When do go to Drs with tummy bug?

[JetSetWilly]

Tres boring I know but here goes. Excuse the TMI

Have been feeling funny since Xmas day so much so I had to have a lay down and missed dinner. Thought it was down to stress / exhaustion of Xmas family round etc

Have had bad tummy since boxing day when everything I have eaten has just gone straight through me within two hours (like water) although I have barely eaten or felt like eating

Still like it nOw. Strangely nobody in the family has it (there are four of us) and we've had about 10 guests over Xmas none of whom have been ill

At what point do I go to the Drs if at all? My worry is that in breastfeeding and I can't continue not eating or digesting food. I feel ok in myself just tummy cramps and a little weak and have not been sick

I never get tummy bugs ever

[whomovedmychocolate]

Sounds like you do now!

Okay, well you say you don't feel like eating, what are you eating. You need to avoid dairy - will make your bowels spasm. Bananas, rice, apples, toast should be your mantra. And if it's still going on seven days later, seek medical help.

Oh and drink lots.

[JetSetWilly]

Yes you're right I should be seeking help for having so many of my crazy family over!

Thanks for replying WMMC. I don't really eat dairy just in case DD is intolerant/allergic whatever it is as her brother is so I only have small amounts in tea anyway. Am just about to finish feeding DD and go down and eat some toast. Have been drinking lots and Dioralyte

Have lost 3lbs in two days ordinarily I would be happy about this but I know that's really not healthy esp when breastfeeding

[whomovedmychocolate]

Won't do you any harm - I've breastfed through pregnancies including daily vomiting and even being hospitalised for dehydration. Funnily the white stuff seems to just stick around through thick and thin.

[ragged]

Lots of small sips of water, basically have a little taste of water every 5 minutes. Dehydration is the problem when breastfeeding; if you're a well-nourished typical westerner you can do fine without food for a few days, no problem.

You can absorb a lot of fluid just by holding a bit of water in your mouth.

Tummy bug for 24 hours is nothing, btw, you'd need to have it for close to a week or be terribly dehydrated before doctor would want to see you.

[ThingOne]

I think you'll be fine for now, honestly. Sadly the 3lbs will be mostly water if you have just lost it in two days.

I would avoid dairy even in drinks. Maybe sip some chamomile or weak peppermint tea instead?

If it's a bug the doctor won't be able to do much for you at this stage, other than maybe test to see what it is, and those results take a while.

You can manage without food for a while, even when breastfeeding, but do try hard to keep some sips of fluid down.

[JetSetWilly]

Yes of course WMMC you're right. I guess what's worrying me most though is that I don't want to be too ill to feed DD she has never had formula and I'm worried she'll be allergic/intolerant to it like her brother. Sounds as though I'll have to be alot more ill than this before that's a problem!

And thanks for your post ragged. I'm a very well nourished westerner so perhaps this will help kick start me into losing that extra bit of baby weight I'm still carrying! (DD 4 months old)

[JetSetWilly]

Thanks thing I have some peppermint tea so can make a start on that. May even prepare some to drink cold

I wasn't intending to go Drs but DP said I should go tomorrow. I agree there's not really any point until I'm ill for much longer. Another point to consider I think is that it will be mostly the vulnerable at the Drs surgery this time of year and I certainly don't want to be passing this on

Will give it more like a week and then go. Don't think I'll be ill then anyway as I think I would be a lot more ill now iyswim

[whomovedmychocolate]

Actually you are probably not contagious but they will be and will give you all manner of 'orrible things. Don't go unless you have to. :)

[JetSetWilly]

Ha! Yes you're right

The only thing that has confused me though is why in not contagious? I thought when you have a tummy bug it is contagious (although I have been very scrupulous in washing hands etc). I would love to know why this is if anybody can be bothered to explain to me. Does this mean it is something I have eaten?

Gutted though my dad and family are are arriving from abroad tomorrow meeting their granddaughter for the first time, and they usually only visit once a year so I want to be tip top (and not pass on any of these germs!)

[whomovedmychocolate]

Your poo and it's spray is contagious, poo on your hands is contagious. If you are vomiting you are probably coated in it. But generally after three days you aren't anymore. Unless licked.

[JetSetWilly]

Oh my goodness! Never knew. Will keep up with the high standard of hygiene then. Thought somebody else would have been ill by now given the high volume of traffic through this house over Xmas but I guess they haven't been because I've kept clean wiped everything down with dettol cleaned loo etc

DP keeps going to the loo and then raising eyebrows I think his dodgy tummy had more to do with the amount of alcohol he drank last night

[JetSetWilly]

Hold on unless licked???

[JetSetWilly]

Oh you mean if vomiting?

No vomiting at all

[ragged]

Peppermint tea on its own always makes me puke.
But fine if it works for you.
DH is suddenly vomitting as of last night; we had a tummy bug before Christmas but thought that was finished almost a week ago (sigh, poor guy, he closely resembled Mr. Bean at 3am... if Mr. Bean carried around a sick bucket, that is).

[whomovedmychocolate]

No I mean if someone licks you, you may well have a poo splatter finish!

[JetSetWilly]

Eeeeeeeeewwwwwww WMMC!

I guess that's why I've asked here about Drs as I just don't know as I'm usually never ill. The last time I was ill was about five years ago and that was food poisoning not viral

Your poor Dh ragged twice and over Christmas as well