RECENT DUMPING EVENT

We are all just about 6 mos post op..and if I said I never thought this would happen, how many others can raise their hands in agreement? I had one small dumping episode 2 wks after surgery- but that was because I drank orange juice & it was nothing like this. I have been really good about exercising and watching what I eat. And Im posting this- just to warn everyone- that as Saavy as we think we are- you may be like me: Occasionally (once weekly) drink regular coffee or tea instead of decaf Occasionally (monthly) have a munchkin or some SMALL cakepiece "" South Beach Diet cookies, snack bars, dinners usually have "sugar free" versions of muffins, hard candy etc on hand so if you indulge, you are okay! Normally I have protein bars, decaf everything, I keep anything high in sugar away from me..never was diabetic, just dont like how it feels in me.. I workout 3-4 times a week etc. WELL! Monday 2/27 I came home late and its been cold in NY and I was cold all day- despite tea and soup and lunch and dinner- I was still cold. I made some tea and picked something I hadn't had in awhile ..my favorite Bigelow Cinnamon tea..and decided to try some vanilla snackwell cookies (2pack)and was going to watch tv & go to bed..WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL within 15mins I could tell..it was midnite and my heart racing at 110 beats It felt like A rollercoaster in my body..right away my son takes my vitals He is an EMT..he calls my surgeon tells him where Im at and I had to tell my Doc..what I ate.. & being on this holy sh*t rollercoaster..My son heard take her to the ER. Next thing I know his Volunteer group is at the door looking to wheel me into the ambulance..(Thought to self was: good thing I lost weight so they CAN LIFT me) ..after triage I had to wait..by the time the Doctor saw me- I was over the episode (which is why I was reluctant to go to the ER in the first place- I knew it would be a short duration) The doctor took my vitals- did blood and did the IV. I was fine and later released by 6 am. But here is what I want to remind everyone: *Even though we are 6mos, don't take it for granted that we are "used to" all foods- I was fooled by this- I never had snackwells before. NEVER WILL AGAIN. *Even though another RNY patient can tolerate it- does not mean you will too- I forgot this. This was a first time food- but not the first time I was having something with sugar in it. Later On I read the package - it said 18gms Sugar in 4pk cookies.. YUCK! *WE THINK we are alone on this trip- we are not- because we must "give in" to that taste or the desire of something forbidden - we think we are alone...actually what we are doing is playing Russian Roulette with our lives..THIS is VERY SERIOUS..I've learned my lesson the hard way. It was bad enough to go through this myself- but to have to drag my son along and have him worry about me- was so unnecessary- its an emotional ride for our families too. *Final Thought- We think we know it all and the outcome. I really did NOT want to go to the ER..because I thought..this will end within an hour..but as my son & his EMT partner pointed out- HOW DO YOU KNOW? ..What you are experiencing may NOT be what you think it is..They saw me at my worst and they could be fooled by symptoms.. they had to explain over and over AGAIN to dispatch what I was experiencing..not that many people know what "dumping is" or what a gastric bypass patient means. And I was working with EMTs that know what they were doing. * It WAS embarrasing to tell my surgeon what I had eaten..at midnight. Im going to be in his office tomorrow.I was glad I had my son & his friend to monitor me, but same time- I was thinking- what call or person am I taking them away from? There may have been someone who needed their life saved and I felt I was wasting it with this "dumping episode" (not that I took it lightly, but I would hate to hear that my call diverted them from saving someone in cardiac arrest). Think about it. *The very next day, my son & I went out for dinner..my first meal after this whole thing..I had unsweetened iced tea..glass was kinda empty..I pick up the glass closest to me (three were on the table) and drink.. WELL IT WAS COKE..not my tea!! I had picked my sons glass..Needless to say I did not swallow it..Just another example of how easy these things can happen. SO I am back to feeling myself again today..back to regular diet and my gym workout...back to basics..protein first and then everything else. Thanks for listening and reading..and I hope this doesn't happen to you. Hugs Donna

I'm so sorry for your trip to the ER. I'm raising my hand because I had it happen to. Thought I was going to die. I've had a few manageable dumping instances until last week. It was that time of the month, and I wanted a blueberry muffin. I thought the carbs were bad, but didn't even think about the sugar. About a half hour after I ate it, I was sure I was going to pass out. Cold sweats, heart racing, shivering. After an hour or so, it was a little better and I went home. I felt so stupid. I used a sick day because I ate a blueberry muffin. - Torrey (281/208/140)

