Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) - Page 2

[newmum35]

Today was day 5 of diarrhea. Day 1 he had diarrhea four times (watery).. Day 2 he had four also. Day 3 he had nine! Day 4 he had five and day 5 (today) he had 6 so far (still counting).

As of right now it has been 58 hrs since last dose of antibiotic (augmentin) was given. (he had 9 out of 14 doses. We stopped on day 5, and he never had the evening dose)

I had THOUGHT he was getting better this morning, when, after writing down the time of his latest diarrhea, it indicated an 18 hr stretch since the last one!!

But, TODAY is the first day (IN HIS LIFE) that is is acting sick!!! He is not playing. Crying, cranky, sleepy, low fever. Wants to be held ALL THE TIME. He had 6 major watery diarrhea today. Since they were all in the toilet (most of previous ones were in the diaper) - he went on potty for all of them - I was unable to compare to diapers, but they all look mostly clear water, sometimes pale yellow cloudy water, with floating or sinking pale yellow things.

It does not appear (to me) that he is getting better. I have a container ready for the next time he goes (hoping they can use that for a stool culture).

Tomorrow morning (12 hrs from now) is our appt with the doctor. If she wants to do stool culture, I'm hoping she can use ours so there is no further time wasted. (I will likely collect one upon waking up in the morning - he always goes potty then)

I am doubting C. Diff now (because there is no foul odor) - I remember a pudrid odor (and much, putrid gas) when I had it. And he does not. I am clueless now, if it is not C. Diff, what it is?

I hope we get this figured out.

[tayndrewsmama]

Don't be too surprised if they don't accept you sample. They really need it to be collected in a sterile container to make sure they don't have outside contamination with the results. It's worth a shot though.

I hope you get some answers tomorrow.

[momofmine]

Sometimes probiotics themselves can cause some diarrhea. If he seemed like he was getting better, it could be due to that in part, if you are really pushing the probiotics. Are you giving him something with S boulardii in it? That is supposed to be very good for abx-associated D. Augmentin is a pretty strong abx. I feel for you, my child had gut damage form only one round of abx also, and it took a long time to get things back to normal. You might want to limit all raw fruit right now. Can you try to give him things like homemade chicken soup? Broth, carrots, chicken, all really well-cooked. Like what is on the intro diet for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. If I thought my child had a major bacterial something or other from an antibiotic, I would immediately start that diet.

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.i...ntro_diet2.htm

You might not have to do it for very long. Good luck.

[newmum35]

Yesterday I gave 2 each of florastor and sustenex, but today only one each. He barely ate today so it was all I could do to get the contents of one mixed into something. (He is still nursing well just not appetite for much else) - I certainly don't want to make things worse so I am not sure if I will continue tomorrow. I don't really think it made things worse, he had a ton of the same diarrhea before we even began. Right after we started probiotics he got slightly better for 1/2 day. So I thought, great its working already! Then return of the same diarrhea the next day, only this time he feels sick too!

On another note, my time online is severely limited right now , I am trying to find more info about the Augmentin he was put on. I think it is called augmentin600 (the paper is downstairs right now) I found one link but couldn't sign up to read it all (blocking cookies or something?)

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-96695165.html

If anyone can message me the entire article (or find more links online about anything related to it, patient complaints, bad experiences or similar experiences) I would appreciate it.

I believe it was so wrong of them to put him on this stuff, being his first ear infection ever, and with no symptoms at all other than a red ear (in one ear). I am wondering why they did this, and if its because he was not vaxed for hib. I saw it was mentioned on that page. I am so angry. When I started the antibiotic I really thought it was the same amoxicillin I have been on in the past (never got diarrhea) - I figured it was white liquid (mine was capsules) cause he was a baby and that it was merely the liquid form.. I only later realized this is much more potent stuff and completely different than regular amoxicillin.

