How To Handle Diarrhea in Brazil

Diarrhea isn't fun anywhere but definitely makes you feel helpless when you are in a country where you don't know what to take.

The first reaction Mr. Rant has when I'm urinating out of the wrong side is for me to drink a Yakult. Since it has all the healthy bacteria my body would be obviously lacking in that situation it seems like good advice. I'm sorry but I always go no on that one. Yakult gives my healthy intestine the poops, goodness knows what ass fire I'd be dealing with when under the weather.

The next is Floratil. It's a pill version of the healthy bacteria. I totally take these but keep in mind that it usually takes a couple of days to work, aka when you diarrhea would have stopped anyway.

For those in a state of immediate need of corkage, the medicine you are looking for is called Imosec. This will cork you right up (especially if you take two). While I am a firm believer of letting the watery times roll, when you have to have all calls forwarded to the bathroom it may be time to step in and bitch slap Mother Nature. 

A Salt Cleanse: The Beginning and the End

Today will be the start of another mini-cleanse.  Nina is doing the sea salt cleanse and I decided I would go ahead and try it.  No, I do not have a love for diarrhea but I do like a good easy way out. 

Yes, I am also well aware that there are no easy ways out.  I feel this is another kick off. Let's just be honest, I've eaten as much in 4 weeks as a family in small town China eats in a year.  And no, I'm not a China hater nor exaggerating. 

While I am not obsessed with my form, I am aware that I will be returning to Rio de Janeiro, mid summer. While I can't, or am possibly unwilling, to correct my currect Casper like skin color, I can help my bloat. 

I will not go back to Rio in the peak of summer looking like an albino, over-stuffed turkey.  Not going to happen. 

While the 'If you vomit, wait and try to drink mixture again' in the instructions threw me for a loop, I decided, hell, why not.  If I throw up, I won't swallow anymore.  Get your minds out of the gutter!

By the way, totally almost throwing up over here.  Still holding my own though.  If I had an affinity for vomiting, I wouldn't need a cleanse anyway.  Ohhh, so wrong!

Anyway, the goal is to stop eating like I will be dying tomorrow.  So I'm nursing my 3rd 500 ml glass of tepid sea salt water. Jealous much! I'm thinking I will not make it to two liters. I know I should really try, stomach ma...

And the cleanse has begun.

That was fast.  I'm thinking, this was fun. It was really nice to meet you salt cleanse.  It's not you, it's me.  I think I got confused and was looking for something in the wrong place.  No, no, please don't call. I will not be answering.

Apparently a couple of trips to the bathroom resets my brain. Doesn't this flush require you to drink a ridiculously large amount of sodium. Sure, your body doesn't absorb it and you poop it out. Sounds nice in theory.

And won't the bloat just come back when I drink a glass of water?  Ok, I'm going to continue to poop this stuff out because, let's face it, I have no other option.  Tomorrow will be the start to a new day and, not surprisingly, a saltless one.

I think we all learned a little something here. First, Rachel will try just about anything once.  2nd, sea salt flushes (aka Diarrhea diets) are not fun.  3rd. I like to eat.

Do with that information what you will.  As for me, I'm going back to the bathroom.

There's a hex on this house

My toddler has diarrhea now.  Maybe I've been Candomblé-ed.  Most likely it's a virus.  So we have two little typhoid Marys running around here. 

While this too shall pass, I realize that my husband and I may be the next victims.  The saddest thing about our society is it's lack of understanding for adult diarrhea.  It's faux pas to even talk about it, much less go into your work bathroom and bust out a round. 

So what are parents of young children supposed to do? Do we suppress our body's need with a bottle of pepto or do we put our head up high and say "I have Diarrhea and I am proud!"?

The Baby and the Poop

Good Morning all!  So I planned on taking Thursday down but I'm going to forfeit now.  My littlest one is still a little poop factory. I'm bummed that I can no longer blame it on the whole mango juice debacle.  It's been over 24 hrs and we are still pooping (the royal we). 

And how does the little man feel about this?  He seems just fine. He's in a good mood. He's running around. And, most importantly, he ate breakfast!  I fed him eggs.  I read in a wonderful book called Toddler 411 that eggs are good for the poops.  Btw, the pediatrician said to do the BRAT diet but I don't believe it. Goes back to the whole stubborn thing.

I do avoid triggers but I don't limit.  Call it what you will. I don't feel it's right to give my little poop machine apples, bananas, toast, and rice only.  He can't even eat apples.

So what would you do in my situation? It's 730am and we're already at 2 in the poop count, not counting the poop at 2am.  Would you do the BRAT diet?  Would you feed them something special?

I am giving him coconut water and floratil (something for a healthy intestine)