Tummy bug

[Stroppymoo]

Got norovirus 3 days in. How do people manage steroids if they are constantly vomiting. I'm having a small voghurt, then pills and then travel sick pills. Will skip alodenic acid on Tuesday if still bad. Any tips

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Providing you are managing to keep the steroids down for a couple of hours without being sick then you should be ok. If not then steroids can be given intravenously. Hopefully as you have been suffering for three days already things should start to improve now. Meanwhile sports drinks can help with any nausea and arrowroot biscuits for diarrhoea. Horrid bug - get well soon.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Yes drink plenty of water or herbal tea - lemon and ginger is good - not fruity though, and sip it, don't take large gulps. Any plain biscuit (again ginger nuts) or toast. Forget the AA for this week. Rest as much as possible, keep warm, and be waited on - if you can.

Hope you're soon on the mend.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I absolutely wouldn't touch the AA anyway - your gullet will delicate enough and missing one won't make any difference at all.

As long as the tablets stay down for a hour or so you should be OK. If you can't keep the pred down - then there is no reason why your doctor can't give you an injection. And you may need it if you aren't keeping the pred down, depending on your current dose - you must not stop taking pred suddenly for whatever reason if your adrenal function is compromised. If you are at a lowish dose it shouldn't be too bad and I know people who have gone a week without when they went on holiday and forgot their tablets! However, it is a risky action and not to be recommended - especially if you aren't well which is a stressful situation.

Being as it is a holiday - don't be afraid to call 111 if you need to. If you get really poorly and think that is what it might be, 999 and explain you are missing pred doses isn't unreasonable - they will just give you an injection. That's why you must tell healthcare professionals about long term pred and carry a steroid card.

[SheffieldJane]

Hi Stroppymoo, Firstly, poor you!

I had a vomiting bug and kept taking the Pred. And must have absorbed enough because as I recovered there was no return of PMR symptoms. Three days are a long time to be vomiting, have you had medical advice? I expect intravenous steroid would be an emergency option. Get well soon.

[Stroppymoo]

Thank you everyone, and on the mend. Will get some arrowroot biscuits in stock for another time. Awful time to be ill though. Doctors shut, hospitals don't want you anywhere near if you have tummy bug. Would've been too ill to travel 12 miles anyway. Passed out, with eyes rolled up showing whites. Husband forced me to sit up and breathe. After 48 hours I WAS getting crazy pains, not PMR. Sounds funny now, but had cramps in the soles of both feet, my hands and right side main dorsal muscle. Googled causes of cramps and came up with dehydration. I will definitely phone for medical assistance if I'm that bad again. Think I've been lucky. Still very weak. Happy New Year!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stroppymoo]

The cramps could have been dehydration - or lost magnesium/potassium/calcium which you lose with D or V. Or both.

If you passed out - your husband should have called 999. The paramedics could have done fluids etc.

Naughty lady and gentleman!!!!! You could have been REALLY ill.