[newmum35]

I apoloize for telling our story in different posts - didn't realize it would only confuse things. I guess I should only post here from now on. Here is my previous post for the rest of the story:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...php?p=13266238

[momofmine]

I hear your anger, I have felt it too. Abx are just not the answer they are made out to be. But all you can do now is keep moving on and try to repair the damage. I would make that SCD chicken soup, try to get him to eat some of that, maybe even blend it. Keep nursing. I wasn't suggesting stopping the probiotics. But it sounds like you are saying you gave him less probiotics today and now he is worse? Just look back at what you have done over the past couple of days and try to determine what dose of probiotics was helpful. Maybe you need to give more. Hope he is feeling better soon.

[momofmine]

Just read on your other thread you were asking maybe he doesn't need probiotics after stopping the abx. Now is when he does need them. He needs them very badly now and you need to keep doing them for some time. But also don't be feeding junk along with them. No dairy, no raw fruit, and if it were me I would be doing the SCD or something very similar to it.

[WuWei]

How are you all doing today, mama. I agree with momofmine.


Pat

[newmum35]

update:

we saw the ped. this morning. I told her I was worried about him, that he was lethargic yesterday, and not playing, only wants held, low fever, etc. And gave her all my notes on how many diarrheas he's had each day, etc. She was STILL not concerned about him at all!! She wants to give him another WEEK to get over the diarrhea, and felt it was merely because of the antibiotic, and nothing more!!

In the meantime, she gave me 2 sterile containers to collect a stool sample. She at first gave me just 1, and I said, can I have 2, because of the false negatives that show up with C. Diff? (So now I'm worried she doens't know what she's doing, since she didn't think to give me 2 instead of 1)

I was able to collect a small stool sample (watery, still, no improvement) at 11:30 and get it to the hospital within an hour, but they said it would be up to 2 days before results are back! They are going to test for other things besides C. Diff (botulism, I think, and not sure what else - other bacteria, I think)

She said she was not worried about dehydration as long as he was drinking, and nursing, even though we are now on day 6 of profuse diarrhea. She said I COULD do a blood draw and check for potassium, and if low we could do iv, but she didn't recommend it yet, she feels it not necessary.

He slept all day practically until 4 pm, now for the past hour, he's been acting normally since he woke up, for which I am somewhat relieved! No fever, and smiling, laughing, and acting normal!

However, I am now concerned about something else (Should I be??)

When the dr was listening to his heart, and his shirt was up, I saw some little red dots on his belly, I pointed them out, and said something like, oh, is this anything? I don't think she responded, or dismissed me with a head shake or something (I honestly can't remember) - I don't think she responded verbally, and now I'm worried she might not have heard me at all. When he woke from his nap at 4 pm, I noticed the red dots were now slightly raised above the skin (can feel them with fingertips) and they are now down his legs and everywhere, not just the belly area.

I might call soon (especially if they get worse) and ask if she remembers seeing them on him, and whether this is something I should be concerned about. (but what if she is not the one on call tonight??)

What does everyone think about this - am I worried for nothing, or could this be something serious for which I should go to ER? (I'm seriously ready to bring him to ER in another hospital at any point, I just don't want to goof up and expose him to more things right now while he is so vulnerable, unless its absolutely necessary, and I feel it might be life or death)

I did have to bring him into hospital today to drop off his stool sample (and we will collect the 2nd one this evening)

I am hoping he will be ok here at home for a few more days until lab results come back. He seems happy at the moment, thank god!!!

In the meantime, to add more worry to the fire, I am getting sick too - was nauseated last night and today, and actually threw up!! (I NEVER throw up!!) and my bowel movements have gotten progressively thinner (nothing like his though) and I am wondering what in the world is going on!!! My stomach hurts too and I NEVER get the flu and haven't gotten it for probably 20 years. The only time I felt this way was when I had C. Diff 2 years ago (which I think I might have picked up from visiting the hospital during pregnancy, and cause they had put me on antibiotics, which made me vulnerable too!) They tried to tell me I had the flu. I knew better. Within a few days we found out I had C. Diff.

