Stomach bug

[NewWave]

You poor thing! sounds awful :( I can't think of any advice to give except try a emergency walk in centre.

And ask for more tests.

I don't know you but sincerely wish you better soon.

[muffins78]

Hi Louisa, sometimes tablets help for a short period, but don't actually cure the problem. If this is seriously getting you down or you feel that the answers you are receiving are not helping, ask for a referral to the gastroenterologist in Kings. I've got Crohns (not dissimilar to Colitis mentioned above), there are so many things that could be wrong and everyone will have different experiences, that it's best to go to the expert. I'm never "normal" health wise, I can add my tuppence worth on this, but in terms of the doctor doing bloods/samples, they'll be on the look out for infection/inflammation/bleeding etc., so they are going about it the right way, however unless someone is a specialist in terms of the digestive tract, I think it's best to go to the gastroenterologist. If you having issues with food, feel free to PM me, I've recently found a temporary way around that - which has helped me, or ask any questions, it's. no problem at all. Hope you start to improve soon.

[muffins78]

Oops what I was meaning to say too, is to be careful with codeine - were you given the prescription dosage or over the counter amount? The former may cause symptoms which will not be indicative of your real symptoms. To be honest, in my experience, I avoid pain relief where possible - my situation is different as I know this is "forever" so to speak, I just am trying not to mask symptoms so I know what is really going on - even if I'm in tears etc, if I took codeine, I'd be presenting completely new symptoms to the gastro' :) Just thought I'd make you aware :)

[aquarius moon]

Louisa,

Have you ever had this before? I only ask because the symptoms sound very similar to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

This is something that you can suffer from on and off indefinitely. (I have it myself)

You can go years without any symptoms but then something triggers it off. It can be anything from a change in diet to stress, to using antibiotics etc.

IBS causes stomach cramps, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, bloating & flatulence.

Buscopan is prescribed for this, but I find the only real cure is to alleviate the cause, stress, excess dairy etc. and take peppermint oil a few times a day.

I hope it's nothing more serious than this, but if it continues you will have to insist that your GP investigates further. x

[Sue]

Other things could cause these symptoms other than a stomach bug.

Antibiotics won't cure a viral infection, as suggested above, but I expect you know that.

As it's now been going on so long, I'd be inclined - as someone else said - to insist that you get referred to an appropriate specialist. You may need scans etc..

My daughter's illness last year started with similar symptoms and she ended up being quite unnecessarily very ill indeed because she wasn't diagnosed for months. Whatever it is, you need a speedy diagnosis so that you can get appropriate treatment.

I do hope you feel better soon. Take care.

[JohnL]

I take some stuff from Holland and Barrett which can (and sometimes does) cause stomach issues.

5HTP for instance knocks my stomach for six :)

I try the peppermint oil too

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Other things could cause these symptoms other than

> a stomach bug.

>

Antibiotics won't cure a viral infection, as

> suggested above, but I expect you know that.

>

> As it's now been going on so long, I'd be inclined

> - as someone else said - to insist that you get

> referred to an appropriate specialist. You may

> need scans etc..

>

> My daughter's illness last year started with

> similar symptoms and she ended up being quite

> unnecessarily very ill indeed because she wasn't

> diagnosed for months. Whatever it is, you need a

> speedy diagnosis so that you can get appropriate

> treatment.

>

> I do hope you feel better soon. Take care.

Aquarius Moon was not suggesting using Antibiotics as a cure, AQ was suggesting Antibiotics could be the cause.

Having said that 'many doctors are prescribing antibiotics for IBS'

http://digestivehealthinstitute.org/2012/09/18/antibiotics-for-my-ibs/

Also, in some cases, symptoms get worse after taking a course of antibiotics.

Antibiotics kill certain harmless or good bacteria in the gut,

which changes the balance of bacterial types in the gut.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome-leaflet

DulwichFox

[Peckhamrye]

I echo those suggesting you get a referral to a gastro-enterologist - this has been going on for too long.

[Twirly]

Definitely sounds as if you need a referral to a specialist. Hope you get one and get better soon.

[Louisa]

Thanks for the helpful responses again everyone. IBS and IBD are both things I've been looking at, although I was told by my GP that the re-infection may be as a result of the death of good bacteria in my stomach. So potentially one of the above could have been exacerbated by the antibiotics, which as pointed out already, have kind of made a bad situation worse. I've been to see another A&E doctor since I last updated everyone and they ran immediate tests on my blood and stool sample, felt my stomach all over and asked me lots of questions about my medical history. I was up the hospital until 3 this morning and I have to say the staff at kings were once again amazing. I was told I had a high white blood count and they detected a "low level gut infection". I was on a drip for 2 hours to restore me back to normality as my blood pressure was pretty high and I was told my level of dehydration meant I couldn't leave the hospital until all the body basics were returned to normal again. I've not been given any further treatment, but I've been promised a letter from the gastro specialist at some point. What is confusing all the more is the longevity of this, coupled with the fact some sort of infection has been detected, and why my immune system isn't clearing it. I literally have tried everything and I couldn't cope again last night because the pain was just crippling.I've taken "dioralyte" this morning and lots of water, I am not going to do anything else today. I am now hopeful the specialist will be able to throw further light onto the internal situation.

Louisa.

[Sue]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Other things could cause these symptoms other

> than

> > a stomach bug.

> >

> Antibiotics won't cure a viral infection, as

> > suggested above, but I expect you know that.

> >

>

> Aquarius Moon was not suggesting using Antibiotics

> as a cure, AQ was suggesting Antibiotics could be

> the cause.

>

>

> DulwichFox

xxxxxxx

I know she wasn't, Foxy.

It was someone else further up the thread. Maybe a slip of the finger and they meant bacterial infection.

ETA: Louisa, glad things are being taken seriously by the doctors. Do hope it all gets resolved soon.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Sorry to hear you are unwell, Louisa. Shall I pick you some daffodils?

[Louisa]

Update:

IBD (crohn's and ulcerative colitis): negative

Various bacterial and viral infections including C- Dif : negative

White blood count back to normal.

My GP has fast tracked a referral to see the gastroenterologist at kings. The stomach cramps and watery stools are still persisting and Yakult and other pro-biotics don't seem to help. I'm now hoping for some answers in the coming weeks, my weight loss has stopped and my fluid intake is up. Blood pressure normal, no longer dehydrated. Still getting little sleep though.

Louisa.

[uncleglen]

My dad was telling me of his symptoms and they sounded like yours- he has been diagnosed with diverticulitis. There can be infection due to the diverticulae that form.

[Robert Poste's Child]

Louisa, you poor thing, you must be exhausted. Wish I could think of something to suggest that you haven't tried already but until you get a diagnosis I'm sure you don't want to risk trying something else that might make things worse again.

Sending you healthy thoughts - they can't do any harm at least.

[Sue]

I've PMed you, Louisa.

[intexasatthe moment]

I found Aloe Vera ( I used one from Health Matters ,honey flavoured ) good . You only take a mouthful twice a day .

[muffins78]

Delighted to hear that you don't have IBD and it's great you doing better and off to see the gastro'. If it's Dr Forgacs, he's fab :) I've been seeing him for the last 12 or so years. As he no longer works privately and only at Kings now, when I saw him last week, I got to meet an IBD nurse for the first time and again, was so happy/relieved leaving the hospital - even if I am rattling with my latest concoction of pills :). All I'm really trying to say, is that you will be very well looked after by them all. If you ever need any help/advice - always feel free to ask - only happy to help! But each persons idea of what helps them, may not be yours, so don't be too worried if something isn't your thing :)