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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Diarrhea lasting more than a week
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Diarrhea lasting more than a week
by mfleet2004, Sep 10, 2006 12:00AM
Eight days ago my two sons and I all came down with food poisoning from a restaurant (I think anyway). They had diarrhea for 1-2 days and have fully recovered. I had diarrhea, nausea and bad cramps for three days (Sunday thru Tuesday), then Wednesday nothing, then diarrhea again Thursday. In there somewhere I also had some normal BMs.
On Thursday I went to see my family physician but got his partner who was convinced it was a typical virus not FP. Due to the circumstances, I believe he is wrong. My young sons have brought home MANY viruses and this did not have same "feel" to it. Also, we have NEVER had the symptoms at the same time when it was a virus, it's always been staggered over a few days.
Friday I still had diarrhea so I took one Lomotil 2.5 mg that he had prescribed and on Saturday and most of Sunday had no diarrhea after eating nothing but rice and water all day Friday and Saturday.
Today (Sunday) I was dumb enough to think I was recovered and ate normal but bland food, started having mild cramps and now again have diarrhea.
So my question is now what? Back to rice and water? Wait it out? If it matters, I'm normally healthy, normal weight and rarely have diarrhea for more than one day which hardly ever happens.
I'm worried because I read somewhere that you can develop chronic diarrhea after an episode like this. Is that very likely?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
On Thursday I went to see my family physician but got his partner who was convinced it was a typical virus not FP. Due to the circumstances, I believe he is wrong. My young sons have brought home MANY viruses and this did not have same "feel" to it. Also, we have NEVER had the symptoms at the same time when it was a virus, it's always been staggered over a few days.
Friday I still had diarrhea so I took one Lomotil 2.5 mg that he had prescribed and on Saturday and most of Sunday had no diarrhea after eating nothing but rice and water all day Friday and Saturday.
Today (Sunday) I was dumb enough to think I was recovered and ate normal but bland food, started having mild cramps and now again have diarrhea.
So my question is now what? Back to rice and water? Wait it out? If it matters, I'm normally healthy, normal weight and rarely have diarrhea for more than one day which hardly ever happens.
I'm worried because I read somewhere that you can develop chronic diarrhea after an episode like this. Is that very likely?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Sep 11, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 11, 2006 12:00AM
Infectious gastroenteritis can be possible - especially after hearing this history. You can exclude other causes by sending the stool off for analysis and culture. If positive for a bacterial cause, antibiotics can be considered.
If the diarrhea continues despite negative testing, a lower endoscopy - either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy - can be considered to rule out more chronic causes like inflammatory bowel disease.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
If the diarrhea continues despite negative testing, a lower endoscopy - either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy - can be considered to rule out more chronic causes like inflammatory bowel disease.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
