Hospital Visit

Hi everyone. Have not had a lot of time to read or post, I try to get in some between classes and research papers at the university but other than that- zilch. I ended up in the hospital last Tuesday. I was passing out and getting very dizzy standing, sitting and lying. After 12 hours in the emergency room, an overnight stay, and umpteen tests (I hate to see this bill!!!), they determined that my blood pressure was too low (lowest 97/35 highest 114/57 pulse 50-60), I was severely dehydrated and had calcification built up in inner ear. They pumped 7 bags of fluid in me and I gained a whopping 5 pounds. I was so upset. The first three bags were in the first two hours and they were pouring it in. I don't know where I went wrong, I drink a lot, nowhere near 60-70 ounces but I drink a protein drink in the morning, sip on a 20-32oz drink during day, drink a diet v8splash in evening and something at night. Okay, now I am stalling, not losing and do not like gaining AT ALL!!!!! One of you guys had surgery and fluids not too long ago, Shawna was it you? How long did it take to lose those and get back on track? Also, I had been able to eat a lot more but now, I can't anymore. I'm back to about a cup per meal. I do snack on SlimFast Carb Conscious snack bars and peanut butter crackers or fruit during the day. Still not able to eat chicken or beef, but can eat tuna, roast beef and seafood. You guys have a great week. Three more days of this hell and I will be finished and graduating. Everyone say a prayer that I passed comprehensive exams. If we don't pass comps, we don't graduate. UUGGGHHHH!!! I would hate to have gone through 18 courses in 55 weeks for nothing.

Staci, I know that its hard to get those fluids in (in my classes, i'm not allowed to have drinks). I have been doing my best to get in almost 100 oz a day. I don't always make it but here in Texas it is so hot that my doctor said to up my fluid intake up to 100oz. Just make sure that you have a bottle of water (or crystal lite) within reach at all time. Just pick it up and drink it even though you don't think you're thirsty. I know saying that is a heck of alot easier than doing it...but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm sorry that you had to go to the hospital. I hope that you get up and back to your old self really soon! ~Rachel

Hi Staci I had surgery on July 13th, and gained 11 pounds of fluids between then and when I was released on the 16th. Those 11 pounds, and two of their friends, were all gone within a week. But I sure was upset when I stepped on that scale and saw that I had gained that much weight in 4 days while eating next to nothing! Don't worry about that fluid weight (easy for me to say). And the prayer for your comps is winging it's way heavenward as I type. Deb

I FORCE fluids in. I don't like it. It is like torture to me. I don't feel thirsty so it is hard to get them in. I am only telling you that so you know someone has trouble with it too. I am praying that God will make you LOVE to drink lots of water =)

Thanks guys, just hearing your reassurance helps alot. OMG Rachel I can't believe you have to drink 100oz a day. I just can't do it. I will have to I guess, rather do that than end up on a constant iv. Deb, that makes me feel so much better. I have lost a couple of them, but I feel so fat. This is the first time I have felt Blah, like I am bloated with fluid and can't get rid of it. Thanks for the prayers... Hopefully after this week, I will be back to posting and reading regularly. I miss you guys. I didn't realize how much I have gotten to feel part of this group until the last few days of not having time to post/read.... Staci