OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns Following Food Poisoning

I am a 27-year-old female, measuring 5'6" and weighing 160 lbs, with a background of endometriosis, elevated cholesterol levels, asthma, anxiety and depression, plus ADHD. My current medications include duloxetine for mood stabilization and aszartys for ADHD management, and I partake in alcohol occasionally, about once a month, while being a non-smoker. This past Saturday, August 2nd, I suspect I endured a considerable bout of food poisoning. The previous day, I had consumed two potential culprits: a meal from a fast-food restaurant and another from a festival. Since no one else in my group experienced similar reactiveness and they did not eat what I ate, I pinpointed the food I consumed as the likely source. Notably, I also had two beers, which was a rarity for me since I had not indulged in months, though typically I manage alcohol well. The following morning, I woke up to severe diarrhea and vomiting. Initially, I attributed this to an unexpected hangover; however, as the symptoms persisted throughout the day, I felt increasingly weak, suffered from a throbbing headache, and was unable to keep any food down. Even attempting to force down a small piece of saltine resulted in me vomiting shortly thereafter. This led me to reconsider and I thought to myself that this certainly wasn’t just a hangover. I secured a telehealth consultation through my employer, during which the physician suggested it might be the stomach flu. However, having experienced the stomach flu a few months back, the sensations I was enduring felt markedly different. Regardless, I wasn’t in distress, so I pressed on. The doctor prescribed Zofran. The first pill I took was due to dissolve, but I forgot and promptly vomited it back up. After taking another pill later with adequate time to dissolve, I finally felt a return to relative normalcy—this was approximately 11 hours after the onset of my symptoms. I was able to ingest some broth and Gatorade, along with a few crackers. After around 12 hours, my symptoms lessened and the headache subsided. Now, six days later, I still feel significant discomfort in my stomach. I took Zofran on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. While I managed to get through yesterday without nausea, today the symptoms returned with a vengeance. In an effort to soothe my stomach, I attempted a bland diet consisting of crackers, pita bread, chicken, and broth. This morning, I tried a breakfast bar which made me feel as though I reversed any progress I had achieved. Additionally, I sense I've developed food-related anxiety and a strong reluctance to try new foods. In an attempt to alleviate my anxiety, I've been practicing breathing exercises and employing coping mechanisms, yet I suspect my stomach issues are more physical than psychological. It feels as though this stomach discomfort is overshadowing my life with no resolution in sight. Currently, I am experiencing constipation and have not had a bowel movement since Saturday, the day my symptoms began. My inquiry is whether this situation necessitates a visit to urgent care or the primary care physician. Alternatively, are there any over-the-counter remedies or steps I can take to potentially avoid that? I appreciate any guidance you can provide!

Answers (1)

8/7/2025, 4:20:54 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you've been through a challenging experience with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, and it's understandable to feel concerned about your ongoing discomfort. Based on what you've described, it seems like you have experienced food poisoning, which can sometimes take time for your digestive system to fully recover from. Here’s what you need to consider and do next:

Main Points:

1. Persistent Symptoms: Continued stomach discomfort and changes in bowel movements indicate a need for further management.
2. Taking Action: Monitor your symptoms closely and consider specific steps to ease your discomfort.
3. When to Seek Care: Evaluate the urgency of your situation to determine if further medical attention is necessary.

Explanation:

Food poisoning can lead to lingering effects, including nausea, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits. While many recover without complications, some may experience longer-lasting symptoms, especially if dehydration or irritation has occurred. Your anxiety about eating new foods might also be contributing to how your body is responding. Constipation following diarrhea is common as your digestive system tries to stabilize.

Next Steps:

1. Hydration & Diet:

   • Keep drinking clear fluids like water, broth, or oral rehydration solutions (like Gatorade) to stay hydrated.
   • Stick to bland foods (like rice, bananas, applesauce) as you’ve been doing, and gradually reintroduce normal foods as tolerated. Avoid dairy, spicy foods, and caffeine until your stomach feels better.

2. Over-the-Counter Relief:

   • Consider taking probiotics, which can help restore healthy gut bacteria after foodborne illness.
   • Laxatives (like polyethylene glycol) might help with constipation, but introduce them cautiously if you're still feeling nausea.

3. Monitor Symptoms:

   • Keep a log of your symptoms, noting any triggers related to food, which may help with anxiety when eating.
   • If you experience worsening symptoms (e.g., severe abdominal pain, fever, blood in stool, or inability to keep fluids down), this escalates the need for urgent care.

4. Breathing Exercises:

   • Continue using relaxation techniques to cope with anxiety. This can be quite beneficial in managing stress related to eating.

When to Seek More Help:

• If your discomfort persists beyond a week without improvement.
• If you develop severe symptoms that significantly affect daily activities.

Implement these steps and monitor how you feel over the next few days. If you find little improvement or feel worse, it would be a good idea to contact your primary care physician or consider urgent care for further evaluation.

You're taking the right steps by reaching out and trying to manage your symptoms! Please remember to prioritize your well-being.