Stomach Troubles After a Week-Old Muffin
I’m a 26-year-old male, Caucasian, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 178 pounds. I don’t smoke, and I take Pantoprazole 40mg daily. For the past four days, I've been spending a lot of time in the restroom, and it's been quite an experience. It all started on Tuesday when I decided to take a risk and eat a homemade muffin that had been sitting in my fridge for a whole week. The muffin contained milk, blackberries, banana, eggs, vanilla extract, and Greek yogurt. Wednesday came and went without much issue, though I did notice an increase in bowel movements compared to usual. However, by Thursday, it became apparent that something was off. Friday was the worst day. I experienced significant discomfort and had several urgent bowel movements throughout the day. It felt as if there was some form of obstruction preventing me from completely relieving myself. I ended up having approximately four bowel movements instead of my usual two to three, and the consistency was unpleasantly loose and very foul-smelling. Interestingly, anything I ate that day only seemed to exacerbate my symptoms, and I found myself feeling increasingly anxious due to the discomfort during bowel movements. As someone with a history of acid reflux, I’m used to various bodily issues, but experiencing any difficulty with bowel movements is unusual for me. Later that evening, around 10 PM, I noticed a drop of what looked like blood, but I couldn’t be sure—it might have just been something from the muffin, like a strawberry. I fell asleep around 1:30 AM but was disturbed by a throbbing sensation in my lower abdomen along with slight pain in my right flank, near my kidney. This was quite alarming, yet somehow I managed to get some sleep. The next morning, I was relieved to have a bowel movement that felt a bit more normal. The foul odor had vanished, although there was still a lingering urgency to go. As for the pain, it seemed to be getting better, yet I noticed that the flank discomfort returned after eating a substantial meal. Could this be food poisoning? Am I recovering, or do I need to seek medical help? I’m concerned about possible complications and am hoping for some guidance before I reach out to my doctor on Monday.
Answers (1)
2/8/2026, 5:10:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing significant digestive issues, likely related to the week-old muffin you ate. Your symptoms – increased bowel movements, foul-smelling stool, abdominal discomfort, and occasional blood – can indicate a few potential problems, including food poisoning or digestive irritation. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and some steps you can take.
Explanation
- Foodborne Illness: The muffin you ate could have been contaminated with bacteria, especially given that it contained perishable ingredients like milk and Greek yogurt. Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits can point to food poisoning.
- Digestive Sensitivity: Since you have a history of acid reflux, your digestive system may be more prone to reacting strongly to irritants, including spoiled or suspect food.
- Flank Pain: This could be related to your gastrointestinal distress or may indicate something else, so it’s good to keep an eye on it.
Next Steps
-
Stay Hydrated: Continue to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, especially since you've experienced loose stools. Water, clear broths, or oral rehydration solutions are good choices.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your bowel movements for color, consistency, and accompanying symptoms. Note any changes, especially the return of flank pain after eating.
-
Dietary Adjustments: Stick to bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) until your bowel movements normalize. Avoid dairy, greasy foods, and high-fiber items for now, as they can further irritate your system.
-
Rest and Manage Anxiety: Since you mentioned feeling anxious, ensure you allow yourself time to relax and rest. Stress can worsen digestive issues, so activities like deep breathing, meditation, or gentle walks may help.
-
Seek Medical Attention: If you experience worsening abdominal pain, persistent bloody stools, high fever, nausea or vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down, or if the flank pain persists or worsens, it’s important to seek medical care sooner rather than later.
It's great that you're aware of your body and seeking guidance. Most cases of food poisoning improve with time and self-care, but stay vigilant for changes. If things don't improve by Monday or escalate, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor for further evaluation.
