Runs keep running

[Easttt]

Hi all,

Around 3 weeks ago my mum, who is 70, started feeling unwell. All started like a cold but after a few days, her symptoms were more flu-like (aches, fever, chesty cough, fatigue, headache etc but weirdly her hearing was affected and at times she seemed a bit delirious). All she took was paracetamol for a few days to manage the aches but then she developed bad (yellow/liquidy) diarrhea (something she has never had). She has slowly started getting better since the end of last week and the only symptom remaining is the diarrhea - no longer yellow liquid and less frequent, today she only went once. No breathing problems have been experienced throughout.

Just wondered if anyone else has experienced something similar? I think it could be COVID-19 but without being tested, it’s impossible to know for sure. It has been a big worry for obvious reasons and because she has never suffered with diarrhea. Her appetite has returned and she is eating, albeit plain stuff for now and has been having a Complan for the last couple of days to build herself back up.

In normal circumstances she would have been seen by her doctor but of course we are in far from normal times at the moment. Any shared experiences would be good to hear.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I’ve had an exceedingly dodgy stomach issue for 3 weeks now. Bad stomach cramps, diarrhoea most days.....to the extent where i darent break wind. Doesn’t seem to be improving. I did have a cough for a few days 3 weeks ago but nothing else.

[Easttt]

Sounds awful! How have you been managing and have you spoken to your GP at all?

[LucheroTena]

I work in a hospital and a lot of patients with covid have diarrhoea. Sounds as though she’s getting better now though.

[Easttt]

@VivaLeBeaver forgot to tag you in my last message

[Easttt]

@IheartNiles it appears to be a symptom for many.

Although she seems to be getting better with the diarrhea, it is still clinging on and very slow to clear. It has been about 18 days now, although it has improved from the start. I just hope it clears up. It isn’t normal for diarrhea to last this long.

[LucheroTena]

No but it’s just once a day now and no longer watery by the sounds of things. If it starts up again you can call the GP and they will test the stool.

[Rebootingagain]

My son had this about a week before things all kicked off. It seemed to take a lot longer to “run” it’s course that the normal two Bob bits and really flakes him out for over a week.

I had it a couple of weeks ago with associated chest pain and temperature with shortness of breathe.

My Mrs has it for a few days early this week and is currently complaining of general aches and pains and sore chest.

Am pretty sure when they get round to antibody testing an awful lot more of us will have had this than have been tested and confirmed to date. To my mind that will prove to be a good thing. No idea when a reliable test will be available though. Have heard reports of Jersey having then soon but then doubts around accuracy

[Easttt]

@IheartNiles Her GP didn’t offer that, instead he arranged a camera check at the local hospital. It may not be necessary but that was his way of helping as he is only doing video consultations. She didn’t attend due to feeling weak and the symptoms improving but she now has a video consultation next week.

It doesn’t seem like it’s going to go away by itself despite the improvement.

[Easttt]

@Rebootingagain we need the testing badly, it has proved to be a major stumbling block in the UK. At least if we knew we had it or have had it, we’d know what we’re dealing with.

I believe that there is more than one type of strain hence the differences in symptoms. Most people who have had the diarrhea (like your family) seem to only have it for a few days but some people have it much longer. I’m just worried for my mum because it has gone on a long time.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I’m managing ok because it isn’t constant. I did read it can be a symptom so at first wondered if I had Covid but if it is/was it doesn’t seem to be too bad. I haven’t rung the GP....figured there’s nothing they can do.

[SpudsAreLife84]

OP, has she taken antibiotics recently? Does the diarrhoea have a particularly foul odour?

[Chippydippy]

I've been unwell for just over a week now. Started with low grade fever, sore throat and hot feeling in chest. The awful diarrhoea started about day 3 or 4, yellowish, watery but so far only a few times a day. Absolutely no appetite. I'm really weak and shaky. My elderly mum lives with me and her symptoms started yesterday. I'm worried beyond belief

[Easttt]

@VivaLeBeaver

Sounds similar to my mums situation. Hope you improve soon and keep hydrated. I think there are things GPs can prescribe so it might be worth contacting yours if it continues.

[Easttt]

@SpudsAreLife84 no not antibiotics. It doesn’t smell pleasant no but guess that’s normal with the runs!

[Easttt]

@Chippydippy yep same with my mum, the diarrhea started about 3-4 days in following the fever, aches, etc. I got her Complan to help build her up again. Hopefully it won’t last as long for you. It is really worrying, I wish you both better soon.

[Chippydippy]

Thank you @Easttt I hope Your mum makes a speedy recovery

I can't get past the guilt of bringing it into our home which I work hard at to keep clean. It must have been me as mum hasn't been going out due to her age, I've still been working( not now obviously) as I'm a care worker and doing shopping for vulnerable people. I have been checking up on the people I've been looking after and thankfully they're all still ok. I'm not coping very well with the thought that mum, well I don't even want to type it but you know what I mean

[VivaLeBeaver]

It’s not many episodes a day if that makes sense so I don’t think I’m in danger of being dehydrated.

[Easttt]

@chippydippy aw, thank you 🌺 and same to your mum.

Try not to worry yourself with guilt. I have felt the same and wondered if I’m one of those asymptomatic people as I haven’t shown any symptoms. At the same time, she went out a couple of times before the lockdown so could have caught it then. There’s nothing any of us can do once a family member catches it but help them as much as we can. Who’s to say this thing is going to go away come the winter. We just have to take everyday as it comes.

[Easttt]

@VivaLeBeaver probably not but water helps flush out your system all the same. I do hope it gets better for you in the coming days.

[Easttt]

Anyone still experiencing tummy issues?

Can’t get help from a GP or hospital for my DM even though it’s 3 weeks in. Only mild but surely there’s something she can be given.

[Chippydippy]

Hi @Easttt your poor mum. Mine went in for about 13 days I think. Awful. Am only on day 2 without diarrhoea so I'm not getting my hopes up just yet.

What has the GP said? Does your mum seem dehydrated in anyway? She peeing ok? I couldn't get hold of rehydration sachets so I made my own. Tasted horrible but I think it helped me stop feeling even more unwell. I had a couple a day and drank lots and lots of water.

Sorry that's not really any help! How is your mum feeling generally?

[Easttt]

Hi @Chippydippy glad to hear you have improved. Hopefully it will stay away.

Mum is drinking water and took the sachets when it was worse. No signs of being dehydrated. GP didn’t prescribe anything at the time but made a referral to the hospital because that was the only way he could get her to see someone. At that time she was too weak to go but had a phone consultation instead. Imodium was suggested for the time being. Generally she’s ok but not quite at full strength.

Think it’s from the virus but still lingering. How is your mum doing?

[Chippydippy]

@Easttt bless her, it sounds to me it's from this virus but I'm no dr. Has she tried the immodium? I'm still weak and unsteady on my feet and I'm a lot younger than your mum. Hopefully she'll start to feel better soon. My mum is still not right either. Her diarrhoea wasn't as bad as mine but today she feels dizzy and sick. I've just told her she needs to get in bed and stay there.

[Easttt]

@Chippydippy she has but not sure how effective it is. Hope you and your mum feel better soon too. Look after each other, drink plenty of water and eat when you can. I found Complan helped build up strength if that’s of any help.

[Chippydippy]

Thank you @Easttt I hope your mum is soon on the mend too. Hopefully the immodium will have an affect. I've managed to get a Tesco slot for next week so will see if they sell complan. We have been drinking loads of water and eating plain food.