IBSD and BAM - now severe food poisoning - advice please

[Dresse]

I’ve IBS-D and since gall bladder removal a couple of years ago been diagnosed with Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM). For past 5 days have had severe food poisoning - sickness now gone but multi-episodes of diarrhoea continue day and night. Not been able to eat since it started so can’t take prescription meds, including those for BAM. I read that bananas and apple sauce are recommended foods but my system can’t tolerate them even in “normal times”. GP advised just rehydration solution, which I have started taking- and I am trying to drink as much as poss, plain water or with a small amount of orange squash. I have started taking Buscopan which is easing cramps.

please if anyone has been in similar situation is there anything that helped you?

[Blearyeyed]

It's hard but if you have started to manage to hold down fluids it would be a good idea to try to at least start your BAM medication again if you can. Continue the Buscopan for the pain and spasms.If you need to have your medications with food try live natural probiotic yoghurt with a little spoon of honey, either dairy or dairy / lactofree depending on your intolerances. If you find you can manage this it will be refreshing to eat through the day .

Drink your rehydration solutions because you need to get your electrolyte balance back and as many fluids as you can to remove the toxins and extra bile. Squash may not be the best option , especially if it contains artificial sweetener as this can irritate the stomach . Water is good , green tea of any natural flavour and no sweeteners can be drank hot or cold and also helps the gut as it is antibacterial and full of antioxidants , you can sweeten if you need with a little honey. If you can't drink citrus , you could try Vitamin C dissolvable tablet drinks , but find ones without artificial sweetener.

Ginger tea , can soothe the stomach and help the liver cope with the bile, but check that you can have ginger with your conditions or usual medication.

I find when my pancreatitis flares , I do need to survive on the fluids and a little yoghurt until the diarrhea dies down ( or returns to normal amounts and colour).

When I can eat again I eat brown rice , mashed potato, mashed vegetables like carrot and swede or parsnip and sometimes dry toast (sourdough or gluten free if you need it). You can also try mashed pulses like butter beans ( you can add a little olive oil or butter and garlic or herbs for flavour) or simple soup made from lentils or simple stock soup from chicken. Even a stock cube soup in a mug or Bovril helps keep you nourished.

Eating a spoon amount of yoghurt ( you can add herbs for flavour ) to eat before you try something bigger helps reduce the acid and make eating again easier.

I then build up with very simple small portions five times a day and I keep off high fat food , processed sugars and too much fruit for a few weeks until it's settled.

Hope you feel better soon , Bee

[Dresse in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks so much - really helpful. BAM tablet have to be taken with a meal so not yet but I had been wondering about yogurt so will ask someone to get me some and will try your other suggestions.

[xjrs]

White Jasmine rice on its own initially. This will give you some energy and is digested in the small intestine, so no residue left to go to the colon, to give your colon a rest. Once your symptoms have died down you can add in some protein. Then add in cooked carrots, until you can gradually progress to your normal diet. In the meantime it might be best to take some form of comprehensive multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, but don't aim to take this long term. Good luck.

[Dresse]

thank you for this suggestion. I will give it a try.

[BabsyWabsy]

Last time I had gastroenteritis, I found water with a tiny pinch of salt and a little sugar dissolved in it helped me feel better, also sachets of miso that you can add to hot water for miso soup. Both seem to help with replenishing electrolytes.

[Dresse in reply to BabsyWabsy]

thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I will try your suggestion.

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Dresse]

I hope you are feeling better.

[Dresse in reply to BabsyWabsy]

thank you. Getting there I think but will take a few more days yet,