Can C Diff bring about Crohn's?

[CKKentucky]

Hi everyone! I am new to thus forum, as I have only recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. I will summarize my story a bit, but it came on after a long bought with C Diff.
In January of 2016 I had c Diff, which was clear by early March. However, due to bad gut flora balance I had a reoccurrence in September of that year. This was my longest bought of C Diff, lasting about 6 months. Things got bad, and very painful and it was very stubborn to get it to go sway and heal. However, thankfully it did.
The issue was that I was having more pain and different stomach pain than ever before, and after February things did not improve, but only got worse and more painful. Therefore I started a battery of exams which ultimately led to my Crohn's diagnosis. This was an utter shock to me and came completely out of left field. Is there a possible link here? I know it might sound absurd but with such a long fight of c Diff (and accompanying inflammation) I wonder if that was a catalyst?
Sorry if this seems silly, again I am very new here. Thank you in advance!

 

[Sophabulous]

I don't think it's silly at all, I'm sure I've read somewhere that infections can activate the disease in people who are genetically pre-disposed to it. I'll try and find some more info for you.

And welcome to the forum by the way! :-D

 

[Scipio]

Your question is definitely not silly, but the answer is we don't really know. The cause(s) for Crohn's is not clear. Certainly genetics plays a role, and there is increasing evidence that the composition of the gut microbiome is important too. But the question always arises whether the derangement of the gut bacteria often seen along with Crohn's is a cause or an effect.

Infections have clearly been shown to trigger bouts of IBS. Whether that holds true for IBD also is less clear. The entire anti-MAP theory and line of research is based on the premise that infection with certain species of Mycobacterium causes Crohn's. That theory has a small but devoted following, and the research continues. Whether that might also be true for C. diff is unknown but it's certainly a possibility.

 

[ronroush7]

Not sure of the answer but welcome to the forum.

 

[CKKentucky]

Thank you SO much for all of you who replied and welcomed me. If any of you have more info or reading on how infections play a role in Crohn's I would love to read it! I definitely feel very new to all that is Crohn's and I'm slowly trying to collect info and learn all I can. I appreciate all of you so much!

 

[lisadc1]

Welcome neighbor! I actually am about 1 1/2 hours from Ashland, but it is where I go for my Crohns care. I, too, have had some, lots really, issues with C-Diff, & not sure how it all relates other than our bodies seem to have a lower immune system and the bacteria that is in all just seems to go crazy with those with Crohns. It has been just a few years now with my diagnosis, but I still learn new things all the time. This is a great forum to be into learn from one another and gather support.

 

[ronroush7]

I agree

 

[Lizette]

My son was diagnosed with crohns at age 6. He was doing perfectly until he got Cdiff last March 2016 at age 16. After having all colon swollen fue to Cdiff his crohns got activated and we start having issues with bathroom. Never had before. So I do think it can cause your crohns to flare up. His got so bad that we had to start Remicade on aug. so far 6 infusions and still going to bathroom a lot. Mucus, gases solid. Urgency. He never had that before when diagnosed. All this came after Cdiff

 

[CKKentucky]

Welcome neighbor! I actually am about 1 1/2 hours from Ashland, but it is where I go for my Crohns care. I, too, have had some, lots really, issues with C-Diff, & not sure how it all relates other than our bodies seem to have a lower immune system and the bacteria that is in all just seems to go crazy with those with Crohns. It has been just a few years now with my diagnosis, but I still learn new things all the time. This is a great forum to be into learn from one another and gather support.

Hi there! I didn't realize we had a local doctor here who understands Crohn's well! Would you might messaging me his/her info if possible? I have learned a lot from this board so far, but I'm still lacking in the "finding the best doctor" category!

 

[CKKentucky]

My son was diagnosed with crohns at age 6. He was doing perfectly until he got Cdiff last March 2016 at age 16. After having all colon swollen fue to Cdiff his crohns got activated and we start having issues with bathroom. Never had before. So I do think it can cause your crohns to flare up. His got so bad that we had to start Remicade on aug. so far 6 infusions and still going to bathroom a lot. Mucus, gases solid. Urgency. He never had that before when diagnosed. All this came after Cdiff

This sounds like me! Of course I wasn't aware of a Crohn's diagnosis prior to c Diff, but truly having the c Diff changed absolutely everything! It's almost like it was the catalyst in some way. I would be interested to hear if there are others out there like yourself and myself who had the same turn of events

 

[lisadc1]

Just sent ya a message!

 

[Glockola]

Well I had a friend who developed ulcerative colitis after a really nasty infection during a holiday trip to egypt.

 

[Glockola]

The researchers have just confirmed that infections can trigger lymphocytic colitis.
It was done at a university hospital in egypt.

 

[CKKentucky]

The researchers have just confirmed that infections can trigger lymphocytic colitis.
It was done at a university hospital in egypt.

Wow, that is very interesting! I have heard more and more stories of people having an IBD activate after such infections. That study sheds light on the fact that indeed, infections can cause and create such issues. Do you have a link about this study anywhere you could share ?

 

[Poopie monster]

I also was diagnosed with c.diff 3/2016 and had it again 9/2016. We are pretty sure my c.diff began in 2015 after I had some much needed dental work and then treatment with antibiotics after. We had to find a new GI in Ohio to finally get it figured out. I thought I was going to die. I kept telling my husband that if I was so sick just from my Crohns that I was sure I wasn't going to make it much longer. We were so happy and relieved that it was something besides just my Crohns. 2 courses of Flagyl took care of it quickly. The next time I had dental work and had to have antibiotics in the Summer of 2016 the c.diff reared it's ugly head again. Another treatment of Flagyl took care of it again. I need to have more dental work but keep putting it off as it is such a pain to stop the Remicade and I'm sure I'll have to have more antibiotics and another round of Flagyl. We moved from CA in 2011 and it's taken until 2016 to get a GI who knows what he is doing with the Remicade and an infusion center that actually infuses it correctly. Long story. I have only had 3 doses of Remicade correctly in a row since 2011 and as much as I need my teeth fixed I shudder to stop my treatment again.

 

[Glockola]

Wow, that is very interesting! I have heard more and more stories of people having an IBD activate after such infections. That study sheds light on the fact that indeed, infections can cause and create such issues. Do you have a link about this study anywhere you could share ?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221111/

Study was performed at Bolak Eldakror Hospital.