I have had severe liquid diarrhea for 10 days now, what is going on?

[DaniAz21]

I am a 38yr female in good health. Was not taking any meds prior to symtoms appearing. My problems started Aug 11th with explosive burning diarrhea that felt like razor blades every time I went. About 5 times from early evening to bedtime. Was traveling the next day so took immodium to aid in controlling bathrooms and give my sphincter a break(thank heavens for preperationH) Over the weekend the diarrhea was on and off usually worse at night. Upon returning Monday no longer having immodium in system, trying to let it run its course, I was then sick vomiting and still suffering frequent bouts of diarrhea.  Was home from work for two days sick. Started taking a probiotic Ultimate Flora as soon as I stopped getting sick to tummy. Nothing is helping the liquid explosive diarrhea with abdominal  cramps ,although it doesn't feel like fire anymore, so grateful for that. I was assuming it was just a virus and having taken some immodium for travel just extended the symptoms.  I am thinking about calling Doc to make an appt cause it's been nearly 2wks since symptoms started. What could be causing this? I am so hungry but can't eat much and it's difficult to live a normal day cause I am stuck in bathroom.

[TheLightSeeker]

A PPI could be your best friend or your worse nightmare and you wouldn't be able to tell either one, because the effects -positive or negative - could be immediate and beneficial, yet long-term catastrophic. And the long-term catastrophic effects cannot be necessarily linked to the PPI, when the immediate effects seem beneficial.
Please have your gastric acid levels checked first!
Doctors prescribe acid reducing drugs blindly!
I suggest you do a Betaine HCL challenge-just follow the label instructions
and if you feel better consistently, you have low gastric acid levels.
Or you can do the baking soda burp test. 1/4t soda in a 1/4 cup water
you drink it and if you burp significantly in less than 3 minutes, your levels.
are fine. You may want to repeat this a couple times to confirm.
There are more issues associated with low gastric acid than high.
meganh35, we cannot discern results from individual cases, like from our own personal experience, as pathology differs wildly from person to person
and what worked for you could be a disaster for Dani.
Cheers,
Niko

[TheLightSeeker]

Try an anti-diarrhea diet called BRAT (bananas, rice,
applesauce, toast) and stay well-hydrated.
Coconut water does wonders for rehydration, as it also supplies the body with valuable electrolytes and is all natural.
It sounds like you have a serious bout of gastro-enteritis.
I'm not surprised you haven't seen a doctor yet, since you are a healthy (other than presently) and busy person.
But please consider making that call  soon, specially if your symptoms persist or worsen.
best wishes,
Niko

[cnoevl21]

could be a virus or food poisoning. Where did you travel? I wonder if you picked up a parasite. Regardless, you should def see a doctor. The max most stomach viruses and food poisoning will last is 10 days.

[DaniAz21]

I forgot I had to take a shot for a failed pregnancy to dissolve it as it was suspected to be an etopic pregnancy.  I can't remember the name I think it starts with an m. Could it be a reaction to that?

[meganeh35]

Honestly it sounds so similar to my symptoms and I've had abdominal issues for 4 1/2 years that only NOW recently FINALLY got a diagnosis for.  I have chronic stomach pain 24/7 (no meds helping that symptom yet) and with no meds I also have nausea/reflux... And If something I ate/drank bothers my stomach/gut, I can get diarrhea.  I've had numerous tests and finally asked for a 2nd opinion and was referred to a much better hospital 7 months ago and after a 2nd upper endoscopy (at my request) I FINALLY was diagnosed with Polyps (which were removed) and found out I have Erosive Gastritis.  IN all my years of dealing with this and doing research, I highly recommend you talk to your doctor and ask about things like IBS, Gastritis, Crohn's, etc etc (I asked about all this and more).  My symptoms just came on suddenly one day, no warning.  Then ask your Doc about a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor aka acid blocker such as Omeprazole, Ranitidine, etc (taken both before, those are prescrip Prilosec and Zantac)... Your stomach pain is different, and I'm still working on the right med for that, just got prescribed something new 2 days ago.  I wish you luck!!

[meganeh35]

BTW I recommend the Probiotic ALIGN.  It was recommended by my newer G.I. Doctor and it was actually created by Gastroenterologists!  I did have sharp stabbing pains all over my abdominal area once in a while (later learning those are gas pains) and now that's gone

[meganeh35]

I can't edit my answer... Ask about the PPI, if you're still experiencing vomiting that is, is what I meant to say.  Don't leave out ANY of your symptoms... Before I was prescribed a PPI, I could barely function with nausea/reflux (stomach pain and diarrhea)... I felt like I had the stomach flu 24/7, only with added symptoms... I was on the couch a lot