Training & Nutrition - A full week of chronic diarrhea - anything to worry about?

Ok - something yucky for me to worry about. I started adding more miles on to my weekly riding and after my first long ride in a while it hit and has not stopped since. I have had a chronic case of diarrhea for over a week now with no solid BMs at all. The only reason this really concerns me is that I have been a pretty regular guy. Is this a sort of common thing and it will pass or should I be seeing a doctor about it? Sorry for the ugly topic

Dude. I have the worst stomach but I battle mostly the opposite issue. However, I will get terrible diarrhea if I consume caffeine or lactose. The occasional stomach bug kills me.
In all of those instances the longest it will last is a day or two. Pepto usually helps me quite a bit.
I would go see a doctor.

probably viral.

it can take a week or more. keep up on your fluids of course, electrolytes, and ease way up on training.

I have had plenty of viral stomach issues with a young child bringing everything home from school. They never last me this long. Perhaps Creakyknees is right but a trip to the doc never hurts.

Have you added magnesium supplements recently? But probably a bug.

It sounds to me like the extra miles depressed your immune system enough that you caught some kind of infection. The extra miles aren't the direct culprit.

After a week of it not clearing up yes I would be concerned. Constant diarrhea causes you to lose all your electrolytes and nutrients.

Anthony

I went out and rode twenty miles tonight with our Tuesday night group ride and I felt ok. I'll see how things get. Maybe I'm on the tail end of this... No Pun intended LOL

I do take magnesium and potassium but not too much and have been taking them fairly regularly for several months since getting back on the bike. I thought about that too, so I stopped taking the magnesium last week and it had no effect.

Perhaps I'll get through this in a day or so... I not then I'll go see a doc.

Thanks for the replies

Dysentary anyone? I've had it, it sucks.

At some point, it doesn't matter how much fluid you intake, it'll just go unabsorbed, and out the back way. A saline drip at the hospital will cure that really well.

isn't diarrhea a side effect of over training/fatigue as well?

isn't diarrhea a side effect of over training/fatigue as well?

Yes but it last just a day or two at the most. I don't think someone could train intensely enough to have it for a week.

diarrhea or loose stools? you might have Giardia ...

diarrhea or loose stools? you might have Giardia ...

CDC article
http://cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/giardiasis/factsht_giardia.htm


I guess this is plausible, but I don't know where I would have picked it up.. I did go to a public water park with family a month or so ago, but I think I would have experienced this issue sooner than I did. I'm pretty careful about washing my hands, but you never know.

I'm still having issues and plan on going to see a doctor next week if it still persists.

you can get Giardia from town tap water - that's how I got it a few years ago

I might have gotten it again swimming and swallowing pond and pool water this spring

meds are good and raw garlic and lemon juice can help too

keep us posted on the weight loss! :thumbsup:

keep us posted on the weight loss! :thumbsup:

That's one positive side effect.... weight loss

Are you taking probiotics?

Thats the first thing to do and this has gone on too long. Go to a chemist or health food store and buy a bottle of strong probiotics. Take 2-3 a DAY until you dry up.

Anthony

I have an appointment today with my doc.
I have done some Yogurt but no help. I thought about the probiotics too, just haven't done that yet.
I'll see what the doc says today and go from there, but the probiotics are probably the ticket.

thanks

smart move seeing a doctor. hopefully it is an easy fix.

I think that general medical advice is that if the diarrhea persists for more than 2 days a visit to your doctor is advised. Most mild cases should resolve themselves in a day or two. Anything longer than that is worthy of medical attention.

Not trying to perpetuate this thread since it is a little gross, but the doc said he wanted me to stop taking any fish oil or vitamin E for the time being, and eat some Danactive to help my gut. They are doing some lab work to determine if it is some kind of bacteria or something like that is causing the problem. If its not a parasite or something in my gut, they will do a colonoscopy.

Why me?

The wife and I have been watching "The Monsters in Me" and it's about parasites. One day, guy goes out for a bike ride and get's bit by a mosquito... 3 days later he's passing worms. Disgusting.

I'm still waiting on lab results. I still have the condition, although I'm getting acclimated to it. I'd like to figure this one out soon.

Not trying to perpetuate this thread since it is a little gross, but the doc said he wanted me to stop taking any fish oil or vitamin E for the time being, and eat some Danactive to help my gut. They are doing some lab work to determine if it is some kind of bacteria or something like that is causing the problem. If its not a parasite or something in my gut, they will do a colonoscopy.

Why me?

a colonoscopy is nothing to be worried about at all. Actually, waking up from one was probobaly the best I have ever felt. I woke up and felt like I slept for a week.

a colonoscopy is nothing to be worried about at all. Actually, waking up from one was probobaly the best I have ever felt. I woke up and felt like I slept for a week.

It's the day leading up to the procedure that is a bit unpleasant:)

i had this happen to me a few years ago- 15 days straight. it turned out to be a rotovirus i picked up from my then 3 year old. it was 15 days of pure hell- i couldn't go anywhere

This is ridiculous that you still have the condition. I strongly suggest that you start taking 3-4 probiotic capsules a day until you get better. Even if this doesn't stop it straight away the probiotics will give your digestive tract valuable support and also provide some support against an even WORSE outcome.

I think this is quite serious now. I would also be cutting sugars and grains out of your diet because this is what harmful bacteria and yeasts feed on and right now I would be very concerned about harmful bacteria/yeasts overrunning your digestive tract. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes to of course but avoid the sugars.

Anthony

I have had numerous stomach issues and probiotics seem to help. Head to your local health food store and pick up a bottle of capsules in the refrigerated section. Eat yogurt as well.

It's the day leading up to the procedure that is a bit unpleasant:)

sounds like the op has already experienced an extended version of that day. shouldn't be too much worse for him, and he definitely needs to find out what's going on.