I am so confused right now - I am even suspecting something in our tap water, because unfortunately we've been drinking the tap water for the past several months (had been too busy to get out to spring for some fresh)

I'm just so confused and not sure what to think of those red dots (and my illness)

[WuWei]

It is not impossible that the dots are part of his healing. I wouldn't concern myself about them, unless they worsen and don't go away over several weeks. The antibiotics disrupt the microflora in the gut in ways much more commonly than c. diff. Diarrhea after antibiotics is so common, they have a name for it. "Antibiotic induced diarrhea".

A bunch of different illness exposures could have occurred. We are constantly exposed to germs. I trust his healthy, breastfed body to handle illness. Most children get an average of 8 illnesses a year, cold, flu, GI, fevers. Your stress has probably stressed your own immune system. That stresses his immune system further as you are so interconnected. Mama, quit reading all the "What Ifs", they call it Medical-itis when doctors do it in school. It is a common ailment of reading the "worst case scenario".

C. difficile doesn't normally cause trouble for healthy people. Most of the recent cases of C. difficile have been reported in hospitals and nursing homes. There are approximately 3 million cases of C. diff each year in 300 million people. That is only 1% of the population. Most of them are not healthy, breastfed babies who are home with their attentive mother.

The rate of C. difficile acquisition is estimated to be 13 percent in patients with hospital stays of up to two weeks and 50 percent in those with hospital stays longer than four weeks.

You've sent the stool for culture and sensitivity. C. diff is responsible for 15 to 20 percent of antibiotic-related cases of diarrhea. But, the likelihood of your baby having C. diff is small.

I hope that you can get some rest tonight. That will help you both, whether it is or isn't c. diff.

It is hard when your baby is sick. Trust the body to heal itself, don't re-start the cascade of side-effects of jumping to intervene. The ER is full of germs. The ER is reactive and invasive. The ER is for emergencies. You all need some sleep, hydration and time to heal. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself. :

Did you vaccinate this week? Are you continuing the probiotics?


Pat

[newmum35]

Going on 3 hrs now since he woke up, and he's still his happy usual self! Seeing him acting so normally now, it appears he is getting better. We have only counted 3 diarrhea so far today (I am guessing he might have 1 or 2 more tonight) Seeing him taking a sudden turn for the better will do me a world of good tonight, I'm sure. His red dots have gone down somewhat and are not worse, they may even be going away (can barely see them now, sort of like he was at the drs today)

I got him to drink some pedialyte that the dr prescribed for him after I expressed concern over possible electrolyte imbalance. He didn't drink a lot, I'm not sure he liked it at first. Then later he drank a little more. What does everyone here think of pedialyte? A good thing during this time? It does have a lot of sugar, I think..

To be honest, I'm totally confused now regarding the probiotics. We (both) had been taking them for just a few days, and since we both started getting more sick, I thought just maybe that was contributing. If not the florastor, maybe it was the sustenex one. So we haven't done any today. I am almost afraid to start again, given that he is so much better. The only time in my life I remember taking them is after I had the C. Diff, I took a bottle of florastor over the next month or so. Maybe my system just isn't used to them. Maybe that could be why my stomach hurts now and I am nauseated? I really am confused on whether they helped, hurt, or did nothing for us- but for the time being, I'm relieved- planning to stay home and get some sleep tonight - I hardly got any last night- he's playing once again and acting normally.. the red dots are going down, and he seems happy and babbling away.

No vaccinations recently- we finished the DTaP series around 7 months.

[momofmine]

I hope your anxiety is easing, but really, you will know when if your child is so sick he needs to go to the ER. You won't be doubting. That's my opinion about 99% of attentive mothers. It sounds like everything is fine. Even your mainstream doc was not concerned, so I would just watch your child and keep doing things to get his body through this and heal his gut. It is not at all surprising that it will take a long time for the flora in his gut to get back to normal. He had some very strong antibiotics. So you shouldn't expect it to all be back to normal instantly. But he is improving, he is happy and playing, he is nursing well, so all those things mean that his body is healthy and strong and is just working on recovering. Keep up with the probiotics and SCD chicken soup!

