Stomach "flu" how long does it take to feel normal

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I'm not someone that gets sick alot and I hate being sick.

Last Monday my body was overtaken by some alien germ that well, kept me confined to the bathroom. I have never thrown up like that in my life.

So I feel better, not throwing up. There isn't really anything wrong with me, but it's taking so long to bounce back that I'm scratching my head. I could go to the doc but well...there isn't really anything wrong. I did have the big D today and people are saying it (the 'flu') doubles back on you, but it should be gone in 10 days.

Anyone else going through this? It was complete with fever, chills, headache and just well...feeling like crap. I rode on Monday a.m. and I was in bed by 6 p.m. I only rode 3 mtn bike miles and felt beat.

I know I should listen to my body, I am, but just feel a little odd not being able to commiserate with other people down for the count!

[sfa]

That's a long time for a stomach virus--usually I'm feeling back to normal within two or three days. Are you sure it wasn't food poisoning of some sort? My dentist got e. coli from raw spinich while bike touring last year and had to cut the tour short; he ended up being sick for about a week. And when my husband got food poisoning one time he was wiped out for days--I've never seen him so violently ill before.

I hope you feel better soon!

Sarah

[Becky]

+1 on the food poisoning thought. The only time that I've had the "stomach flu", it was most certainly food poisoning- raging fever, chained to the bathroom, the whole 9 yards. But it only lasted about 3-4 days for me :confused: The hardest part was staying hydrated.

Have you called your doc's office just for a quick opinion? Is it possible that you're continuing to eat something contaminated, hence the length of the illness? Just a couple of thoughts that occurred to me....

At any rate, I really do hope that you feel better soon!

[Aggie_Ama]

I have had it twice in the last two years but it only lasted one day. Well the unpleasant part of throwing up. I didn't feel like eating for about 5 days, painful stomach cramps for 5 days and generally fatigued for about 7-10 days.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

To clarify: I'm not puking anymore but I literally have no desire to eat anything but mashed potatoes and top ramen (that is how I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG!).

I was thinking that it was food poisoning as well- I ate a Chili's a few days before but I'm ashamed to say I think I ate an old piece of salmon that had been in my fridge (already cooked). That is the only thing I could think of, it had been in there for 6 days, which is old to me.

I just had my nightly does of mashed potatoes. Of course, not losing much weight, have you seen the calories in ready made potatoes and top ramen?

I called the doctors office and I knew what they were going to say...there isn't much we can do-but come in anyway. The one nurse said if I get a fever again or get worse, then to go to the ER if they weren't in. But it sometimes 'takes a while'.

I had to laugh at the 'still eating contaminated food'. I threw everything out in my fridge. I had gone to a different grocery store (for you in Mass it was the Market Basket) because I wanted to see what it was like. Anything from the Market Basket went in the waste basket. I kept thinking maybe I was eating the same infected food over and over???

I did broaden my horizon today and drink chocolate soy milk.

I at least don't get the crazy sweating episodes. That was horrible.

The last time I got food poisoning way back in 1996 I didn't get this sick. Although I did go to the college infirmary right away because it was during midterms and I needed a note! It was from some bad chili fries. Ugh. I can't remember how long it took to bounce back...

[salsabike]

I almost never get sick. About a year ago, I had a norovirus. Definitely not food poisoning. I was sick off and on for almost 10 days--unheard of for me. And then it was gone and I was back to being fine.

[Blueberry]

I've not (thankfully) had anything hang around that long. After a "24 hour" bug, I'm generally back to full diet within 2 days, and full steam after 3.

Just wanted to say that sucks, and you have my sympathy...

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

I almost never get sick. About a year ago, I had a norovirus. Definitely not food poisoning. I was sick off and on for almost 10 days--unheard of for me. And then it was gone and I was back to being fine.


sALSA- That is what I had, just couldn't think of the name. I get sick but usually just siuns/chest stuff. This is a different animal, only thing to kill my appetite like that. I lived on Campell's chicken noodle and saltines for a week.

[salsabike]

sALSA- That is what I had, just couldn't think of the name. I get sick but usually just siuns/chest stuff. This is a different animal, only thing to kill my appetite like that. I lived on Campell's chicken noodle and saltines for a week.

Yes, exactly. And, disgustingly enough, Gatorade, which the doc recommended to prevent dehydration. I hate that stuff. Anyway, it was a unique experience and I was really surprised it went on so long. But it does end. I say that because I started to get a little worried when it went on and on...

