Been ill for 5 weeks with stomach virus...anyone else?! What is it?

[HelenStewart77]

I’ve been ill now for 5 weeks and sooooo fed up!! It came and went for a couple of weeks then 3 weeks ago knocked me off my feet!
Had terrible runs for a while and ended up in hospital on a drip. That’s calmed down but still can’t eat much and have lost over a stone.
I’m completely wiped out.
I’m separated and can’t have the kids at home as don’t feel well enough to look after them. Had them for a few hours today (Christmas) but tired me out so much.
Has anyone had anything similar?
I’ve had lots of tests at the dr but everything has come back negative so it’s “viral”.
Anyone? I’m going nuts!!

Been anywhere exotic? Parasite?

Have u to pick been around any wild animals or farm animals that you may have picked up some kind of parasite from? Or even a pet?

@Embracelife

Been anywhere exotic? Parasite?

I haven't been on holiday since I went to Egypt 12 years ago

@lyinginthegutterstaringatstars

Have u to pick been around any wild animals or farm animals that you may have picked up some kind of parasite from? Or even a pet?

I've got a dog but all the bacterial stool tests came back negative

Me, DH and the kids all had it. Kids were very mild. DH had the cough and bad chest. I had a very mild chest and terrible gastritis and joint pains.

Stomach ulcer? I've had one twice and had exact same symptoms.

@Miriam101

Did you have a test for coeliac disease?

I was going to say the same, my antibody tests came back negative for 15 years, hospitalised after losing 10lbs in a week while pregnant, thought I was going to die I was so poorly, finally biopsies two years later, and to think they kept feeding me toast in hospital, it was a very long road to recovery. Hope to get some answers soon OP

The blood test for coeliac disease isn’t always accurate. Obviously no one can diagnose you from their armchair but you sound exactly like me in the months leading up to my diagnosis. Maybe try cutting out gluten out (you’d need to do this strictly) for a few weeks and see if it makes any difference. Just a thought.

@MissSmiley you poor thing, that sounds awful. Thank goodness it was sorted in the end.

It could be viral but as your tests are all clear it could also be something like gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome. (This is not medical advice but sympathy from a fellow person with a dodgy stomach).

I experience this on and off and the only thing that really helps is very bland food and water - no caffeine, no alcohol, v limited dairy or food that's hard to digest. In the US they recommend the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. I tend to go for rice and eggs for a few days and it almost always helps.

I hope you feel better soon OP. If you don't please push for further testing, stomach things are hard to diagnose but not impossible.

An intolerance or Coeliac disease? Both can come on later in life, so the fact you haven't had it before doesn't mean much. Although it's impossible to be sure, the symptoms are very definitely in range for Coeliac disease, and first line tests (assuming any have been done) are often inconclusive. It would be worth starting a food diary and seeing if the symptoms worsen with specific foods. It would be a good idea to exclude it anyway, if you see what I mean, as it can have some nasty long term impacts.

@HelenStewart77 how are you doing now? I'm having the exact same symptoms as you, the only difference being that I have history of gastritis/GERD. Have been on omperazole for a few months now but my gastro has told me to take gaviscon for my reflux since my gastritis flared up badly last week. Was wondering if having too much gaviscon is giving me loose stools or it's just a tummy bug?