Would love a medical professionals advice please

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Hope someone can advise on this tricky situation.

Have been plagued by UTIs and sinus infections recently which ended in me having about 6 courses of different antibiotics, which was a concern as I have had a proven c difficile infection in past.

Saw GP while on holiday at in laws this week as had uTI and sinus symptoms again..tested positive for UTI, had blood and pus coming from sinus..temp 38.4

Prescribed co-amoxiclav but on day 2 of it have really bad diarrhoea.. constant all day.

So feel like should stop the antibiotics but then don't want the sinus infection/UTI to flare up.

Plan was I was to hand in urine and stool samples to own GP in Tuesday but call emergency GP here if worse over weekend.

Not sure what I should do, or if they could even do anything?

Any advice welcome. :)

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Or maybe I am too hopeless a case :) am an old wreck

[AIN]

I'm not a doctor but my son is regularly on co amoxiclav and has the same symptoms. We've been told to carry on taking them anyway.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Yes I'm just not sure as was told to stop if had diarrhoea in case it is c diff.

So not sure what best thing to do is.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks for answering..that is helpful to hear :)

[hazeyjane]

Have a friend whose son has recurring c-diff, and know she has had help from a support helpline - I think it is this one

www.cdiff-support.co.uk/

Hope you feel better soon.

[SpottyTeacakes]

Not sure re the c diff but we always take pro biotics with antibiotics which stops the diarrhoea (for us at least and gp's at work recommend this). Hope you feel better. Maybe 111 could advise?

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks Hazey. .I may call them if they are open (these things always happen in the holidays! )

Thanks Spotty..yes am taking probiotics. I think there is a separate out of hours service here so will probably call them tomorrow.

[SueGeneris]

Could probiotics help you?

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/probiotics/Pages/Introduction.aspx#diarrhoea

[SueGeneris]

Sorry x post!

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Have been taking probiotics for weeks :(

[hazeyjane]

They also have a forum, so someone on there might have some insight.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks for answering though :)

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Good idea thanks Hazey

[FadedRed]

The usual care for diarrhoea when previous C diff is to avoid the broad spectrum AB's like Co amoxyclav and treat with more specific antimicrobials if necessary.
They told you to contact OOH if your condition worsens so this is what I think you should do. Ring 111, and explain your condition and stress the previous C Diff infection.
The risk of complications from UTI, sinus and C Diff would be in balance more weighted to risk from CDiff iyswim.
If it were me, I wouldn't take anymore AB's without proper medical opinion, not random MNer's and ring 111 for advice.
You need to discuss this with a doctor/nurse Practioner who knows about C diff.
Also ring your GP first thing tomorrow and explain the situation with the expectation of being seen same day. Take your stool and urine specimens.
At home ideally have you own toilet and copious use of bleach containing products on all touch surfaces (loos, flush, taps, light switches, door handles etc).
Lots of hand washing for all in your household, no food prep for you for other people if possible.
Keeps yourself well hydrated, bland fluids, no alcohol or caffeine to irritate your bladder.
I'm sure you are NOT a hopeless case! Hope you feel better soon.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks. Yes I intend to consult the gP here tomorrow (am still on holiday) rather than merely "consult random MNers" but wanted to get some advice in meantime as I am confused about it :)

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I wasn't delighted to be given the broad spectrum ABs but was told I couldn't send urine and stool samples off until Tuesday when I got home to see own GP.

Was given the several courses of broad spectrum ABs before as unfortunately they were UTIS which were only sensitive to a small number of antibiotics.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

My own GP seems to know about c different more than the one I saw her on Thursday but cant see her until Tuesday. :(

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Sorry - autocorrect.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Thanks everyone for your advice

[FadedRed]

Fanjo I hope you are feeling a bit better today?
Looking back at my post, I think I sounded a bit harsh, and I really didn't mean to.
C diff is a miserable condition and complicates future treatment of infections. When I was in infection control, the Deptof Health and Public Health England (aka HPA) issues loads of guidelines for care and treatment of C Diff, continuously (it seemed) updating them and it sometimes became quite confusing, especially in primary care, where the average HCP would only see a small number of patients to whom this advice was necessary, as most acute cases were seen and treated in hospitals.
The problem in primary care is seeing someone with an acute infection that needs immediate treatment with AB's but they do not have the lab facilities available to differentiate the cause of the infection and treat with the most appropriate AB, that minimises the risk of setting off the C diff again.
My post sounded like you had a choice, which of course you didn't. I'm sorry if it came across like that, it wasn't meant to.
Many people who have had C diff end up as experts in their own condition, (often knowing more about the specifics of it than some HCP's) and the last thing you need to be having to do when you are ill is trying to explain why the HCP needs to be more carefully prescribing AB's to you that the patient who hasn't got a history of having CDiff iyswim.
Anyway, I hope you are soon feeling better.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

No its fine.I appreciated your post :)

Diarrhoea has settled a bit for the moment since I havent taken the ABs. Still got a high temp and UTI symptoms though.

I called NHS 24 and local OOH GP is going to call me within 4 hours apparently.

As you say I don't see how they will be able to give me the right ABs without a lab test though.

[FadedRed]

Glad you are going to get some more advice. Sod's Law this happens over BH and weekends, isn't it?
I would hope that the HCP could talk with the on-call Microbiologist to get their specialist opinion as to how to proceed in your situation, but whether that will happen or not remains to be seen.
I'm sure you are already doing this, but keep up the fluids, cranberry juice etc to flush your bladder out and reduce the discomfort of the UTi.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Well I wasn't that impressed.

Gp instantly offered me cephalexin. I said surely that wouldn't be good for c diff. He said I wouldn't have c diff after 2 days of antibiotics. I explained I'd had several weeks of them. He then offered me ciprofloxacin. I said my GP had warned me not to take that unless necessary.

He said he would give me any antibiotic I wanted or I could wait and see my GP on Tuesday. I got prescription for trimethoprim as it seemed the best option. Sinuses will have to fend for themselves.

Will try to see my useful GP on Tuesday.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

Have not taken the trimethoprim yet either. Will keep it in reserve.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

In laws are shouting at me to take it. Roll on going home and being independent adult (I am 43!)