I was a young, 21 year old girl and I was a hypochondriac at the time – always thinking I was ill. I had a sore throat and immediately I went to the doctor, who said it was not bacterial, so he didn’t give me an antibiotic. I called the office afterward and begged for an antibiotic, as I thought this was going to keep me safe. Reluctantly, they prescribed me Augmentin. After one pill, I began having diarrhea and I knew something wasn’t right. I went on a camping trip with my friends, and while there, began to lose my appetite, have foul smelling gas and diarrhea, which turned into not being able to pass gas without pooping. I had a fullness and burning in my bottom lower intestines and developed a fever as well. I read up online about possibilities and C. difficile came up as a reason. As soon as I got home, I took myself to the emergency room and after doing stool culture, they confirmed I had C diff.

I was so horrified and upset and sick. I was mad at myself for pushing for antibiotics and also mad that the doctor didn’t tell me no again. At that time though, C. diff wasn’t as well known as it is these days. Flagyl was given to me (terrible taste ) and it worked until I relapsed after a week or two and went back to the hospital and was given more. Finally, it subsided. It was the worst illness I’ve ever had and to this day, 17 years later, I’m still deathly afraid of taking any medication or being around sick people.

I learned my lesson but still, it’s scary how so many people don’t wash their hands and they can transmit this deathly disease to others. I have to take a probiotic (Culturelle) every day or else my stomach is upset. It has disturbed my flora and my stomach is always uneasy and acidic and burning, even if I feel okay. Please don’t make mistake I did and think that antibiotics are a solution for every thing. Also, don’t dumb this down and say it’s just diarrhea because it’s not, and you’re highly contagious with this! Do not let people make you feel guilty for masking and wearing gloves and staying away from you if they get it. Protect yourself.