another one for the PP medical brain trust
 

Never had an episode quite like this one. Preface is my day job has been really high stress lately and I've also been gigging 8-10 times a month so the candle is burning at both ends.

Anywho, yesterday I had to brief a 2-star, then drive across town to another meeting that ended up being 7 hours long. I didn't eat or drink much (half a sandwich and a glass of water at lunch) and finally was driving home around 8pm when close to home I started getting bad abdominal cramps (lower - stomach and below). I occasionally (though rare) get a few of those then they go away, these persisted. Got home, figured I was dehydrated and hungry, so drank a few glasses of water and we went to get some sushi. They subsided somewhat but came back once we got back home a little before 9. At that point I took a low dose of xanax thinking it might be panic attack related.

So I start getting chills/shakes to go with it, but no fever. I'm considering whether I need to go to the ER, somewhat fearing an appendicitis, but the pain isn't localized and I'm not throwing up. Around 10pm the cramps subside (maybe the xanax - it is also an anti-spasmodic I think) but the chills continue and then I start running a fever of 100F. The last thing I want to do is spend Fri night at the ER. Well, actually that is the second last thing - last thing would be to keel over. At any rate I figure I'll ride it out and if the fever gets worse or I start puking I'll do. It drops back down to 99F and I spend the next few hours on the couch feeling hot alternating with chills/shakes and drifting in and out of sleep. At 4am everything goes away, and I go to bed. Wake up this morning tired but no fever, no cramps, and I'm hungry for breakfast.

So...wtf? Really short-lived gastroenteritis? Basically it was about a 7-hour non-fun ride.

That's what it sounds like to me.

Have had similar experiences.

Todd,

You wouldn't expect to drive a car long without gas or oil, what makes you think your body should run without proper care?

I would say you can take this as a warning sign. Eat regular meals, even if small amounts. It will be far easier for you to look after your systems now, rather than spend time and money fixing what you've screwed up later on.

Best
Les

The onset of ~ 6 hours is consistent with food poisoning.

What was the sandwich, and did it have mayo etc on it?

_

^This^

Todd, I'm glad you're OK.
(I laughed when you said you went for sushi - that is the absolute LAST thing I would have eaten on a bad stomach!)

Does sound like a bug of some sort rather than a more serious problem. Not that bugs can't knock you down big time.

Especially when my wife ordered octopus and smelt roe :D

In retrospect I should have gone with my plan B which was chicken broth but we were both looking forward to a nice dinner on a rare free night for me.

The sandwich was from a catered platter so maybe that was the culprit. Normally when I get food poisoning I'm puking my guts out but maybe this was mild and didn't rear it's head until it was further down the pipe.

If you're feeling better, I'd ride it out. Appendicitis pain/fever doesn't get better w/ time (mine was pulled a month ago...starting to feel more normal this week). ED will get you a date w/ a CT scanner and some answers or peace of mind...and a big bill. YMMV.

I figured if it was an appendicitis things would just get progressively worse. I'm feeling decent today - tired (which is typical as I'm a constant insomniac) and a bit tender abdomen but some french toast went down just fine. Which is good because I have to load in at 4pm to play a wedding tonight. No rest for the wicked. At some point I need to slow down a bit...

I am not a med prof. but you seem to have a full slate. It is easy for me to say because I am retired but it sounds like you are doing too much. Some down time perhaps might be in order. Regular meals are essential or at least snacks. I see many folks doing a regular job plus kids plus....etc. Even many retirees schedule themselves for so much. I have no idea how old you are but the immune system degrades as you get older leaving yourself open to more disease, bugs etc. Schedule less, drive slower and to use that old cliche slow down and smell the roses.....

One more thing. If you try to fit in some exercise such as walking, biking or running if you don't do it already. It would help you sleep better. I have found that if I play 18 holes of golf walking the course, this helps sleep quality and quantity. The point being that making exercise part of your life really helps all round. :)

Todd's got himself a brand new bike!

Now all he has to do is get on the saddle and ride it.

Yes, most likely preformed toxins from bacteria in your meal previously that day. Typically quick onset (as the toxins are already in action) 4-6 hours after digestion. Often rather violent symptoms like you describe, but subsides within another 6-8 hours generally.

Hope you are feeling better by now.

My wife went on a girl's trip to Napa and got food poisoning last night. She can't keep anything down, even Pedialite... Not a fun way to enjoy oneself...

So far so good - rode last Sat and Sun, and did a Wed night ride up in the hills with a group. Sadly I'm so old/slow at this point the climb out of the canyon nearly killed me. I didn't finish the ride (reminded me of when I started mtn biking back in '88) but I did show up. Next time I'll get further. Will get out tomorrow and Mon - trying to do at least 2 days a week.

I think I'd be on the horn with the organizer just to see if there were multiple complaints. If so, a call to L.A. Health Dept might save others from future problems.

This. And with being deprived of rest and stress, your body wasn't equipped to fight it. Sounds like you are better now. Take care of yourself. People don't realize how easy it is to be healthy. You need to make your physical health a priority. A patient told me once that if you don't have your health, you have nothing. And she is right!

So you don't eat, don't rest, take good old Vitamin X for stomach cramps and the cold sweats, eat sushi when you might have food poisoning, and then try to prove you "still got it" physically on the bike by upping your exercise routine.

No static, do not take this the wrong way, please. I mean you no disrespect but I must speak plainly.

You are an idiot with no common sense when it comes to your body. You will kill yourself. You need to slow down, eat better, rest more, and not be out to prove anything other than how good life's simple pleasures are. I wish you much happiness, but you must make that choice first. Its not in what you do.