Hello everyone...friends and soon-to-be friends...I have just recovered (still not back to normal) from a bout of C. Difficile. Won't explain much more since the Internet is full of info...go to MSNBC and click on Health...you will find out tons of stuff. Because of a cold contracted on Boxing Day that evolved into a strep throat (the bane of my existence..it seems...for many decades) I took a fairly well-known antiobiotic (Amoxicillin)..usually no problem. It cured the problem after 10 days (3x a day) and ...I ALWAYS FINISH MY ANTIOBIOTICS as you are supposed to do. However, within five days or so (my healthy phase since Christmas), I started a battle with C. Difficile (it is pretty much like visiting Mexico..except that you get no margaritas..nor do you get a trip.....well...not really true...what you get....is MULTIPLE TRIPS...to the washroom). I tried Imodium....uh...uh...did not work...got myself to my doctor's...not easy...considering what was happening (try to get a nice cab driver...it helps)...got put on new, more powerful antiobiotics...side effects included....headaches, a metallic taste in your mouth (for 10 days...3x a day), decreased appetite (try NO APPETITE), and...oh golly...must not forget this one...MORE DIARRHEA...way to go...if I could patent this recent episode...I could give Weight Watchers a run for their money...except the run was....guess...you know where!!!). By the way, I was tested by Health Canada. My family physician confirmed that my illness was totally related to the previous use of an antibiotic...although you can get C. Diff from improperly cleaned surfaces...in hospitals...etc.,

Many older people have a long history of using antiobiotics. If you have used them for many years....STOP....find an alternative...or you will be as vulnerable as I was. This disease kills older people in hospitals and in long-term care homes...think of a loved one who has just had hip or knee surgery...and how vulnerable they would be. Please ......just take care of your health....and spread the word! God bless you all!

Kathryn