ahh

brdaniel · Mar 30, 2002

Reminds me of my time in Bougainville, P.N.G. You could tell a patient who had a tropical ulcer by the smell as he/she came into the aid post. Often they didn't realise that they had one. Put me off Parmesan cheese for a few years...! Now, back to lunch!

thisnurse · Mar 30, 2002

squirrel....thanks

i know about the flora and the good and bad bacteria. also knew about the buttermilk and yeast to replace....funny, ive only seen ONE doc order an antibiotic pt yogurt with his trays.

i guess what im asking is that if we can differentiate the bacteria into types, is there a way to increase a certain bacteria that will take care of the cdiff rather than use antibiotics which kill all bacteria.

we all know people that take antibiotics when they dont need them, or take them wrong. we all know docs that order them for anything just to shut the patient up.

antibiotics are probably one of the most misused drugs.

im very cautious about taking them because someday when i do need them i want to be sure they actually work, and when i do take them i always get a yeast infection.

im fond of my good bacteria...i dont want them to die....lol

thanks for the info

Squirrel · Mar 30, 2002

thisnurse: the concept of probiotic therapy is to increase the colonization of the gut with the good bacteria so that the bad bacteria (such as C-diff) are competively inhibited from growing. If probiotics are used in someone who is prone to C-diff (weakened immune system, malnourished, critically ill ect.) then even though the C-diff spores have colonized the gut in the patient, they will not be able to germinate and cause symptoms because of the presence of the good bacteria that were introduced by the use of probiotics. As long as C-diff bacteria remain as spores, the patient will not get C-diff infection and symptoms. So in this case, probiotic usage can control C-diff without the use of antibiotics. I have read studies that used probiotics to successfully treat C-diff infection and prevent relapses.

Regarding using yogurt and buttermilk, only certain strains of probiotics have found to be successful in treating both C-diff and ulcerative colitis. These strains are not normally found in dairy products in the US, so I doubt that routine use of them in hospitals in the US will help with C-diff infection. However, they may have some utility in promoting the balance of the colonic ecosystem but more studies should be done. All probiotic products are not created equal, and out of the many available today only a few have been tested in double-blind controlled studies. It is a buyer beware situation.

If a probiotic product is used in the hospital, it should be one that has proven clinical effects.

mattcastens · Mar 30, 2002

I swear...

I go on vacation. Don't read the board for more than a week and this is what I come back to?? Sheesh!

GI bleeds and C. diff. never bothered me. The only smell I haven't been able to stomach is the fecal result of activated charcoal and sorbital.

Boy is it good to be back.

judy ann · Mar 31, 2002

Welcome home Matt, you sushi whore. We've missed you. You see we have been reduced to discussing odors.:)

micro, RN · Mar 31, 2002

vacate for a week and see.......

so matt what did you see when you vacated for week

after charcoal.........have missed that pleasure.........yiiikes.........

semstr · Mar 31, 2002

homeless man, age about 70, alcoholic, smelling like, well you all know them I guess.

But......... on top of this he had a gasgangrene in his right leg!!

That smell and sound, I'll never forget!!

Happy Easterlunch!! Renee

mario_ragucci · Mar 31, 2002

What about meconium (not plutonium). I heard some women talk about the awful smell associated with their own birth. Does meconium smell really bad too. If C-diff is a "10" on the bad smell scale, then what is meconium?

TracyB,RN, RN · Apr 1, 2002

Micro, I hear ya' about the wound so big, you can almost step into it, I have seen quite a few. But I am strangely fascinated by them. YUK

Never heard of Maalox & babypowder used together for a butt. . . does it work well???

I can get over the C-Diff smell( I rate it about a 4) but a GI bleed, that just about sends me over the edge.

Meconium? Never noticed any smells after the kids were born. Maybe it is the fairly common BM that is happening, Mario.

micro, RN · Apr 1, 2002

I have lost my hand (figuratively)into one such wound......this I shall ne'r forget.........

meconium stools...not my area of expertise.....but I hunch that you are right Tracy B, RN...it is more of a normal (this is what is expected smell)

the old gi bleed and .....probably the deepest to sending me to the other side of the room for a bit...but you just do what you gotta do.........

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2002

Yeah, the maalox and babypowder is pretty good stuff. You just mix in enough baby powder to keep the maalox from sliding off. Very soothing to those sore bumms

We used to have some stuff called "Happy Heiney" but I can't remember what was in it. The pharmacy used to make it for us - it was WONDERFUL. I never understood why the pharm quit making it - I HAte when stuff like that happens (or failes to happen).

Love

Dennie

micro, RN · Apr 1, 2002

hey, have you all heard of Magic Butt Cream

it is for real.........

developed originally for lactating mothers, but is an excellent(if the sore bum' doesn't need more Rx) to soothe that sore exc bumm'