“This should be most cancers.”  That’s what I assumed once I was hospitalized for a second time in two months.

One month prior, I used to be hospitalized with diverticulitis, which was handled with robust intravenous antibiotics. Then I discovered myself again within the hospital. This time, it was worse than diverticulitis. I had by no means been so sick in my life. The stomach ache was insufferable, and the diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have been steady.

It took three months, and a number of hospital stays earlier than a take a look at for a Clostridioides difficile (or C. diff) an infection finally got here again optimistic. I had by no means heard of it, however I assumed it could possibly be handled, and I might get higher. Sadly, I used to be solely half proper.

The C. diff an infection had taken a stronghold in my physique and wouldn’t let go. Throughout every hospitalization, I used to be handled with a handful of ordinary antibiotic protocols and sometimes a course of monoclonal antibodies. These would briefly reduce the worst of the C. diff signs, and I might be launched again house to proceed to heal.

Sadly, I wasn’t knowledgeable there was an excellent probability that the an infection would come roaring again, so, it was baffling to me that my physique and my life have been ruined over the following three years by a number of C. diff infections. Lastly, I grew to become a C. diff survivor following a Fecal Microbiota Transplant. Inside eight hours of the process, I started to really feel higher.

The horrors of my C. diff journey left me with so many questions, which, in flip, led me to the Peggy Lillis Basis. It was there that I discovered my expertise was not distinctive. I met others who had related tales of misdiagnoses and treatment-resistant infections. Nonetheless, others had a detailed member of the family who had died from this pressing menace.

I do know now that C. diff can have an effect on anybody and that there are issues sufferers and households can do. First, discuss to a healthcare skilled about your threat of growing C. diff an infection when beginning an antibiotic. Persons are extra more likely to get a C. diff an infection whereas or quickly after taking antibiotics. For those who develop signs of C. diff an infection whereas or quickly after taking antibiotics, contact a healthcare skilled to debate and be evaluated. Now, as a C. diff survivor, I help others of their journey to restoration and advocate for higher consciousness, insurance policies, and remedy choices.

For extra details about C. diff, go to www.cdc.gov/cdiff.

Study what CDC is doing to stop C. diff infections: C. diff Initiatives | C. diff | CDC

For extra details about acceptable antibiotic use, go to www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use.