Upset stomach- is this normal?

[angelpuffs]

Hi all
I've had an upset stomach with diarrhea since early morning on Monday. I suspect- though don't know for sure- that it was something I ate on Sunday night. I haven't been sick and the diarrhea is usually only once in the morning. I've been eating only very plain foods- bananas, white bread, rich tea biscuits and drinking water since it started. I generally feel better once I've got up and had a banana, but last night I ate a proper meal for the first time- salmon with vegetable couscous- and woke up at midnight needing the loo urgently. I'd hoped I was over the worst- apparently not.
I took a stool sample to the GP yesterday and they told me the diarrhea could take 7-10 days to clear. I'm worried it's taken as long as this- normally it's gone within 3-4 days for me. Has anyone else had diarrhea that's taken a while to go?

[PatMullins]

I had it for 9 days with campylobacter, it was horrendous.

Lots of water, dioralyte if you can stomach it- Powerade/Gatorade if you can't.

I lost over a stone in weight. The doctors advised to keep eating even if it's coming out the other end as soon as you swallow!

Hope you feel better soon

[angelpuffs]

Thanks Pat. The weird thing is I'm only having it once a day and can keep down plain foods without going to the loo every 5 minutes. Could you eat anything when you had campylobacter?

[PollyPerky]

What you have is normal. I've had tummy bugs that have gone on for 10 days and my bowels haven't settled for 2-3 weeks (not the runs but more times than normal.)

The medical advice is see a dr if it goes on more than 3 weeks, though obviously D&V with dehydration or temps in the very young and old needs more help sooner.

[PollyPerky]

ps- an old wives cure that works is a grated apple- grate, leave till the juices run and then eat all of it. It does work- my mum's late GP advised it.

[angelpuffs]

Thanks Polly. Are you a doctor? I've seen you on various medical posts giving sensible advice

[PollyPerky]

Ha! No but I'm so old that most issues that come up have been experienced by either me or someone I know! I'm not a medic but my work involves researching medical topics and putting them across in a way they are accessible to people- IYSWIM!

Hope you feel better soon.

[angelpuffs]

I see- makes sense! Thanks for your advice

[PollyPerky]

:)

[Badders123]

I've had severe cramps since weds and diahorrea since Thursday
I think what's concerning me is the pain tbh
Is that normal?

[NoahVale]

with dogs i give plain boiled white rice.
and i have heard about the apple and rice diet

[angelpuffs]

Noah I've heard rice is good too. Will be having some later.
Badders- pain isn't too bad for me but just feel generally washed out. But think pain and cramps can be v bad, yes....

[Badders123]

I've been on buscopan and paracetamol since weds but they aren't helping tbh...

[PollyPerky]

I had pains that doubled me up every time I ate anything, for well over a week, but only one loose BM to begin with and a touch of nausea.
These things can take longer than we think we clear. The dr can't really do anything because the only prescribable treatment is antibiotics for SOME bugs, but obviously there is a big- and essential- drive to avoid ABs as much as possible. Just keep off heavy greasy food and eat bland stuff.