Having some issues down there. Need help/advice (caution: graphic)

[Marquis Mark]

So about three weeks ago I had an upper respiratory infection which was treated with Zithromax antibiotics for 5 days. Now, for about the last week, I have had (and here's the graphic part) sort of sputtery, carbonated, frothy poops that are about the consistency of a Slurpee. And A LOT of gas. There have been some days where from two hours after lunch until I fall asleep I've had to fart LITERALLY every five minutes. Sometimes the odor was not noticible, others it was worse than the Holocaust, 9/11 and Slavery combined.

I've had that before but it never lasted more than day. This has been going on for a week.

I've been taken probiotocs regularly for over a year even while on the occasional antibiotics. I'm taking them now.

I've had to go to the bathroom more frequently/urgently, too. But when I get there it feels like a lot is coming out, but it's actually not so much. Attribute this to the extra gas which gives the false impression that there is more volume than there actually is.

Any ideas what this might be?

 

[Larra]

I would recommend being tested for C diff.

 

[Marquis Mark]

I would recommend being tested for C diff.

I thought about that, but I don't have any of the symptoms:

• fever.
• loss of appetite.
• nausea.
• abdominal pain, tenderness, or cramping.
• fatigue.

I have a little diarrhea, but it's not usually watery. Overall, I feel fine.

Is C Diff still possible?

 

[DianaCox]

A round of Flagyl may be called for.

 

[JackieOnLine]

Is C Diff still possible?

I would think yes. people typically have other symptoms but not necessarily everyone.

 

[Larra]

You don't have to have all the typical symptoms to have a given diagnosis. Your description of your poop, especially after a course of antibiotics, sounds like C diff to me, but the only way to know for sure is by testing. People often describe C diff poop as "like pancake batter" or with similar words. Get tested.

 

[Settledownnow]

I had something similar and Flagyl cleared it up (prescribed by Dr. K.). Assuming it was SIBO or something along those lines https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/dig...ibo_small_intestine_bacterial_overgrowth.html
It is easier to try a round of Flagyl before getting tested for C diff.

 

[Settledownnow]

Just found this from the ASMBS website "antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD)".

In any postoperative patient with especially watery diarrhea, extremely foul flatus, and abdominal cramping, one needs to consider a Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) colitis or antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). This may occur after DS, RYGBP or LAGB. It may manifest itself early after surgery, or it may take 2 or 3 months. Treatment of AAD is with a 10-14 day course of Flagyl®. Not uncommon relapses can be treated with a repeat course of Flagyl® or with oral Vancomycin®. In treating C. diff. colitis, it is important to replenish the colonic flora as the therapy is proceeding with probiotics as described above. Flagyl® is effective in the management of bacterial overgrowth not related to C. diff. infections as well.

 

[Marquis Mark]

Thanks for all the good advice, Ladies. I'll ask my PCP for a test. Just out of curiosity, why are we more prone to C Diff then others?

 

[DianaCox]

Most of us have C diff growing in our guts, controlled by other bugs. Our shorter guts don’t present the optimal environment for all species to live in harmony. Also, the biliopancreatic limb is a relatively static environment (no flow of food or drink) in which bugs also grow in an abnormal conditions, allowing overgrowth of the bad bugs. That’s why probiotics are important for us, to keep feeding good bugs into the soup.

That’s what I believe anyway.

 

[Larra]

I don't know that we are more prone to C diff than anyone else. C diff has become a much bigger problem than it was in the past, and my best guess is that there are multiple factors causing this - overuse of antibiotics, stronger antibiotics (because other bugs have become resistant to the older drugs), crappy American diet, who knows. The biggest problem is that C diff has become harder to treat because many strains have become resistant to the old stand-bys of flagyl and vanco.
So get tested, and let's hope you just have some other bug.

 

[Marquis Mark]

I had something similar and Flagyl cleared it up (prescribed by Dr. K.). Assuming it was SIBO or something along those lines https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/dig...ibo_small_intestine_bacterial_overgrowth.html
It is easier to try a round of Flagyl before getting tested for C diff.

Don't I need a prescription for Flagyl? I doubt my PCP will give me anything before testing me, no?

 

[Settledownnow]

Don't I need a prescription for Flagyl? I doubt my PCP will give me anything before testing me, no?

Yes, you need a prescription but many doctors familiar with DS and bacteria overgrowth will just provide the rx based on your description of symptoms.

 

[Larra]

Maybe ask pcp to give you a prescription so you can start just as soon as you are done "testing" while awaiting results of test.

 

[Marquis Mark]

Will do. Thanks again for all of your help and support, Ladies!