Hi,

I read some of your post and it helped to know others are going through this. I have been on antibiotics. Augmentin and Vancomycin for almost six weeks. I finish this Friday and have a CT the following Tuesday. If I am still infected or the perforation is not closed, I start two more weeks of antibiotics. The end result would be a surgery but the doctors are very worried about operating on me. I have Rheumatol Arthritis and Vasculitis. I have been sick with many things over the last few months. I am 58 but feel much older. I was so concerned about the loose stool. I have had CDIFF in the past the last  time was about a year and a half ago. That’s why I take Vancomycin. That is one of the worst things I have ever gone through and I have had 18 surgeries so that means a lot. The CDIFF I was told was due to my very high dose of antacids which I have been on for 15 years. That and so much antibiotics due to bronchitis and pneumonia.  My acid reflux is so bad that I aspirate into my lungs at night and get pneumonia. Sorry, back to this subject. They checked me twice during the last four weeks and I did not have CDIFF, but the constant loose stool scares me. I am sure it’s not cdiff though because I feel much different when I have that and the diarrhea is many times during the day. Now I pass stool two to three times a day at most. All of this came as a side effect of Acterma a drug I took as an infusion one time to treat the Vasculitis and RA. My doctor was worried he said the side effect can be diverticulitis, perforation or infection and I got all three within a week of taking it. I hope that the antibiotics work, though I only have four days left and I still have pain, loose stool and nausea. A lot of people suggested banana I may start one a day. I worked in the medical field for 16 years until I became to sick last year. So I know banana, rice, applesauce and toast are great for diahrrea, as I am sure many mothers know the BRAT diet also. My doctor asked me to switch now to very low fiber, which has been that way all along, but now high protein and before it was low protein. I have lost weight and had to have a blood transfusion for anemia which was the first time in my life. Maybe that’s why he wants more protein. He also asked me to drink Ensure everyday. I am diabetic but stopped my metformin throughout this because of not eating much. Sorry for the long post in the future I will be much shorter. I think the thing I am most worried about I’d the loose stool and the urgency to go. When I feel I have to go I have only minutes to get to the bathroom, not sure if that’s form everything that’s going on.