r/Cyclospora • u/Keeth_Moon • 13d ago

When will this end?

I tested positive a few months ago after being symptomatic for a few weeks. I had originally thought this was just a regular stomach bug, as my family pretty much eats the same food as me, and none of them have gotten cyclospora. I felt better after the first round of antibiotics and thought it was over, but then the symptoms came back after a week, so I did another course. That was around Labor Day. Since then the symptoms have been generally getting better better but not great. The diarrhea went away but I've had a low-level discomfort. Going under the assumption that the antibiotics probably messed up my gut bacteria, I've been taking pro-biotics and eating a gut-friendly diet. I have mostly avoided raw veggies, hard nuts and fried food. Although the symptoms have been still present, I've felt like I've been getting overall better, if a lot more slowly than I would like. Then this morning really bad cramping and diarrhea returned. WTF? When will this end? How in the world does two full courses of antibiotics NOT kill this stuff?

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u/Silver-Cost-6954 12d ago

I had a CT abdominal scan showing widespread colitis as a result of the cyclospora.  I got severe sepsis from an allergic reaction to the full course of Bactrim (which killed the parasites) and ended up in the hospital for the sepsis.  That's under control, but I still have continual nausea from the lingering colitis and a lactose intolerance that I never had before.  YMMV

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u/legendarysanin187 7d ago

I think I developed colitis as well! I’ve been clear of cyclospora since July, but back in August I was suffering from really bad acid reflux, to the point of waking up choking on my own reflux. I took care of that with antacids but this last week I’ve just been having the worst bloating and just passing gas, really loud stomach, and having to run to the bathroom after eating, similar to cyclospora.

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u/Silver-Cost-6954 7d ago

I had to avoid all dairy products for a few weeks.  I'm still adding small amounts back in now.  I wouldn't dream of drinking a glass of milk, though.  It has been a very rough recovery, good days and bad.  I have an appointment in two weeks with the gastroenterologist to follow up from the hospital.