Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

DS5 been vomiting since Saturday evening

34 replies

Torak · 02/03/2022 20:58

He was dehydrated by Sunday evening, so we had a trip to a&e, they observed him for a while and sent us home (alder hey so I'm confident in their care). Vomiting has slowed down enough for him to absorb fluids, so no further dehydration worries at this point, but of course he is very weak, has lost weight, and is in pain (stomach ache, low/fluctuating fever). He can't keep anything down for long, so pain killers are hit and miss. He tries to eat, but keeps vomiting. Drinking plenty of water.

What else can I do? I'm hoping he turns a corner by tomorrow, but need a plan for if he doesn't. It's terrible to see him so ill for so long.

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 02/03/2022 21:01

What did they say they thought was causing the vomiting?

Room temp flat coke (full fat) always seemed to settle my dc after their stomachs got really irritable and just wouldnt calm after a vomiting bug

What have you been trying food wise?

Justalittlebitfurther · 02/03/2022 21:03

You need to take him back - it’s two days later. They may be able to suggest something or give him something. That is literally what they are there for.

lljkk · 02/03/2022 21:04

Is he weeing regularly (frequent, plenty)

Is he having a little sip of water every 3-4 minutes?

When you say "can't keep down" do you mean fluids too, or just foods?

Have you got dioralyte to keep his electrolytes up?

Original poster
Torak · 02/03/2022 21:09

@SeaToSki

What did they say they thought was causing the vomiting?

Room temp flat coke (full fat) always seemed to settle my dc after their stomachs got really irritable and just wouldnt calm after a vomiting bug

What have you been trying food wise?

Gastroenteritis.

Food is plain toast or small amounts of yogurt.

OP posts:
Original poster
Torak · 02/03/2022 21:10

@Justalittlebitfurther

You need to take him back - it’s two days later. They may be able to suggest something or give him something. That is literally what they are there for.
Yes, that's fair. I will definitely do that tomorrow, he's asleep at the moment and seems peaceful at last, bless him.
OP posts:
PoniesLove · 02/03/2022 21:11

I’d take him back. Not meaning to worry but I’ve been in a similar situation before and without going in to too much detail going back with my little one was the best decision of my life x

PoniesLove · 02/03/2022 21:11

Might be nothing but now I’m always extra careful x

Original poster
Torak · 02/03/2022 21:13

@lljkk

Is he weeing regularly (frequent, plenty)

Is he having a little sip of water every 3-4 minutes?

When you say "can't keep down" do you mean fluids too, or just foods?

Have you got dioralyte to keep his electrolytes up?

He has been sipping regularly, yes. Weeing isn't incredibly often, about 4 times today, but he went 12+ hours on Sunday so this is an improvement. He is barely eating, so is vomiting fluids.

They didn't seem overly concerned on Sunday, and said the dehydration was only slight, so I figured he was doing better than before, but I'm getting to the point where I think he can't go another day like this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Torak · 02/03/2022 21:14

@PoniesLove

I’d take him back. Not meaning to worry but I’ve been in a similar situation before and without going in to too much detail going back with my little one was the best decision of my life x
Oh goodness, I'm glad it was a happy ending for you, that's really very sobering.
OP posts:
PoniesLove · 02/03/2022 21:19

Thank you! I hope I haven’t inflicted worry on you I’m just always so careful/completely anxious now about anyone’s health! Hope your little one is on the mend soon x

Readerofwords · 02/03/2022 21:29

Oh poor thing. One of my DCs was always like this with D&V bugs and ended up hospitalised a few times as a result. We found a teaspoonful of runny honey every hour or so helped with the energy levels when the vomiting was starting to ease off a bit. I would hold off with the yoghurt too. I think dairy kind of lines the gut and the bacteria/bugs cling to it - layman's description, obviously! But trust your instinct and def go back if it doesn't feel right. My DD pushed me right to the edge of my instinct comfort zone every time, so I really sympathise. And they do look so awfully poorly too.

nearlyspringyay · 02/03/2022 21:38

Syringe in the fluid little and very often, try ice pops and I'd leave the yogurts, mine aways developed dairy intolerance after a bout of vomiting. Hope he gets better soon.

