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Original poster

Anyone had campylobacter?

51 replies

Orchid90 · 18/09/2024 13:03

Hi!
so I think I might have it .
lets start by saying that I was exposed to the bug at work ( nurse)
Won’t go into the lovely details , I let it to your imagination .
anyway stated with a temp last week, didn’t think much of it, then on Friday I had a temp of 40 , starts with diarrhoea, tons of it . Horrific pain , cramps …Sunday it turned bloody . Now , I’m still a/w culture that went off on Monday afternoon. I still have diarrhoea in the morning ( touch wood the rest of the day seems better ) it’s still moucusy and still has some blood streaks, less than it was though . I need 48 hours diarrhea free before going back to work , can’t see that happening any time soon. I’m living off bread and dyoralite …has anybody had anything like this? I don’t know what else it could be . GP made me do a FIT test too ( occult blood in stool) which obviously is positive as I could see the blood, nothing hidden there ..so I guess that would win me a colonoscopy at some point anyway .
Just checking if anybody has a timeframe as to when things got back to normal ish xx
also how long to have the cultures back ?? We have a very quick test in hospital that only takes 1 hour …I thought they might be in by now being 48 hours later …

OP posts:
QueenCamilla · 20/09/2024 00:09

Pets can contaminate the environment too.

flosset · 20/09/2024 00:14

I had it two years ago and i was so ill. I think I caught it eating in a Chinese restaurant as one of the dishes was quite cold. TMI but mines started with really smelly gas but I didn't think anything of it as felt fine. I was packing to go on holiday and suddenly got a really sore headache and I knew instantly I was getting sick as it's just felt so sudden and different. I foolishly thought it was a 24 hour bug that was going round at the time and went on holiday. Had to get 2 flights there and never made it out of the hotel once I got there. Only twice to go to see doctors. Shitting blood and the smell was horrible. Like infection smell similar to C-diff smell if anyone has experience of that from working in hospitals. It lasted for weeks I lost a lot of weight and my stomach wasn't right for a long time. I never vomited once but couldn't bear the thought of food. Could only take sips of apple juice and ice lollys to keep hydration up. Mind you I was happy with the weight loss lol

sandgrown · 20/09/2024 00:28

i caught it in a friend’s semi derelict restaurant in Uzbekistan but as the incubation period can be long I wasn’t seriously ill until back in the UK . I had vomiting and diarrhoea and a high temperature.I was delirious at one point . The hotel got me a doctor who prescribed a homeopathic medicine which I think was called Arsen Alb ( contains arsenic ) which stopped it enough for me to travel home . I lost lots of weight . I think it took about 2 weeks to recover.

rubyslipperss · 07/10/2024 19:29

How are you now OP ?
I had it this summer and was hospitalised for nearly a week for iv fluids and hydration. I'm still feeling rubbish 3 months on ! Bowels nearly back to normal thankfully though have definitely been left with some IBS .

CoastalCalm · 07/10/2024 19:37

Yep courtesy of a subway chicken tikka salad , I had crohns so the symptoms were confused with that initially but ended up in hospital and a couple of weeks later they confirmed it had been that

ImWearingPantaloons · 07/10/2024 19:43

I had it about 20 years ago.

I thought I was going to die, god it was painful. Everything hurt and I was as weak as a kitten

itwasnevermine · 07/10/2024 19:44

My dad did. It nearly killed him.

Sent him into atrial fibrillation and he had to have an op to reverse that, and left him with kidney failure

Original poster
Orchid90 · 08/10/2024 11:10

rubyslipperss · 07/10/2024 19:29

How are you now OP ?
I had it this summer and was hospitalised for nearly a week for iv fluids and hydration. I'm still feeling rubbish 3 months on ! Bowels nearly back to normal thankfully though have definitely been left with some IBS .

