how quickly does it take to become dangerously dehydrated?

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I have had a stomach bug for two days now. It started two nights ago with pretty severe vomiting all night (and I mean ALL night long) with some diarrhea thrown in for good measure. I felt ok, but weak yesterday and woke up today feeling so much better, but as the day wore on, I started getting cramps again and now the diarrhea is so bad that about a minute or two after I take a drink of anything, it comes out the other end looking and smelling exactly like what I drank. I am starting to get dizzy and feel a bit weak again, and DS is nursing like a madman, which isn't helping matters.

How long can I go before calling the doctor? I am seriously thinking about stopping drinking as it isn't staying in anyway, and running to the toilet every thirty seconds is just not a fun way to spend an evening.

Help??

[Traceround]

Take in water around a tablespoon at a time every 10 minutes or so. See if you can keep that down.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Gah! Apparently it took about 5 hours for the severe cramping to start. I just had THE WORST stitch in my side ever. I could barely breath, could barely walk, and called the emergency number at my docs office only to find out that electrolyte imbalance can do nasty things to your muscles...

Oh, did I mention my son can't stop throwing up? Not a good night in our household.

[claddaghmom]

Have you tried 7up or sprite? I would also make sure whatever you are drinking contains electrolytes.

[Violet2]

I had this flu with DD when she was little. What they told me was to keep taking small sips of water continuously. It won't all come back up. You will absorb some of it.

It took me about 6-8 hours to get seriously dehydrated.

Since you are a single momma, maybe go to the ER and see if they'll give you an IV and some anti-nausea meds??? Beg for mercy.



V

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Well, we made it through the night and I am keeping small amounts of fluids in. We are both drinking Pedialyte, so I think I will be ok. DS can't even keep small sips down, so I am calling his ped in a couple of hours. I did call a friend at 1am to beg for help and put her on standby in case I did go to the ER though. She was babysitting overnight, so couldn't come over, but said she would take DS even with his vomiting. Soooooooooo glad I am feeling a tiny bit better this morning, although I know I am still very dehydrated. Now to get DS on the upswing.