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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do or do not drink while you have a vomiting bug?

51 replies

DuploTower · 26/02/2020 16:50

AIBU to find conflicting advice confusing? Some websites say do not drink until several hours after vomiting, others say drink plenty.

I've tried drinking it just comes back up and increases discomfort. But I'm so thirsty.

What do you do?

OP posts:
AryaStarkWolf · 26/02/2020 16:52

I know what you mean, I usually do drink a bit, I think it's nearly better to have some water in your stomach when you vomit then nothing at all, it hurts less i think

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 26/02/2020 16:54

You need to keep hydrated but if you slug a big glass it will come straight back, Dry a dry biscuit or a square of toast. put a glass of water beside the bed and take a desertspoonfull every half hour, If that stays down slowly increase the amouts little by little. Suck a ice cube if your mouth is dry

porple · 26/02/2020 16:54

i drink a little bit but don’t chug a whole pint glass otherwise it will come back up

KellyHall · 26/02/2020 16:55

Tiny sips, often.

SummerHouse · 26/02/2020 16:58

Do you have diarrhea? If not are you regular? Definitely drink little and often but if you have nothing coming out the other end then call 111 as it could be a bowel blockage.

tobee · 26/02/2020 16:58

Water is particularly dodgy for me. Sipping lemonade is better!

Nowayorhighway · 26/02/2020 16:59

Tiny sips, if you don’t drink anything you will dehydrate quite rapidly which is serious.

Elouera · 26/02/2020 17:03

Agree that little sips often is far better than guzzling a whole cup. Its so temping when you are just so dehydrated, but just little sips at a time.

Water, very dilute squash or rehydration salts are best. Fizzy drinks (even flat) are very high in sugar and some have caffeine which is a diuretic and causes even more water loss- so avoid. Also avoid all diary. The only exception is if you are also having diarrhoea, active yoghurts/kefir in small amounts can improve bowel flora and the diarrhoea.

Original poster
DuploTower · 26/02/2020 17:03

It's definitely a bug, the kids had at the weekend, but bounced back after a few hours, I've been vomiting 12 hours and am utterly floored. I am drinking sips as I am so so thirsty but it just comes back up. I was just very frustrated by the conflicting advice. At least with sips of water I'm not dry heaving as much. Sorry for the tmi. And thank you for the tips

OP posts:
TheNoiseHurts · 26/02/2020 17:04

Don't drink until several hours after vomiting?

That's deadly advice.

Louiselouie0890 · 26/02/2020 17:04

Sipsnif youchave a drink you'll throw ot back it up just tiny sips

SummerHouse · 26/02/2020 17:08

Might you hold down food better. Whatever you can manage will have at least a percentage of water.

GenuineKlatchianPottery · 26/02/2020 17:09

I was told by my GP to sip flat full fat coke.

AskingQuestionsAllTheTime · 26/02/2020 17:10

A half pint of warm water with a teaspoonful of salt and a dessertspoonful of sugar dissolved in it sounds disgusting, but surprisingly isn't when you are really thirsty, and it is better than just water for staying down if you take it in small sips. Rehydration salts are a good idea (and contain much the same, in most cases) but I don't keep them in the house and going out to buy some would be just the last straw for me when I am feeling ill enough to need them.

Sucking an ice-cube or even a marble or pebble helps with a dry mouth.

I hope you get better soon!

Original poster
DuploTower · 26/02/2020 17:10

Was the first advice I got bizarrely. It didn't seem right.

Do or do not drink while you have a vomiting bug?
OP posts:
Original poster
DuploTower · 26/02/2020 17:12

I don't feel like eating but I've got some apples the fridge, it won't do any harm will it?

OP posts:
inwood · 26/02/2020 17:13

Ice pops or ice lollies

GameSetMatch · 26/02/2020 17:22

My grandma and mum used to say not to drink water but drink coke, they said if it can clean toilets and penny’s it will clean your insides. They had no evidence to base this on but it always made me feel much better, water just comes straight back up. ( I was never allowed coke unless poorly)

Mrsjayy · 26/02/2020 17:24

Apples are fine for a stomach bug they are part of the BRAT diet for sickness, Water always irritates me when im ill sip lemonade instead.

Bunnylady54 · 26/02/2020 17:25

I thought at first you meant drink as in alcohol! I had noro in October & couldn’t face wine for quite some time after

Mrsjayy · 26/02/2020 17:26

Years ago my Gp told me to drink full sugar coke it gives the bacteria something to feed on (yuck)

FreckledLeopard · 26/02/2020 17:27

Small sips of water or squash or whatever you can tolerate. I also find orange juice makes me feel better, even if it comes straight up again. I think, even when you're very sick, that a small percentage of liquid stays down, so just keep sipping little and often, or try ice cubes etc.

MitziK · 26/02/2020 17:28

I always found chucking up the water/lemonade/rehydration solution (yuk) or original Lucosade so much more agreeable than getting to the turning-my-stomach-inside-out and yellow bile stage.

There's always a chance that some fluid got absorbed, too, whilst No fluid guarantees dehydration.

Cherryboms · 26/02/2020 17:31

Sip flat full fat coke

hellcarryingahandbag · 26/02/2020 17:35

Am I thick? I thought you meant alcohol!Blush