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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be in tears thinking I will never get over this bug?

436 replies

Sienna333 · 05/10/2017 14:40

Have a bad stomach bug which originally caused severe stomach cramps and loss of appetite/nausea but then turned into diarrhea which I have now had for 9 days. Doctor just said to wait it out but although I feel a bit better and the time between each diorohea attack is lengthening, it is still there and worse in the early hours. I have it three or four times in the day which aren't that bad but in the night it is a different story and I have it 1-2 times really bad.
I have already taken a week off work and dread the thought of calling in for yet another week. Most people who get diorohea are over it in 5 days, I don't get why it is not the same for me. I really cannot live like this anymore wondering when it will decide to stop, it is pure hell :(

OP posts:
Teddy7878 · 18/10/2017 13:32

You don't have the symptoms for colitis. You don't have bleeding, you don't go multiple times a day and you don't have bad pain and bloating

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/10/2017 13:32

No, I agree.

Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 14:17

I think I wound myself up by going on Google and finding out people can have colitis/ibd with no pain and just loose stools.

Believe me, I know I am mentally very unwell right now and am taking the right steps but your assurances help a lot.

OP posts:
Teddy7878 · 18/10/2017 15:11

Would going for a flexible sigmoidoscopy put your mind at ease? It's a much simpler procedure than a colonoscopy and it will give you a definite answer as to whether you have anything more than a bit of a bug going on. Procedure takes 5 mins to do and you can have a mild sedative if you are worried about it.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/10/2017 15:15

Remind yourself it's the anxiety that is the issue, it is very,VERY unusual to have no pain or blood with colitis and it doesn't suddenly get better. You're getting better no reason to think you have colitis at all .

Teddy7878 · 18/10/2017 15:20

I agree that it's very rare to just have loose stools a couple of times a day and no other symptoms at all with a bowel disease like colitis. Don't google symptoms, there might be a handful of people who stare they have these conditions with the same symptoms as you, but what about the millions of others who also have bleeding and a lot of pain during flare ups? You would have to be in an extremely tiny minority to be one of the ones who only has the loose stools. Things like bowel/colon cancer often have bleeding too and a lot of bloating etc. If the loose stools don't clear up within another month then maybe ask to be referred to a gastroentorologist so they can give you more specific testing for IBS or whatever else needs testing. You sound like you're getting a bit better every week though so hopefully by November this will all be in the past and you can move on with your life

Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 17:58

Thank you both of you, you don't realise how much your reassurances help.

Teddy, I might have to consider that if the anxiety doesn't pass. I really don't want to and am hoping help for the anxiety will make these worries go away.

OP posts:
Teddy7878 · 18/10/2017 18:13

Please do go for it if you find you can't stop thinking about it. It's a very quick procedure and they tell you then and there if you have chrons/colitis or anything else.
I'm sure you won't need to go down that path though so just keep telling yourself that you'll feel a bit better every week until it's gone

Candlelight234 · 18/10/2017 18:18

Why do you still think it's ibd if you are getting better?
From my experience an ibd flare would not go away with no treatment, you would get worse & worse not better!

Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 18:22

Do you think Candlelight?

I guess my worry (And I know it sounds crazy) is that all of this was a flare up of IBD/Chrones.

Teddy, that is something to think about but as you say, hopefully I will be ok in time. Just frustrated with my weird, stupid body for it to take so long to be ok again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 18:25

I haven't had any symptoms prior. I react to some foods mildly like crusty bread and some milks as in I may feel a little nauseous but generally I am never one for vomiting, long bouts of D or stomach cramps.

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 18/10/2017 18:26

No, you wouldn't have got better without meds. Why do you think it's so hard to accept it was just a bad bug?

Candlelight234 · 18/10/2017 18:28

Yes i do, I can't think of a crohns flare (had it 10 yrs) which has receded or disappeared completely without medicine.
I hope you understand I'm not going to name medications as I don't want to fuel your anxiety but I don't mean paracetamol & Imodium - proper gastro consultant prescribed meds!

Teddy7878 · 18/10/2017 18:30

Have you been tested for food allergies? You can develop them at any age. Also did you have general blood tests done?
I really don't think you need to worry. The fact you said your stools are brown and not yellow is a good sign. And the fact you said your stools are loose and not proper diarrhea or constipation is a very good sign. Only going twice a day is good too. If it were something sinister you would have the urge to go at least 5-10 times per day. Just try and relax. Sometimes people just get times in their lives where they get an ongoing upset stomach and then it goes away. It's extremely common

Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 19:00

That is reassuring to know Candlelight. I guess my thinking (however messed up) was that this was a flare but I didn't realise that they don't just subside/go away without meds. I think the fact I had blood really frightened me and led me to that conclusion.

Food allergy testing is an idea, yes. I do think I have a bit of a lactose intolerance. Should get tested for that.

Again, I am really grateful for all your support. I genuinely mean that

OP posts:
Candlelight234 · 18/10/2017 19:16

Flowers good! and take some probiotics - not the yoghurt drinks but healthshop probiotic tablets as a previous PP suggested Smile

Original poster
Sienna333 · 18/10/2017 19:20

I will give them a try, thank you. Hopefully it will all be ok in the end.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sienna333 · 20/10/2017 07:58

Insisted on seeing a doctor today for my anxiety. Anxiety is sky high. Spent all night having a panic attack as worried I have ischemic coltis and may have complications and die. There is no reason to think this but I am terrified despite having more normal/less BMS and a feeling of acidity/heartburn in my stomach.

I feel like I have totally lost it. Please wish me strength and I am sorry I can't be rational when you have all helped so much :(

OP posts:
Teddy7878 · 20/10/2017 08:04

Stop googling symptoms!
Google will always take you to the worst possible outcome. When I was googling my diarrhea and bloating I was getting pages come up saying I had colon cancer.
Just stop doing it! You don't have a bowel disease because it wouldn't be getting better if you did. I have a friend with chrons and she shits out blood about 30 times a day and is in agony when she gets a flare up. Literally can't leave the toilet as she feels so poorly. If you are that worried you're going to have to ask to be referred to a gastroentorologist so they can send you for a scope. It's the only way to put your mind at rest as stool samples and blood tests won't be able to tell you if you have chrons, colitis, ulcers or cancer.
I really do think you need some anxiety medication too as this stomach bug is ruining your life. Please trust us when we give you advice as a lot of ppl who have posted actually have things like chrons and colitis and they are telling you that you don't have the symptoms

Original poster
Sienna333 · 20/10/2017 08:07

I am so sorry. I worry I am wasting all your time and patience. I don't deserve to have this support and kindness.

OP posts:
randomer · 20/10/2017 08:10

Why don't you deserve support? I'm sure you are a nice person. Step away from Google.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 20/10/2017 08:10

Did you see a doctor, what did they suggest?

Teddy7878 · 20/10/2017 08:31

You're not wasting our time as health anxiety is a very difficult thing to control. It's a bit frustrating that you aren't listening to our advice but it's great you are now seeking help for your anxiety. Have you bought a probiotic yet? It's been mentioned lots of times to you and it really does help. I've been having symptoms for a long time now and it's the only thing that has calmed my stomach issues down

Teddy7878 · 20/10/2017 08:45

Have you gone back to work?

Candlelight234 · 20/10/2017 13:19

The treatment you need is for anxiety now as the diahorrea has passed.
What did your Gp say about this?

I understand anxiety is difficult to control as I too am a worrier, but I think yours is spiralling now- please seek help for this if you haven't already.

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