Hi Torrey - I used the sick day- because I was too tired to come in to work..My whole night was in the ER.. and the other thing that hit me was: GOD this is so SELFISH of me..to want something SO BAD, to do this to myself and drag my son along. And the other thing was- my son had been on call all day- so in his time off- what was he doing? Heading back to the hospital when he should be sleeping He no sooner had 3 hrs of sleep and had to go back on call. I just thought it was the most selfish act, and I was telling him- I am never doing this again. I didnt have the cold sweats- but did have uncontrollable shaking..for like 25mins..it was scary. they thought I was going into shock- even with blankets around me - the doctor said- it was my body reacting to all the stress. Im glad you are able to share it..hope others will.. it might even trigger something else, which is what the EMTS were warning me about. Stay healthy and try those sugar free muffins! I'm "sugar proofing" my house now. Hugs, Donna

Donna, You make so many good points... It is very easy to say that others do ok with it, why shouldn't I. Personally, I think I've had maybe 3 little tastes of something with sugar in it since my surgery. I get sooo scared that something will happen to me. I'd rather keep that fear in me, than either learn MY body will tolerate sugar OR dump. I do get a rapid heart rate on occasion if I eat something mushy (like soup or sf pudding) too fast. That's uncomfortable enough. Can't even imagine feeling what you went through. Hope I never have to. At any rate.... I'm glad you're feeling better & back on track. Take Care Tammy

Thanks for the warning! This hasn't happened to me, but I can so easily envision it! I've become so much less cautious! I'll remember your experience next time I want to test something out! Michele T

Hi Michele - Im just trying to tell everyone- that as good as we think we are- we still slip up - accidents will happen. I have had little things with sugar in them- like a munchkin here and there or steal a tiny piece of my sons dessert- but nothing compared to eating food the way I used to- and I pretty much have sugar free stuff in my house. I just had it in my head-that a older postop from my suport group- said she has them- once in awhile..I will never have a snackwell again. I do have ballys snack bars or protein bars. I think the caffeine from the tea was high and the sugar just added combustion. I've been relatively without incident- so thats the other reason I posted- to share this and hopefully no one else is ashamed that it happens to them- and that they get proper treatment even if they dont think they need it. Hugs, Donna

Hi Donna, Oh, I can so relate! I had, what I'm pretty sure was, a blockage 2 weeks ago - 6 1/2 months post-op! I just didn't think it was possible to still get one of those at this point. I woke up the RN in charge of the program at 2 am, went to the ER, and about 3/4 of the way through triage the pain all of a sudden went from what was 8 - spiking to 15 on a 1-10 scale to a 3 - spiking to about 6. For whatever reason 45 minutes later I was still in the waiting room and the pain was just crampy - so I went back home and to bed. You made a lot of great points. We really can't ever relax can we? Like getting pregnant - the ramifications last a lifetime. But like having a child - it's worth it. Dawn 258/146/135

Sorry to hear about your dumping . It hasn't happened to me and I have been extremely fortunate! I take chances sometimes, but I will definately think twice now. I thought after gastric bypass, the temptation wouldn't be as bad - but I was very wrong! At first, it was easy not to eat bad things because I got on a "healthy kick", then, when the weight loss slowed down, and I realized that I have been able to eat almost anything, I started making bad choices. I am very lucky, but sometimes I wish I wasn't. Hope you continue to do well! Clarissa 346/229/150

Sorry to hear about your trip to the ER, but at least it worked out OK for you. I too had a dumping incident this past Saturday. My husband and I went out and I had a margarita. I have had one once before and did alright, although it did get me drunk pretty quick. Well the one Saturday didn't seem to hit me very hard (I also had a small salad -- I know I am not supposed to eat and drink, but I did). So, I had a second margarita - tasted sooooo good. Well, after we got home, I started to have an episode of sweating and then the shakes. Then, I got the chills. My heart seemed to be going a mile a minute with the shakes. Back and forth between hot and cold. I ended up drinking some water and going up to bed. Husband checked on me several times to make sure I was alright. At the time, I did not even think that this was dumping. Thought I was having a food allergy reaction of some sort, sut since my breathing did not seem to be compromised and I was in no pain, I didn't even consider calling the doctor or going to the ER. Tough night and I will not do it again!

Hi Eileen! That uncontrollable shaking is bad news, so I feel your pain! I guess it is different for everyone- but it was scary to see my whole body shaking so much..and then when its over- its like nothing ever happened. Also- never take chances with allergic reactions- I hope you take benadryl or claritin in that situation- you may put yourself at greater risk. The upside to this is - we live and learn from it. AND the really weird thing is- you can have a little starlight peppermint- and that has sugar in it- and that does not affect you - but have a cookie or have a margarita- and you are riding a wild rollercoaster like a Texas cowboy! LOL!! I'm glad you are fine and all turned out well for you. take care and stay healthy and drink more water if you have to have a margarita! Hugs Donna