Barrawarra · 02/03/2022 21:43

I was going to say the same about the yoghurt. I’ve known a couple of kids to develop a kind of temporary lactose intolerance after a vomiting bug. So I’d stick to BRAT diet, banana, rice applesauce, toast, is that it?

But I’d be like wanting to check it out given how many days it’s been now, usually these things are short lived. Hope he’s ok.

CharacterForming · 02/03/2022 21:47

Yes I'd go back to doctors/A&E. Did they not say "if he hasn't stopped vomiting by X then contact us again?"

And try him with sugary liquids to keep his energy up.

Mumdiva99 · 02/03/2022 21:49

I was going to say ask him what he wants to drink. Is there some thing he particularly likes? If you can gently raise his blood sugar then he is more likely to keep the food down. (The suggestions of BRAT, or flat sugary coke/Pepsi are good. And it sounds really bad but something like a couple of McDonalds chips with the salt on them can help.) It's so horrid when your little one is really poorly. I hope he is better soon.

Mamabear12 · 02/03/2022 22:24

I swear by the BRAT diet, but only when they are ready to eat. We usually wait at least 6 hours minimum until they can eat after vomiting. I give pedialyte, which has the sugar salt electrolytes balance. They take tiny sips of that or water. Then when ready to eat we follow BRAT diet and tiny amount first. If they keep that amount down, I allow more. Never give dairy, as more likely to come back up! Anything fatty is hard to digest and after bugs one is more likely to be intolerant to dairy for a week or two. Obviously if you have a baby and need to give formula this is different....but for children above 2 I would not offer dairy until you know they can stomach food w out being sick first.

Original poster
Torak · 02/03/2022 22:24

Thanks, all, I'll do the BRAT diet if I can with him, and try new drinks. He is very good with happily drinking plain water, even if he's vomiting it up again, but he needs more than that.

They didn't give me a timeline as such at a&e but said they were always happy for me to bring him back in if I was worried.

OP posts:
edagon · 02/03/2022 22:33

I am really surprised they didn't give your child anti-vomiting medication such as Zofran (ondansetron) at a&e. Days of vomiting for a small child is really dangerous. I urge you to take him back asap and insist on medication.

Eastnorthwest · 02/03/2022 22:41

My daughter was similar when she was 3, she was sick at least once every day for a full week. I think we saw doctors twice in that time. They just kept saying she wasn't dehydrated so it was ok.

My best tip would be to give drink using a medicine syringe, 5ml every 5-10 minutes. This was a good way of getting drink into her at a level she mostly kept down.
I really feel for you OP, at the time it was one of my most stressful weeks ever.
By the way she just stopped vomiting after a week and regained her strength.

SeaToSki · 02/03/2022 22:51

I think if he isnt able to tolerate any food or more than sips of water by tomorrow morning, he needs to be seen by a medical professional again.

Can you get rehydrations salts to add to his water? I think its called rehydrat..there might be a pediatric version..the chemists will know. If you cant then 50% dilute lucozade sport will work

Original poster
Torak · 03/03/2022 07:45

He had a goon night's sleep- no vomiting. Sipped on his water all night and kept down about 300ml, had a good wee this morning.

He is still struggling with stomach pain, but that's no surprise. I can't entice him with toast, applesauce, or bananas at the moment. Sad

OP posts:
Wingingthis · 03/03/2022 07:46

Definitely stop the yoghurt, you can become temporarily lactose intolerant after a nasty tummy bug. An a&e doctor told me to avoid giving my daughter all dairy for a good week

Mumdiva99 · 03/03/2022 08:28

Give him whatever he will take. (A dry biscuit or cracker.....just 1 bite full not a whole one).

Nickinoo30 · 03/03/2022 19:31

Polos helped my dd with tummy pain - also the sugar gave a little energy boost! Don’t get sugar free ones.

WhiteCatmas · 03/03/2022 19:34

If he’s struggling with tummy pain make sure it isn’t on his right side. Appendicitis can do weird and wonderful things.
Apparently it feels like your insides are being boiled.