Food Poisoning and Rotavirus have destroyed my insides.

I'm 32 (F). Had IBS-D off and on for years, always stress or anxiety induced. I've never had problems with food or intolerances, but I have a very stressful job (Lawyer) and I put myself under too much pressure (work and life generally) so, admittedly, I struggle with stress.

Christmas 2025, my husband and I travelled from UK to USA to see family. Much needed break, as 2025 was the hardest year yet. New house, close and traumatic family bereavement, then promised Partnership at my firm for 2026. Ups and downs to say the least!

Day 4 of our trip - I am sick. 6+ BMs a day, and it's all loose. I figured travellers diarrhoea, change in diet (I LOVE corn dogs- no judgement please 😂), stress detox, or I'd eaten something. Then my Dad and Brother get sick, and we narrow it down to dodgy prawns at the Christmas Eve buffet.

4 days later, my Dad and Brother have recovered. Me? Significantly worse. I'm shaking, dry heaving, stomach pain, headache, can't sleep yet exhausted, very dizzy, no energy. Admitted via ER on New Years Day (🥳) for dehydration. 24 hours later, and a LOT of thorough testing (kudos to the American healthcare system, and thank goodness for travel insurance) = Rotavirus. Drink fluids, maintain hygiene, rest, and you'll get better 🙏

Cleared to fly home. By far the hardest trip of my life. Was expecting to be denied boarding as I looked like a ghost.

Roll on Day 14. NHS takes over as I've deteriorated. x10+ BMs a day and now it's just water. 5 more hospital admissions despite drinking electrolyte drinks. Cancel plans for my husband's birthday as I can't get out of bed, bar bathroom visits. World spins whenever I wake up. Collapsed twice. Couldn't concentrate. Couldn't leave the house. Pain spread to my lower back and sides. Start thinking the worst, as you do, and Google at my fingertips doesn't help.

By Day 32, I'm signed off work. Malnourished. Dehydrated. House bound. Endlessly worrying about work and clients, and devastated after having such big career plans for 2026. Doctors are all clueless. They still don't know how I caught Rotavirus as a healthy, childless adult in the first place (it's rare in the UK as it is). Endless blood and BM samples with no answer.

Stuck on a 1 Year waiting list for Gastro (good old UK healthcare), as well as being treated very poorly by doctors who either didn't believe me, thought I was exaggerating, or frankly didn't care. My personal favourite was the Resident Doctor who smirked at me when I (visibly upset) asked if this could be the C word, and then said "it's probably just IBS". It's never "just" anything, but that's a separate rant!

Realised I'll be a bag of bones after another 11 months of this, so I decide to use inheritance to pay thousands for private consultation, more blood/BM samples, colonoscopy and endoscopy.

It's now Month 2. Results came back on Thursday all clear bar minimal bowel inflammation. Private Doc won't give up on me, and he narrows it down to Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM) or Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency. Doesn't want me spending more on testing or wasting away, so prescribes Cholestyramine to test if it's BAM. If I improve, we have a diagnosis. If I don't, plan B.

It's been 3 clear days since taking the meds.... and I feel AMAZING. I'm sleeping and eating. I have energy. BMs now 3 times a day and much improved. Been on my first walk this morning. Back at the gym, although taking it easy. Doc wants to see me again after 4 weeks and we'll make a long term plan. Yet to find out if BAM is a forever thing - any advice would be appreciated.

Moral of the story. Only you knows your own body. Advocate for yourself. Take care of yourself. Ask if seafood has been properly refrigerated before consuming. And wear a hazmat suit in airport bathrooms! 😷