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What Causes Food Poisoning, Stiffness And Pain In Back?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2015
Question: Hi there -- I just returned to the US on Thursday from a vacation in Mexico. During the last 24 in Mexico, I became ill in the bowels. On Tuesday nite - late - i had three bowel movements. Although it was an unusual time of early morning - 1-2:00, I thought it was simply just the overeating and drinking catching up with me. I was ok during Wednesday in the daytime hours. We had dinner with my daughter Wed nite. I had a tuna steak, cooked somewhat on the rare side. Before dinner was completely finished, my stomach cramped, and I had to get to the ladies room. This bowl movement was extensive. I went back to the table, and sat 10 min and had to go again -- and from that point on (by 10:30 -11 pm) it was every 15-20 min and everything passing finally became clear liquid. Bad thing is I had to leave for the airport at 4 am - go 2 hours by car, then take a 2.5 hr flight to XXXXXXX So I quit drinking and eating - fearful of having an accident en route.
We were there for my daughter's wedding, and a few others had similar issues. One family member who is nurse had cipro on hand. My daughter had the issue, and so gave me a couple of her cipro and a few Imodium. I took 1 of each right away, and the other dosages at 4 am on leaving the hotel for the lengthy tranport I mentioned.
When we arrived in XXXXXXX we had a layover of a couple of hours before departing on our flight home to St. XXXXXXX I knew I was dehydrated because my lips became sore and chapped feeling. SO I drank 2 large ice teas and a bottle of water to rehydrate. I arrived home to MO, and was happy that I had had no accidents along the way. I did get my own script of cipro on Friday, and have now had 4 doses.
However, here is my concern, I began having achiness and stiffness in the lower back and it traveled up the sides of my back to about mid-thoracic area. I took ibuprofen, and this eased this symptom, and it pretty much went away.
It is now Saturday morning -- and I have a crampy gut. I also feel that achy sensation again a little bit in the back - although not as strong. I had another watery bowel movement. Cramps have eased. I am now in day 4 or 5, and not sure if this is Montezuma's Revenge or some entero virus. Was wondering if you can add your insight?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)
Brief answer....you are almost all right now
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and find that you have already faced and passed the worst.
You seem to have had viral  food poisoning which takes about 3-5 days to become all right.
Since it is already 4 days and your diarrhoea and back pain has almost gone,nothing specific is to be done now.Just keep taking plenty of fluids like lemon water,ORS,coconut water etc for few days more to take care of residual dehydration and loss of electrolytes.
Once your electrolyte levels are completely restored,weakness and stiffness shall also go away.Till then you may take ibuprofen,as and when required,for stiffness of your back.
I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1978

Answered : 6704 Questions

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What Causes Food Poisoning, Stiffness And Pain In Back?

Brief answer....you are almost all right now Detailed answer... Hello, Thanks for the query. I have read your query and find that you have already faced and passed the worst. You seem to have had viral  food poisoning which takes about 3-5 days to become all right. Since it is already 4 days and your diarrhoea and back pain has almost gone,nothing specific is to be done now.Just keep taking plenty of fluids like lemon water,ORS,coconut water etc for few days more to take care of residual dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Once your electrolyte levels are completely restored,weakness and stiffness shall also go away.Till then you may take ibuprofen,as and when required,for stiffness of your back. I hope it helps,however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks