Just want some sympathy ...

[arcadia96]

Am at home with my sick 4 month old DD who has had D & V I think linked to a cold. Hopefully she's over the worst of it but we had a very worrying time Friday night as she got v dehydrated and I had to give her small amounts of fluid very hour through the night. I have been struggling anyway and had an appointment to talk to my GP tomorrow about it (insomnia and feeling low) so have really felt close to the edge and tearful coping with her illness too, the worry and the sleepless nights, plus her crying a lot which I find really hard to deal with. It was a bit easier at the weekend with DP off work but he is back now. I feel really isolated as all of my friends are at work, or have young children so I can't see them for fear of passing on the bug. I asked my mum - who lives nearby - to have her tomorrow for one hour so I could go to a weaning group at the local children's centre if she's well enough (can't take her with me because of the D & V) and mum says she can't as she has a hair appointment! TBH I feel totally let down by her. She has been like this since I had DD even though she knows I've had a difficult time. Just feeling sorry for myself really.

[lljkk]

Well sheesh, no wonder! That all sounds extremely rough to endure. Even if you had no other issues (and let's face it, who doesn't have other cr*p in their lives to deal with)?

I hope that you can find a way to relax and pamper yourself this evening. Maybe your mum could babysit for a while some other time, even if it meant you could just go browse books or go to the supermarket on your own -- any outing sans baby will be a nice change, I bet.

[seanchai]

keep your chin up, things will pick up. we all feel a little sorry for ourselves at times x

[arcadia96]

Thanks for your sympathy, I don't think I really deserve it! I've perked up a lot since I wrote that earlier today and reading it back I'm embarrassed already - was getting it all a bit out of proportion - but it's just because I was finding things hard anyway and every extra thing seems like it's going to push me over the edge!
Thankfully DD is a bit better now and DP back from work, is going to have her for an hour whilst I go to the allotment and chill out!

[GetDownYouWillFall]

Hi arcadia

I saw your post earlier and so much wanted to reply but I was at work.

I really feel for you. The D&V thing is awful awful awful. We went through that a few months back with DD, and even though it was only really 24 hrs of vomiting, just those 24hrs of misery was enough to really dip my mood.

It's just relentless isn't it? The mopping the changing of clothes (DC and your own!) desperately trying to get them to take fluids etc. I hated it. Was so worried. My DH stressed me out by talking of hospitals and drips and A&E etc. Thankfully it didn't come to that. They are surprisingly resilient, really. After she was over the bug she ate like a horse for about a week and regained any weight she lost. Then she was back to normal.

I can't imagine how tough it must have been having to get up every hour through the night to give her fluids! I would have found that nearly impossible I think - tho of course you do it because you are so worried and care so much for them. Probably you wouldn't have slept well anyway.

Try not to let this set you back in terms of your sleep. Try to think of it as making you extra tired so that you will definitely sleep longer and more deeply once this has all blown over. Remember those positive sleep thoughts. This is just for a day or two, it really won't go on forever. You can get through it. It's amazing how the body has capacity to keep going even on very little sleep.

Take care my friend

[arcadia96]

Thanks GDYWF. I'm still worried about DD as the vomiting returned yesterday and last night so we were all up from 2-4am. Am hoping it's just a blip but a bit worried in case it's something more serious than a bug... I had nightmares last night that her heart kept stopping and we were in hospital (this is what happened during the labour - well, slowing down anyway) so it's thrown all that anxiety up again. I feel that just as I start to get on top of things something else happens, I really feel like I'm being tested at the moment .

If anything I've been a bit less anxious about sleep through this though. The night I was getting up every hour I was managing to doze off each time - not trying to go to sleep helped IFYSWIM. Also have managed to sleep in the day as well a couple of times lately.

Still exhausted though from the last few nights!

Wouldn't be fair to start mirtazapine at the moment as DP would have to do nights until she's settled again but will talk to my GP about it today if I get the chance (DD is more important at the moment).

[BeckyBendyLegs]

Arcadia I know it is worrying and I've been there with DS1 and DS2 it is horrible. Babies take longer to throw off tummy bugs than older children or adults so without being a medical professional I just want to say it 'might' be that she's just still fighting the bug. DS2 once was vomiting on and off for a week and I rang the HV in a panic because I thought he'd got better and then he had a relapse and wouldn't even take calpol without vomiting. But he did get better. But your GP should be able to give you advice / diagnosis should it be more serious.

Good that you managed to nap in the day. That's a big step. Throughout the whole of Jan and Feb there is now way I would have been able to nap in the day and I would have panicked if I'd tried and failed to. I can now, sometimes, but not always (if I get the chance with three DSs).

I hope your DD gets better today