to wonder what the hell is wrong with me? (warning, contains references to poo)

[TattyDevine]

I've had a tummy bug for about 6 weeks now. Not constantly. It started with nausea and feeling shit, then progressed on to diarrhea and wind - lots and lots and lots of wind. The silent but deadly kind.

It comes and goes - every 3-4 days it will be back with a vengance.

DH has it too, which implies it is something contagious, and he got it at the same time (actually a few days before me, so I can BLAME him, whooo)

He has lost 3kg, I have lost 2kg.

I have been to the GP and done a poo sample, and the results have come back as "no further action" which implies there is nothing wrong!

I have had diarrhea all morning, and am at this stage wondering where we go from here! I am going to make an appointment with the GP again tomorrow, but any tips for not getting fobbed off? I know he can't perform miracles or get blood out of a stone but I want some action. Blood tests, or something, i dont know what. AIBU to want some action or should I just ride it out? Any tips? Anyone had this? What would you ask of your GP if you were me and had been shitting through the eye of a needle suffering from diarrhea and tummy pain for 6 weeks?

What are your hygiene levels like? Do you wash towels often? Does each family member have their own towels? Do you disinfect sinks, toilets, taps etc very frequently?wash hands frequently?
Please don't take offence, it's just that I have found that stomach bugs and the like tend to come back if hygiene levels are not great.
Also could your children be picking up bugs at nursery and infecting everyone at home? I worked in nurseries before dd was born and they always seemed to be rife around this time of year. I once had similar to you twice in two weeks.

My husband had giardia and it was on and off for months! Tests didn't show it at first. Had metronidazole eventually...several high doses.

First thing I thought was water?? or CO?? Please let us know how you get on and hope you all feel better soon xx

GP

With 2 of you going down looks 99% like an infection.
Good luck.

Hi all, thanks for your replies.

Have ruled out the CO2 thing, responded to the message last night, meant to post here too but must have forgot.

Been back to the GP tonight (didn't have a morning apt) and he has basically said its "post infective colitis" and that I have to ride it out and eat plain foods.

Its viral, nothing he can do, etc. As I thought!

I think I'm glad he's given it a medically sounding name! Ha!

Thank you all for your help, and here's hoping this nasty virus doesn't spread through cyberspace!

Did he prescribe you loperamide (ie Immodium)? I would be tempted to ask. They are expensive to buy over the counter but a prescription will get you enough to slow things down a bit and make you more comfortable.

I have to say I have never heard the term 'post-infective colitis' used before. Colitis is a chronic, long-term condition which is what I sincerely hope yours is not. Literally speaking it means 'inflammation of the colon' so in that sense I can see what he might mean. However, 6 weeks is a long time for this to go on. Did he not offer to do any other tests (blood, urine) at all, or repeat the poo test? Hmmm.

I'd try the riding it out and plain foods for a few days, maybe, and I really hope that works - but if you are still suffering in 5-7 days' time, I would strongly advise you to go back and ask for more tests, and not to accept any other alternative. Good luck.

Could it be somethign besides a bug? Something in the hosue making you ill?

Sorry- see it's already been mentioned!

Yes, agree re giardia - I had it and it lasted aaages - v similar symptoms.

It eventually went on uts own without antibiotics - if you can get those for it, even better.

It is annoying, sympathies.

Sorry, "post infective colitis" sounds like a doctor who can't be bothered - I have had long-term colitis and it's not the same - esp unlikely as you all have it. It sounds much more like giardia - I'd go back and see a different doctor!

Poor you. FiL had exactly the same symptoms and turned out he'd had a campylobacter infection (apparently you can relapse, his went on for ages just like you). It took him a fair number of weeks, but he's back to full health

Sounds a bit early to be calling it post infectious colitis/IBS.

A lot of people have symptoms 3 months or so after originating infection, prior to making full recovery.

Have you tried probiotics?

Try some Actimel as that's very effective at getting rid of post infection diarrhoea.

Giardis v difficult to diagnose- need several samples. Ask doc about it. Can be caught from animals as we diagnose it in dogs and cats- any pets had diarrhoea?