DAY 7 of DS (4) having the runs.....advice please.........

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Ds started with sloppy nappy Friday morning, thought he'd just eaten something funny. It continued into Saturday and at times ds complained of pains in his tummy, continued in Sunday but still just sloppy, not totally runny. Then he woke up Monday at 2am with his bed covered in sick And that day he had proper nasty diarreah. He was only sick that one time and the diarreah only happened that day and since then it's been sloppy but not like turning a tap on. All the time he's been fine in himself, just still rushing to the toilet to go and boy is he gassy!!!! He's been in pull ups since Friday as not able to always get there in time.

Went to the Dr's yesterday and he said NOT to starve him and to still give diary etc as usual. He said although I was given this advice, it's really what they say to adults and they don't recommend stopping any food/drink for kids. He explained why ds was gassy and all makes sense. He did say as it had been going on a while, if he still has it on Friday then I need to provide a stool sample as it will have been a week.

As I've got the kit to do that, I'm just wondering if it's worth taking one up today? It's day 7 after all and it was Friday first thing that he had a loose nappy, don't know what time he will have done that though.

I'm a childminder and have had to close this week so it's in everyone's interest to get him better asap. It's just so odd that he's acting the same as ever. He's really upset as was looking forward to spending this weekend with his uncle but will probably have to cancel. We're both bored of being stuck indoors as he isn't feeling ill so he feels like he's being punished He's also missing all the mindees but I can't let them back on Monday if he still has it - this will really annoy the parents too plus it's costing me a small fortune!

Anyway, what do you think? Is it normal for it to last this long? He's such a well boy normally and has just got over Chicken Pox and now this

So, should I (somehow) try and get a sample off to the Dr today? Or should I just calm down and leave it. Just hope he gets better soon

Send the sample today, there is no reason to wait and it will take a few days for the results to come back anyway.

Thanks, that was my thoughts too - tomorrow is Friday and it's the weekend after that and I really need results ASAP.

I just wanted to make sure I'm not being silly doing it a day early

Right........errrr.......now I've got to try and work out how to get it - I can't take it in the toilet as the gas is making it (sorry...tmi information alert...) splat outwards I think I'm going to have to tell ds to do his next one in his pull up so I can pour some in - what do ya think? It will be the first time I've told him to do it in there - just hope I don't confused him

Sounds like its worth getting the sample done asap.

And its also good to get some kids acidophilus (Biocare is one of the best makes, or Solgar's ABCdophilus - don't get an own brand or Holland & Barrett etc). Acidophilus will not interfere with anything else you take and its not medicine but effective way of taking probiotics. Take for a while during dodgy tum episode and after. (Can also be given everyday ongoing).Also very worthwhile taking it during and after any antibiotics episodes if they are ever given.

Also dioralyte is excellent for rehydration. Should be able to get infant version from doctors or look at kids dosage info on packet from chemists.

I'm not sure about keeping on dairy as its such a complex foodstuff for a dodgy tum to breakdown.

Best wishes

Sara x

I explained to Dr about the dairy and he explained that the sugar in the milk etc is hard to digest when got a bug and that's what's making him so gassy. Should I ignore the Dr then? He seemed pretty sure about carrying on as normal as his body still needs this stuff.

Thanks for the other info, I'll try my best but ds is a nightmare to get anything down. He'll only drink water and milk which is great most of the time but when it comes to needing medicine etc, well.....you have to see his reaction to know what I mean!!!

I've asked him to do his next number 2 in his pull up and explained why, he doesn't want to but we'll see.

Thanks for the advice

Hi bloodsuckingLooney

That is v confusing! Doc says dairy not helping probs but says still give it? I'm v confused too! I can understand what he means about body needing the goodness but if it's not being digested properly then it's a bit of a vicious circle. Sorry not to be able to give any specifics - just water and simple carbs can be good (potato...is that a simple carb? or bit of bread? prob good to do a google search and check simple versus complex foods) but I'm not in a position to interfere with your docs info as he knows the individual info etc.

For the acidophilus, its powder and you can add it to water or some cold food (not hot food or drinks).

Another thing worth looking into, (as well as the diarolyte - which you also mix with water), is homeopathic remedies. Try www.helios.co.uk - you can tel them and ask to speak to a homeopath who you can describe symptoms to in detail and they'll say if anything they recommend trying. They can send you in lots of different forms - drops, little dissolving pills etc so easy to take.

I hope he feels better soon and that the doc gets the sample tested asap.

Sara x

Cheers for that. It started to settle down today after I posted this message - had fun getting the sample with a bin bag in the toilet and a spoon . I've left it with them now. It appears that it's pretty much just gas he's got left which produces the odd bit of greasy follow through apart from his bottom still being a bit sore, he's 100% fine in himself. I know, odd about the dairy but I told him I'd starved him of most food, especially dairy whilst he had the runny stuff and Dr just said 'oh no, we don't advice that with children....let them carry on as normal'. He's been a Dr there since I joined the surgery over 10 yrs ago and he seemed pretty sure about this, although I know Dr's don't always know best.

will look at the other advice you gave, thanks so much