-old—going to college, working, and more worried about my GPA than the possibility of a hospital infection or even dying. After being admitted to the hospital to have a small bowel resection, the night before my release I came down with a high fever of 104, a heart rate in the 160s, and a blood pressure of 160/120 (which was almost double my normal of 80/60). For the next six hours, two nurses and a doctor never left my side as they worked to get my fever, heart rate, and blood pressure under control.

I was taken to have imaging done and started to throw up before I got to the scanner. I was then rushed to emergency surgery to check for a leak or obstruction—there weren’t any. I was then transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where I tested positive for C. diff. The worst part being that the previous week my doctors were told of the constant diarrhea I had while in the hospital. I had a surgery done three months earlier with the exact opposite happening—I was constipated—which should have been the first sign.

I spent a week in the ICU where I was kept almost sedated because of pain. I was hooked up to everything they could have me hooked up to: nasogastric tube, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), feeding tube, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and multiple bags of fluids. I was finally able to get out of the ICU and onto the general floor before I was allowed to go home.

Three days later, I ended up back in the emergency room with pancreatitis and C. diff. I was once again admitted because I had been unable to eat, drink, or keep down anything. While there, I finished off my two-week course of vancomycin. I was released on Monday, and by Thursday I found myself once again in the emergency room with C. diff that had come back so bad the doctors could tell just by a CT scan.

I was given another two weeks of vancomycin and sent on my way. I suffered from lots of cramping, as well as a high heart rate and extreme fatigue. I slept for hours on end. I then was referred to see my primary care provider who had me see a gastrointestinal doctor to discuss other treatment options. I have received one round of a fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) which the doctor said went great. However, I am now one week post-op and still dealing with C. diff symptoms. I will go in for testing to see if I still have it.

I am still extremely tired, cramping, and have a heart rate that is only being controlled by medication. I have found some relief because of the anti-cramping medication, muscle relaxers, and Tylenol. I know I haven’t had it as long as most, but I am waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel—and an assurance that I have rid myself of C. diff so that I can get back to the activities I once enjoyed. I hope this helps you in your struggle and that this brings you some sort of comfort to help you keep on fighting!

Age


20

Gender


Female

Length


TWO MONTHS

Source


Hospital Acquired

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