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1232362 tn?1333135406

severe acute diarrhea

i have divirticulosis which is asymptomatic. for the past 2 months have been struggling w/ ear inf trying assorted things to correct. 4 past 4 days have been unable to eat any but jello or not eating at all because of jaw pain when chewing and opening mouth wide enough hurts ears and jaws. now seem to be moving past all that finally (yay!!!) but since last night started having severe diarrhea. i don't feel ill-just that-it's close to being disastrous. i'm now able to eat oatmeal, raisin bran and such-is immodium ad ok? anything else i should if continues-drinking fluids to avoid dehydration.
Best Answer
Avatar universal
Sorry you've been having diarrhea. Were you taking antibiotic(s) for the ear infection? If yes, I would call your doctor's office today, tell them you've had severe diarrhea and ask if you can bring in a stool specimen to see if you have a bacterial infection (like Clostridium Difficile, or C.Diff.)

Antibiotics are great in that they kill off bad (and even deadly) bacteria; unfortunately, they kill off good bacteria as well. What can happen is the balance of good bacteria in your body can be thrown off, and a bacteria like C.Diff. can take over and cause an infection and serious illness if not treated. Do NOT take Immodium until they get back with you to say you don't have C.Diff.

C.Diff. bacteria make a toxin and diarrhea is nature's way, the body's way of getting rid of the poison fast so it hopefully won't harm vital organs. Immodium keeps things in the body longer, so to speak, which you do not want to do in case you have this infection.  

I'm not saying you have C.Diff., but having had it and seeing my mother struggle with it as well, it's best to be tested as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry.

Good luck,
Yvette
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1232362 tn?1333135406
i did take amox tr-K cl 875 mg 2x a day for 10 days but that was back in june-then a nasal spray was tried-now we;re up to ear drops. i think the problem was caused by not eating any fiber for all those days-if i don't eat some sort of oatmeal or such daily i'll have issues and since i essentially didn't eat all those days i suspect that may be what happened-thanks for your help! i;ll keep w/the fluids-oh i'm also under alot of stress w/a new job that i'm having trouble with and get anxious about every am before i go-probably not helping anything. thanks again! seem better today so far..
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