[newmum35]

update:

The results from the 1st stool culture came back this morning - POSITIVE for C DIFF - this was my fear, right?!? (the other results take longer to culture and should be back soon)

Ok, so get this - we are not to treat it (she mentioned Flagyl was the antibiotic of choice if it came to that, and NOT vancomycin- I asked about it) and it is still not cause for alarm! My ped. consulted an infectious disease specialist (shouldn't she have consulted a gastroenterologist? or are they the same in this situation?) at the childrens hospital at a city near us (about an hour away) who told her that 50% of all kids his age (he is 16 months) test postive for C Diff and you don't need to even test a stool culture unless there is mucous or blood in it.

So she was asking me about if there was mucous in it, and I didnt think so but wasn't exactly sure how she meant - she said "white stuff" and so I said no, there appears to be pale yellow stuff. (of course I hadn't examined the diapers from the first 3 or 4 days all that carefully) I mostly noted it was almost all water and then discarded. No blood, I would have seen that. Now I'm thinking, what if there HAD been mucous in the past (intestinal lining? is that what they are suspecting?) and it already shed, and now there is no more in the current bowel movements? I keep worrying about the possible damage to his intestine, having read a ton about C. Diff already.

She said as long as he is playing, acting normal, no fever, etc, not to worry and to give him ONE week from the time he stopped the antibiotic. Today he is playing as usual and not sick like the other day, he appears to be doing very good for which I am very relieved.

When I talked to her it has been 4 days since the last dose of antibiotic... so I have to wait 3 more days, and he should start improving by then (diarrhea should be getting better, that is!)

So now I'm thinking... there are 3 possibilities:

1) diarrhea improves, starts looking less like water, and more like poo

2) stays the same

3) he gets worse - gets a fever, starts acting cranky, etc

Naturally I'm hoping for #1. I'm thinking that IF #3 THEN MAYBE they might take C DIFF seriously? But... what if #2 (he stays the same) -- are they going to tell me (again) to wait longer? (as long as he's playing and not acting sick) - how long is TOO long to go with SEVERE watery diarrhea?

I did ask her about the probiotics (I didn't mention any brand names however), and she assured me they were safe, and were not making his diarrhea worse. The day following introduction of 2 capsules each florastor and sustenex, was his SICK day- fever, not playing, cranky, sleepy. So naturally I start to be skeptical and not sure if that was merely a cooincidence or if the probiotics could actually be a bad thing. I later looked up more info on them, I had already found out florastor was safe for 2 months and older, but then noticed sustenex said 12 years and older. So now I'm worried one was good, and one was bad. The first day he had 2 of each, the 2nd day just one of each, and then I stopped and he's had none at all for the past 2 days.


However I completely forgot to mention about the red dots (which seem to come and go) - they were worst when he woke up from his nap. I almost called back later to ask about it, just to be safe but then they disappeared again within an hour. Each time they appear, they are worse (more red, and raised, and more of them) than the previous time they appeared!

After researching online of various symptoms, I believe that he has "serum sickness" and this is what the red rash is!! I'm definitely going to be calling about it tomorrow. Google it, and you will read about what it is, basically a delayed allergic reaction to the antibiotic!!!

The fever always precedes the rash, which appears 7-14 days after exposure. He got the fever the day before I noticed the red dots for the first time (which was exactly 7 days AFTER his first dose of antibiotic)

Now I realize I COULD be wrong and jumping to conclusions, but IF I am correct, he is not only having a bad diarrhea brought about by the antibiotic of course, BUT He is ALSO ALLERGIC to it, AND guess what---- DIARRHEA is one of the symptoms of serum sickness! (nausea is also listed, and remember, he has had NO appetite - it is a struggle to encourage him to eat just a little bit, aside from nursing which he has no problem with)

So in light of THIS new knowledge, just gained tonight, I would say the fact that he got the fever the day after the probiotics was a cooincidence and he would have gotten sick anyway even if we had not done the probiotics.. I am likely going to restart the florastor tomorrow (but not going to do sustenex just to be safe) as his culture DID test postive for C DIFF and the florastor has been shown to help with C Diff.