Related Questions
Giving the Right Medication to My 7-Year-Old
Greetings, everyone, I’m reaching out for some advice regarding my 7-year-old daughter. She has been running a fever of 103°F, and I administered Dimetap Cold and Cough Nighttime, believing it would assist in lowering her temperature. However, after an hour, I've noticed that her fever hasn’t diminished at all. I’m wondering if it’s safe to give her children's Tylenol to combat the fever, or should I adhere to the recommended four-hour waiting period? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns About Missing Period After Increased Masturbation
I’m an 18-year-old female, and I was expecting my period to arrive at the end of January, but it hasn’t come yet. Lately, I’ve been engaging in masturbation quite frequently, using my pelvic floor muscles, particularly around my lower abdomen, close to where the uterus is located. I typically wear pants while doing this, moving back and forth on my chair while contracting those muscles. I have noticed that I may be overdoing this technique, which used to leave my vagina and pelvic area feeling numb. However, that numbness has since diminished, and the sensation isn’t as pleasurable as it used to be. Additionally, I’ve started experiencing occasional numbness in the outer parts of my thighs, along with some stomach cramps and a cooling sensation in my back whenever I engage in this activity. Now that my period is overdue, I’m feeling anxious. I can’t help but worry—could it be something serious like cancer, or could tension be the culprit? Is there a chance that everything feels swollen? My urination seems normal, but I’m uncertain if there’s any tightness; it's hard to determine.
High Fever in Children
Have you ever experienced a situation where your child has a significant fever without additional symptoms, particularly a lack of appetite? My three-year-old is currently displaying a fever of 104.3 degrees, but aside from that, there are no other indications of illness.
Could This Indicate Diabetes?
Lately, I've been experiencing a series of unusual symptoms that have caught my attention. Over the past few months, I've noticed a persistent tingling and numbness in my fingers, particularly upon waking up. Additionally, I've been struggling with brain fog, difficulty maintaining focus, and an overarching sense of fatigue. Compounding these issues is the fact that I’ve begun to wake up in the middle of the night for bathroom trips, something that rarely occurred in the past. In terms of my physical condition, I fall slightly on the heavier side, weighing between 225 and 230 pounds, but at 6 feet 5 inches tall and in my mid-twenties, I wouldn’t consider myself out of shape, especially since I hit the gym five times a week. I've consulted ChatGPT, and it suggested that these symptoms might point to diabetes. However, I prefer to get an opinion from a healthcare professional, which I plan to do. In the meantime, I'm considering reducing my intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates for a week or two, while also monitoring my blood sugar levels using a glucose meter, both in the mornings and after meals. Given my symptoms and overall physique, should I be concerned? If diabetes is indeed a possibility, could it be attributed to a higher carbohydrate consumption over the last few months? Furthermore, is there a chance of reversing this condition?
Mom's Battle with C. Difficile
My mom, who is 53 years old, was diagnosed with C. difficile last night. She's 22 and I’m seriously concerned as there’s been no prior use of antibiotics that could have caused this infection; the emergency room physician suggested she must have contracted it from an external source. Her regular medications consist of compounded hormone replacement therapy due to her post-menopausal status and pantoprazole to manage her acid reflux. The sole symptom she has experienced is persistent diarrhea, with no accompanying pain, nausea, or any other issues over the last eight days. On day six, she visited her primary care provider, who conducted blood and urine tests but dismissed the need for immediate action and recommended a CT scan instead. However, due to financial constraints, she could not proceed with the scan. The following day, we ended up at the ER, where they performed a stool analysis, confirming the C. difficile infection. She was prescribed Flagyl and Cipro, but I’m puzzled about the use of Cipro since it is known to exacerbate C. difficile infections. This concern was heightened when, just 20 minutes post-medication, she became extremely ill, leading me to consider contacting emergency services. The ER also made claims about C. difficile being eliminated solely through soap and water cleaning on surfaces, which contradicts much of the research I have conducted. While I understand that handwashing can remove spores, the doctor's assertion that surface disinfection with bleach, which we have been diligent about due to our cleanliness obsession, would be ineffective was alarming. They suggested everyone in our household might now be affected. This morning, I reached out to her primary care physician to explore alternative treatments, but they responded harshly, insisting she should have undergone the scan because they suspect a blockage. This is bewildering to me, especially since she has not exhibited any symptoms suggesting a blockage whatsoever. They failed to consider her complete lack of nausea until after she had the medication from the ER. We feel stuck and frustrated—if she truly has C. difficile, this has already persisted for eight days, and she urgently requires a therapeutic approach that won't leave her feeling worse. We’re in desperate need of guidance.