To go to A&E? I’m desperate.

[Havanawinter]

Early hours of Saturday morning (48 hours ago) I woke with the worst stomach cramps. I’ve been pooing liquid ever since, over 50 times a day. I can’t keep anything in. I haven’t been sick but I feel sick. It’s getting no better, the stomach cramps are indescribable, I can’t even lie down they’re so awful. I feel like death and I’m scared of dehydration. Do I call 111? Go to A&E? DH meant to be away in London for work tomorrow and I have 2 young kids by myself. I need help.

I was contacted by Public Health before I’d even got my results from the hospital ie they’d contacted them first!

Give them a ring there maybe results through there from earlier folks

God this sounds awful OP

If its c diff or e coli you need to be really thorough about cleanliness... When my relative was in hospital with both at once we were told we had to wash hands thoroughly with soap AND use alcohol gel, because one of them (I think c.diff) wouldn't be killed by the alcohol gel alone.

Really feel for you, I hope you get the results soon...

How old are you, OP? I went through a period of relentless cramps and diarrhoea a couple of years ago (mid-covid). Couldn't leave the house for over a month because it was constant and miserable. Went through every colour, consistency and stink. Phoned my GP, who cheerfully informed me at my age it was likely IBS. Apparently your 30s is the most common time for it to start in women.

We have an answer! It’s campylobacter. I start a course of antibiotics soon. I’m so relieved to have an answer.

Campylobacter will be from the chicken burger. You need to inform the pub and environmental health.

Gosh I’m so glad they have an answer for you OP, yes please inform the pub so they can throw that batch out or notify environmental health. Hope you feel better very soon 💐

Glad you have an answer and you have my sympathy. Campylobacter is bloody awful!!

Glad you know what it is. When my DH had campylobacter he had to fill out a big 30-page form for Environmental Health - they took it really seriously. Never worked out where he got it from though - he came down with it the day after we came out of isolation after Covid, we hadn't eaten out or had a takeaway, and we're an entirely vegetarian household so no exposure to chicken.

I'm so pleased that something showed on your results and you have some treatment! Wohooo! Did they advise anything for your holiday?

I was told I will be contacted by environmental health RE how I could have picked it up. The doctor I spoke to said as long as I feel well enough to travel I can travel, but if we choose to cancel I could be provided with a letter for the insurance company. I’ve just had some toast and my first antibiotic. Here’s hoping the only way is up x

Lay you any money that's going to take a while. An old friend a professor of zoonoses warned of problems in the chicken food chain last October when they tracked down a nasty outbreak. The supplier of pubs, supermarkets and other manufacturers was the culprit. The food was being prepared in Thailand by Vietnamese workers then shipped in 🙈.

Oh Jesus OP what a bloody time of it you've had.

Onwards and upwards eh

A weak hooray 🥴 at your positive test results and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

Omg good luck op

Oh poor you! My DH got that in Spain - it hit on the way back from the airport and he was hospitalised for five days with it. He needed IV antibiotics and a rehydration drip.
I hope the drugs work quickly xxx

I'm glad you have finally got some results so you can start medication, you poor thing you have really been through it

So glad you got an answer and hope things improve soon for your holiday.

Glad you have an answer. Feel better soon

OP try a totally liquid diet fur a couple of days, clear soups. Jelly etc. when I had it I was hospitalised and that’s all I was allow d for a week to allow my bowel to recover.

Glad you've got an answer OP. Glad that Environmental Health have been contacted. And indeed, it will be infected meat i.e. the chicken burger. I caught it from ham on a pizza in a pub. Bleugh! You have my sympathies.

Don't expect to feel immediately better - the ABs might take a few days to kick it and FGS keep to a very bland diet for a while. You will also need to repopulate your gut with good bacteria once you're feeling up to eating a bit more. Live yogurt is your friend when that time comes. Expect to be lactose intolerant for a week or two as well - so stick to lactose free milk. You may have IBS symptoms for a little while, as your gut recovers. Campylobacter is a nasty fucker and you've had an awful dose of it. I hope you feel better soon

So happy you've got an answer and abs xx

Op, it won’t be the chicken burger, incubation period is 2 to 5 days, it’s one of the longer ones. It is going to be under cooked poultry meat or seafood though but it would have been something you ate before the burger.

Not always that long, it has known to be shorter timeframes I believe. The longer timeframe insistence has caused issues with the correct culprit being identified at times, I think.