Dehydrated/Malnourished

Surgery has not been easy for me at all. I certainly don't regret having it but I have definitly suffered. I am nauseated all the time. I have NEVER gotten more than 50 ounces of liquid down (very good day) and I eat two or three times a day. I have a hard time making myself eat because of the nausea - I've never thrown up. (All dairy products bother me. Luckily I can eat any kind of chicken with no problems and beans.) My doctor says I'm severly dehydrated and that I can do better. Essentially I am making myself sick. I know he is right. Sometimes I think I'm not eating/drinking on purpose. Maybe I'm not wanting to succeed. Who knows? I've lost a lot of weight considering I don't do protein shakes or exercise - 76 so far. I started at 340. I cried all last weekend. Probably from the dehydration/lack of food and frustration with myself. I've started prevacid again - I took two a day before surgery. Hopefully that will help. However, its almost 2:00 and I havent eaten yet - BAD DAWN! I'm just so frustrated and reading all the positive posts sometimes upsets me more. Weird huh? Also, teaching school (4th) when you don't feel well is tough. Sorry I'm always so negative. I know things will get better and that my stomach will settle down. I just needed to vent. Dawn

I am sorry to hear you are going thru tough times. Have you tried Hot camamille tea? Be sure and get your vitamins and protein. there are spray vitamins and proteins. I am praying for you! Sending you hugs (((((((((hugs)))))))) joni

Dawn, I am so sorry you are having a hard time. But, remember you didn't have your insides rearranged to sabotage yourself, right?? I had a really bad week last week and the happy posts depressed me too, but I reached out to members of this board, who encouraged me to increase my protein and liquids and I am now feeling so much better. It sounds to me that you are both depressed and dehydrated. It is pretty normal to get depressed after this surgery because estrogen is stored in fat and as you lose the fat, the estrogen gets absorbed into your blood stream and can cause depression. I'd talk to someone about that. But, we also know that dehydration causes nausea so you sort of are making yourself sick... Try hard to increase the water / calorie free liquids, I think that will help. Again, I am sorry you are feeling so blue and from one who has been depressed too, I certainly understand. Keep reaching out! Do you have a support group in your area? That can help a lot too. Hang in there! Jo

Hi Dawn, Hugs out to you. Feel better. When I feel nauseated I drink some mint tea. It helps to calm the stomach down and make you feel good and you get some liquids in. You never said what you are drinking. Have you switched up on different things? Popsicles are counted as liquids, clear broth, jello too. Eat them when you can't drink water, juice or other things. Sometimes too a saltine may help..remember to chew. I don't get my 70 ounces of liquids in eather but then i forget to count the above things and actually I am. Keep a journal too. It helps! Looking at what goes into your body lets you know ahead of time of trouble. I hope that helps! Take care.

OH DAWN im so sorry to hear about the hard time eating you are having. (((HUG))) hope your better soon SORRY TO hear a june bug is having such a rough time. AND im at a lack of words lisa

Dawn, Have you ever tested your urine with those little test strips call "Ketostix?" They test for Ketones in the urine. When our bodies are burning fat, we excrete Ketones in the urine. When the ketones are VERY HIGH, it can cause nausea. This was happening with me and I told my doc about it. He said to add just a little bit of carbs back into my diet to bring the level of Ketones down a bit. He also prescribed some suppositories for nausea. I added more carbs into my diet and haven't had to use the suppositories yet. You might want to check your urine and see if adding a few carbs back into your diet will help you. I also think you should ask your doc for those suppositories. If you can get the nausea under control, you'll find it easier to eat/drink healthy and feel better all around. Another thing, since you are taking in so little food and not enough hydration, you are probably suffering the psychological affects of starvation mode. Depression is one of the symptoms. ((hugs)) I hope you feel better soon. ((hugs))

Hi, I pray that your days get better- smile and know that the best is yet to come. Take good care of yourself! I am sending you love, hope and peace. Renee C

When i was near dehydration and felt very nauseated, I realized that I actually needed to eat more. Even if it was a tiny bit. I needed my pouch to not be completely empty or the fluids would hit with a thud. This was especially true since I wasn't eating at night. by the time morning came around, my pouch was way too empty. I would try 4-6 meals, or atl east a snack. Sharyn

Dawn, I almost lived on peanut butter crackers for a while. They kept me from being nauseated, and gave me some protein. I couldn't stand any of the protein powders! Ugh! That was until I found the unjury site. I ordered a sample pack of the unflavored, and mixed it in some orange juice (you can mix it in any liquid you like) and let me tell you, that stuff saved me! It's got 20 grams of protein in one scoop, and when I drink it I have so much more energy! I've heard more than one person tell me that drinking is more important than eating early on. You get dehydrated and you could die woman! So whether you get to eat or not...make sure you drink! I still don't get enough liquids...but I make a conscious effort every day to try. You went through pure hell to get where you are. Don't blow this by letting yourself get sick! Good luck, Connie

WATER, PROTEIN, IRON, B-12, Calcium, Drink some V-8 with protein mmm its good. Go to www.juiceplus.com great way to get your fruits and Veggies every day. I feel great and this is all I am taking 90lbs down 3 months. Hope this helps.