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Guest blog post written by Ricky S. on October 2016
Since overcoming C. diff, my life has changed immensely. I never thought that I’d recover or live a normal life again. If it weren’t for the positivity surrounding me, I do not think I ever would have bounced back the way I have.
I think the most difficult part of living with C. diff was feeling suffocated. I felt confined when I was sick, and I was slowly becoming depressed and discouraged. I literally could not leave the house without panicking or worrying about what I would do if I couldn’t find an available bathroom. I used to see pictures of my friends all over social media where they were outdoors and in public-hiking, travelling, going to dinner-simple things that other people take for granted when they have their health. I wanted to be like my friends. I wanted to be healthy. I just wanted to have my life back.
After undergoing a Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) in my own home, I immediately saw results. I was not, however, completely free of C. diff’s symptoms and I still felt the awful panic when I ventured out of my home. I took many tests after my FMT to see if I still had C. diff, and all of these tests came back negative. Why was I having these horrible symptoms? I asked my doctor many times, and I always got the same answer: My gut was damaged and needed time to heal. I felt so discouraged and I didn’t know what to do. I sought the help of one more person, a holistic doctor that worked out of Los Angeles who had come very highly recommended. This doctor’s advice was clear: stay positive and relax. The gut and the mind are connected, immensely, and she told me that I was literally making myself sick. Was it really that simple? Honestly, it was.
Over the past few years, I have learned not to let my mind control my gut. This lesson has changed my life completely, and has given me a whole new perspective on my illness.
I no longer feel suffocated. Since overcoming my fears, I have become one of those people in the pictures I used to look at. I have hiked all over, traveled to Europe and South America, and recently graduated with both my Bachelor’s and my Master’s degrees from California State University Long Beach. I used to view my illness as a hindrance—which it certainly was at the time—but now I actually look at my illness as the motivator to propel me forward. When I had C. diff, I used to despise explaining what it was to people. Nowadays, I am an open book about C. diff and how it has affected my life and the lives of others. I want to help people and propel them forward as well. No one should ever have to feel the way that I, and so many others, have felt when battling C. diff. There is help out there in the world and there are people who want to listen to your story. I know it’s much easier said than done, but it’s possible. C. diff was not the end-all for me and it doesn’t have to be for you either.
Stay positive, stay focused, and do not ever lose yourself.
This is Ricky’s updated story about life after overcoming C.diff. You can read Ricky’s original story here.
Loved hearing your positive comeback to tough situation. I would love to get the name of the holistic dr
Ricky,
Thank you so much for this information. My husband was diagnosed with C. diff and received a fecal transplant but I am having such a hard time finding out anything regarding the aftermath of once C. diff is cured and what to expect. If you have the time and could send me an email I have some questions I would love to ask you.
Thank you,
Anna J
Anna J – if you find out anything, also let me know. I have been dealing with CDiff for nearly 8 months now and I hope this time it is gone. However, I too, cannot find anything about how long it takes to fully recover.
Thank you so much for posting this article. I was diagnosed with C diff 2 months ago and I’m still very, very sick. My gastroenterologist told me it will take my body some time to heal. I was otherwise a perfectly healthy 24 year old who happened to just unfortunately develop this illness. I haven’t been able to work or leave my house this entire time… my mental health has obviously taken a bad turn. I feel exactly what you felt seeing friends living their lives and wishing I could do the same. I’m longing for the day when I feel “normal” again. Staying positive is key, as I’ve been told but it is hard. Hope we can all feel well and stay well Thanks so much.
Hi,
What medicine wee you on?
I dealt with C diff for 6 months, on vancomycin the entire time , with no effect. I too felt totally isolated and panicked whenever I left the house for fear I would need an emergency trip to the bathroom. I then had a successful fecal transplant which improved my physical problem but mentally I still had a fear of leaving the house which I felt was like a form of PTSD. I am still struggling with this and it’s a hard thing for people to understand.
Feel extremely sorry for anyone like this
my mother like this in hospital 4 times in last 6 weeks with c diff
then constipated & still diarrohea alternating even after 3 times c diff gone
they keep saying will do a feceal transplant but never do
Does cdif cause nerve damage, pancreas damage with IBS!