Well, it’s been just over three weeks and although I’m definitely better , I’m definitely not back where I was . I lost quite a lot of weight and was very weak, barely ate for two weeks . So ended up getting 3 weeks off work.
weirdly I then went from diarrhoea to terrible constipation in a matter of days . Which I believe has triggered my piles/ fissure and some more small bleeding , so now having to repeat the FIT test and possibly looking at having a colonoscopy, oh honestly it has totally messed up my bowels. I only had a sigmoidoscopy 10 months ago …feel like I might as well start a subscription plan to the endoscopy unit 😏😏 I put back on about a 1.5 kg but people still comment on the fact I lost weight . Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, hopefully I’ll never catch it again .
thanks for asking , and hopes you are on the mend too, I’m not surprised it takes soo long to recover .

OP posts:
itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 11:15

@Orchid90 my dad had troubles with his bowels post infection too. It really messes with your gut micro biome and it doesn't help that you than have to eat anything you can get your hands on to get weight back on you!

My dad (TMI warning) ended up damaging the skin around his anus. This leads to regular bleeds, and he also developed piles. So he has regular colonoscopies to look at what's going on there!

Original poster
Orchid90 · 08/10/2024 11:37

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 11:15

@Orchid90 my dad had troubles with his bowels post infection too. It really messes with your gut micro biome and it doesn't help that you than have to eat anything you can get your hands on to get weight back on you!

My dad (TMI warning) ended up damaging the skin around his anus. This leads to regular bleeds, and he also developed piles. So he has regular colonoscopies to look at what's going on there!

Im sorry you dad had such a horrible time with it. It’s definitely a proper PITA this thing! And not the couple of days stomach upset you might here and then if you eat something not quite right .
But thanks for sharing , I also had a couple of camera test and also I ended up having an operation to fix a anal fissure after I had my first child. Add in the odd pile and it’s all very precarious at best of time . Got to make sure I don’t get diarrhoea or constipation so tbh it was never gonna end well …🙄🙄🙄🙄

OP posts:
rubyslipperss · 08/10/2024 13:35

Thanks @Orchid90 - I'm trying to see if other people have been through similar and like you I had bowel probs before which have been made worse . I'm actually trying the low fodmap diet under a dietitian to see if that helps and i'm realising I've definitely developed an intolerance to wheat and dairy at the moment! But the main physical symptom I'm having now three months on is just absolute exhaustion! I'm only managing my very minimal hours at work and really not leading normal life.

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 13:36

rubyslipperss · 08/10/2024 13:35

Thanks @Orchid90 - I'm trying to see if other people have been through similar and like you I had bowel probs before which have been made worse . I'm actually trying the low fodmap diet under a dietitian to see if that helps and i'm realising I've definitely developed an intolerance to wheat and dairy at the moment! But the main physical symptom I'm having now three months on is just absolute exhaustion! I'm only managing my very minimal hours at work and really not leading normal life.

This is very random but ask for a check up on your heart.

My dad was triggered into a three month AF attack after his infection. Some days he could hardly hold his head up

rubyslipperss · 08/10/2024 14:25

@itwasnevermine oh that's awful I'm so sorry - how is he now ? I actually have had episodes of palpitations and tachycardia and having a 48 hour tape fitted soon . Hoping no irregular beats .

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 14:32

rubyslipperss · 08/10/2024 14:25

@itwasnevermine oh that's awful I'm so sorry - how is he now ? I actually have had episodes of palpitations and tachycardia and having a 48 hour tape fitted soon . Hoping no irregular beats .

We're a few years on now and he's all good! He ended up paying privately to get the op as the nhs list was 3 years long!

Waves12345 · 08/10/2024 21:16

Thanks for everyone sharing their varied experiences of this awful bug. Im now 3 weeks after the start, which was 5 days of fever and D&V, exhausted and a bit delirious. Generally much better, Ive been doing as much work as i can along with busy family of five home. Ive had two bouts of fever this week, and have had to sleep it off as too exhausted. Ive still got diahorrea (10+ a day) and contraction like pains. My doctor has just mentioned i maybe lactose intolerant. I haven't eaten much dairy apart from kefir and natural yogurt. He said it would br too late and damaging to my gut to take anti biotics now. Has anyone had them later in the illness? My stomach feels so fragile!