Whew, please continue to share your comments, anyone- thank you!!

[momtoalexsarah]

I'm shocked that they didn't treat for it thats insane - and yes most often they don't test kids under 1 year for c-diff because it occures naturaly in a baby that is breastfed (and for up to 18m after nursing finishes). In megans case I was not surprized that it was still present as she had only weaned about 12 months before, but hers overgrew.
I wonder if you dr is thinking that your son is strong enough to beat this on his own - with my DD she had just had major facial reconstruction surgury and was in hospital for septic infection when they found it - she had gone from 26.5lb to 22.5 in a week and is already very small for a nearly 3yo. That may be why they treated her aggressivly - but it worked andher tests are clean now. I just don't understand why they would let it go

[tayndrewsmama]

I would call another doc if I were you. That's just my opinon though. This doc seems very lax about this and I don't know if that's a good thing. I'd call a doc unrelated to this one and not mention any names either.

I am not sure if you mentioned this before or not, but was this the same doc that prescribed the antibiotics in the first place? I think it is, but just checking. It's interesting that the doc that I was seeing when I had c-diff did all kinds of tests but wouldn't test for c-diff. I didn't know enough to ask for it either. Finally I was so sick that my dad brought me to my old GI and they diagnosed it right away with some interesting words about regarding why it was let to go so long by the other doc. The other doc had prescribed Flagyl for something and I wasn't comfortable with it but took it against my better judgment. Flagyl put me in the ER after three doses.

I guess what I am wondering is if some docs try to blow it off if it seems that perhaps something in their treatment plan may have caused the situation.

[momofmine]

Personally, I think it's a good thing that this doc is being conservative about the use of MORE antibiotics. It is true that many people will test positive for c diff, especially young children, (maybe they pick it up being born int he hospital?? who knows). He had some very strong antibiotics, and I don't think you can expect it to be back to normal so quickly. I would be seeking out an alternative health car practitioner who could advise me on what to do to heal his gut, though it sounds like he is improving on his own anyway, even though you stopped the probiotics. Did you look into doing the SCD for a few weeks? That's only my opinion, and what I would be doing, not trying to find a different doctor who would give me antibiotics again. You are saying he is happy, playing, nursing well, those are all good signs. Yes, the rash could be a delayed allergic reaction, but what are you going to do for it? He just needs time to get it out of his system. I am so sorry you are going through this, but this is the kind of havoc that is caused by antibiotics in the first place. They have their place, but there are usually so many other options and we are creating more problems by using antibiotics instead.

[mommyofatoz]

I did not know that 50% of children tested positive for this. My doctor seemed shocked to find it in my sons stool when he was about 6 months. have you researched this to make sure it's accurate?

My son was given the flagyl...I believe that is what they start with until they determine it will not work, cause the vanco is strong stuff. (keep in mind I reasearched all of this 2+ years ago, so some things may not be accurate)

I honestly don't remember if there was mucous in my sons' stool...I just knew he had diarrhea, wasn't eating, even screaming when I tried to feed him, and that awful smell. I don't think he ever had a fever.

I definately think you should get him started on the florastor (that is the exact stuff I gave to my ds, and I feel that is what finally kicked it, though it was in combination with the flagyl and then continued for some time after flagyl was gone.), and perhaps even seek a second opinion. I just think it is nasty stuff and it was so hard for us to beat and really did damage to our breastfeeding relationship.

Originally Posted by newmum35

update:

The results from the 1st stool culture came back this morning - POSITIVE for C DIFF - this was my fear, right?!? (the other results take longer to culture and should be back soon)

Ok, so get this - we are not to treat it (she mentioned Flagyl was the antibiotic of choice if it came to that, and NOT vancomycin- I asked about it) and it is still not cause for alarm! My ped. consulted an infectious disease specialist (shouldn't she have consulted a gastroenterologist? or are they the same in this situation?) at the childrens hospital at a city near us (about an hour away) who told her that 50% of all kids his age (he is 16 months) test postive for C Diff and you don't need to even test a stool culture unless there is mucous or blood in it.

