diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index ea524fb67..d6527c1ae 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         """
         now_token = yield self.event_sources.get_current_token()
 
-        now_token, typing_by_room = yield self.typing_by_room(
+        now_token, ephemeral_by_room = yield self.ephemeral_by_room(
             sync_config, now_token
         )
 
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
                     sync_config=sync_config,
                     now_token=now_token,
                     timeline_since_token=timeline_since_token,
-                    typing_by_room=typing_by_room,
+                    ephemeral_by_room=ephemeral_by_room,
                     tags_by_room=tags_by_room,
                 )
                 joined.append(room_sync)
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def full_state_sync_for_joined_room(self, room_id, sync_config,
                                         now_token, timeline_since_token,
-                                        typing_by_room, tags_by_room):
+                                        ephemeral_by_room, tags_by_room):
         """Sync a room for a client which is starting without any state
         Returns:
             A Deferred JoinedSyncResult.
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             room_id=room_id,
             timeline=batch,
             state=current_state_events,
-            ephemeral=typing_by_room.get(room_id, []),
+            ephemeral=ephemeral_by_room.get(room_id, []),
             private_user_data=self.private_user_data_for_room(
                 room_id, tags_by_room
             ),
@@ -293,8 +293,8 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         return private_user_data
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def typing_by_room(self, sync_config, now_token, since_token=None):
-        """Get the typing events for each room the user is in
+    def ephemeral_by_room(self, sync_config, now_token, since_token=None):
+        """Get the ephemeral events for each room the user is in
         Args:
             sync_config (SyncConfig): The flags, filters and user for the sync.
             now_token (StreamToken): Where the server is currently up to.
@@ -316,12 +316,27 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
         now_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("typing_key", typing_key)
 
-        typing_by_room = {event["room_id"]: [event] for event in typing}
-        for event in typing:
-            event.pop("room_id")
-        logger.debug("Typing %r", typing_by_room)
+        ephemeral_by_room = {}
 
-        defer.returnValue((now_token, typing_by_room))
+        for event in typing:
+            room_id = event.pop("room_id")
+            ephemeral_by_room.setdefault(room_id, []).append(event)
+
+        receipt_key = since_token.receipt_key if since_token else "0"
+
+        receipt_source = self.event_sources.sources["receipt"]
+        receipts, receipt_key = yield receipt_source.get_new_events_for_user(
+            user=sync_config.user,
+            from_key=receipt_key,
+            limit=sync_config.filter.ephemeral_limit(),
+        )
+        now_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("receipt_key", receipt_key)
+
+        for event in receipts:
+            room_id = event.pop("room_id")
+            ephemeral_by_room.setdefault(room_id, []).append(event)
+
+        defer.returnValue((now_token, ephemeral_by_room))
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def full_state_sync_for_archived_room(self, room_id, sync_config,
@@ -366,7 +381,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
         )
         now_token = now_token.copy_and_replace("presence_key", presence_key)
 
-        now_token, typing_by_room = yield self.typing_by_room(
+        now_token, ephemeral_by_room = yield self.ephemeral_by_room(
             sync_config, now_token, since_token
         )
 
@@ -437,7 +452,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
                         limited=limited,
                     ),
                     state=state,
-                    ephemeral=typing_by_room.get(room_id, []),
+                    ephemeral=ephemeral_by_room.get(room_id, []),
                     private_user_data=self.private_user_data_for_room(
                         room_id, tags_by_room
                     ),
@@ -457,7 +472,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             for room_id in joined_room_ids:
                 room_sync = yield self.incremental_sync_with_gap_for_room(
                     room_id, sync_config, since_token, now_token,
-                    typing_by_room, tags_by_room
+                    ephemeral_by_room, tags_by_room
                 )
                 if room_sync:
                     joined.append(room_sync)
@@ -528,7 +543,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def incremental_sync_with_gap_for_room(self, room_id, sync_config,
                                            since_token, now_token,
-                                           typing_by_room, tags_by_room):
+                                           ephemeral_by_room, tags_by_room):
         """ Get the incremental delta needed to bring the client up to date for
         the room. Gives the client the most recent events and the changes to
         state.
@@ -569,7 +584,7 @@ class SyncHandler(BaseHandler):
             room_id=room_id,
             timeline=batch,
             state=state_events_delta,
-            ephemeral=typing_by_room.get(room_id, []),
+            ephemeral=ephemeral_by_room.get(room_id, []),
             private_user_data=self.private_user_data_for_room(
                 room_id, tags_by_room
             ),