Bit of an icky question, but seeing as my doctor is NOT being helpful I thought i’d invoke the mystical wisdom of the Teeming Millions…
Here’s the thing…after a few days of on/off nausia, stomach cramps and the runs, things took a dramatic turn for the worse today…I’m now having to take a toilet trip every 10 minutes or so which needless to say is not only uncomfortable but highly impractical.
Been in conact with the doctor once when it started (got medicine which got rid of the cramps and nausia) and then again today before the dramatic increase and again afterwards…the only advice/help I get?
Don’t eat anything (I’ve only had one meal in 3 days already)
Drink flat Coke
Anyone been through a similar experience? Any tips on how to reduce the frequency of my problems?
You have the flu? Or is this a different condition?
If it’s just the stomach flu, Kaopectate works very nicely. They sell it at Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, Kroger, etc. by the Tums, Beano, etc.
Pepto-Bismol will not help with the diarrhea–you need Kaopectate for that.
No idea why he would have told you specifically “drink flat Coke”, but you do need to keep the fluids going or else you’ll get dehydrated. Clear chicken broth is good since it has nutrition in it (buy the good canned kind, not the El Cheapo, it tastes better and it comes in fat-free), or your choice of things like Gatorade. They sell an electrolyte solution for kids that’s called Pedialyte–the fruit flavor isn’t too bad, and you can mix it with Kool-Aid. He probably told you to drink flat pop because carbonation bubbles can just add to your woes.
I personally would stay away from pure fruit juices like apple and grape as they sometimes have fruit sugars which people have trouble digesting. You don’t need more upsets.
I’ve always found immodium works a treat on diarrhea. If you don’t like flat coke (and personally I think it has waaay too much sugar in it) you can try flat ginger ale (ginger is a natural stomach soother) or drink water with a teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt. As Duck Duck Goose said, dehydration is what’s going to really mess you up, so keep drinking!
When myself, and half the city of Milwaukee had to deal with the Crypto-sporidium outbreak about ten years ago, it was Imodium to the rescue. I now use Imodium Advanced for any indication of a leaky lower unit. Works great, and like the add says, very fast and usually with only one dose.
Been on a cruise ship lately? It sure sounds like Norwalk type virus. I had a nice bout of it a couple months back. A nasty thing, but over pretty quick. Hydration is important, so Pedialyte or Gatorade are good suggestions. I think pedialyte is tastier, the pink kind tastes like bubblegum. Chicken broth is pretty nice too. Charmin Ultra with Aloe is a godsend.
From personal experience, I have to disagree with this remark. Maybe for some people it doesn’t work, but for me, Pink Bismuth is the equivalent of an iron GI tract. It fixes everything.
Immodium is amazing. In my experiences, just one pill stopped everything right on up. As far as what to eat/drink, Gatorade or Pedialyte are right on target, I also had a friend who would eat Watermelon because in addition to the nutrition and delectableness, it’s also naturally high in fluid. Also, if you keep poopin’ with no seeming end in sight, it’s probably because there’s something in there that you’re body doesn’t like.
Flat Coke can help reduce nausea. When I was pregnant and having morning sickness, my obstetrician suggested taking Coke syrup (I preferred the nausea after tasting it once).
Drink Coke and eat bananas until your stomach settles and you no longer have the hershey squirts. Only then have some yogurt to put some good bateria back into your system.
thanks for the advice guys, i’m on immodium which is stopping the frequent toilet trips, although i’m awfully bubbly down under which is kinda unnerving if you know what i mean…
Now on my 5th pint of flat coke UGH
only thing is, i’ve been doing the immodium thing for a coupla days, and as soon as it wears off, GOOSH!
Milk or yogurt fortified with acidophilus. We have a family friend whose husband is in the Air Force. They have lived all over the world and have experienced the joys of “local butt” in many places.
How long has this been going on? It sounds like you need to see a different doctor. Diarrhea that lasts more than a few days could be an indicator of something really serious. I hope everything is okay.
Been there, done that, can now spell “campylobacter”.
Avoid citrus juices and aspirin, both of which irritate the digestive system. Don’t overdo the Coke; too much caffeine isn’t good for you either (and five pints is a lot of Coke). Water is important; diarrhea can dehydrate you rapidly, and the caffeine from the Coke is a diuretic as well.
And, of course, if this persists for much longer, or if you develop a high fever, see your doctor again (or go to the emergency room).
well seeing as sleep is a risky prospect, i’m gonna hang on my thread’s every reply for a while
Yikes!!!
Since i last posted, people seem concerned for my life…I think if this persists tomorrow then I will seek another opinion, I’m being optomistic for the minute though worried face
Anyone who’s been following my short life here (yeah, right) will know that this isn’t the first time I’ve come to the SDMB with a crisis on my hands, and I say it again: you guys are great
Didn’t know the coke would eventually have an adverse effect - interesting stuff. The doctor recommended I drink it because of the balance of salts, sugars and phosphoric acid…any good alternatives which will supply these 3 things?
I also notice yogurt being thrown around (not literally). The doc said to avoid dairy, using a dead scary voice.
I’m now past 3 days of not eating. This can’t be good.
Have you been in any situations where you may have drunk potentially dity or contaminated water? What you have sounds quite similar to a nasty case of Giardia I had a few years back after being forced to drink stream water during a backpacking excursion gone horribly awry. Antibiotics can usually clean that up nicely IIRC.
I second the advice of a lot of other posters. If you aren’t better by now, get another doctor or go to the ER. Having a severe case of the squirts can be potentially life threatening.
Oh yeah, I’ve noticed in the past that the clear flavors of Gatorade (I think they’re called “Ice”) have been rather easy on the stomach and are good for rehydration.