So she was asking me about if there was mucous in it, and I didnt think so but wasn't exactly sure how she meant - she said "white stuff" and so I said no, there appears to be pale yellow stuff. (of course I hadn't examined the diapers from the first 3 or 4 days all that carefully) I mostly noted it was almost all water and then discarded. No blood, I would have seen that. Now I'm thinking, what if there HAD been mucous in the past (intestinal lining? is that what they are suspecting?) and it already shed, and now there is no more in the current bowel movements? I keep worrying about the possible damage to his intestine, having read a ton about C. Diff already.

She said as long as he is playing, acting normal, no fever, etc, not to worry and to give him ONE week from the time he stopped the antibiotic. Today he is playing as usual and not sick like the other day, he appears to be doing very good for which I am very relieved.

When I talked to her it has been 4 days since the last dose of antibiotic... so I have to wait 3 more days, and he should start improving by then (diarrhea should be getting better, that is!)

So now I'm thinking... there are 3 possibilities:

1) diarrhea improves, starts looking less like water, and more like poo

2) stays the same

3) he gets worse - gets a fever, starts acting cranky, etc

Naturally I'm hoping for #1. I'm thinking that IF #3 THEN MAYBE they might take C DIFF seriously? But... what if #2 (he stays the same) -- are they going to tell me (again) to wait longer? (as long as he's playing and not acting sick) - how long is TOO long to go with SEVERE watery diarrhea?

I did ask her about the probiotics (I didn't mention any brand names however), and she assured me they were safe, and were not making his diarrhea worse. The day following introduction of 2 capsules each florastor and sustenex, was his SICK day- fever, not playing, cranky, sleepy. So naturally I start to be skeptical and not sure if that was merely a cooincidence or if the probiotics could actually be a bad thing. I later looked up more info on them, I had already found out florastor was safe for 2 months and older, but then noticed sustenex said 12 years and older. So now I'm worried one was good, and one was bad. The first day he had 2 of each, the 2nd day just one of each, and then I stopped and he's had none at all for the past 2 days.


However I completely forgot to mention about the red dots (which seem to come and go) - they were worst when he woke up from his nap. I almost called back later to ask about it, just to be safe but then they disappeared again within an hour. Each time they appear, they are worse (more red, and raised, and more of them) than the previous time they appeared!

After researching online of various symptoms, I believe that he has "serum sickness" and this is what the red rash is!! I'm definitely going to be calling about it tomorrow. Google it, and you will read about what it is, basically a delayed allergic reaction to the antibiotic!!!

The fever always precedes the rash, which appears 7-14 days after exposure. He got the fever the day before I noticed the red dots for the first time (which was exactly 7 days AFTER his first dose of antibiotic)

Now I realize I COULD be wrong and jumping to conclusions, but IF I am correct, he is not only having a bad diarrhea brought about by the antibiotic of course, BUT He is ALSO ALLERGIC to it, AND guess what---- DIARRHEA is one of the symptoms of serum sickness! (nausea is also listed, and remember, he has had NO appetite - it is a struggle to encourage him to eat just a little bit, aside from nursing which he has no problem with)

So in light of THIS new knowledge, just gained tonight, I would say the fact that he got the fever the day after the probiotics was a cooincidence and he would have gotten sick anyway even if we had not done the probiotics.. I am likely going to restart the florastor tomorrow (but not going to do sustenex just to be safe) as his culture DID test postive for C DIFF and the florastor has been shown to help with C Diff.

Whew, please continue to share your comments, anyone- thank you!!

