Why UTIs and C. Diff Diarrhea

I keep asking myself how I can improve this product for you and your PCPs. I discovered one fatal flaw. Urine infections are the most common problem encountered and I didn’t discuss it. YOU need to understand how vital a good urine sample is and are you over- concerned about this issue. I totally understand that each true episode has an impact on your decision-making. There is no question we are over-treating infections and getting into trouble using stronger and broad-spectrum antibiotics. The physician manual was to teach your PCP about your special problems. 

The new chapter, “Are you Forcing Your PCP to Overtreat Urine Infections?” addresses this problem from both sides. As a patient with a possible recurrent issue, YOU need to learn when to be concerned. Urine sediment is not a good predictor, but other factors may be – and they differ from person to person. You need to move away from “better to be safe than sorry” to “this particular symptom has occurred with each true infection”. I am a great believer that all of you know your body best, but now you need to work on accuracy. For example,” I get really fatigued with every true infection, but the sediment hasn’t been as accurate a predictor. LEARN and don’t take the easy way out. If you’re sending your PCPs samples all the time – he will treat. 

From the PCPs end, I’m trying to get them to more accurately decide when a specimen is TRULY infected. He or she needs to be able to first gather the TWO parts of the equation, then solve it. Everybody is on a learning curve, and if you’re not – get moving! 

The second chapter is “C.Diff Diarrhea” The PCPs need to know how an episode of this will wreck your life!. Their ambulatory patients will run to the bathroom, effortlessly get their clothes out of the way (maybe) and do their thing. The PCP will innocently think the same of you and wait till the end of the day or the next day to address your issue. During my college years, I worked as a male aide in the same rehab facility and believe me, I know spinal cord from every end!. If you’ve had C. diff, we both know it has a particular odor. I’m trying to get the PCP to accept that fact and that they need to believe your report and treat it immediately – don’t wait for the culture. You don’t generally get C. diff from Macrobid. You get it from Ceftriaxone, etc. Thus, the good culture, the propper diagnosis and less treatment will make C. Diff less important. It all fits together.  

We have added these two chapters to the website for all to read.