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Experiencing Diarrhea And Mild Discomfort Of Abdomen
I am a 19 year old male, weighing 185 pounds
A week ago I discovered that the codeine in cocodamol (which I had been prescribed on a short term basis a few months ago, then stopped taking with around 50 left) is an opiate.
Out of ignorance to the dangers of Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose I decided to take 4 in an attempt to experience a high. Then the next morning I took another four and the night of the second day I took another ten over the course of several hours.
I realise now how stupid I was to do this.
Over around 30 hours I ingested 9000mg of paracetamol.
5 days ago I began to experience diarrhea and some very mild discomfort in the abdomen for 2 days.
Then I was constipated until last night when I passed a stool that contained mucus, fresh red streaks and was 50% grey (like clay).
Today I have felt fine.
Should I see a doctor?
A week ago I discovered that the codeine in cocodamol (which I had been prescribed on a short term basis a few months ago, then stopped taking with around 50 left) is an opiate.
Out of ignorance to the dangers of Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose I decided to take 4 in an attempt to experience a high. Then the next morning I took another four and the night of the second day I took another ten over the course of several hours.
I realise now how stupid I was to do this.
Over around 30 hours I ingested 9000mg of paracetamol.
5 days ago I began to experience diarrhea and some very mild discomfort in the abdomen for 2 days.
Then I was constipated until last night when I passed a stool that contained mucus, fresh red streaks and was 50% grey (like clay).
Today I have felt fine.
Should I see a doctor?
Thu, 8 Jun 2017
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
If you feel fine you should not see a doctor urgently but this was a serious overdose with paracetamol.
Anyway, diarrhea in most cases is caused by dietary or infectious ones. If this is caused by diet then he should try to rest more and switch to a diet of clear liquids. Drink water, juice, bouillon, and weak tea to avoid becoming dehydrated. Replace lost fluids and electrolytes with sports drinks. Avoid coffee or soft drinks that contain caffeine, since caffeine increases the loss of water and salt.
If you have nausea in addition to diarrhea, take very small sips of fluid frequently and suck on ice chips.
You should also consider over-the-counter medications such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or Loperamide (Imodium). In cases of infectious diarrheas, you should do a microbiologist testing of stool and see the exact microbe and then antibiotics can be used additionally.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
If you feel fine you should not see a doctor urgently but this was a serious overdose with paracetamol.
Anyway, diarrhea in most cases is caused by dietary or infectious ones. If this is caused by diet then he should try to rest more and switch to a diet of clear liquids. Drink water, juice, bouillon, and weak tea to avoid becoming dehydrated. Replace lost fluids and electrolytes with sports drinks. Avoid coffee or soft drinks that contain caffeine, since caffeine increases the loss of water and salt.
If you have nausea in addition to diarrhea, take very small sips of fluid frequently and suck on ice chips.
You should also consider over-the-counter medications such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or Loperamide (Imodium). In cases of infectious diarrheas, you should do a microbiologist testing of stool and see the exact microbe and then antibiotics can be used additionally.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein
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