[WuWei]

Originally Posted by momofmine

Personally, I think it's a good thing that this doc is being conservative about the use of MORE antibiotics. It is true that many people will test positive for c diff, especially young children, (maybe they pick it up being born int he hospital?? who knows). He had some very strong antibiotics, and I don't think you can expect it to be back to normal so quickly. I would be seeking out an alternative health car practitioner who could advise me on what to do to heal his gut, though it sounds like he is improving on his own anyway, even though you stopped the probiotics. Did you look into doing the SCD for a few weeks? That's only my opinion, and what I would be doing, not trying to find a different doctor who would give me antibiotics again. You are saying he is happy, playing, nursing well, those are all good signs. Yes, the rash could be a delayed allergic reaction, but what are you going to do for it? He just needs time to get it out of his system. I am so sorry you are going through this, but this is the kind of havoc that is caused by antibiotics in the first place. They have their place, but there are usually so many other options and we are creating more problems by using antibiotics instead.

:

I'd give the probiotics and avoid MORE antibiotics.


Pat

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by momofmine

I would be seeking out an alternative health car practitioner who could advise me on what to do to heal his gut, though it sounds like he is improving on his own anyway, even though you stopped the probiotics. Did you look into doing the SCD for a few weeks? That's only my opinion, and what I would be doing, not trying to find a different doctor who would give me antibiotics again..

I remember looking several times for an alternative health provider and havent found any in my area. I will try to look again soon. It is a good idea. I would LOVE to have one for his permanent dr, but they are scarce in my area.

Today for the first time, his bowel movement sounded less like passing water, and more like poo plopping into the toilet! When I looked later, I could see a very loosely somewhat formed poo floating in the toilet!! AND he only went ONCE today so far (in the last 12 hrs!!) woo-hoo!! I am no longer concerned about C Diff - I am confident the specialist at the big childrens hospital was correct on this (I am thinking the dr didnt want to goof up again and prescribe another unnecessary antibiotic - the one on call this weekend was the 1st one who originally prescribed it for him) otherwise he's been seen by the 2nd dr ever since.

I might get a completely 2nd opinion on all this (especially his rash) at a completely different practice in another area anyway, if I can get seen within a few days that is (while he still has the rash) - I called the ped (the dr on call was the 1st dr- who I didn't like the fact that she put him on unnecessary antibiotics in the first place) and told her about the rash (I didnt mention "serum sickness" cause I wasnt real sure and I didnt want to be playing doctor myself over the phone) and her first thought was a "heat rash." I wasn't real happy with this answer- I had told her it was more prominent upon waking up and during bath. Then I said he's never had one before and he's had lots of warm baths and we keep the house cool (she mentioned the heat is up this time of year) I reminded her of the fever he had on Thursday and the spots started the next day. She thought maybe it was a virus he picked up, and that they can sometimes cause a rash for a few days following a fever.

She asked me whether I changed his detergent (no - I use all natural kind, I forget the name offhand, its purchased online and is white powder in a box), wore new clothes on him without washing them first (no) etc.

She asked if the spots were itchy and I said I didn't think they were, that I only saw him scratching it once, I think. (his belly) ... but otherwise, he's still playing and appears happy, etc. It doesnt seem to bother him. She said if it gets worse I can have him seen in a day or two, etc..

I'm definitely going to be calling in the morning (mon) to be seen, as I want this seen in person, and not through a phone description. I asked her whether she thought it had anything to do with his diarrhea, the c. diff, or the anitibiotic, and she said "no" !!!

I was speechless... (not the answer I expected) --I said I would try to get him seen in a day or two, as she suggested.

I am suprised she didnt consider the possibility of a reaction to his medicine. I didnt want to go into detail of the "serum sickness" possibility over the phone, but I'm hoping to get an appt with the 2nd dr tomorrow, and see what SHE thinks, and then I will mention that I think this could be a delayed allergic reaction to his medicine, and see what they think? Online it did say the symptoms could be mild (which I think he has a rather mild case of it) or severe (with huge purple hives etc)

I'm just afraid he could be allergic to penicillin based antibiotics and want it documented as such (IF that is true) to avoid worse scenerios in the future god forbid he would ever have a real NEED for abx when he gets older. Only I'm not sure how to prove the "allergy" is real, or even IF there is a test for that or not (more questions for the dr) - - - I will be asking lots of questions tomorrow and may even see another dr for a 2nd opinion too (from aNOTHER practice) about all of this. I definitely don't plan on seeking MORE antibiotics from another dr if he doens't need them (and seeing as his diarrhea is improving, I believe he does NOT need to be treated for c diff, and that he does NOT have the manifestations of c diff disease even though he tested positive - I think they were right on that)

