Diarrhoea for two weeks, really scared

[ScarlettDarling]

I started with diarrhoea on the third day of my holiday in Turkey. It's got worse and worse ever since and was bloody on a couple of occasions. Taking Immidium really helped and I was a bit constipated for a few days after taking it but now I'm back to having the most awful diarrhoea.

TBH I'm getting really scared now. I've got a gp appointment for Friday but I'm starting to think dreadful things like bowel cancer. Has anyone had terrible diarrhoea for two weeks or longer which didn't turn out to be something dreadful? Any reassuring stories gratefully received as my health anxiety is out of control today

It’s a bug. When you took the Imodium it didn't let the bug run through your system, in fact it kept it in there. Now you’ve stopped taking the immodium the bug needs to work its way through.

You will be fine.

Didn’t want to read and run. I’m not an expert at all and hopefully someone who is will be along soon.

You’re in Turkey so it’s highly likely the change of diet/water has affected you. Also I’d imagine it’s very hot there. I sometimes get the runs when it’s hot and used to suffer with IBS and it always ramped up on holiday (anxiety about not knowing where or when the next toilet would be).
You have an appointment so, unless you can see a doctor there, just try to relax.
Your anxiety will not change the future but it will make your present more unpleasant.

Have you told the hotel? Perhaps you are not the only person who’s suffering.

Thanks for taking the time to post. When I took the Imodium I'd already had the runs for a week. I'm home now and it's really ramped up. Just feel so scared and down, not helped by the fact that I'm starving but anything I eat just comes straight out of me.

I can’t diagnose you- but I have had similar and it did just clear up. Assume it was a bug that took a while.
I know someone who had salmonella and it took 6 weeks.
Try not to worry- get it checked but it’s probably nothing bad.

I had similar issues when I went to Egypt. It was food poisoning, most likely from the buffet at our hotel.

Go to the GP. Be warned they will most likely ask for a stool sample to test. IIRC mine cleared up on its own, didn't need antibiotics. Just drink lots of water and eat plain food that doesn't irritate your gut. I had to lay off fruit and veg for a while because that seemed to make it worse.

Yes - toast and honey was the only thing I ate for a while.

Thanks Flurgle and Fatted , yes I'm living on toast, bananas and rich tea biscuits at the minute. How long did it last for both of you?

Could be gardiasis. Stool sample then antibiotics shifts it. Don't worry there are all sorts of bugs and it's ever so common to pick them up abroad.

I honestly can’t remember. GP took a stool sample and mine wasn’t a bug.
I had had a funny tummy for a few days then one day ignored it and held it in as we were out for the day. When we got home all hell broke loose.

Sometimes if it’s hot my stomach rebels too.

My dad died of bowel cancer which I know is constantly at the back of my mind whenever I get an upset tummy. But I've never ever had diarrhoea like this, it's never ending!

It's more likely to be a bug or a parasite though. I get why you are nervous but there is enough time to be nervous if it is bowel cancer, try to park your feelings for a while. The chances are so much higher that it is something else. I hope you get answers soon.

Thanks cranston