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Original poster

campylobacteria, e.coli, salmonella...

31 replies

sauce · 15/07/2007 16:13

We returned from a holiday in Turkey a week ago. Since then, 1st ds was terribly ill with stomach cramps, vomiting & diarrohea (sp?) & then just as he was recovering (Fri), dd was struck down. She's now in hospital & we're waiting for the results of the tests done on her poo. I've haven't really slept since we came back from hols & am now feeling really depressed. I've come home for a few hours to shower & change & eat something but I just can't. Dd has been better for about 4 hrs but she was terribly ill. I've never seen anything like it. I've got to go back soon & am feeling so guilty for wanting to just lie down & go to sleep. And we still don't know what the children had/have, just that it's bacterial. Anybody with similar experience or know more?

OP posts:
BettySpaghetti · 15/07/2007 16:23

Oh you poor things

I went to Turkey about 20 yrs ago and had gastroenteritis -I saw a Dr whilst there who prescribed rehydration salts but that was all. It wasn't very nice.

I most likely caught it from swimming in a lagoon ( in Olu Deniz) -as the water is quite still with very little water movement in and out from the sea it harbours lots of nasties.

Could the children have caught it from being in the water? Or do you think its food related?

I hope you all have a speedy recovery. At least you're home,in a familiar environment now. Theres nothing worse than being ill away from home.

saggermakersknockturnalley · 15/07/2007 16:25

sauce - my dd and ds2 had campylobacter last summer. Both were hospitalised (and they are teenagers so I imagine little ones are worse)- dd being pretty poorly as she has other health problems. She got ill first and took longer to recover. I would say it was at least 10 days before she stopped being sick completely and the poo problems went on for longer. We think they picked it up from a meal they had at a theme park. We didn't actually find out what it was until they were better and we had a questionnaire from environmental health.

It's very wearing having sick children - don't feel guilty for needing some kip. You need to look after yourself. Hope they're better soon.

BadKreacher · 15/07/2007 17:24

oh you poor thing
I had campylobacter years ago and was hospitalised wih it. Its nasty was dairy and wheat intolerant for a long time after so it might be worth being very gentle and careful with re-introducing foods. If it is campylobacter it can make you anaemic if it goes on and I was told to take iron supplements after.

Do try and look after yourself if you can, you'll be able to cope much better if you can eat and sleep a bit.

hellobello · 15/07/2007 18:53

I had a campylobacter infection a couple of years ago and it was horrible. I was put on a long course of heavy duty anti-biotics to clear up the infection. The gut itself took much longer to repair itself. I didn't have to stay in hospital, but they do like to keep an eye on things especially re-hydration. It will get better! Once the anti-bs kick in the pain subsides. I hope you have had a bit of sleep by now.

Weegle · 15/07/2007 20:43

I had campylobacter about a month ago. It is truly horrid - both ends simultaneously very regularly for nearly a week, blood pressure drops made me pass out quite often on the loo. But your DD is in the best place and they will be treating her appropriately to help get her over whatever it is ASAP. It's so worrying though when it's your little one and I hope she recovers soon.

Original poster
sauce · 16/07/2007 13:26

Back home again after another night & morning at hosp. Tests show neg for any "common" bacteria so they are running more tests to check for "less common" ones.I have the feeling I'm being coddled & fobbed off with "spin" but there's nothing more I can do. I've checked the internet & scared myself silly. The only thing that comforts me is that ds has only the occasional intestinal cramp now & limited diars & dd seems much stronger & is off the drip. I was so expecting to bring her home this morning! Am wandering around in a daze, sort of shell-shocked but maybe there really is nothing to worry about & I'm not thinking straight because sleep-deprived. It's horrifying to see your children really, really ill. Okay. Stiff upper lip. I don't want to start crying!

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McDreamyGonagall · 16/07/2007 13:33

I think the explanation is entirley reasonable. Remember common things occur frequently and rare thing - don't!!

It can be quite difficult to culture anything form a stool, sometimes the stool needs to be so fresh (urrgghh) to gain a result as outside the body some bugs die very quickly. I have run to the lab before with a "hot stool" from a patient in order to try and grow something.

Still it is a very worrying time for you and I really hope your DD is better and home very soon

McDreamyGonagall · 16/07/2007 13:34

Think I would be in tears way be fore now

Original poster
sauce · 16/07/2007 13:39

Oh never fear! Many tears have already been shed but for the moment, I'm running on nervous energy & am afraid that if I let myself go, I'll fall to pieces.

Dd's poo was "hot" as I held a ziplock bag under her bum for the sample & sealed it immediately. Double-bagged, even. (Sorry for TMI but I know how important this is!)

There's another 7yr old on the ward with a broken arm but she can't meet with dd - I guess because they don't know what dd is ill with. Scary. Won't think about that.