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 21:55

Waves12345 · 08/10/2024 21:16

Thanks for everyone sharing their varied experiences of this awful bug. Im now 3 weeks after the start, which was 5 days of fever and D&V, exhausted and a bit delirious. Generally much better, Ive been doing as much work as i can along with busy family of five home. Ive had two bouts of fever this week, and have had to sleep it off as too exhausted. Ive still got diahorrea (10+ a day) and contraction like pains. My doctor has just mentioned i maybe lactose intolerant. I haven't eaten much dairy apart from kefir and natural yogurt. He said it would br too late and damaging to my gut to take anti biotics now. Has anyone had them later in the illness? My stomach feels so fragile!

They should take a sample to confirm that it is campylobacter as if I recall correctly you'll need a specific antibiotic.

My dad did have dodgy bowels for a long time and things like lactose intolerance are common because your gut microbiome is totally destroyed by bugs like this.

If I remember my dad was on antibiotics for a good 2/3 weeks plus a plethora of other supplements that were all prescribed to get him back up and running

Waves12345 · 08/10/2024 21:58

Thank you, sorry I should have mentioned I had the stool sample confirmed on day 10. That’s interesting as my doctor has just said there’s no treatment or medication I need to be patient for it to pass.

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 21:59

Waves12345 · 08/10/2024 21:58

Thank you, sorry I should have mentioned I had the stool sample confirmed on day 10. That’s interesting as my doctor has just said there’s no treatment or medication I need to be patient for it to pass.

It's okay, it's a horrible illness!

I don't believe that's true and I'd be pushing for a second opinion. As far as I'm aware it doesn't "just pass" and that's why the specific antibiotics are needed, and in any event it's clearly not passing for you!

Justasmallgless · 08/10/2024 22:05

I had it last year and wasn't given anything by the GP except advised to buy Buscopan over the counter

www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/209221/Campylobacter-June-2014.pdf

This is from NHS Scotland and states antibiotics are not normally required.

Took me at least 7 days for diarrhoea to stop and I struggled to eat for another week.

Justasmallgless · 08/10/2024 22:06

Sorry meant to say that although this is from June 2014 it is what the GP sent me as an information leaflet to read

itwasnevermine · 08/10/2024 22:14

My dad was told antibiotics were the preferred treatment, maybe that's cos of his age?

Either way 10+ days of it just can't be ignored, it's such a strain on your body

Chouette77 · 08/10/2024 22:21

I had this, just horrible. TMI but the colour of the diarrhoea - fluorescent green!

rubyslipperss · 09/10/2024 11:40

Waves12345 · 08/10/2024 21:58

Thank you, sorry I should have mentioned I had the stool sample confirmed on day 10. That’s interesting as my doctor has just said there’s no treatment or medication I need to be patient for it to pass.

I had Co - Amoviclav IV for 5 days and then another week of oral . They said it was because my symptoms had been severe - ie dehydration and was passing so much diarrhoea. They said they would t normally give ABs as they further strip the gut . It's really exhausting isn't it ? I never realised how bad it would be . I saw the GP this morning who said my fatigue is likely due to the inflammation still being present in my body . Feels like it will never go away atm . I have work and busy family so sympathise . Can you take some time off work ?

rubyslipperss · 09/10/2024 11:49

Ps it is such a big strain on your body as others have said - def go back and ask again . Also worth asking if you can speak to dietitian. I have gone private for that - found one locally online and I'm now on low fodmap - but I'm having red to Gastro .

Waves12345 · 09/10/2024 19:55

Thank you for the extra advice and hearing other people’s experiences of it. I feel a little more confident to pursue this. Thanks ☺️