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What Causes Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain And Dizziness While On Plavix?
Question: I woke up with an intense stomach ache, and serious diarrea (spelling!) that was dark brown and loose. It continued for about 4 hours. I also was very dizzy. Because of a heart attack 1/24, the cardiologist has me taking baby asprin, CQ10 and plavix. (I developed allergies to Lipitor and Crestor) I still feel some dizziness but the stomach pains and loose stools seems to have subsided. I've drunk water all day, and finally ate a small piece of bread -- no other food. What should I do, or has this thing ended?
Brief Answer:
Gastroenteritis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It sounds as though you may have had a case of "food poisoning", where some food you ate was contaminated with bacteria. As long as the symptoms are resolving, only supportive measures which I'll describe next, are needed.
If you are having any chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, or increasing dizziness or sensation of arythmias (skipped beats, palpitations, etc) then do go in to be seen promptly.
In terms of what to do now, assuming the symptoms in the paragraph above are not happening, and that you are feeling progressively better, is to rest. Regarding what to eat at first, apple sauce (NOT raw apples), rice, bananas, and toast are usually tolerated most easily. If someone can go to the store (grocery or Walgreens) and get you some coconut water (NOT coconut milk), that is good as a rehydration fluid because it contains a good balance of electrolytes that you may have lost with the diarrhea (in particular, potassium); but if you don't have someone who can go out and get you some easily, just skip that. Given that you are not continuing to have diarrhea, your electrolytes will correct if you eat a little food.
It is reasonable to skip the baby aspirin for a day providing you are not having heart symptoms.
If you have additional diarrhea, consider taking Pepto Bismol (but note it can turn the stool black in color - no need to worry about that).
When eating now, eat small amounts at a time until you see how your body tolerates it. But do try to eat or drink something that has some calories (i.e. other than water) as that may help you to feel less dizzy, which may be related to being a bit hypoglycemic.
If you get worse, however, do not wait to go in to the ER.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Gastroenteritis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
It sounds as though you may have had a case of "food poisoning", where some food you ate was contaminated with bacteria. As long as the symptoms are resolving, only supportive measures which I'll describe next, are needed.
If you are having any chest pain/pressure, shortness of breath, or increasing dizziness or sensation of arythmias (skipped beats, palpitations, etc) then do go in to be seen promptly.
In terms of what to do now, assuming the symptoms in the paragraph above are not happening, and that you are feeling progressively better, is to rest. Regarding what to eat at first, apple sauce (NOT raw apples), rice, bananas, and toast are usually tolerated most easily. If someone can go to the store (grocery or Walgreens) and get you some coconut water (NOT coconut milk), that is good as a rehydration fluid because it contains a good balance of electrolytes that you may have lost with the diarrhea (in particular, potassium); but if you don't have someone who can go out and get you some easily, just skip that. Given that you are not continuing to have diarrhea, your electrolytes will correct if you eat a little food.
It is reasonable to skip the baby aspirin for a day providing you are not having heart symptoms.
If you have additional diarrhea, consider taking Pepto Bismol (but note it can turn the stool black in color - no need to worry about that).
When eating now, eat small amounts at a time until you see how your body tolerates it. But do try to eat or drink something that has some calories (i.e. other than water) as that may help you to feel less dizzy, which may be related to being a bit hypoglycemic.
If you get worse, however, do not wait to go in to the ER.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Berger-Dumbaugh,
Thank you for your advice.
I am still very tired, and slightly dizzy -- but feel 100% better than yesterday. (I had considered food poisoning (shrimp in a fancy restaurant -- one tasted "funny" but I already swallowed it!)
I had tea and bread for breakfast, and will go out later for bananas and coconut water. Since I work at home, I can wait until later when I feel even better!!!
Thanks, Marci Levin
Thank you for your advice.
I am still very tired, and slightly dizzy -- but feel 100% better than yesterday. (I had considered food poisoning (shrimp in a fancy restaurant -- one tasted "funny" but I already swallowed it!)
I had tea and bread for breakfast, and will go out later for bananas and coconut water. Since I work at home, I can wait until later when I feel even better!!!
Thanks, Marci Levin
Brief Answer:
Glad you are doing better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Levin,
If there is no further diarrhea, your electrolytes should correct on their own with a little food. So if you are still feeling fatigued and light headed, then no need to push yourself for the coconut water and bananas.
You should continue to feel better throughout the day.
Glad you are doing better.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Levin,
If there is no further diarrhea, your electrolytes should correct on their own with a little food. So if you are still feeling fatigued and light headed, then no need to push yourself for the coconut water and bananas.
You should continue to feel better throughout the day.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much!
I did go and get the bananas and coconut water befoe I got your message. The coconut water almost made me vomit! I eat 1/2 a banana every day -- it just happened that I didn't have any in the house when I got sick.
And I'll eat a light, but normal, dinner tonight.
Marci Levin
I did go and get the bananas and coconut water befoe I got your message. The coconut water almost made me vomit! I eat 1/2 a banana every day -- it just happened that I didn't have any in the house when I got sick.
And I'll eat a light, but normal, dinner tonight.
Marci Levin
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I'm sorry about the coconut water! I should have warned you that it tastes pretty bad.
It sounds as though you are on the mend. If you have no further questions, I'll say goodbye, but if you want to discuss anything further, I would be happy to try to answer.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I'm sorry about the coconut water! I should have warned you that it tastes pretty bad.
It sounds as though you are on the mend. If you have no further questions, I'll say goodbye, but if you want to discuss anything further, I would be happy to try to answer.
Best regards,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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