Inflamed bowel following virus. How to get back to normal

[Olympiathequeen]

About 12 weeks ago I had a weird feverish virus and a few episodes of loose stools. Kids and dh went down with it one after the other, but they have all fully recovered.

I’ve been left with daily urgency and loose stools and a feeling of abdominal bloating and discomfort. I’ve seen a consultant colo rectal surgeon who confirmed it’s just the inflammation which isn’t letting my gut microbes return to normal.

She advised probiotics like yakult and a bland diet and time.

Any further advice? I’m getting tired of it all now. ☹️

Go back and ask her to rx you a short course of prednisone to resolve the inflammation. If she's right, that should fix it. If it doesn't you need more testing.

Did she get a stool sample to test for bad bacteria, like c. dif?

No because the loose stools are just once a day normally, but today 3 so not improving.

She’s referred me back to my GP.

I wasn’t on any antibiotics that would make c dif more likely just this feverish virus.

She said it can take time for the normal bowel microbes to reestablish themselves.

I wonder if Imodium may help?

If it’s still there next week I’ll make an appointment and see if a stool specimens is worth while. It wasn’t food poisoning.

You can certainly try imodium. One theory of the etiology of diseases like ulcerative colitis is that they start with a normal immune system response to a real infection of some type that then fails to switch off.

At some point you may need an endoscopic exam to determine what's really happening.

I would try a more potent probiotic- cytoplan do one called cytobiotic active, it’s a powder designed for gut ‘rescue’. They also do acidophilus tablets which are good but may take longer to help. I would avoid alcohol and limit dairy also.

My gut has definitely not shut off so I think that’s whats happened.

I’ve ordered the cytoplan active as I’m getting so fed up with this now. Rarely drink alcohol and I’ll cut way back on the dairy as I know that can be an irritant.

Here’s hoping!

I would try Kefir. Maybe goats milk Kefir as this may be easier on the stomach.You can buy a course online . Also try fermented products like live cider vinegar and fermented kimchi/sauerkraut. Finally avoid Gluten/wheat containing products as these commonly cause issues.
Also the Fodmap diet may well be worth investigating.
These are all things I’ve learned with my battle with Ibs.

Hope it helps and you feel better soon.

I would second taking Actimel and kefir (Sainsburys do two lovely ones). I have Crohns and sometimes get the bloat that means the bacteria are not right. A couple of weeks on Actimel or kefir sort it out.

I’m waiting for the probiotic to arrive but I’ll pop into Sainsbury’s for kefir. I think I can manage that.
Sauerkraut and any type of vinegar literally makes me gag, so that’s out!

Funnily enough I though about cutting out gluten from here on in as the white bread diet has actually made it worse (3 times yesterday). Then I will go dairy free.

I’m also goi g to ask for a stool sampe to be sent just in case I’ve picked up an actual bug. DD is scheduled for a major operation in the coming months but is on the cancellation list, and it would be a disaster if I had an actual gut bacteria

I remember DS having issues after a bug like yours, and someone advised to stop dairy for a week and it really, really helped. After a day he was better.

It’s next on the list two

I hope you feel better soon op!

Teta what is live cider vinegar please? (As opposed to ordinary variety?)

I would avoid anything fermented, look up FODMAPs, and try a low fibre/residue diet

Saltcrust it’s normal cider vinegar with the ‘ mother’ left in. The bacteria used to ferment the cider to vinegar. You can buy it in health food shops. Some people swear by drinking it every day as it’s meant to be really good for you. I use it for salad dressings and occasionally have a tablespoon mixed into warm water plus Stevia with a straw.
I’ve personally found Kefir very good for settling my stomach. Coconut, goats milk Kefir have a soothing effect, cows milk Kefir doesn’t.Even lactose free home made cows milk Kefir.
Long term Fodmap diet is thought to be detrimental and I’ve certainly found that. I’ve put on a lot of weight. The only way I’ve been able to shift some is by intermittent fasting and natural probiotics.

Thank you so much for that info Teta I didn't know it existed - although take regular slugs of ordinary variety - will definitely seek it out!

Davros. I am currently doing low fibre and I’ll look at FODMAP and see if it fits with what I need.

Talked to GP and am sending of samples to rule out infective cause.

I am thinking of doing a 3 day fast even though it will be agony. I usually only last 4 hours!

A consultant colonorectal surgeon recommended Yakut and talked about "inflammation"? Where did she qualify?

olympia I've had suspected adhesions following abdominal surgery and had a terrible, long lasting bout of sickness, painful spasms, probably blockage. It improved but I didn't recover so I saw a dietician who told me about FODMAPs and I already kind-of knew about the low fibre diet, although I'd been a bit wishy washy on that. Neither the dietician nor Colorectal surgeon recommend probiotics, supplements or interventions other than the above. I have recovered which could be coincidence or due to following their advice. I wish you well

The consultant I was seeing on an unrelated issue, although the loose stools had aggravated it (rectal bleeding). I’d had a sigmoidoscopy and the results were basically fine. I just mentioned the bowel inflammation issue as an aside, so I’m quite happy with her advice and referred myself back to my GP. My ESR was slightly elevated, all other blood tests were fine.

Talked to GP and sent of pc 3 samples. C.diff, h pylori and bacterial screen. He said same as CR surgeon and said it could take 6 months. When he gives me the results I’ll ask about an anti iinflammatory drug. I won’t try Imodium and anti spasmodics until I get the stool sample results.

Now dairy and gluten free and taking probiotics. Not got the kefir yet but next on list. No improvement so far but waiting on results still.

I was a bit puzzled by the Yakut comment too!
It’s well known to just be mainly sugary water. I’m not sure how much live bacteria there is in there - if any. Sugar is known to kill the bacteria. You’re not even meant to add any sugar to Kefir - or honey.The only sweetner safe to use is Stevia.

It feels as though I’m doing something, so the psychological aspect may be important