Stomach flu symptoms every few weeks?

Posted , 5 users are following.

I've had IBS with diarrhea and constipation for the past 10 years and it has definitely gotten worse over time. All tests have come back clear and just got left with leaky gut, candida, and functional dyspepsia. My diet is very bland, can't eat too many fruits or veggies. I've been gluten and dairy free for almost a year. I've been noticing that every 3 or 4 weeks I've been having stomach flu symptoms. Random watery diarrhea out of nowhere, nauseous, weak, exhausted. Mucus in stool. The diarrhea lasts for a couple days but the sick feeling lingers for like a week. This is not my typical IBS as I've controlled this type of diarrhea with probiotics. I'm wondering if anyone has suffered with this? I think maybe I came down with a bug, but then realize I cannot keep getting stomach bugs every couple weeks.

Thanks in advance

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Your symptoms sound very typical of IBS! IBS symptoms can change over time especially when stressed. Mucus, random diarrhoea, nausea and fatigue are not uncommon. Sometimes medications and supplements can lose their effectiveness over time. This could explain why probiotics are not working for youYour symptoms coming every few weeks sounds like frequent flare ups. When my IBS first started, I was convinced I had a stomach bug. I had frequent nausea too. It is also very common to doubt your IBS when your symptoms change. When you have IBS, all your tests will be negative. Do not worry!

    • Posted

      Thank you for the reassurance! It's hard to accept the fact that it is IBS when you have so many worsening symptoms over time 😦

    • Posted

      IBS can have periods when it will feel worse especially if you are feeling stressed; this is the nature of IBS. My IBS felt worse and worse when it first started because I was constantly worrying it was something else because I had no diagnosis.My IBS is in remission now because I no longer think about it and if it does flare up, I know that it is IBS because the only thing that causes it is stress.

      Stressing about it not being IBS, will make you feel worse. The more you accept your IBS; the more you will be able to cope with your symptoms. Don't worry about the cause of your flare up; simply try out different medications and try a food diary to see if something you are eating is irritating your stomach. Try taking your medication before a flare up starts; this is a more effective way of stopping your IBS. Above try to stay as calm as possible.

  • Posted

    If you are getting extremely lactose intolerant your probiotics can be one source of problems due to cultures from a dairy source. I was in bed 2 days from reaction to probiotics.

  • Posted

    I get like this every couple of weeks too, flares up out of the blue usally at night I lay awake unable to sleep and just think 'here we go' I get terrible cramping and pain, watery diarrhea with mucus and always feel really sick, ill switch from hot to cold and then in a couple of hours its gone and im left feeling exhaused and sick so quite a few days.

    Its horrible but you arent alone, in a weird way after 11 years ive just got used to it

  • Posted

    Hey nat, sorry that you have to suffer like this.

    By any chance, did you travel somewhere before the symptoms started?

    • Posted

      No, unfortunately I can't attribute it to that. It would be nice to be able to find the cause!

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