Advice for stomach flu?

[k2mills]

Well, I haven't hardly eaten for 2 days, and am practically sleeping around the clock. I'm trying to drink a little gatorade, but am so dog-gone tired. Anyone have any good advice for kicking the stomach flu, besides just rest?

TIA,

 

[andtckrtoo]

No advice other than to rest and don't try to come back too soon. I did that once and got sick all over again. I hope you're feeling better soon!!! I hate being sick.

 

[Biteset]

Um yeah, you just have to wait it out! Though if you don't have anyone living with you, try to get someone to just check on you and bring you something if needed. The worst feeling is knowing you need some nourishment, but not having the strength to get it for yourself. Catch-22.

I hope you'll get better soon! (but don't rush it!)

Gisela

 

[kathryn]

There's not much you can do to make it end faster (it's a virus that will pass on its own), but make sure to take in enough fluids and electrolytes (Gatorade is not necessarily the best, because of all the crap in it). Broth is good, especially if you make your own using lots of veggies, onions, garlic, then blend and strain.

Also, try the BRAT diet: Bananas (make sure they're ripe), Rice, Apple Sauce and Toast. It's bland, and easier to handle.

I had a nasty gastrointestinal virus ('stomach flu'--which is not a 'flu'at all) a couple of years ago (as did MANY people around here) and I remember at one point, I didn't think I'd be able to keep food in from either end! I was thrilled when I could finally add some saltines (which I usually don't eat) to my broth!

Sleep as much as you want and you can, and let your body take care of healing.

 

[JT]

Kathy in OH.
The stomach flu virus going aruond up here is nasty. It got to the point, I couldn't eat at all. Vernors and Coca Cola were the only things I could handle. Mine lasted for over one week and another week to get back into it. Just like you, I was/am extremely tired and no energy.
Plus, be careful if you're running a temp. I treated mine like a fever so I lost the calories I gained from my cold.
The old saying "starve a fever-feed a cold."

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[kathryn]

>The old saying "starve a fever-feed a cold."

Actually, it's "starve a cold, feed a fever." But it's an old wives tale.
;-)

 

[EricaH]

I think it actually is "feed a cold, starve a fever." Maybe both are old wives tales, but this is the only way that I've ever seen it.

Erica

 

[tneah]

This might sound pretty gross, but my mom would make us drink small amounts of regular Coke mixed with milk. I know, yum right?:9
Serious though, it really settles the tummy and makes you feel better.
Get well soon!

 

[spyrosmom]

Ugh!!! I had it in Feb and wanted to die!!! You just need to wait it out. Drink as much as you can in small sips - pretty much anything will work as long as you can keep it down. You don't want to get dehydrated and end up in the hospital. I think I finally started to feel better by the end of the 2nd day. I slept alot, read a bit and watched some TV, at least when I wasnt in the bathroom. I hadn't had the belly flu since grade school and forgot how miserable it is. You just need to wait it out. When you do start to eat again, take it east. Someone mentioned the BRAT diet, which is good. Pretty much anything white and bland. You'll know when you can eat more. I lost 13 lbs in 2 days with the flu. By the end of the 2nd day I was very shaky, so please try to eat or drink something!! Hoping you feel better soon!!

 

[fit_fairy]

>This might sound pretty gross, but my mom would make us drink
>small amounts of regular Coke mixed with milk. I know, yum
>right?:9
>Serious though, it really settles the tummy and makes you feel
>better.
>Get well soon!

I'm sorry, but from a medical perspective the last thing someone needs who is vomiting and has diarrhe is milk and coke. Dairy and sugar reek havoc on the GI tract.


Catherine


Catherine http://www.smileyhut.com/silly/arrowhead.gif

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[k2mills]

Thank you all - I'm finally starting to feel more like myself
I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

 

[marnold]

Kathy, my husband and I had this at Christmas. It was so horrible!
My advice use the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). I also drank pedialyte and sucked on Pedialyte popsicles. This stuff usually just needs to run its course. Hope you feel better!

Edit: Whoops! It looks like Kathryn already suggest the BRAT diet.

 

[edie]

Have you tried acupuncture and Chinese Medicine? I treat a lot of colds and flus, including stomach flus. My patients recover very quickly and with less severity of symptoms. I am a licensed acupuncturist, nationally certified in acupuncture and Chinese herbs. There are a lot of Chinese herbs that kill viruses and bacteria. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can definitely help speed up your recovery and restore your energy levels. edie

 

[Heidisue]

Like everyone has said, I think you just have to wait it out. But when you do feel better and your stomache is still a little quisy, there's the BRAT diet, bananas, Rice, applesauce and toast. Those are really easy on your tummy. Hope you feel better soon. ;-)