Ugh. Stomach virus.

I guess I just need a place to whine for a few minutes...

I'm sick. My roommate yesterday came down with a stomach virus. It started with her just feeling more tired than usual and then progressed to aches, pains, chills, a low-grade fever, nausea, abdominal cramping, and then dry heaving and diarrhea. She was so sick this morning that I almost sent her to the hospital. But, after resting for the majority of the day she is now feeling better. She still has some cramping and diarrhea, but it appears that the worst is now over. Well, for her at least.

I started having some body aches at around noon and by mid-afternoon I had to lay down and take a nap. I napped for a bit here and there, got up, had lunch, and then slept from about 5:00pm to 9:00pm. It was then that I had to make my first (of many ) trips to the bathroom. And, since then, I've been feeling pretty terrible. I did manage a banana, dry toast, and some fluids, but I just feel, well, yucky. I made the decision to sleep downstairs tonight since it's closer to the bathroom and my roommate helped me make up the sofa so that it's nice and cozy for me and my pup (the kitties are sleeping upstairs tonight since I don't want them to keep me up with their antics), but I'm almost dreading laying down since I feel almost too bad for sleep. Ugh! And, worst thing is...I need to work tomorrow afternoon and evening...

Since my roommate started feeling better in 24 hours, I'm hopeful that this is just one of those random day-long stomach bugs and not something more serious (though I did get both the H1N1 and seasonal flu shot earlier this year). But, let me tell you, I'm hoping it'll run its course quickly and quietly -- my roommate looked pretty miserable and if that's where this bus ride is taking me, well, I don't want to go!

I don't really know what else to say. I'm going to go take a quick shower so I can feel somewhat human and then head to bed. Maybe I'll try to get some fluids in beforehand so that I don't get dehydrated. I do have an anti-nausea medication (Phenergan), but I don't want to take it unless absolutely necessary since it's rather harsh. Plus, I take other meds at night that I'd have to skip if I were to take it. I don't know -- I'm rambling now, so off I go.

I just hope I feel better by morning. And, really, I don't want to have to call off from work -- they've just started upping my hours! Okay. Enough whining from me. My apologies. G'night all...

Feel better soon

Being sick sucks..... plain and simple, it sucks.

Check this out for yourself, just so I'm not misleading you.

However, medical researchers and experts say there is no such thing as the "24-hour flu" or "stomach flu." If you have symptoms including nausea and diarrhea and it goes away in less than 5 days, you have food poisoning.

Not too surprising, really. They also say we all get food poisoning several times per year. And the most likely place to get it is in our own kitchen.

So, the first thing you want to do is a thorough cleaning in your kitchen, if you have one.

Do you have any links MrBlanche? I'm questioning this because what Alison has is running rampant in our area right now. DH, myself, his whole family (well 5/6) were all sick last week and it all occurred on different time frames. DH on Tuesday for 24 hours, I didn't get sick until Saturday (48 hours), his Mom got sick Saturday as well (3 days), and I'm not sure when the others got sick but I know it was not on the same days. Everyone was all spread out getting sick on a different time-line and DH/I haven't eaten with his family so I would think it's an AWFULLY big coincidence that we all go sick at random times with food poisoning.

Hope your feeling better Alison, remember to keep drinking so you don't get dehydrated. *Hugs, get well soon*

ick stomach viruses aren't any fun!

Get Well Soon!

I woke up this morning feeling pretty icky . And, that was after sleeping all of about 2 hours. I was having so much stomach pain and cramping that finding a comfortable position was impossible. I'm amazed I even fell asleep at all! But, what will be will me. And, that means being sick with one nasty bug (or food poisoning, or whatever ).

So far, I'm feeling a little bit better since waking up. My stomach isn't hurting as badly and I'm finally not doubled over due to cramping, but I am still quite nauseous and achy. I checked my temp and I don't have a fever, but I do have chills and a pretty bad headache. It looks like I'll be spending what I can of the day lying down with the doggies and kitties. I had thought about going to work despite how terrible I feel, but it wouldn't be fair to anyone -- me or those I come in contact with. So, I called off so I could stay home, rest, and, hopefully, start feeling better.

As for whether this is a stomach virus or food poisoning -- who knows. I knew there was no such thing as a stomach "flu" but thought there were still bacterial infections and viruses that could cause an upset stomach, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, a fever, and the like. My roommate and I haven't eaten the same thing in days (not as far back as last weekend, I think) and there is most definitely something going around that's struck a lot of my family and friends. As for cleaning the kitchen, well, that'll have to wait until I feel better. The whole house was just cleaned a few days ago, but, trust me, aside from spraying Lysol about, neither my roommate nor myself wanted to be scrubbing anything yesterday. Or today, for that matter . Regardless of what it is, it's not fun. But, then again, being sick never is...

