In February 2020 I was prescribed both clindamycin and cefalexin for a breast abscess. Three weeks after I finished my course of antibiotics, in March 2020, I started to have severe, painful abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Each day became worse and worse until I was up through the night and couldn’t be away from the toilet for more than half an hour.

I went to my primary care doctor, but she dismissed it as viral gastroenteritis. My symptoms did not improve, and I progressed to having bloody diarrhea. Finally I demanded a referral to a gastroenterologist, and stool tests were ordered. He was sure it was C. diff based on my recent antibiotic use and the symptom presentation, so he prescribed vancomycin. Two days later I officially tested positive for C. diff.

Initially, I got better, but within five days my symptoms returned and I had a recurrence. I then started a six-week taper of vancomycin and recovered. Although it has been over a year and a half since I first got sick, I still struggle with post-infectious IBS. I lost 30 pounds through the ordeal and am still trying to regain my strength. I also now have severe healthcare-associated anxiety and fear of all antibiotics.