“Lingering symptoms and pain after stomach flu?”
Last week I had the stomach flu. The symptoms started on Monday, May 2, and were vague and mild at first, so I wondered if it was gas. By Wednesday it was full-blown stomach flu. Thursday was a better day, but Friday I woke up with diarrhea and stomach pain. By Sunday, I was better from the stomach flu and mostly back to normal. However, ever since I have had abdominal pain (especially in the upper left below the rib), slight upset stomach, queasiness, excessive gas that smells bad, and loss of appetite that hasn't gone away. All these symptoms except the pain get worse when I eat. The upper left abdominal pain was also present during stomach flu, I have had it since around May 3. My poo was very dark/blackish for several days but I think it was due to the Pepto Bismol I was taking. Poop has been normal color for several days again, but today it is totally green. I am queasy and don't want to eat. My mom who I live with also caught the stomach flu 2 days after my symptoms began, but she is totally better now with no symptoms at all. Do you have any idea what is wrong with me? The pain under the left rib is what bothers and worries me the most. I also sometimes have abdominal pain in other areas too, but it is not as bad/persistent as the pain in the upper left.
Female | 23 years old
Complaint duration: 12 days
Medications: All as needed: Propranolol, xanax, Tylenol, ibuprofen, Simethicone, pepto bismol, cough drops. Need cough drops almost every day because of unexplained throat irritation.
1 Answer
The left upper pain could be coming from the stomach itself. It is also possible that the pain is originating from the colon, especially if having a bowel movement relieves the pain. Either way, persistent pain after an infection is called post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, assuming you do not have anemia or weight loss. It should resolve with more time but you can see a GI doctor for potential treatment (with IBS meds) or diagnostic testing.