I printed out all about the link (diet) you sent me but havent had time to make anything from it yet... luckily he was eager to eat a rice/chicken casserole my husband made (even though it contained one bad ingredient - dairy - in the form of cheese) and today his appetite is returning somewhat, and he ate oatmeal, and the casserole (and yesterday he had the rice casserole too) and I think this really helped him.. I gave him a little florastor today, not a lot, maybe 1/3 of capsule. A spoonful or two of yogurt. I will continue with smaller quantities of the florastor until he is back to normal again.


I just need to find out WHAT this rash is, and whether it is in fact related to his antibiotic, or was merely a cooincidence. I took some photos of it, not sure how they came out yet, but I will try to do another bath and get more pictures tonight. I'm afraid the rash will disappear before he's able to be seen. Today is the 3rd day of the rash. The spots come and go but when they "go" they are actually there still but you can hardly see them and have to look close to find them. When they are more prominent, then you can feel them raised above the skin, with your fingers, and they are darker pink/red and much easier to see ---- all over his face, arms, belly, legs, feet, etc.

It began in his torso area (chest/belly) on friday morning. Spread down to his legs, and over his whole body. I thought I saw him rubbing his face often but I thought that's cause he was tired. Now Im wondering if it could actually be slightly itchy after all. So Im trying to watch him. Today I saw him scratch his neck, but only once. (But does a 16 month old really "scratch?" he hasnt really learned this yet lol)

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by mommyofatoz

I did not know that 50% of children tested positive for this. My doctor seemed shocked to find it in my sons stool when he was about 6 months. have you researched this to make sure it's accurate?

My son was given the flagyl...I believe that is what they start with until they determine it will not work, cause the vanco is strong stuff. (keep in mind I reasearched all of this 2+ years ago, so some things may not be accurate)

I honestly don't remember if there was mucous in my sons' stool...I just knew he had diarrhea, wasn't eating, even screaming when I tried to feed him, and that awful smell. I don't think he ever had a fever.

I definately think you should get him started on the florastor (that is the exact stuff I gave to my ds, and I feel that is what finally kicked it, though it was in combination with the flagyl and then continued for some time after flagyl was gone.), and perhaps even seek a second opinion. I just think it is nasty stuff and it was so hard for us to beat and really did damage to our breastfeeding relationship.

Well apparently thats what the infectious disease specialist thought - the fact he was nursing well and not having OTHER symptoms of the C. Diff disease (other than a positive culture) - were not cause for alarm... They said if he got a fever, or started acting cranky, etc, to let them know.

I think the awful smell could be a clue too. When I had C Diff the odor was unreal, and he has NONE to his liquid watery diarrhea. (They never mentioned to me about odor though) - now I'm thinking maybe that was my clue not to worry?

I mostly started panicking the day he DID get the fever and had to be HELD ALL DAY LONG!!!! only sick day in his life!!!! This was before we knew he was ++ pos. for C. Diff and I knew those were bad signs!! (fever, cranky, etc) so naturally I was scared.

I did find in my research young kids (a large percentage) and a smaller percentage of adults DO test positive for C. Diff without ever having symptoms of the actual disease (asympomatic carriers, I think) - they can pass it to others though.

My own GI issues seem to have resolved (Im guessing it was caused by sustenex probiotic) - I took a few capsules one or two days. I stopped that one, and only continued with florastor --- no issues are returning. I am suspecting the sustenex just doens't agree with me, and plus I was super worried during that time about my son, and didnt eat right that day, or sleep well. Me and my son are both taking florastor as a precaution, but giving him only part of a capsule, and myself the recommended 1 or 2 capsules per day.

All is looking brighter - today he had a really GOOD day - I am just so confused what this rash is and whether it is a true allergic reaction or not. Diarrhea and nausea are listed as symptoms of serum sickness. He fits the bill perfectly.