Husband lost 9lb since last Tuesday

[Livingjusttolive]

So my husband started off with a virus type thing last Tuesday had really sore aching lower back, and fever. He then proceeded to have diarrhea up to 6 times a day, this is still ongoing but not as many times as 6 times a day.

He has lost 9lb in weight due to not eating because after everything he eats, it just comes out the other end. He is noticeably slimmer, and says he just has no energy, should this warrant a call to the GP?

Yes, question

Yes. Absolutely

it sounds like the sickness bug that’s been going around. We all had it. I can honestly say it was worse then covid for us. Awful stomach pain, diarrhoea, sickness, no appetite and no energy.
give the doctor a call or 111 and get some electrolytes in him. He’s weak because he’s dehydrated and lacking electrolytes.

The aching lower back would make me think of a UTI. How are his waterworks ?
Increase fluids, keep eating, and yes - I’d be ringing for advice

He is weeing less, but not painful wees. Every little thing he eats, just falls out of him. It's quite concerning, awaiting call back from GP. He feels really weak too.

he now cannot even keep dioralyte down

Has he had COVID? This sounds like the end point of my 2 months of it..... and I did lose a big amount of weight in a few days.

He needs to be on a drip I think.
Chase gp and call 111 if you need to, or urgent care.

Has he ever had colitis or is there a history of it in the family?

Yes I thought drip too. No history of colitis, he has had covid.

Definitely get on to the doctor, I’ve had anti nausea tablets before in a similar situation so I could keep water down and they worked well.

It could be something a lot more serious than a "sickness bug". 9lbs is a lot to lose in a week.

He should talk to his GP.

For me it would depend a bit on the % of his body weight that he’s lost. If he weighs a lot I don’t think that’s a worrying amount. Given that he’s peeing I don’t think he’s alarmingly dehydrated.

If he’s not keeping liquids down, a lot of that weight loss will just be water, so not necessarily a worrying amount to lose. Obviously a doctor will know best, but agree that a severe stomach bug is the most likely option, try not to worry OP.

So he can't even keep water down? Which means he'll be getting rapidly dehydrated. I'd be less concerned about the weight loss as in my experience it comes back quickly after an illness like this. But 6 days of this, and very little water/hydration would make me concerned. Glad you've called the doctor.

We all lost a lot of weight when we had covid but not 9lb in one week! Is he very overweight?
You can buy the rehydration sachets from the chemist now, and try small sips.

I would be getting medical advice too.

Context is important in terms of the weightloss. 9lbs on me looks very different to 9lbs on my husband.

I’d focus more on the inability to keep anything in.

Why is he eating ? Give his insides a break ?

Dioralyte is vile IMO, just water for now.

Dioralyte is vile IMO

Dioralyte saved my life and works instantly.

I can easily lose half a stone in a few days within a few days with a stomach bug. Biggest concern is dehydration, which will be contributing to nausea.

I couldn't stomach diaoralyte when I had a stomach bug recently, but could manage a few sips of water or lucozade sport.

Op, I'd concentrate on getting fluid in him while you're waiting for gp. Even sips of water, or sucking on ice cubes or crushed ice. Ice lollies are an option too.

Obviously avoid milk, caffeine, alcohol and fruit juices.

Immodium will help reduce amount of bathroom trips too.

Any immodium instants dissolve on the tongue, no drink required.

Diarolyte provides crucial salts of course but if you can't keep it down it's no good, in which sports isotonics or water are better than nothing.

My Dh had something very similar just before Christmas and it turned out to be Campylobacter poisoning (goodness knows how, as it hit him the day after our 14-day Covid isolation and we'd not eaten anything different). Ring your GP and get a sample tested.

I had this when my thyroid went berserk. I couldn't leave the house after breakfast until I had pooed at least 5 times. I messed myself a few times ( sorry tmi) because the time between needing to go and going was seconds . I lost half a stone in a week ,was passing blood and felt exhausted. I was convinced it was bowel cancer but it was hyperthyroidism. I was put on a huge dose of carbimazole and then had radiation to reset it.