[bluebug32]

There's a nasty stomach virus going around where I am. It's literally taking people down for days. Over 100 people locally have been sick and some in the hospital. They thought it was food-related at first. The health dept has been here to hand out bleach wipes and hand sanitizer (I'm very much looking forward to the weekend and getting out of here!). Could be something similar for you? Apparently it's a really rough stomach 12-24 hour stomach bug.

Feel better!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Thanks bluebug. When I called my doctors office they said they hadn't 'heard' anything about it. A couple of people were in contact with me from NY actually a few weeks ago so I'm wondering if I got it from them!

I will probably call them again today and just ask again. Maybe by now enough infected people showed up. Yep, it was a 24 hour thing but it's left me feeling crappy for 10 days now :(

Oh how I miss my bike!

[Chicken Little]

10 days is kinda long. I would be heading toward a stool sample pretty soon if I were you.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Update: Keep that hand sanitizer handy.

My friend's kid got sick the same day I did and it came back and hit him up again. So bad, he had to take the kid in and get an anti-nausea shot to get him to stop throwing up. The doctor said it was definately a virus going around and that it can take 3 days or three weeks to get rid of. Great. I called my doctor this a.m. and they finally have seen the FLOOD of patients coming in sick. I guess I was one of the first ones?!

I actually felt normal the past couple of days and rode a whopping 6.3 miles on the pavement this a.m. in 35 minutes. Oh what a lovely feeling! The only thing I noticed is that I got the clammy sweats which told me to slow down.


Wash them hands!

[Pax]

The doctor said it was definately a virus going around and that it can take 3 days or three weeks to get rid of.
Thanks for this info! I got sick right after vacation (about a month ago) and only had the really bad part for about three or four days, then it seemed like every time I ate for the next three weeks I'd feel awful, nauseous and sweaty. Of course going to the doctor didn't occur to me. :o

[bluebug32]

They think it's the norovirus around here and camps are starting to shut down.

I keep washing my hands and bleaching down my office.

Glad you're feeling a little better TDG.

[Juiceflight]

Maybe it's an Eastern Sierra thing. The night before last I woke up at 2 am feeling totally nauseous. By 7 yesterday morning my body was doing its best to purge from both ends. :eek: I had aches and a fever all day. I'm much better today, but the appetite and gut aren't quite right yet. During the day before I got sick I went on a ride and felt totally weak. I couldnt keep up with my friend whom I usually beat up the hills. Because of that I think it was a virus and not from food. I hope this malaise doesnt last 7-10 days!

[makbike]

I had it this week. Started with a headache on Monday and by Tuesday afternoon all h*ll had broke loose in my GI tract. Thankfully the battle only went only lasted through Tuesday evening. My stomach is still very unsettled but my appetite is returning. This was not how I had planned to drop 6 lbs. I have been surviving on applesauce and crackers, yummy! Last night I did have a grilled chicken breast, a baked potato and some white rice and my stomach did not cramp!

The doctor advised me to follow the BRAT diet and to avoid Gatorade due to the high sugar content. She basically told me to avoid as much processed sugar as I could. She also advised me to stay away from dairy; how I miss my milk, cheese and yogurt!

I

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Maybe it's an Eastern Sierra thing. The night before last I woke up at 2 am feeling totally nauseous. By 7 yesterday morning my body was doing its best to purge from both ends. :eek: I had aches and a fever all day. I'm much better today, but the appetite and gut aren't quite right yet. During the day before I got sick I went on a ride and felt totally weak. I couldnt keep up with my friend whom I usually beat up the hills. Because of that I think it was a virus and not from food. I hope this malaise doesnt last 7-10 days!

Hey Juice, I'm in SE Mass right now, so it seems it's hopped a jet and hit ya there.

I still feel crappy but I think it's now TTOM. Yah. Headachy and tired. I will probably head to the doctor if I don't feel right after Flo checks out. I was feeling pretty good before it showed up. O well, I'll see how I feel after my first 'real' mtb ride tomorrow!

Funny about the processed foods makbike, I usually avoid them, but the only thing I could eat when I was trying to get back on real food was applesauce, mashed potatoes and ginger ale. Now I'm doing my best to kick my one a day muffin habit because that is the only thing I seem to want to eat is muffins! And not the 'healthy' kind either. I ate a salad the other day and spent the next few hours in the bathroom. That's not that much fiber but I think the 'real food' is a shock to my system ("what's this green stuff...it's not a pistachio muffin..you want me to digest that?"). So today I ate my last muffin. If I want another, I need to ride my bike to the store to get it (14 miles round trip). I got fruit. I got yogurt. And after that yogurt is gone it's back to making my own. It's time for tough love. Playtime is over!