Diarrhoea - treat or lt it run!

[Steve vRS]

I’ve had the squirts since Monday. I think it’s a bug rather than food poisoning as the kids aren’t afflicted and they’ve eaten everything I have (apart from the salads I've taken to work for lunch). I’m not massively poorly with it, just stomach cramps and an inability to be too far away from a toilet. Now it’s Friday and I would rather be doing something more interesting on Saturday and Sunday than hovering over porcelain, I’m considering swallowing some Imodium. However, am I batter just ‘flushing’ my system and letting nature take its course rather than taking Imodium which in my experience bungs me up for a few days?

[AAz01]

If you need faster relief you could take a small dose of immodium, like a quarter tablet. It'll help a bit with greatly reduced side-effects.

Eat bland and easily digested food. Boiled rice (with some of the water it was boiled in) and toast.

Drink lots.

That'll fix you.

[RTB]

About 10 years ago I picked up something unpleasant (I suspected bird st on a picnic table we ate at). I had a night of vomiting followed by a full week of the squits (felt fine just). About 3 days in I went to the Dr who told me to get plenty of fluids and let it run it's course. By day 5 or 6 all was well (ish) again.

[Brilad]

I agree with AAz.

If you don't feel too ill with it it's a good sign and also it depends on whether you are seeing any blood or mucus/jelly in your squits.

In general unless you HAVE to stop it (travelling or whatever ) it is better to let it drain, but from what you've said a bit of imodium not likely to harm you - there can be a rebound effect when you stop it though (!!)

If you have still got the squits on Monday, ask the GP practice for a container so they can send a sample off, you should not have to see the Dr about it unless you feel ill with a fever, have more intense pain or have any blood coming out.