Health Anxiety on Antibiotics - HELP!

[NoUsername1001]

Long story short, had open hernia surgery 3.5wks ago. Healing very well internally, externally the wound is taking a little longer but getting there.

I had a 7 day course of 625mg Co Amoxiclav to take, I took probiotics alongside. Finished last Saturday.
Yesterday, my GP prescribed another 7 day course 500mg this time as my wound has opened slightly and weeping, no one has tested for infection, it’s all “just in case”.

Anyway, flagged on my notes were “C-diff risk” which with health anxiety, sent my head in a spin!!
I’m a relatively healthy (slightly overweight but making healthy options) 36 year old mum… I’m also taking probiotics aswell as eating live yoghurts to help… I’m terrified every pill I take that I’m closer to getting it.

Can someone bring me back down to earth please?

But what’s the issue? That’s why the doctor has extended the antibiotics, so it’s fine.

I think it was more the “c-diff” risk as I know taking antibiotics for longer is a risk.

I have health anxiety and can’t see the wood for the trees currently!

I don’t think a teeny extra seven days will make anything worse.

For c diff risk to increase, it would need to be a long duration of antibiotic treatment, or taking multiple antibiotics concurrently, or taking multiple antibiotic courses, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.

Thank you! That’s really reassuring :)

Cut yourself so slack OP - you've just been through surgery. When you start to fret, firmly push the thoughts out of your mind and distract yourself.

Please try deep breathing and relaxing your body. You can't get stressed if your body is relaxed - it doesn't make sense to the mind. I use this knowledge to deal with stressful situations.

Try going outside into fresh air too - anything to switch off rumination.

All the best for your recovery 💐

Absolutely agree.

OP, the extra 7 days of this antibiotic is sensible, in view of the risk of developing a wound infection and associated complications. Perfect safety-netting, imo.

Please don't worry about C Diff, this tends to happen with much longer-term use of specific antibiotics as @Choppedcoriander has explained. Your risk of developing a wound infection far outweighs a risk of C Diff, and your health anxiety would spiral, horribly, should that happen, I would imagine.

You are being looked after entirely appropriately and you should be reasurred by that.

Best of luck!

Thank you @Oneearringlost and @Yogic your replies were lovely, made me cry!

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and help me out of my dark place 😊

Unmumsnetty hug. You will come out of the tunnel. It's onwards and upwards for you.