GP said to DH "Don't eat for 48 hrs" Opinions please.

[IloveBanff]

My husband has had several bouts of diarrhoea over the last few days. No nausea or vomiting just diarrhoea after eating. He had to see the doctor about something else this morning and so mentioned this problem too.
The doctor suspects gastro-enteritis and told him not to eat anything for 48 hours and it should clear up. He has taken that to mean solid food and was about to make a chicken cup-a soup. Surely that is as bad as solid food as it will 'feed' the bacteria (it contains glucose syrup, milk protein, maize starch, chicken and potato). He has bought some Dioralyte so that his electrolyte balance is ok, but which of us is right regarding the cup-a-soup? Shouldn't he be having clear fluids?

Up to date advice is not to starve for diarrhoea but to eat foods that are not too fatty or spicy. Carb rich foods are recommended. I would question the advice he has been given in the first place tbh

My DP had gastroenteritis 2 weeks ago, diarrhea for 5 days. He phoned the GP and was given exactly the same advice. Clear fluids only - so no cup a soup.
He followed it and is now eating lightly again. No dairy, no fat only carbs noodles, bread etc.
His stomach is not right and he has lost over a stone.
I think you just need to keep the diet light and accept it will take a long time to get over it.

Oh dear, I don't know what to think. I'm a terrible worrier as it is (and a pessimist) and my husband is in his 70s and not eating for 48 hours is not going to be easy. He hasn't had the cup-a-soup after I said I don't think he should. Maybe a bit of dry toast without anything spread on it? But then that's not doing as the GP said.

Hot bovril or marmite?

Flat coke and TUC biscuits.

Oh cross-posted with you Moussemoose. Thanks for your reply.

He won't drink Marmite or Bovril unfortunately. Thanks very much for the replies.

Chicken bovril? Basically a clear chicken cupasoup!

What happened to following the brat diet?
Bananas rice Apple toast?

Rice is always recommended AFAIK

Nhs advice:

To help ease your symptoms:

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration–You need to drink more thanusual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup.

Takeparacetamolfor any fever or aches and pains.

Get plenty of rest.

If you feel like eating, try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread

.Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmaciesif you havesigns of dehydration, such as adry mouthor dark urine – read abouttreating dehydration.

Take anti-vomiting medication (such as metoclopramide) and/or antidiarrhoeal medication (such as loperamide) if you need to– some types are available from pharmacies, but check the leaflet that comes with the medicine. You can also ask your pharmacist or GP for advice about whether they're suitable.

I would check the NHS website to see if there is any advise on there as that should have the most up to date advise

Thanks all.

I wouldn't recommend anything 'in a packet' like cuppa soup when you're trying to get over stomach problems.

Better to stick with plain toast, maybe a scrapping of jam or similar, to keep energy levels up but very little fat.

Herbal teas are great, e.g. Ginger or mint.

Definitely avoid dairy for a few days and then go easy on it for a while after if it is causing irritation.

I think anything with milk in is definitely not recommended, so I wouldn't have the cuppa soup.

He'd be better with some plain carbs if he really wants something.

I thought potatoes were the least worst thing.

What's the point of going to the doctor if you're going to ignore his/her advice?

I guess cos before you go to the Dr, you don't know that they'll give you outdated advice that contradicts NHS guidance

You could try the BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. All plain with nothing mixed in or added. But I would first try at least 24 hours with clear liquids only, tea with no milk or water

Years ago a relative had severe gastroenteritis, their GP recommended Heinz tomato soup , can't understand why, it smells like sick to me, but there you go.

None of us knows what the OP's husband's condition is. None of us was in that treatment room. So it's massively arrogant (not to say possibly even dangerous) to assume that we, random internet strangers, know better than the doctor who was diagnosing his condition.

Stupid and foolish.

The BRAT diet isn't recommended as it has too few nutrients/protein, etc. By all means eat those foods but you don't need to limit yourself to them. The GP is giving outdated advice according to the NHS link I provided

He didn't go to the doctor about the diarrhoea, he mentioned it in passing.

Has your husband kept a food diary to see if any particular foods make it worse?

I have had repeated bouts of gastroenteritis this year. I am nearing 60 and have ms so am immuno compromised; I get everything when I'm in a bit of a trough.

I did starve for something like 3 days as I couldn't even keep water down. I got myself back to eating by having very very small licks of live natural yoghurt. I know everyone says no dairy, but it got me right.