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General health

Constant diarrhoea. At my wits' end. Please help.

16 replies

AwakeCantSleep · 27/05/2017 16:28

I am at the end of my tether. It all started off with norovirus which hit me on 1st of May. Following the noro, my gut never got back "into gear". Abdominal cramps, discomfort, and sometimes diarrhoea.

Since Wednesday evening I've had diarrhoea. All the time. Accompanied by bad cramps and pain. Immodium does nothing at all to stop it. I had 10 episodes yesterday for example.

Saw a GP yesterday (emergency appointment) who prescribed Buscopan. I also had bloods taken, and have been asked to deliver three stool samples to hospital for analysis (oh the joy!).

But the diarrhoea isn't getting any better. I'm fed up, and worried. Whatever I eat seems to go straight through. I am taking the rehydration sachets, but surely my body needs some other nutrients? I'm feeling low and have no energy. Don't dare leaving the house in case the diarrhoea strikes.

With it being bank holiday weekend, the earliest the GP can look at the results is Tuesday (if they are in by then). I'm not sure I can cope with the constant diarrhoea much longer. What do I do?!?

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PollyPerky · 27/05/2017 17:08

Grate an apple skin and all. Leave it to stand till it goes brown and the juice runs out. Eat/ drink it all. The pectin in the juice will help bung you up. It does work. And eat something- dry toast, dry crackers, that kind of stuff.

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PopcornBits · 27/05/2017 17:29

I have the same problem! I caught that tummy bug, and even though I'm better now I still get cramping and then diarrhoea!
It doesn't sound as bad as yours though OP. I do hope you find relief.

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PopcornBits · 27/05/2017 17:31

You could try something with calcium carbonate, if the immodium isn't working.

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TheWeeWitch · 27/05/2017 18:28

Flowers I've had this too OP.

I had a GP put me on this regime to get rid of my persistent bowl infection that started off as a tummy bug but continued as yours seem to be doing.

The rationale is that you empty your lower digestive system of all food so that the bugs will die off. You will likely need to start it over a weekend or take some time from work, as you aren't taking in many calories whilst you do the first part of this.

1st 36hrs
Any fruit juice mixed 50/50 with water, have as much as you like up to a normal amount of fluid (2-3 L in the day).

2nd 36hrs
Continue juice/water mixture and start to eat a tablespoon of cooked white rice every 2-3hrs. Small amounts of rice are apparently completely digested in the stomach and upper intestines.

3rd 36hrs
Continue juice/water and rice and add in small amounts of fruit and veg

Then return to normal eating after that.

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BillyDaveysDaughter · 27/05/2017 18:32

That's interesting WeeWitch - I had what was deemed to be a parasitic bowel infection last year (9 weeks of endless diarrhoea with 16 lbs weight loss), and no one ever suggested anything so helpful!

To the OP - mine eventually cleared up by itself, but it was a miserable time. Hope you start getting better soon.

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plimsolls · 27/05/2017 18:37

I had all sorts of food sensitivities for over 6 months after a bad bout of food poisoning/stomach bug. I stopped being able to eat wheat, dairy, and lots of fruit or veg. I had a very plain diet for a while and things got a lot better. Maybe try very plain allergen free food for a while.

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teta · 27/05/2017 18:39

Try Kefir - a fermented milk drink .Its very good for settling tummies.Definitely not fruit juice or grated apple.White rice and white bread may also help.

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AwakeCantSleep · 27/05/2017 18:46

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll discuss with GP next week. I remember the grated apple from childhood, so will do that for sure.

I'm braving the opera tonight (wish me luck...). I'd like to see at least the first half. (I'm a big opera fan, and the ticket wasn't cheap.) Been looking forward to it for months! Bloody tummy troubles Angry

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AwakeCantSleep · 27/05/2017 18:48

WeeWitch very helpful, thanks. I may do this if nothing else works.

Interestingly, today I've been eating (mostly white bread) very small amounts at a time. Been feeling a little better as a result.

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Bobbiepin · 27/05/2017 19:01

Have a look at the FODMAP diet. It was a lifesaver when my DH had an awful IBS flare up. Just food that's easily digested so your system gets a break whilst dealing with the issue. It also means that you'll get some of the nutrients that you might be missing. I know grated apple is meant to be good to help slow down things but was like kryptonite to DH. Figure out what works for you. Hope you feel better soon

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BillyDaveysDaughter · 27/05/2017 19:26

Yes Awake - stick to soluble fibre, it gives the colon a rest! While bread, bagels, mashed potato. Steer clear of dairy (lactose). I existed like that for over 2 months. Good luck at the opera, just don't eat right before you go!

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teta · 27/05/2017 20:07

Read Michael Mosleys Healthy guy diet.Some very useful tips there.Apple was the very worst trigger food for me after having food poisoning several years ago.Live natural yoghurt is another good stomach settler incidentally.

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teta · 27/05/2017 20:08

'Gut' not guy!

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AwakeCantSleep · 27/05/2017 22:49

Thank you. All suggestions noted. Will look at FODMAP and the healthy gut book too.

I survived the opera. Yay! I was very uncomfortable during Act I, but then it got better. Swapped seats in the interval to one near the exit (just in case). Fantastic performance, I'm glad I went.

So sorry to hear of other people's gastro troubles. Two months! Poor you Billy, that sounds awful. I'm having grated apple as we speak, so I guess we'll know if that's a trigger for me in about 20 minutes... (I hope not, it's yummy!)

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TheWeeWitch · 28/05/2017 00:25

Lots of good advice here, hope you are sorted out soon OP!

I should have said that whilst you can have lots of juice on the first day, you need to sip it continually rather than glug it so that its absorbed in your stomach.

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PollyPerky · 28/05/2017 07:52

Hope you are feeling better and glad you survived the opera!

The thing about grated apple- it's a 'cure' for the runs during a tummy bug, but if someone has IBS and is sensitive to it, that's different altogether.

Apples are not allowed on the FODMAP regime, but they do work for tummy upsets. I had symptoms like you- not as bad but pain and runs for about 2 weeks after a bug and the grated apple sorted it.

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