Tape Worm (TMI alert)

[Jammee]

I had stomach cramps last Friday. By the next day (Saturday) I felt a bit sick and a little dizzy and spaced. Then my poo went weird. On the Sunday my poo was horrible, I had lots of stomach cramps and I felt really nauseated. On the Monday I felt rough too. Tuesday I felt better but still not right. Thursday I was almost back to normal and Friday essentially no symptoms at all. I thought it was just a stomach bug.

However, this evening I had a bit of a stomach cramp so went to the toilet and did a poo. I saw a sort of normal poo (hadn't been for a few days) and then a load of whitish stuff that looks like gunky or noodles or something. It was so weird I had to ask DH to take a look (how embarrassing). He said it could be a tape worm. I was FREAKED OUT.

Anyway, DH has looked at some Google images and read a bit online and decided that it is mucus from the intestines following my stomach bug and having not pooed for the last few days. But I am still freaked out by the tape worm idea.

Can anyone tell me about tape worm? Does it sound likely? (We're veggie so haven't eaten any dodgy meat).

I am really scared of the idea of a worm and worried that it will come out in my sleep. I thought mums may know more about tape worm before I get a chance to speak to a GP.

I think tapeworms in this country are really rare, so it's more likely to be mucus from your tummy upset like your DH thinks. I think there was a mumsnetter who knows lots about worms and parasites, hopefully she'll see your thread and advise. I don't think you have to worry about it coming out of your bottom at night. Threadworms (that children get and which are common) do that but they are tiny.

have you been travelling abroad - places with questionable clean water ?!? as that's the kind of place you will pick up a tape worm ? if you haven't - then there's not much risk in the UK especially as you don't have meat in your diet .
:-)