A lot of bacteria in stool?

[minnietoty]

Hi again,
I mentioned that two weeks ago, I had to be admitted to hospital because of very low hypotension, vomiting and diarrhea. I was kept there for 2 days and then released after having a lot of iv fluids. Well, I have been sick for two weeks now and bedridden. The blood tests revealed that the neutrophil count was high (92%) which indicated a severe infection. Now, after taking ceftriaxone iv injections/12 hrs for a week in addition to an oral levofloxacin antibiotic, the neutrophil count went down to 66% which is whithin the normal ranges. However, the stool analysis showed a lot of bacteria (+++) despite taking all these medications.
My doc told me that I need a stool culture and didn't give me any other medications apart from salofalk, aza, pred and nexium.
Now, I'm having severe abdominal pain and my doc after 4 years of treatment told me that he suspects that this is all caused by anxiety and that I don't have an organic disease!!!!! No crohn's after taking salofalk for 3 years and aza and pred for 8 months now.
Could it happen that IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) causes one to have fever, abdominal pain, non-stop diarrhea, weight loss, anal fissures and proctitis. I was really shocked by his declaration and decided not to see him again. I am rellay in a loss and don't know what to do? I can't find another doc before next week and I need to travel to another city.
Has anybody experienced this before: a lot of bacteria in stool? I have had this for 6 months now and he has never asked for a stool analysis during that time and have taken other 4 courses of antibiotic but in vain . Thanx

 

[beth]

You may well not have much evidence of Crohn's after such a long time on pred! But you would still have Crohn's if you had it in the first place, it doesn't just go away.

Stool culture and testing for common bacterial infections/overgrowth is really the first step to eliminate the easily treatable. You should not be taking antibiotics on the off chance, without knowing what is infected and with what type of organisms. Ceftriaxone is also an interesting choice, most crohnies have some time on ciprofloxacin or metronidazol for various infections. I wonder what the doc is thinking.

It may be that you have a flare caused by anxiety, but to put all your symptoms down to it including the abdo pain is 'shortsighted'.

Finding another doc seems like a good idea to me!

 

[dannysmom]

Uggh! I hope you feel better and sympathize with your frustration. Can anxiety really increase bacteria in your stools and your neutriphil count? What bacteria is cultured from stool (besides H pylori)?