Help me figure out this very perplexing stomach bug

February 28, 2013 6:16 PM

YANMD, and I understand that the internet cannot diagnose a medical issue. However, I am wondering if anyone has experienced the same symptoms in regards to a stomach bug, whether viral or bacteria. I am just trying to get some perspective on what my body is doing, and whether or not this seems in-line with something that will likely clear on its own. I'm not in severe pain, but will definitely see a doctor if things take a turn for the worse. I've had SEVERAL unhelpful, or frankly harmful, doctor visits in the past year, so I am (justifiably so) wanting to wade this out for a bit longer.

- Sunday I ate some sort of questionable smoked salmon - seems to be the only likely culprit behind potential food poisoning. Fiancee ate the same.
- Both of use come home sick (of the toilet hugging/severe stomach pressure and pain variety) on Monday mid-day. We sleep from 6 pm until 8 am the next day. He is fully recovered at this point. We hear that lots of people who attended the same wedding on Saturday as we did also came down with some sort of sickness.
- I go to work after a decent lunch on Tuesday and feel a bit queasy but mostly on the up and up.
- Tuesday night after dinner, IT strikes again! (just me this time). I spend a while in the bathroom and am waaay too sick to think about going into work the next morning. I stay at home in bed all day. My poop is a scary yellow.
- All the while (and x 10 today), I have excruciating gas, bloating, and sulphur-smelling burps. Today, I'm also having difficulty urinating and a bit of burning in the nether-regions.

Is it possible that I got nasty stomach bacteria that is working its way out and is thus morphing into a UTI? Has anyone had this set of symptoms together? I am drinking lots of the pure cranberry juice and some ACV bc it can't hurt, but does this seem like the thing that really needs an antibiotic?

Any feedback, assurance (professional or anecdotal) is much appreciated.

posted by shrimpsmalls to Health & Fitness (14 answers total)

AZO manufactures over-the-counter UTI tests, which might help you with the peace of mind re: the potential UTI. They are available at drugstores, near the yeast infection medication and other "feminine hygiene products."
posted by k8lin at 6:35 PM on February 28, 2013

WRT the difficulty urinating, are you dehydrated?
posted by radioamy at 6:37 PM on February 28, 2013

Yeah, my guess with the UTI-ish symptoms is that you're dehydrated. I would recommend obtaining and consuming some rehydration beverage like Pedialyte.
posted by telegraph at 6:39 PM on February 28, 2013

The sulphur burps and yellow stool almost sound like giardia.
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 6:47 PM on February 28, 2013

Did any of those several unhelpful doctor visits in your recent past involve antibiotics? Those can seriously mess with your GI system as well, and the added insult of food poisoning might have tipped you into problem territory.
posted by vytae at 7:56 PM on February 28, 2013

Try pinching your skin behind your wrist. If it doesn't go right back to flat, you are probably dehydrated. And indeed it sounds like you are - it's common if you've been sitting on the toilet a lot with stomach problems.
posted by Dansaman at 9:46 PM on February 28, 2013

I was about to mention giardia, as well. But a primary care or GI specialist will be able to administer tests to determine this for sure.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:28 PM on February 28, 2013

Food poisoning can cause SIBO. The initial cause can be pointed to (food poisoning) but the bacteria hang out and colonize long after the initial incident has gone. The test is relatively simple and the symptoms are readily googleable.
posted by mrfuga0 at 4:04 AM on March 1, 2013

Definitely go to a doctor and do the stool sample.

In the meanwhile, try to hydrate with sports drinks or pedialyte and when you're up to eating, keep it to a very simple BRAT (bananas-rice-applesauce-toast) diet. Or plain rice. But guts take a long time reset themselves so try to keep your diet as bland as possible.
posted by kinetic at 5:24 AM on March 1, 2013

Just careful with the absurd amount of sugars in sports drinks and pedialyte. Bugs love sugar!
posted by Neekee at 6:05 AM on March 1, 2013

Go to the doctor, if it is giardia then you'll need a fungicide (and they are SO much fun!)

Also, be sure it's reported to the board of health. If you got poisoned at an event, and others did as well, the caterer needs to know!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:35 AM on March 1, 2013

Cranberry juice and apple cider vinegar (ACV?) can really upset your stomach because they're both acidic. I would not drink any more of either until you get some medical help. Drink water instead.

So sorry you're going through this. It's totally possible that the urinary symptoms are from dehydration.

The over-the-counter UTI tests, by the way, can be hopelessly inconclusive. The results seem to be "We don't know! Go to a doctor!" about 85% of the time I've used them, and the results can be skewed by menstruation or vaginal discharge. (Plus, they're stupidly expensive. Or they were the few times I've tried them.)
posted by corey flood at 7:06 AM on March 1, 2013

For what it's worth, bugs can hang around a long time -- I got some food poisoning from under-smoked ribs, and it affected my reaction to many other foods for almost a year, long after the actual intestinal woe was past. Try to repopulate your guts with friendlier critters, while you're waiting for medical intervention -- add yogurt or kefir, at minimum, to get some beneficials fighting for you.
posted by acm at 8:04 AM on March 1, 2013

Change your toothbrush. You could have reinfected yourself.
posted by cass at 9:38 AM on March 1, 2013