I'm going to just take today to rest and relax. Thankfully, I'm off of work tomorrow as well so can get some things done around the house then. I really could've used the money from working today, but I can't do anything about that. I just don't like sitting around and doing nothing -- I'm an on-the-move, always-getting-something-done, no-rest-for-the-weary type girl. So, sitting home and doing nothing is going to be an exercise in patience. But, there's not much I can do to change the situation. And, even if I wanted to be active, my body would put up one heck of a protest .

Ugh. I guess there's some lesson in this for me. Don't you just hate that ?! It looks like my goal for the day is to keep drinking fluids, cuddle with the fur-babies, and just work on getting well. Be well, everybody!

Actually, he's right. Food poisoning is more common than gastro viruses. That said, there are some - specifically noroviruses. You get them the exact same way you do food poisoning, through fecal to oral contamination.


To the OP: If you go to the ER or doctor over this make them take a stool sample and test it. Don't let them give you any antibiotics until they do.
August 2008 I went to the ER after being sick for a week with what I assumed was just common food poisoning. They thought norovirus and treated me with a general antibiotic. That turned out to be one of the worst things that could have been done as it turned out I had a bacteria that is resistant to all but two antibiotics. The one they gave me killed off competing bacteria in my colon making more space for the bad one. I ended up in the hospital a few days later.

Ironically the same time I was in the hospital there was an e-coli outbreak on the other side of the state. I reassured them I hadn't been out of the county for several weeks.

Food poisoning is more common, but gastroenteritis ("stomach flu"), can last from 24 hours up to a week - viral gastro such as norovirus which is one of the more common ones generally lasts 1-2 days.

Whatever you do, don't take anything to stop the diarrhea or vomiting - unfortunately it's your body's way of getting it all out of your system. Just keep sipping water as often as you can. Hope you start feeling better soon!

The same thing hit here a week before Christmas. I was so weak that I couldn't make it to the toilet. (Thank goodness I had some large pads - human version of puppy training pads - to put on my bed. )

Luckily Sis lives next door and came to my aid. Unfortunately, she and BIL came down with it afterwards though they didn't have the nausea and vomiting.

I believe food poisening also includes vomiting, I had food poisening about a year ago and it was the worst time of my life. I was in the bathroom almost constantly either vomiting or dealing with diarrhea, it was horrible. The stomach pain was terrible also. I couldn't even get to a Dr., so she called my pharmacy and I took those pills, don't even remember what they were. It did take a few days to get back to normal but I never felt that sick before, it was a nightmare.

Well, I'm happy to report I'm feeling better. I'm nowhere near 100%, but I'm definitely a lot better than I was yesterday. Thank God...

I wound up sleeping for most of yesterday. Actually, I really feel like I lost the day as it's so hard to remember much of anything. I know I slept, tried to get in fluids and a little bland food (think toast, applesauce, and tea), and wore out the flooring between the living room and the bathroom . Other than that, I haven't a clue about what went on through the day. Thankfully, my roommate was feeling a lot better and was both able and willing to take care of my kitties, my dogs, and my other pets. I don't think I'd have been able to do much for them had I been on my own. I really was that sick .

While I'm still super exhausted and queasy, I'm not having the full-blown nausea I was just a day ago. Thankfully, at this point, the vomiting has stopped and all I'm left with is some lower GI issues. But, compared to yesterday, that's manageable. The fever I had on and off yesterday is gone and I'm no longer dizzy or so weak that I can barely make it from one room to the next. I certainly don't feel great and couldn't leave the house even if I wanted to (thanks to the diarrhea), but I feel more human than I did yesterday. I'm just taking it easy, resting, and taking lots of naps with the kitties and/or doggies. The one plus is that I'm able to keep down a lot more fluids today and I'm beginning to actually want to eat. But, I'm not pushing it. As long as I'm able to keep my fluids down and stay hydrated, I think I'll be feeling a lot better by morning (which is good since I have to be at work at 6:00am for a long day ).

For all of you who have had this sort of "virus" recently...bless your heart. It's not fun -- that's for sure! I hope today finds you all feeling well. Trust me, I'm grateful for my meager improvement...

Glad you're feeling better Alison!