Hi everyone, I am...

Hi everyone, I am still having problems getting my drinks down, every thing taste sweet to me. I can't drink crystal light drinks, koolaids- teas-nothing that has an sweetener in it! Now water is even starting to taste sweet! It's horrible, I am so thirsty, but what ever I drink I gag or spit it up, why does every thing taste sweet?? My husband brought me some sugar free jello this morning, I thought I was going to pass out,, just looking at it! The only thing I have been able to hold down was 2 ounces of potato soup my daughter made. She got fresh lemons and put in my water, at first it worked, now I can't tolerate it, I am getting so weak, I have lost 45 pounds since 12-28-06. Tomorrow I am suppose to start on my soft foods, any suggestions, on what I should try, I am getting desperate. Please help me. Plus on top of everything else, I have to go to the bathroom every few minutes, it is just liquid, but it is taking a huge toll on me, I haven't felt well since I had my surgery, I called my doctor today and they put me on Imodium a.d. So I hope and pray that slows me down. Does any one know the signs of dehydration? Plus every one says they have all of this energy, where are you getting it from? I feel as strong as a wet kitten, it isn't here for me yet, I crave it so bad, I don't feel like me any more. Any answers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much, I swear I am not usually such a baby, just having the hardest time of my life, Leatha

Hey Leatha, I am going through some of the EXACT things that you are. I had literally just told my husband 30 minutes ago that my water tasted sweet... Yesterday, I had two spells of dry heaving... that really zapped me. I had my surgery 12-27-06 and I have lost 45 pounds too! That is encouraging but this spell that I have hit is very discouraging. I don't have all this amazing energy that everyone is talking about. My husband did convince me to take a walk today and we walked almost 1 mile and I do feel a little more peppy after that. Right now, I am existing on scrambled eggs with melted cheese and flavorless protein powder mixed in, peanut butter and pureed chicken. I've been on the soft/pureed foods since last Thursday. Because of what happened to me yesterday with the dry heaves, I lost my appetite for anything "food" and went back to water, jello and popsicles. The jello and popsicles about did me in... they were sickeningly sweet. Signs of dehydration are dry flaky skin, obviously dry mouth and tongue, being lethargic, etc. There is something about pressing on your skin and if it leaves a mark... but I am not sure about that. So, you aren't alone! It made me feel better to know that I wasn't alone... I am usually a very strong person too and this has wiped me out. I had a hard surgery... my small intestine was shorter than average and had to be stretched. Then, five days post op - I landed back in the hospital for 14 days with an abscess. I hope a year from now, I will say that it was all worth it and I'd do it again. Definitely not there yet! Hang in there! Leeann in Knoxville, TN

I've been through that, and it does seem to ease up a bit. I can drink the crystal light now, but at about 1/2 strength only. When I was 3 weeks post op, I did find that the broth from Chinese Won Ton Soup tasted like ambrosia, even though I've never been a big soup eater. Hang in there with your tiny new tummy.

Leatha, you are not being a baby! We are all here to help each other. I haven't been through what you are going through because I have had to avoid a lot of regular diet products that contain aspartame. The ones I've found with Splenda have been few and far between and some of them are too sweet. (why???) Have you already tried drinking canned broths for your liquids? On my liquid diet phase they were 'free' and didn't count as meals but as daily fluids. Also try a variety of herbal teas to see if any taste ok. I've been living on puree for the past six weeks and usually have some plain canned pea soup or vegetarian chili blenderized with beef broth. Both have nice flavor, aren't too salty and go down easily. Have also had good luck getting down thinned refried beans but they don't seem to keep me from getting hungry like the soup or chili. Go figure. Another sign of dehydration is if you pinch together skin and it stays up instead of snapping back. Also dark-colored urine. Hope that you will be able to get your fluids under control and start feeling better. I've been dealing with strictures and not able to get in as much solid food so it took me a good 5 week to feel like I had much energy at all and still at 7 weeks out I tire very quickly but am feeling much better overall. Hang in there, you will turn a corner one of these days soon and really start making progress feeling better. Molly

Thanks everyone for their suggestions, they all will be very helpful to me. Leeann, I know how you feel, I was so glad that I am not going crazy thinking every thing is sweet! But it is terrible, not to be able to find any thing out there to drink, and you are really thirsty. We will have to hang in there! If you find something you think we can drink, please let me know. Sharon, the won ton soup sounds like I could do it, so later on, my husband and I are going to run to town, and I will have him pick me up some, thanks, it means a lot to have people you don't really know care about your well being. Hi Molly, I will for sure get some of the herbal teas, I have looked for the peppermint, but can't find it, and I know the pea soup will be some thing that won't be to sweet, so keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I know I can get over this, After all we are each others new 'family'. Thanks again, Leatha

Leatha, Have you been tested for C=diff because of your frequent bm's. I am only 3 weeks out and was having this problem but not as bad as some say the symptoms are and I was tested positive for c-diff. I am on a 10 day regiment with Flagyl. Not the most pleasant drug but a worthwhile test because C-diff needs tended to. I would bring it up with your doctor. Hope you feel better soon. I know what it is like to have no evergy and be almost dehydrated. I think I have been on the phone with my doctor almost every day with one thing or another and normally I am a strong person. This surgery is a lot harder than I ever thought it would be. Good luck and let us know what happens. Jan

You are not a baby. I know I have had lots of trouble with things tasting too sweet. I think all the protein manufacturers think we are addicted to sugar!!! I make my own mixture up using coffee and milk and vanilla powder and I enjoy it more than anything. I drink water and Lemonade but I have made a really refreshing drink you might try. Into a pitcher of water slice 1/2 lemon and 1/2 cucumber. It sounds wierd but something about the cucumber makes it soothing. Give it a shot. It tasted good to me when nothing else did. Also the broths drained off canned soups. Like good ole Campbells Chicken noodles, just the broth. I want strong flavors so I use lots of blended salsa and sesame oil and chili is my favorite food right now, except I love cottage cheese most of all. Hugs and love, Lana