"Stomach bug" (?) that has lasted for 4 weeks so far :(

[JudyOha]

Hi everyone,
Would be grateful if someone could help:

I've had diarrhea and nausea (which comes in waves, off and on but no vomitting) for the last 4 weeks..! Went to the GP when it was at the 2 week stage and they guessed it might be a virus (not bacteria) so of course, antibiotics would not help so they just gave me anti-nausea medication (which I've taken a few times but doesn't work fully).. so depressing and awful to be fine one moment and then feel a severe wave of nausea come on suddenly (esp when at work etc.)

Appetite is lower than usual but still able to eat (day 4, 5 had very little appetite). I don't know what to do or why it's lasted 4 weeks so far sad nor how much longer it's going to go on for. In the past, I've had Diarrhea and vomitting before which has lasted about 2 days.. never had nausea and diarrhea only for over 4 weeks (no vomiting though)

Did have fever-like high temp on one day at the 2 week mark and mild tummy pains.

Been back to the GP for blood and stool tests but awaiting those results. They couldn't determine what it might be either.

Could it be gastritis? That can last a long time and can come in waves.

It could also be post infectious IBS. Some people contract food poisoning and are then left with IBS for a few months due to inflammation.

Hope you feel better soon

Could you be pregnant?

Me and dp both had something very similar before Easter, we both had diarrhoea and felt low level nausea for about 3 weeks. It felt like travel sickness or morning sickness. It did clear up and it turned out loads of people at dp's work had the same thing.

@Ellabella989 I am already quite prone to IBS-D in general but I kinda ruled out it just being IBS as nausea has never been an IBS symptom I've had (I think IBS is generally diarrhea or constipation, bloating, cramps, etc) but I am worried about this long bout of whatever it is worsening my pre-existing IBS.

Didn't consider gastritis.. really hope it isn't that :(

@MrsKCastle
Nope definitely definitely not pregnant.

@InDubiousBattle Ah that's really reassuring.. mine started about a week before easter so very similar time frames. Did you take any medication/food/herbs to help you get better? Did you go to the doctors? Were your symptoms just diarrhea and long standing low level nausea or did you have other symptoms too? Do you feel completely recovered now (i.e. no nausea at all)? I'm almost wanting to induce vomitting just to get whatever it is out of me..!

I had similar years and years ago, Dr reckoned it was food poisoning and I had to starve myself to let my stomach settle. I seem to recall existing on full fat coke for about 5 days, and trying to muddle through the parties of the Cannes Film Festival at the time 😂

Hope you feel better soon, have you been back to the dr?

I had gastritis and had to be hospitalised. had medication for a month, nausea, tummy pains, chest pain and back pain due to a stomach bug the week before. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I had something like this about 6 months after my first child. DH and I both had what seemed textbook norovirus... his cleared up but I had it (not the vomiting though) for a further 4 weeks... it was exhausting but did eventually clear up... I did lose all the baby weight though! I hope it settles for you too.

I was absolutely knackered but no other symptoms no. I didn't go to the doctors but probably would have had if gone on any longer. I took some immodium but nothing else, just drank plenty of water. I assumed it was viral because it went on for so bloody long. I felt exactly like you say , I half wanted to actually be sick to stop feeing sick. Dp and I both had it and we're both fine now, it just cleared up on it's own.

I had this... very similar time frame. In week 4, I went to the GP who sent me to A&E, where I collapsed in Triage (most likely due to dehydration) and was admitted to a ward and put in an isolation room in case I was infectious. I was there about a week, after which time and with lots of rest and fluids I did feel a bit better. The symptoms (nausea and v. v. frequent diarrhoea) did not go away, however, and I was eventually diagnosed with post-infectious IBS. The nausea was probably the first thing to dissipate (which is why I don't think you should rule out IBS on this basis), but for the first few months the symptoms remained debilitating and it took about a year for me to fully recover. I was under an enormous amount of stress at the time - new, rather unhappy relationship, new job I'd started just two weeks before, finishing a PhD - so I'm not suggesting this would be the case with you.

I would suggest following a low - FODMAP diet for a few days, to see if your symptoms improve. And do stay hydrated.

Thanks everyone so far

@WaywardTraveller sorry to hear that.. never heard of nausea being a symptom of post-infectious IBS. Did the nausea take a few months to away? :(

@JudyOha It did take a few months, yes... it may not have been as severe as yours is though, as it seems to be causing you real distress.

Which anti-nausea medication were you taking? I believe there's more than one drug that can help

@WaywardTraveller
I am taking Prochlorperazine.

The more I read about post-infectious IBS, the more I think it's that.. :(

Could it be a secondary lactose intolerance? Have you tried going lactose free?

DH had something like this a couple of years ago and it turned out he’s contracted cryptosporidiosis from swimming in infected water. Have you had a stool sample sent?

I had diarrhoea for four weeks. My GP decided to send off a stool sample. Turned out I had campylobacter and it was notifiable (but did go away on it's own without antibiotics)

I generally tend to avoid milk / milk products so feel it's unlikely to be lactose intolerance esp as I'm getting nausea and diarrhea even on days where I've had no diary at all.

@TolpuddleFarter how long did it take for the diarrhea to stop? exactly 4 weeks?

I did have a stool sample sent off and they said the bacterial/viral culture doesn't show an infection BUT they also said they don't check for all or even most bacteria/viruses of course so can't rule out the possibility of an infection.

@JudyOha Ondanestron for nausea was helpful for me. My stool samples etc also came back negative.

When I got the IBS diagnosis I was devastated - at that point my symptoms were still debilitating and I found it very difficult to accept that there was no real treatment for a condition that seems to be so little understood, even by medical professionals.

BUT, the good thing is that if you do have post-infectious IBS, you'll know that although the symptoms are inconvenient and uncomfortable and downright horrendous at times, you can get some control over them through things like diet. It almost certainly won't be as bad as this forever, and at least if it's IBS you'll know there's nothing more sinister going on.

I do think it's worth you going back to your GP to find an anti-nausea medication that works for you.