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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea While On Pepto-Bismol?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Feb 2017
Question: I have had diarrhea for the past 4 days (very liquidy and gas). Have been taking anit-diarrhea medicine and Pepto-Bismol. I also have been freezing cold. Just can't get warm enough even with several blankets on me. I am not running a fever. And past history has shown that I usually don't run much of a high temperature. I average around 97.6 most of the time. My temp was 98.3 recently. So nothing that a doctor would show concern over. Don't know what I should do to stop these symtoms. Especially that of being so cold. I am sleeping a lot too.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Gerhardt,

There is "stomach flu" (gastroenteritis) going around, and that is the most likely cause of your diarrhea and chills or feeling cold.

It's important to maintain adequate hydration and normal electrolyte balance - both of which can be affected with the fluid losses from diarrhea.

Foods that may be better tolerated right now are bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Regarding the rice, cook it for twice as long with a lot more water. This will help slow down movement through your intestines.

Eat small amounts at a time.

For hydration, water of course, but also consider coconut water (not coconut milk) as it has a good balance of electrolytes.

If you are having any localized abdominal pain, however, then you should go in to be seen. Also, if you are not able to maintain adequate hydration because of the diarrhea (light headed, thirsty), then do go in to an urgent care where they can provide an IV, usually that has some glucose and potassium in it. I have seen where getting an IV and not eating is enough to shut the cycle of diarrhea down.

If you are not starting to get better in the next day then I think you should go in to be seen.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea While On Pepto-Bismol?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello Ms. Gerhardt, There is "stomach flu" (gastroenteritis) going around, and that is the most likely cause of your diarrhea and chills or feeling cold. It's important to maintain adequate hydration and normal electrolyte balance - both of which can be affected with the fluid losses from diarrhea. Foods that may be better tolerated right now are bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Regarding the rice, cook it for twice as long with a lot more water. This will help slow down movement through your intestines. Eat small amounts at a time. For hydration, water of course, but also consider coconut water (not coconut milk) as it has a good balance of electrolytes. If you are having any localized abdominal pain, however, then you should go in to be seen. Also, if you are not able to maintain adequate hydration because of the diarrhea (light headed, thirsty), then do go in to an urgent care where they can provide an IV, usually that has some glucose and potassium in it. I have seen where getting an IV and not eating is enough to shut the cycle of diarrhea down. If you are not starting to get better in the next day then I think you should go in to be seen.