Wtf is this awful bug? Toddler coughing and vomiting for weeks

[MaryMaryVeryContrary]

Posting for traffic. DS is 15 months. 6 weeks ago he caught a cold/cough. It’s got steadily worse since then, he might have the odd ok day when we think he’s improving then it comes back with a vengeance. His chest sounds awful, he’s gone from being toddler chubby to being able to see his ribs at the back. He’s barely eating and drinking half his usual milk. Last week he started vomiting and this has happened every day since. Usually around dinner time he just throws up everywhere and can’t keep down even the few mouthfuls that he eats. He’s exhausted, I’m exhausted and when the fuck will he get better? He’s been to the GP 3 times who says ‘just a nasty bug, he’ll get better’ but I’m losing my mind.

No, not ott at all. He's unwell with worrying symptoms and not getting any better.

Quick update but DP took him to hospital last night, he’s been thoroughly checked including for UTIs and swabbed, they weighed him and said he has lost weight but not a concerning amount. They felt his tummy and said nothing of concern either, all felt normal and no blockages or anything. He ate a banana and fruit pouch which miraculously has stayed down so hoping he’ll turn a corner. They said lots of D&V around and these things can linger. Hopefully my little guy will be on the mend soon. Thanks for all advice

Glad things are improving! 😊

DS went back to the hospital today as they offered us a follow up. They examined him and did a chest x ray which revealed a streak of consolidation so have prescribed antibiotics for infection. He’s still being sick but they don’t seem concerned about this as he goes a few hours between vomits and is therefore able to keep down liquids and some food. He just brought up the antibiotics. I’m at a loss to be honest - he’ll have a good half a day or day when we think it’s stopped, then it starts up again. He’s going back next week to check the antibiotics are working and I just hope the vomiting has stopped by then as I’m on my knees with stress and exhaustion tbh. He’s been unwell for 6+ weeks.

I don't know if he's too young but could you try some travel sickness tabs to get on top of the vomiting? Speak to the pharmacist and see if there's anything that might help?

have you been given clarithromycin? It’s vile. We went back to hospital the day after as she (11m) was projectile vomiting as soon as she tasted it. We ended up with the tablets instead and had to crush them and give them that way. Still tasted foul. Trial and error with the doctors but we ended up crushing half a tablet then mixing it with sugar syrup instead of water, then making it up to 5ml with a combination of cordial and sugar syrup (literally the cocktail mixer) and that was the only way she would take it without vomiting. Even then it took 10 mins at first to get it all in her and we still had a couple of voms. I’m not feeling guilty about the sugar as it was 5ml twice a day and to be honest desperate measures and whatever it took to get the antibiotics in. For the strain of bacteria there wasn’t a better option for antibiotics. Hope he feels better soon, it’s so tough when they are poorly.

It is clarithromycin! He hates it. By way of an update he hasn’t been sick since my last post and his appetite is greatly improved. He’s a lot happier and more energetic. His cough is still awful so I’m hoping they’ll take a closer look at his follow up. Thanks again everyone

Forgot to say, she was sick 25 minutes after the antibiotics and as the information I found online was conflicting I called the children’s ward to ask whether I needed to give her the dose again - they said that I didn’t have to give the dose again as it was enough time for it to have absorbed. Worth checking with your hospital ward for reassurance at least x

All I can say is Mary Poppins was absolutely right. Sugar and slowly x

Glad to hear he’s turned a corner OP. I hope you can catch a break now, even leaving aside the worry it is exhausting when little ones have D&V!