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McDreamyGonagall · 16/07/2007 13:42

Aww poor little girl No fun for any of you. You sound like you are very much in control, well done you. It must be horrible seeing your little one suffering . I really hate when mine are just a little bit unwell. I can deal with my patients being ill but not my children

Blu · 16/07/2007 14:08

Sauce - how very horrible for you all. Having a child in hospital sucks the life out of you...the anxiety, the lack of rest, everything. I am very pleased that she is gaining strength, anyway.
Don't read disaster into the fact that she is being kept away from other children- she would with any form of D&V.
Fingers crossed for a v speedy recovery.

TheCodDelusion · 16/07/2007 14:10

i had campaly
omg
tis was HORRID
i had to use baby wipes my arse was so sore

constancereader · 16/07/2007 14:11

Jusy wanted to send best wishes for a speedy recovery for your dd.

Have you managed to eat anything yourself? It is easy to skip meals due to stress and this can make you feel even more rubbish.

suedonim · 16/07/2007 15:24

Dh had campylobacter a couple of years ago and I don't think I've ever seen him so ill (he's not the man-flu type) and it was horrible.

I've also picked up various stomach bugs here in Africa, inc amoebic dysentery. I had all the symptoms again about a month ago but nothing showed up on the tests. However, the Dr (a rather yummy French chap - shame I had to discuss my diarrhoea with him!!) said that in the tropics unresolved diarrhoea is treated with broadspectrum AB's and indeed I did feel much better within 36hrs of starting them.

Hope everyone is back to full health soon, and do make sure you look after yourself as well.

Original poster
sauce · 16/07/2007 15:43

Thanks all. I'm going back into the fray soon & although I thought some time alone would be good for me, it's actually had a negative effect. I feel really guilty for not being with either child (ds is at my mum's, napping) & haven't done anything constructive but watch recorded sky & try not to think too much (yeah, right). My neighbor left a note on the door asking me not to leave for the hospital again without ringing her doorbell & for some reason, I really can't face her. I'm so tired but can't imagine sleeping. I want to see ds, dh & dd especially but I'm drained & won't live up to my "good mummy", in control image.

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Original poster
sauce · 17/07/2007 07:50

She's still in hospital, still has diars. Truly, any insight from MN would be hugely appreciated.

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peanutbear · 17/07/2007 08:05

I had campylobactor whilst pregnant

I'm not sure what help I can be but mom and baby 3 months gone where fine

I have never felt so poorly at one point I was sat on the loo for 4 hours whith the most painful stomach cramps (worse than contractions) I was ill for 2 weeks
At one point there was no more pain killers I cuold take because of being pregnant and so an ambulance was called I was in hospital for a week and came out christmas eve much to the disgust of Drs and spent christmas day on sofa watching children open presents

I think my litle boy had it first but he wasnt in so much pain but doing 40+ dirty nappies a day (no exageration)

we have come through it fine both of us were very weak for a few weeks after but DS2 recovered consideralby faster than me

all my love I hope they get over it sooon
are they on a drip??

Pamina · 17/07/2007 12:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blu · 19/07/2007 13:49

How is your dd Sauce?

Original poster
sauce · 03/08/2007 21:58

Dd is better, thanks but still quite weak. Tires easily, pale, dark circles under eyes, etc.

I'm writing again now because I'm in trouble. I can't seem to pull myself together after this. My heart keeps double-beating or slowing, I'm irritable, always angry. what's happened & how do I get over it?

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directline · 03/08/2007 22:02

We had something similar - cryptospiridium(SP) We all got it from a local holiday park swimming pool. Never seen my husband so ill, messing himself at night and all. Poor poor you and your family hope your DC are on the mend soon.

fransmom · 03/08/2007 22:05

when you're stressed, your fight or flight systems go into overdrive. that means your heart is pumping like that to try and get o2 to your muscles in case you need to run, your senses are also on hyper alert(etc, etc, etc basically). got o a doc and explain how you've been feeling they should be able to help you.

hth fm x

Original poster
sauce · 03/08/2007 22:15

oh why do all the docs go away at the same time for their wretched holidays? Should I see a replacement or wait or what?

My poor dc are bearing the brunt - I seem to be shouting at them constantly & my mood swings back & forth. A good friend & I met at Ikea for lunch today with all our dc & she was shocked at the change in me. I'm usually cheerful and even-tempered. Not any more! For example ds lifted my skirt when I was bending over to put something on a table & I completely lost it with him. I smacked him and shrieked "don't you EVER do that again!" Everyone was hideously embarassed by my over-reaction & I felt so unhappy for poor ds. He's only 3.

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Chipstick · 03/08/2007 22:26

You've just had an awful week and probably had no time to yourself. To have a child in hospital is a terrible time and I'm sure your body goes into autopilot.

You probably need some 'timeout' to reflect on whats happened, take a deep breathe and accept that things are going to be fine.

I bet you haven't been sleeping properly and running around all day.

I do hope your feeling better soon, big hugs

Original poster
sauce · 03/08/2007 22:30

Thank you Chipstick but it's been 3 weeks since dd was critically ill. I should be over it by now! don't you think?

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