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Thread: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

  1. #1
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    Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    First off, let me say that I know reassurance seeking isn’t good for health anxiety and I try not to be too judgmental when other’s seek it, but when it‘a someone else I’m replying to I can’t usually see the irrational thoughts. Ok so here’s my issue. About a week and a half ago I started feeling sick and I vomited a few times, felt nauseous, etc. Well later that day I started having watery diarrhea. The nauseated feeling was gone after the first day, but the diarrhea has lingered off and on. It had been only once a day, but this past Saturday I had it about 5 times. Sunday I had it once. Monday and yesterday I had normal BM’s, had a good appetite, etc. Well this morning I had a normal BM, but a few hours later I thought I just had to poop again but it was diarrhea! Now my health anxiety stems from having C Diff three times almost seven years ago. I was also undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer at that time. Anyway, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. It’s not severe diarrhea, and I’ve not had a fever or blood or anything (knock on wood). Things just feel off in my intestines. I know anxiety isn’t helping. Ugh. I’m worried it’s colitis, or even liver metastasis from breast cancer. The type of BC I had was the kind that doesn’t respond to hormone therapy so I had surgery and then chemo. They told me the type I had tended to recur within the first 3-5 years, IF it was going to. I know that should reassure me but there have been instances where it’s recurred or metastasized in patients past the five year mark. Today is actually my seven year mark. So my question is have any of you guys had a virus, but had the diarrhea linger for this long?? I do have IBS but it hasn’t bothered me in a long time. Any info is appreciated. Also, my apologies for asking for what I tell others isn’t helpful, aka reassurance!

  2. #2
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    Oh Steph, I recognise all those questions and the way your mind is thinking - after THE diagnosis, even years, it rears its head doesn't it, thinking about the stats and the possibilities and the people you know, and and and.....metastatis.....etc (were you triple negative ?)

    Lets be honest, surely if there was a serious issue you wouldn't have gone back to normal BM in the middle, and the onset of (what sounds like) a nasty stomach bug wouldn't have been so quick. Now, what is common is the 'off feeling' after a stomach upset, because all the gut flora are disturbed and can be totally out of kilter in relation to each other especially if there is a trigger with some food that was a bit too much for you at the time. Maybe the food was just too rich and couldn't be processed properly. I strongly suspect this is the case here, something lingering after the stomach bug. I have had this once in my life, what you are describing, and it was when my IBS first started after I had amoebic dysentry from abroad. I would honestly suggest that you get a stool sample in if you have another day or so like this, and it can determine if there is an infection still present which needs either gastro antibiotics, or determine if there is a large imbalance that needs addressing. You could try some probiotic foods and gentle/bland foods in the meantime (that don't trigger your IBS). I had two sets of samples done a week or so after my dysentry.....and neither showed any problem.....despite having daily very runny BMs.

    I really can see where you are coming from with your fear, but this was all too quick and showed signs of standard tummy bug and then improvement. You know the drill here with CDiff as you mentioned the fever element and you will also know if you feel really unwell then to go get seen, you've had it before - you know the signs to be aware of. I'm presuming you had CDiff during Chemo during weakened immune system or from antibiotics you had at the time ? Remember, it can be treated and you are not in the place you were then as are far away from the chemo. I'm sorry I don't think I'm being too much help, but wanted to let you know that I understand and hope you feel better soon.
    Last edited by Carys; 15-01-20 at 22:35.

  3. #3
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    Hey Carys! Thanks for the reply! Yep I had Triple Negative. The first time I had C Diff was after my mastectomy. I spent one night in the hospital but of course had to take a round of antibiotics. I had an IV drip of Clindamycin which is probably the biggest C Diff offender and they sent Cipro to take at home for ten days. The symptoms of C Diff didn’t wax and wane like this though. They hit hard and fast and didn’t let up until they started treating it! The next time I had it I was taking chemo and had to take antibiotics because they thought I had cellulitis. The third time was a relapse. I went ahead and made an appointment at the GI office for tomorrow. My GI doc is booked until February but I’m seeing a physician’s assistant. I sure hope they don’t put me on antibiotics because of my C Diff history. I had to see an infectious disease doc when I had C Diff the last time so he could come up with the best treatment plan. When I was finished with all that I saw him for a follow up and he told me to never take antibiotics unless all else fails or it’s a life and death situation so I’m sure you can understand my fear of antibiotics. Anyway, you have helped me a lot with your kind words and wisdom. I’ll let you know what the PA says tomorrow. Thanks so much again!!

  4. #4
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    To be honest, I think it was so long ago that you last had Cdiff that to be another remission of the condition would be strange and unheard of, as from what I know it is usually quite close to the last time you had it, weeks after not years - and they would be wise to take samples first. You have a choice about your treatment following seeing the physician, and to be put straight on antibiotics (after what you were told my the follow up specialist) could be something you can make that choice on - and wait for any findings. To my mind antibiotics are something I always wait on, due to awareness of resistance, but only you know how bad you are feeling. The waxing and waning, as you yourself pointed out, wouldn't currently indicate that anyway. How are you feeling today ?

  5. #5
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    Hello Carys! So far I’m okay this morning (or it’s morning where I am). I do feel like I’ll need to use the bathroom soon which is normal for me, but it’s if I have diarrhea that sets off the anxiety. Sometimes I wish I’d just worry about something that seems simpler like a headache or backache, you know what I mean? Anyway I’m not that worried that they will just give me antibiotics without a test to confirm they may be needed. My worry is IF I will actually need them. I keep telling myself that no worsening symptoms and no fever are good signs that I don’t have a bacterial infection though.
    Thanks for checking on me!

  6. #6
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    The PA said this sort of thing can happen after a virus and she said it can last for several weeks. She said if I get worse, or if it wakes me in the middle of the night, fever, bloody stools, etc., then to call and they can give me a kit for stool samples. So hopefully it’s just post infectious IBS. I’m gonna stay on probiotics and be careful about what I eat and hopefully it will continue to improve. Thanks again Carys!

  7. #7
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    I'm so pleased to hear that you have had this reassurance from a professional, Steph. It's completely natural and understandable for you to have this anxiety and you have done exactly the right thing by getting it checked out properly by an expert.

    You are always so supportive of others and have certainly been through the mill yourself with health issues. I hope that things settle down for you soon but getting this assessment of your current gut issues may help calm your system down a bit. I know for a fact that bowel disturbances can have a knock on effect for ages but it's far better to have this advice from someone who is medically trained!

    Hope you have a good weekend and can relax a bit!

  8. #8
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    Ahhhhha, now where do I get my medical bowel specialist certificate ? (Only kidding ) That all sounds reassuring, I hope you do continue to improve and I think you can let yourself relax in the knowledge that anything possibly 'scary' would have been picked up - you know how these people are, once you've had BC they are on high alert!

  9. #9
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    Quote Originally Posted by Carys View Post
    Ahhhhha, now where do I get my medical bowel specialist certificate ? (Only kidding ) That all sounds reassuring, I hope you do continue to improve and I think you can let yourself relax in the knowledge that anything possibly 'scary' would have been picked up - you know how these people are, once you've had BC they are on high alert!
    Hahaha!! I think the title of professional bowel specialist fits you perfectly!

  10. #10
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    Re: Diarrhea:haven’t been anxious in a long time

    ...ey.....what yer sayin' ?

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