Is a Trip to the ER Necessary? Seeking Gastrointestinal Assistance!
Our 18-year-old daughter has just received concerning results from her stool culture: The test has shown positive for clostridium septicum and yersinia enterocolitica. While one of these infections can be treated with intravenous penicillin, the other requires a potent antibiotic named levofloxacin, which carries a risk of tendon ruptures. Medical advice suggests that she should consult a specialist since these bacteria are quite uncommon, and clostridium septicum has associations with colorectal cancer. Feeling quite alarmed, I attempted to contact 20 different gastroenterologists yesterday. Regrettably, the staff at these offices simply stated, "We can schedule her in a few weeks," even after I detailed her concerning test outcomes. Our primary care physician has not yet sent a referral in the last day and a half. I have obtained a copy of the results and plan to reach out to more gastro specialists on Monday, but I worry this approach might not be sufficient. Researching clostridium septicum online is quite frightening. This is my first time posting here, and I apologize if I’ve overlooked any necessary details. Update: She is experiencing intermittent abdominal discomfort. There’s no fever, yet her blood pressure appears to be quite low at 89/55. She stands at 5’7” and weighs 112 pounds.
Answers (1)
3/30/2025, 12:50:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel alarmed and anxious about your daughter’s situation, especially with the concerning stool culture results and her current symptoms. Given the potential seriousness of infections caused by clostridium septicum and yersinia enterocolitica, along with her low blood pressure and abdominal discomfort, it's important to take appropriate steps to ensure her health and safety.
Main Points:
- Low Blood Pressure & Abdominal Discomfort: These symptoms are concerning and warrant timely attention.
- Urgency for Medical Help: Given the potential severity of these infections, seeking immediate medical assistance is advisable.
Explanation:
- Clostridium septicum is indeed linked to severe infections and has associations with colorectal cancer. While often found in patients with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions, it's crucial to address it quickly due to the risks involved.
- Yersinia enterocolitica typically causes gastrointestinal illness, which might not be as critical as clostridium septicum but still requires proper treatment.
- Your daughter's low blood pressure (89/55) can signal dehydration, sepsis, or blood loss, which can be serious and needs evaluation.
Next Steps:
-
Seek Emergency Care: Given her low blood pressure and abdominal symptoms, it is advisable to go to an Emergency Room (ER) for evaluation. They can perform necessary tests and may provide intravenous fluids or antibiotics based on her condition. Low blood pressure can be indicative of a more serious issue that needs immediate attention.
-
Prepare for the Visit: Bring all relevant medical records, including the stool culture results and any notes on her symptoms. This information will guide the healthcare providers in making informed decisions promptly.
-
Monitor Symptoms: While waiting for medical care, keep an eye on her symptoms. Look for any worsening signs like increased abdominal pain, fever, changes in consciousness, or worsening blood pressure.
-
Stay Informed: Once you are in a safe environment such as the ER, ask the healthcare providers about her treatment options, including risks and benefits of antibiotics recommended for her specific infections.
Your daughter's health and safety are the top priorities, so getting her evaluated in the ER will provide the best avenue for treatment and peace of mind. Please let me know if there's anything else on your mind or additional concerns you'd like to address.
Related Questions
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Exploring Probiotic Effects and Antibiotic Strategies in Gut Health
Greetings, M30. Is it possible that consuming an excess of probiotics could lead to SIBO or a similar condition? Earlier this summer, I suffered from a campylobacter infection, and in an attempt to remedy that without realizing its full extent, I resorted to high doses of probiotics. This approach, however, only aggravated my situation. I experienced severe bloating, intensified brain fog—especially after consuming carbohydrates—and following a comprehensive examination of possible causes, including an initially misleading negative test for c. jejuni that later revealed IgG antibodies in my blood, I was prescribed rifaximin (200mg four times a day). Unfortunately, after five days of rifaximin treatment, my symptoms escalated dramatically, resulting in excruciating lower abdominal pain and a marked intolerance to carbohydrates. Through my research, I discovered that the probiotic strains I had been using were sensitive to antibiotics, so I requested that my physician switch my medication to amoxicillin, which promptly resolved the issues I was facing. Complicating matters, I later learned that I had been contending with an acute bartonella infection, which likely contributed to my motility problems. As the year progressed, I indulged in kimchi after having been on antibiotics for bartonella treatment for about a month. However, I had to stop the antibiotics over the Christmas holidays when I developed rashes from herpes on my face and required alternative treatment. Following my kimchi overindulgence, I began to experience bloating again, cognitive fog intensified, and I felt a toxin-like sensation after consuming larger amounts of carbohydrates, alongside a newfound intolerance to wheat products. My doctor once again prescribed rifaximin as the primary treatment, but I am starting to notice that familiar acidic sensation in my abdomen returning. Is this reaction indicative of die-off symptoms, or could it mean that rifaximin is targeting competitors of the kimchi bacteria in my gut, resulting in their proliferation and creating a cycle where lactic acid bacteria alter the colon's pH, promoting further growth of lactic acid producers? I suspect this situation mirrors what transpired during the summer months. Would switching back to amoxicillin be advisable, or might I need to consider amoxiclav instead, given that the kimchi contained fish sauce which might be a source of beta-lactamase? Best wishes,
Eight Years of Persistent ‘Hunger’—Is It a Functional Gut Disorder?
Greetings everyone, I’m a 28-year-old woman standing at 5 feet 4 inches, and for nearly eight years, I have struggled with a constant, hollow sensation in my upper abdomen that resembles hunger. Here are some key points about my experience: - This sensation arises between meals or soon after I have eaten. - It gets momentarily better after eating but eventually returns. - Though it feels like hunger, I know it's not genuine hunger. - Mornings are especially tough as the sensation intensifies. I maintain a regular meal schedule and consume enough calories without any restrictions. Currently, I find it difficult to trust my hunger cues, so I'm tracking my calorie intake. I do not take any medications and have previously used proton pump inhibitors without any noticeable improvement. Additionally, I neither smoke nor consume alcohol. Visits to my general practitioner have yielded no definitive diagnosis, with much of the feedback being centered on dietary adjustments. I am currently facing a waiting period of approximately eight months for a gastroscopy. Strangely, I also notice that I feel particularly weak during my workouts, despite my calorie intake being sufficient. Has anyone else faced a similar long-term issue? Did you find it to be functional dyspepsia, gastritis, visceral hypersensitivity, or something entirely different? Were you able to obtain assistance through a gastroenterologist, a dietitian, or therapy? Thanks for your insights!