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Stomach Virus! Help!

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Posted 10/18/2012 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
This is the first time I've been sick since I had my colectomy. My boys both had a stomach virus earlier in the week and now it is my turn. They had about two days of vomiting and then were fine. My body seems to want to deal with it through the other end which is fine with me because I hate to throw up!

So...I've had about double the frequency of a normal day and am losing lots of fluid each time. Just got on the scale and I've lost five pounds from yesterday. I have been sipping on some G2 throughout the day but can't tolerate food. I was wondering if it might be a good idea to take some Imodium to slow things down and maybe let my body reabsorb more liquid? Or is it better to let things "run there course" so to speak to clear the illness from the body. I appreciate any advice you guys have.
Posted 10/19/2012 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
How are you doing now? If the weight was at the same time of day (so not normal fluctuations), I think 5 lbs is really a lot to lose -- that's going to be all fluid. You might need an IV to catch up. Have you contacted your gi?

I haven't had a virus like that (yet), so can't help from personal experience, and I don't know about the imodium. Here is a post on the same topic from Shaz's board: http://www.ostomates.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1264

People there say extra salt and that if you get too dehydrated you risk kidney damage.... not trying to scare you, but losing a lot of fluid like that can be a very big deal and you need to take it seriously.

Hope you feel better soon. Hang in.
Posted 10/19/2012 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
PS -- remembering that you have a j pouch not an ileo, but I don't see why that would be different.... it's the lack of a colon that's the issue....
Posted 10/19/2012 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, blueglass. I did end up taking one Imodium last night and I got six hours overnight without needing the bathroom. Took another one this morning. I'm feeling like I can eat and drink more now. As of this morning, weight is down ten pounds. :-( Feeling pretty weak and wobbly. I'm going to take the morning and afternoon to see if I can't eat/drink to recover. If not, then I will go get an IV this evening.

Oh yes, my half marathon is on Sunday. That should be interesting. :-/
Posted 10/19/2012 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
If in doubt, see a doctor. We get dehydrated much faster than someone with a colon. You may need an IV boost. Hope you're feeling better.
Posted 10/19/2012 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think its best to just go on and get an iv. If not you will have a harder time gettng better. If you can't do that, eat salty stuff and don't have any sugary drinks. Hope you feel better!
Posted 10/19/2012 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Definately go do IV and get rehydrated.. It takes us soo much time to recover, and you aren't going to get there by Sunday! take it easy, and good luck.
Posted 10/20/2012 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Feeling tons better. As of this evening I picked up six of those pounds that fell off. I've been drinking lots of G2 all day and had plenty of salty food, too. I've got my color back as well. Feel a little weak in the legs and like I'm still short on electrolytes so I will continue with the drinks and stuff tomorrow. I feel like I can run the race Sunday though my time probably won't be anywhere near what I was originally hoping to do. That's ok though....at this point just being able to bounce back and finish it will be something. :-)
Posted 10/20/2012 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you are better. Was going to advise the iv if you were not better.

Rosemary
Posted 10/20/2012 12:01 PM (GMT 0)
Oh man.. that's such bad luck. Glad you're feeling a bit better, but take it super easy in that race. Give it some serious thought and if in any doubt pull out.. not worth the risk of further dehydration. There'll be other races. Take care hun x
Posted 10/22/2012 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I did it but it got pretty ugly at the end. The last mile was pretty much a delirious stagger to the finish. I made it to the recovery tent my running club sets up for us at big races, spread out my Mylar blanket, and promptly lay down. I was incredibly dizzy and disoriented. Our coaches and my husband were there and they got me covered up and started getting some more water into me. I tried to be aggressive as I could with hydrating before the race and throughout, even taking extra electrolyte caps but, it just wasn't enough. In hindsight, I should have stayed home. It is really hard to do that after training for an event for 20 weeks.

I'll be taking a couple of weeks off with lots of sleep, good food, and getting my fluid and electrolyte balance right again. I don't have anymore events on the schedule until thanksgiving when I plan to do a two mile fun run with my five year old son. Plenty of time to rest and recover. :-)
Posted 10/22/2012 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you made it and just about in one piece. Now please have a good rest! x
Posted 10/22/2012 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
This happened to me this past year and what turned it around, finally, was taking 6 lomotil at once!

Sue
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