Flaky Poo, What Does This Mean?

[sjwright]

Hi

Sorry to bring the level of conversation down to this, I don't yet have a local doctor (having recently moved to a new city) and I'm curious as to what's going on.

I've had what I suspect has been food poisoning following a visit to a buffet. Initially I had dizziness, sickness and sweats. Day 2 the vomiting subsided and the diarrhea started, the cold sweats carried on as did the fuzzy head. I had a ryvita for dinner which was the first thing I ate since it started.

I'm now in day 3, the vomiting's stopped, I've had a ryvita for breakfast, still got a bit of a fuzzy head but most symptoms have either stopped completely or are presenting themselves less.

The only thing I'm noticing is when I had a number 2 this morning, it was flaky. I've had food poisoning before and not had this symptom. Does anyone have any knowledge of what this consistency means? I've googled it but not had much luck.

Thanks in advance, and sorry the subject matter here.

[Sqad]

"Flaky?"....can you be a little more descriptive...?

[sjwright]

Yes of course, yet again, sorry I'm having to ask about this - its not the sort of conversation I'm comfortable having but I really appreciate people taking the time to read and help with the answer.

It didn't retain the usual shape, and sort of looked like broken cornflakes, I'd say that's how it looked, except it was quite grey in colour. It broke apart when in the water into just murky little flakes.

[Sqad]

Thanks sj.....nothing obvious springs to mind.....from your description it clearly sounds like a food poisoning episode and the only thing that i can think of now the acute phase has ended is to monitor the behavior and appearance of your stools for the next 48hours.

[LoftyLottie]

In my humble opinion this is pretty normal after an attack of food poisoning. I would totally forget about it. Your tum will return to normal in a few days.

[slaney]

Very likely it's the Ryvita passing through your gut unchanged - I wouldn't worry too much.

[tiggerblue10]

Once you start eating properly it should go back to normal. Start eating some protein.

Hope you feel better soon :o)

[andy-hughes]

I would agree with Slaney.

Normally your faeces is a mixture of waste products and water, however since all your digestion has had to deal with is the Ryveta grains, that is all it can work with, so it has extracted the moisture, and the grains are left, hence the 'flaky' consistency of your movement.

One you return to a nromal diet, your digestion will recommence its usual opertaions, and your faeces will return to normal - nothing to worry about.

[sjwright]

Thanks for everyone's feedback on this, really appreciate it. The ryvita thing makes sense, will give it a few days and see how I get on as I start introducing normal foods back into my diet.

Thanks again all
Ste

[Eve]

I think Ryvita has water retaining properties too, well the rye in it anyway so if you were dehydrated from being ill anyway then they ryvita may have just increased the dryness of what came out, especially if that is all you have eaten.

[jd_1984]

I immediately thought the Ryvita too. Being very "flaky" in texture and given the fact that you have probably evacuated the entire contents of your stomach and bowels and this is all you have eaten. Should return to normal after a couple movements and with the improvement of your appetite!

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with all the above and would urge you to up your clear fluids too, especially in this weather.