Has Anyone Had Diarrhea Last This Long? Wondering If It’s More Than Just a Stomach Bug

Hi everyone, looking for some advice! I’m a 25 year old male, 6ft, and have history of anxiety and depression no other illness.

So, here’s the situation: I’ve been dealing with some pretty uncomfortable stomach issues since Sunday. It started with bad cramps and loose stools, nothing too watery but definitely not normal either. By Wednesday/Thursday, the cramps mostly stopped, but the diarrhea took a turn and got much more watery (started Tuesday). Now it’s Friday, and I’m still having watery diarrhea, sometimes up to 6 times a day, mostly in the mornings, but I can go hours without needing to go.

I haven’t had any fever or high temperature, but I’ve been dealing with some intense nausea at night, which I think is mostly from bad acid reflux. I did wake up full of sweat on Wednesday morning and had a lot of wind which can be a relief. It gets worse when I eat, and my stomach feels sore when that happens. On an empty stomach, though, I’m fine. My appetite is all over the place, coming in waves. I have hardly eating this week apart from toast, eggs, and bananas. I’m also keeping hydrated with electrolytes in the water I drink.

What’s concerning me is that the diarrhea hasn’t improved at all since Tuesday, and it’s still pretty bad. Usually, when I have a virus, it clears up quickly, but this has lingered, and I’m wondering if it could be something else, maybe a parasite? I never usually get diarrhea that late into something viral.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? What’s the next step here? Should I wait it out or go to the doctor? Appreciate any thoughts or similar experiences you’ve had!

1 Like

suggest you see your GP or even a practitioner at your chemist.

1 Like

See you dr and for a Colonoscopy might be colitis or chrons? Not a pleasant experience but it will rule out anything sinister and get it treated.

1 Like

Hi I’ve had plenty of cameras down and up both ends plenty of times.

I have ibs

Gerd

Reflux

I do get alot of diarrhea

Out of every 10 poops I have diarrhea 8/10 times. I have been constipated for three months straight. I went about two years straight without constipation. I’ve been drinking 100 oz. water a day - all the fiber via fruits/grains/vegetables, and I even take a stool softener. Nothing is helping! To give more clarity: BEFORE this constipation I am used to having diarrhea 8/10 times I go, now I don’t when I go. Isn’t that amazing?

Likely a gut infection, which can last several days. Keep hydrated and stick to bland foods. If it’s not improving in the next 1–2 days, or if you get worse symptoms, contact a GP.

Could still be a lingering viral gastroenteritis—these can sometimes last a week or so.

But if it’s not starting to improve soon, worth checking in with a GP to rule out bacterial infection or parasites.

Keep hydrated and stick to bland foods for now. If it worsens or you get blood/fever, get medical advice sooner.