Excuse the "gross-factor" question

I have shared with you before how I haven't been able to get this current flare under control. I also shared that I was due to have a 3 month follow-up visit with my GI. That is scheduled for the 2nd week of Nov. I want to stay on the Asacol and Enemas. I do feel some better but can't get this into remission. After reading several posts on the possibility of C-diff or other infections, I called the GI's office to see: a) was I tested for this when I had my colonoscopy in June and, b) if I wasn't, could I be tested now? We played phone tag for 2 days. Finally the nurse said she spoke to the doctor and he had ordered a lab test and could I come get it done by Sat. morning? It is a 45 minute drive to the lab and my husband and I had already made plans to celebrate his birthday over the weekend. I left a message again, asking how this test is performed etc., and even though I left this message 3 hours before the office closed, the nurse never got back to me.

So, after that long-winded background info, have any of you ever had these tests? Do you collect your own specimen or do they have to get it (yuck). How long do you have to wait until you get the results? I just want to go in to my visit with all the info I have gleaned from you very smart and informed people. I feel like I know so much more about this disease because of you all and I no longer have my head in the sand.

Also, while I am on my soapbox, while I like my GI, sometimes his nurses and staff seem to be clueless about the diseases their doctors specialize in. For instance, if you go to the office and find yourself in need of the bathroom, they don't let you into the "inner" office which is closer, they direct you outside the door and down the hall. Also, when the nurse asks for your history, they look at you like you are crazy and no one else has ever told them about symptoms like yours. I'm not talking about way-out weird things, I'm talking about symptoms like going to the bathroom constantly, blood, etc. Sometimes it is pretty frustrating.

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left-sided colitis diagnosed after 3rd pregnancy 11 years ago: was in remission for 5 years

I am testing for C-Diff every time I go to my GI with symptoms of a flare. He says he always wants to rule that out. Each time, it has worked like this: His nurse gives me a cup for collecting my specimen. I go home, collect my own specimen, put it in the cup, and drive it to the lab (in the same building as my GI). Then, he calls me with the results. It's pretty simple... and obviously, completely painless.

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Current Medications:

Same here, I had to use a speciman jar and collect it myself. Put it in a brown paper baggie and just dropped it off. I can't remember how long it took because this was about 15 years ago but I do remember that it didn't take them long to call me and tell me that I had it.

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I've done it different ways. I have gottent he specimen cup fromt he doc and dropped it at the hospital but I have also collected my own with tuperware. I always feel akward but my GI is far and I can't always make it out for a cup.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, 15 mg pred. until immuran kicks in...
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---bumped to 100mg 10/8/07
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

The disposable tubs that margarine come in make it fairly easy to collect specimins we found. Of course I "sterilize" the container and make sure it is totally clean with hot soapy water before using. FYI.

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61 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 (now UC) & hospitalized 5/07-currently heading towards a remission. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  Oct 07 feeling quite normal most days.  150mg Imuran 15 mg prednisone & tapering, 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 1X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Cortifoam enemas AM & PM, folic acid 1mg, Fosamax 1x month

Thanks for the info. I don't know why I have such a hard time getting the right info from my doctor. It is now almost 10:30 a.m. here and his office still hasn't called me back. They open at 8:00. What is the course of treatment if an infection is found? Could an infection keep you in a flare and not allow meds that have always worked for you become less effective?

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left-sided colitis diagnosed after 3rd pregnancy 11 years ago: was in remission for 5 years