Help?

[oyceter]

Okay, so, I am still down with the stomach flu. I started throwing up midnight and commenced to do so every hour, which means I've had no sleep. My back hurts because I can't find a comfy position in bed. Right now, I'm no longer horrifically nauseous, but that's probably because I just threw up again.

I was hoping that my aunty bringing over Pedialyte (like Gatorade, but apparently specifically for replenishing electrolytes and whatnot lost in kids for stomach flu) would help, but I had some an hour ago and promptly threw it all up a few minutes ago. Drinking water was doing the same as well. What am I supposed to do? Do I keep drinking miniscule quantities of Pedialyte and hope I don't throw up? Apparently three ice cubes worth of water ingested over two hours will make me nauseous but not throw up. About half a cup of Pedialyte will make me throw up. I've just had two small mouthfuls but am scared to drink more.

Do I just keep drinking and never mind the throwing up? Drink wee bits and be nauseous but not throw up? Not drink stuff? Flu has been active for about 14 hours now; how much longer is it going to run? And at what point do I see a doctor?

Thankfully (?) throwing up is the main problem, but dude, it's GROSS! I hate it! My stomach hurts from not eating and from heaving up everything! Help?

ETA: so far, have not thrown up in two and a half hours, though feel extremely nauseous. The ice cube Pedialyte and small sips seems to be working so far...

Comments

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

Try to take small sips of anything you're drinking. One sip, then wait two or three minutes, then another sip. Sucking ice chips is another way to get fluids in, but if you can't keep anything down, you need to go to the emergency room. Dehydration is a serious risk with this sort of illness, and they can put you on IV fluids if necessary.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Seconded. In fact, the first time I was in the ER was because I was scared by nonstop vomiting/diarrhea and they put me on an IV drip and then gave me a shot of compazine.

To check for dangerous dehydration, hold a pinch of skin/fat on your forearm for a second or two and then let go. If you're properly hydrated, the flesh will snap back to usual right away; if you're dehydrated, it will hold up in the wrinkle-shape of your pinch before going flat.

[vonnie-k.livejournal.com]

An excellent advice above re. checking for the degree of dehydration. But you probably don't want to let it get this far.

Small sips of ice cubes/pedialyte/Gatorade is a good idea. In hospitals, ginger ale is the one we use for those with severe nausea & vomiting -- it seems the gentlest on the stomach. Try that if you can't keep down pedialyte or Gatorade. And keep that doctor's appt in the morning if you're not better then.

Poor Oyce! Hope you feel better soon!

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Right. I just meant, if Oyce is that dehydrated, she should go to the ER *now*.

[vonnie-k.livejournal.com]

Right, right. Wrinkly skin after pinging = ER time, pronto!

Most people with 24-48 stomach flu don't get that bad, so hopefully Oyce is OK.