Crippling fear of C Diff

[RealLifeClanger]

My partner has just been prescribed a week of amoxicillin and metronidazole for a gum infection. I am terrified of him getting c diff and it spreading to me and the kids. I am keeping up with bathroom hygiene and bleaching the loo but I can't get past the fear. I know it's a small chance but I can't stop thinking about it. I feel like I'll be obsessing about it for weeks. He is in a lot of pain so I'm glad he has them but I'm just so scared of the side effects. He thinks I'm being irrational, which I probably am, but I've asked him to be more hygienic for the foreseeable. How can I stop obsessing about this and carry on without it consuming me?

This all stems from an elderly relative contracting it in hospital and subsequently dying but they were very ill and frail anyway. I also had a very bad time on cefalexin recently, which absolutely ruined me and I was checked for c diff multiple times, which were thankfully negative. My partner is much healthier than me so will hopefully not be as ill as I was when I was on antibiotics.

You need counselling for your irrational fears. Mumsnet cannot counsel you.

I know this won’t help because your phobia is irrational but it’s extremely rare to catch it really. I’ve been on daily antibiotics for 30 years at various doses for bladder issues and I’ve never had it - had cefalexin and all sorts. Most people who do have it make a full recovery.

This all stems from an elderly relative contracting it in hospital and subsequently dying but they were very ill and frail anyway. I also had a very bad time on cefalexin recently, which absolutely ruined me and I was checked for c diff multiple times, which were thankfully negative.

Given that history it's not surprising that you've developed that phobia; but it is a phobia and it is irrational. A short course of hypnotherapy – or possibly CBT via your doctor – should help you.

@sorrynotathome I've been in counselling for 2 years. It's not helped much really.

@Pepperedpickles thank you, I'm holding on to that it's extremely rare.

@Eyesopenwideawake I've had hypnotherapy before for health anxiety and ibs type symptoms but it didn't help me much. Not long term anyway. Maybe I should try someone else.