Sqad please advise ...

[Ann]

After a tummy bug (winter vomiting bug?) how long is it before tummy gets back to normal when you start eating again?

Started it Friday evening, felt very nauseous and griping pains in tum, had bit of diarrhoea (not much) but not sick. Slept the weekend away, Monday had dreadful violent diarrhoea 4 times so took 2 Diacalm tablets which stopped it.

Started eating a little yesterday, porridge, plain chicken and pasta and an apple.

This morning when I went to the loo, I was shocked to see extremely pale large stools which floated (sorry!) never seen them that colour before!
I had some mushroom soup and slice bread + natural yogurt for lunch, then this afternoon I have had a few pains again and got a bit of diarrhoea (still greasy and difficult to flush) my tummy still feels "off" - is this normal to take this long for the digestive system to get back to normal. I'm worried what to eat now (I'm not hungry but want to keep my strength up) Many thanks for advice Sqad - was going to ring my GP but we Abers get better advice from you (and quicker!!) PS how is your health now?

[boxtops]

If you can't get a GP appointment, ann, go and see your local pharmacist - they are qualified and very up to date to recommend over the counter medication to you, and if they think you need to see the GP for prescription meds, they'll tell you so.

[Prudie]

Also Ann lots of us had it so we can give you our experiences, which will all be different. Mine also started on a Friday and I would have had the whole of the following week off work (had I not been holiday:=(. I couldn't really eat much until the next Thursday and still had upset tum. I couldn't drink tea or smoke for 10 days.

[Sqad]

Ann.....at this early stage....not to worry.

It is not uncommon, indeed quite common to develop pale stools (steatorrheoa) particularly after viral enteritis to which you have clearly been exposed.

Giveit a few more days and eat a little of what you like, when you like.

[Ann]

Thanks to you both for advice - I'm not so bothered about my food and the not eating, its so unusual for me to be ill like this - I have only had a stomach upset once before that I can remember! I know it will take time for my tummy to settle down, I just was so worried about the toilet business and the pale colour!!! I seem to be turning into a hypochondriac lately as it was my choking barking cough yesterday (thats a little bit improved today!) Thanks a lot :)

[Ann]

O thanks Sqad for putting my mind at rest ....I will keep you informed, bless you! :)