Food Poisoning/ Gastroenteritis Question

Quick background: I'm pretty sure this is some form of food poisoning. My mother and I went out to eat Friday night at a Chinese buffet, and even thought the food had a quick turnover and was scalding hot when we got there, and hour later I found myself sprinting for a bathroom with cramping and diarrhea. My mother didn't show any symptoms herself until Sunday.

Here's where I'm getting worried: I'm on my third day of suffering from symptoms. It's the same deal: abdominal cramping, very loose watery stools. No fever or vomiting (thank God). When my mother started having symptoms, she was uncomfy for only a few hours and then felt better. How long is a bout of food poisoning supposed to last?

I'm wondering because like I said this is my third day of symptoms. I seem to go to the bathroom pretty much every hour, although so far today I've only gone once. I'm on clear liquids, juices, frozen popsicles, maybe some toast or chicken broth here and there so that I'm not missing any nutrients, but I don't think they're staying in long enough. I'm also worried since I have to try and get to work tomorrow, and I work in an environment with small children and will probably get sent home if I exhibit symptoms, but was also wondering how to manage them on the off chance that I don't get sent home. I don't normally get this sick so naturally I'm a bit worried about the whole thing.

[Nashida]

I should update this since I can't fix my first post. I've gone almost 7 more times today. Still nothing more than clear liquids.

Mother suggested I try Imodium (immodium) to see if it will work enough to get me through work tomorrow on the off chance my boss doesn't send me home. I took it an hour ago,and while I still have abdominal cramps I haven't had the sensation of going to the bathroom. Munching on some salty crackers with a glass of lemon lime soda to see if it truly does work.