diarrhea for 5 days

[hairyunicorn]

My 19yr old DS came down with diarrhea last Sunday, it has contuined for the last 5 days.

He has just moved in with me and we are yet to sign up to a GP's.

His only other symptoms have been stomach cramps, he is going to the bathroom at least 3 time per hour. It just wont stop. He has taken 2 imodium tablets but the still haven't helped.

Usually we would take him to urgent care, but of course he cant be far from the toilet so is very unwilling to go.

Has anyone got any suggestions as t what we can do. Keeping him hydrated and giving electrolytes. I just don't know what to do

Try ringing 111.

Have you read the NHS advice on this. I find the website surprising helpful?

Does he have a temp?

Here is the advice

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/

The main worry is dehydration. Is he still weeing? Have you tried rehydration sachets?

Sorry for yet another advice. I’m sure immodium dossage is take 2 tablets and then take another one after each bm up to a certain maximum a day. Have you followed the packed instructions?

Thank you for the link @Schoolfailure , i will def give 111 a call.

Currently following all advice, he is still urinating, taking lots of water and rehydration sachets....

He only took 2 imodium cause he is worried about becoming constipated.
At this point though, i think we need to follow the instructions, so will go and buy another pack

DON'T give him imodium!!!!

Whatever is causing the diarrhoea wants to come out. Keeping it in, can make him much worse!

As long as he is tolerating fluids, weeing, doesn't have a fever and not passing blood- it will likely clear. Dioralyte sachets can help replace the salts he is losing from the bowel.

Imodium really only has a place for someone with a chronic bowel disorder where its prescribed. Or as a one off if you were in a very remote place, say in India, and desperately needed to complete a bus/train trip!

Thank you @Darkclothes , this has been my thinking for the past 5 days, but we just need a bit of a break from it. Gonna call 111 now before giving him any more and see what they say.

Yes, good idea to call 111. I worked in A&E for many years and it still amazes me that pharmacists will sell imodium in cases like this. As I said, for a chronic, diagnosed bowel condition- yes, but for something that could be cause by food poisoning- absolutely not.

I had something similar a few years ago. No vomiting, no fever, no blood. DH was fine- just random diarrhoea for 6 days. I cut out oily/spicy foods, drank kefir, ate sauerkraut, dioralyte sachets, bananas, plain rice/chicken etc. It did eventually clear. I have no idea what caused it, but thankfully, never had it again.

@hairyunicorn how is he doing today?

Thanks for asking @Schoolfailure . He is still not clear of it yet, but doing better than last week, that was truly horrendous.

We did go to urgent care on Friday, as advised by 111, but they just checked his vitals and sent us home to wait it out. Keeping my fingers crossed this week will be the turning point.

Good that it is improving. Hopefully he has managed to get some sleep as that will
help him feel much better.

It’s a good reminder that pharmacists are not a replacement for doctors, except in defined circumstances.