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. 

You know you are sick in Brazil when:

1. You have a blanket up to your neck while everyone else is under the fan with their shirts off.

2. You are told to go see a doctor and NOT self medicate, as all good Americans like to do.

3. You are informed by your doctor that while the antibiotics you picked for yourself would have been perfect in the states, they are not the best option in South America, as the bacterias here are stronger.  Do you mind switching, there will be no harm no foul?  Of course not! She could have said you need to take donkey stool and I'd ask if it was available in powdered tablet form. 

4. You did not get told off for self-medicating!  In so many words...

5. When the doctor asks you about your symptoms and you complain that you feel like you are dying, she compliments you on your Portuguese.

6. You want to cry because you want a Popsicle.  You are informed that you can't because cold is bad for your sore throat. You say but you always ate them when you had a sore throat as a child.  Response: Maybe that's why you always had sore throats as a child. Touché. 

7. You are automatically given Floratil (healthy bacterial tablets) when you are given antibiotics. Just say no to the poops! Amen!

8. You have started to like the taste of Própolis.

9. The quantity of tea that you have been given is not helping Floratil from #6 do it's job.  

10. Someone suggests you may have a macumba (actual term fez um trabalho/did a work) from Candomble.

What did I forget?

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)