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Diarrhoea not stopping

10 replies

Jennywren8 · 06/07/2025 09:13

Sorry if TMI but I have had diarrhoea every morning for about 6 weeks now and it’s making me miserable. I wake up and have to rush to the loo, and need to repeat a couple of times before my bowels are empty. I am having cramping in the day which is making it hard to work and it’s impacting on my life. GP very good and did a thorough check over and sent off samples and all fine. Anyone had any experience of this? And what they did to relieve and remove pain. I am 48 and starting to go through perimenopause, could it be linked to that? Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Jennywren8 · 06/07/2025 09:13

Ps not been abroad and eating normally

OP posts:
Tcateh · 06/07/2025 09:29

Hi Ive had diarrhoea for 3 weeks exactly as you're experiencing and had all the tests as you have.
One thing that I do have is IBS.
I had slightly raised Calprotectin levels which indicates inflammation.

Have you started any meds. Again this probably doesn't apply but I've been on a change of antidepressants. Sertraline. No problem for 4 weeks then upped my dose slightly and this started fairly promptly without a few days.
Sertraline is known for this.
Technically that could have flared the IBS.

Anyway I just posted that to give you my background.

As for the constant diarrhoea I totally feel for you.
I've been living off imodium, diarolyte and water. Plain food.
I'm seeing my GP tomorrow to ask what is next.

What was your calprotectin level?

I've waited 10 days to see GP, I can't just stop the antidepressants, they've also been working well despite this horrendous diarrhoea.

Do you feel utterly dehydrated and exhausted?

X

Hermanfromguesswho · 06/07/2025 09:34

I had similar and I think it is related to the supplements I have been taking for perimenopause. Magnesium in particular. Are you taking supplements or vitamins?

RentalWoesNotFun · 06/07/2025 09:46

Are you aware that artificial sweeteners are very bad for the gut. Despite companies sneaking then into just about every fucking thing to avoid the sugar tax.

Nearly all mainstream fizzy drinks have them. Even allegedly full fat ones. For example full fat Schweppes and full fat Pepsi. No sign of it until you read the small print. Original Coca Cola (red can with white writing) is ok though, so far…!

They are in anything that says “no added sugar” such as Robinson and jelly.

Stop eating ultra processed food. Go back to basics.

Check your diet and cut all of the crap out.

Next keep a food diary of everything that passes your lips. Even gum (and that has artificial sweeteners too so it has to go).

Have you heard of FODMAP. It’s a list of things that are known to cause IBS issues. Try that. Didn't work for me but does for many many people.

Cut right back to eating only boiled chicken and rice for a couple of days. See if your symptoms stop.

I got put on beta blockers for stress and my bowels started calming down. It was unexpected and amazing. Im ok now and can eat things that were previously triggers.

I am menopausal but this started about four years ago and nothing I did helped til these beta blockers 40mg twice a day.

GentleSheep · 06/07/2025 11:46

That happened to me and it turned out I had developed a reaction to wheat! It all went away once I went wheat (and gluten) free. I'm not coeliac. So it could be you are reacting to a food you're having (or even an additive). I went on a very bland diet and kept a food diary then began introducing foods back one at a time once the diarrhoea stopped.

Jennywren8 · 07/07/2025 11:14

Thank you very much for your thorough response, and sorry that I didn’t reply yesterday. I haven’t felt dehydrated thankfully and managing to eat as normal, and to be fair was okay this morning when I went to loo. I am on tamoxifen but have been for the last 7 years following breast cancer but that’s all I am on. It seems to be worse in the morning and then I don’t go for rest of the day. Cramping comes and goes but really painful when it flares up. I am waiting for one further test to come back from the doctors and then I will arrange an appointment. We have our holidays to Greece in a couple of weeks and really don’t want it to wreck thaf :(

OP posts:
Jennywren8 · 07/07/2025 11:16

Hermanfromguesswho · 06/07/2025 09:34

I had similar and I think it is related to the supplements I have been taking for perimenopause. Magnesium in particular. Are you taking supplements or vitamins?

I did start taking well women vitamin tablets around the time it started, will go cold turkey on these for a week and see if it makes any difference

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 07/07/2025 11:18

Jennywren8 · 07/07/2025 11:16

I did start taking well women vitamin tablets around the time it started, will go cold turkey on these for a week and see if it makes any difference

Could be that - I get diarrhoea when taking some supplements. I can't take magnesium- I have to spray that on my feet instead!

Jennywren8 · 07/07/2025 11:31

Pancakeflipper · 07/07/2025 11:18

Could be that - I get diarrhoea when taking some supplements. I can't take magnesium- I have to spray that on my feet instead!

Will get some spray!

OP posts:
keeponplodding7 · 15/07/2025 15:10

How are you doing now @Jennywren8 ? I seem to have the same thing but the crazy thing is I get it nearly every summer! Literally my last three summer holidays. Also going to Greece in 2 weeks so want to sort it out quicker this time. I’m trying Psyllium husk on the hope it will help

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