Yikes!! I am so sick...

Hi all. I have tried to avoid it and it finally got to me. This cold/flu thing that is going around. I started out friday and saturday just feeling like poop. Then sunday after church started the scratchy throat, coughing, congestion, aching all over...I could go on but I won't bore you. I was so out of it yesterday I couldn't eat or drink, I just slept my mom got me out of bed at 8pm to drink some water. She is concerned I will get dehydrated and end up in the hospital. How many days can I go on like this before that will happen? I can't drink any protein shakes with a milk base because it causes way too much phlegm (sp?) If I am not feeling better by tomorrow I'm going to have to call my Doc and pay him a visit. Anyway, any advice will be appreciated. I really just needed to vent. I'm just glad this happened now and not when I start my new job. Oh by the way... Got a really great job but the training class doesn't start till November 8th. On the bright side there is more than enough time to get completly better. I hope al is well with everyone. Hugs to all. Julie

This can be a HUGE problem!!!!! Dehydration can occur with as little as 10% less than the 64 oz of water we are to drink daily. So, get it down! As far as the protein goes, if you cannot take the milk based drinks, get the non-milk based drinks and drink them. On top of everything else, you cannot afford to have the fuel to heal. Now for your Dr. Most do not ahve any experience with WLS patients. So, be prepared with what you can and cannot have. If he prescribes an oral medication, check to see if it is in a diabetic form so there is little/no sugar used to cause dumping. Watch out for NSAIDS and other things which can injure your pouch. Don't get well at the expense of being sicker with by far a worse problem. Peter

Julie First of all, CONGRATS for your job!!! It is so nice of your mom to get you out of your bed and made you drink water. She cares about you and love you. She wants you to get well! Please try your best to drink some fluids., water and soups.... Please keep back to post CT Message Board because we all missed you!!! Pray for me on Oct 18th. I am getting all mixed emotion feelings but I trust Dr Aranow's hands! Hugs Kathy K

Julie, Hope you feel better soon. Get those fluids in!! It will help with the congestion as well as hydrate you. Think the protein is ok..for a couple days no more. See what the doc says Joanie

Congratulations on the new job! At least you have some time to rest/relax before the training class starts, and know you have a job. That helps. I had a problem with dehydration. I am sure I still do. I wish I had some great advice for you, but I am not getting my H2O in either! So ... all I can add is .. I hope you are feeling better soon! Love ya! T

Hi Julie, So sorry you are feeling so bad. Drink some chammomile herbal tea - it tastes good going down and helps the phlegm and helps relax your chest muscles. At least you'll get in your fluids this way. Congratulations on your new job - and, its good to see you posting again. God Bless, and get better soon. Kathy Bilodeau

Julie, So sorry you are ill. I would call your doc asap! You don't want to get sicker, and as everyone else has said, we can dehydrate easier than the average bear so to speak! Congrats on your job! What a great thing to look forward to...new life, new bod, and new job!!! Feel better soon! JA

Julie -- First, congrats on the job!!!!!! Definitely do all you can to get the liquids in. The chamomile tea was a great idea -- it gets in liquid & it's soothing ... which is always good when you don't feel well. Call your doctor for advice, but keep pushing the liquid in, even when it doesn't feel great. My boyfriend has had the same kind of thing as you -- twice in the last 2 weeks! It really wiped him out. I guess maybe it's the change of seasons thing, it often brings up lots of sick people! Drink, drink, drink, and call your doctor. God bless, Kathy F.

Hey Girl, Sorry to hear that you have this bug It's a pretty awful one too...and this weather we're having isn't going to do you any good either. I agree with everyone who says to keep your liquids up...warm tea is very soothing and will help to decongest you too. Soups...best thing in the world for you right now too. They are easy on the pouch, they have lots of liquid (obviously) and if you are able to tolerate ones like chicken noodle, there is some level of protein in it to help you build up again. In addition, they do have sodium in them which will help your body hold on to fluids and help stay any possible dehydration. Have Mom get you some SF pudding too. Again, soothing, has some protein in it and will give your body some level of nourishment. Not to be very gross here, but you must be very careful of the post-nasal drip. Remember when you get that when you are a "regular" person, and you get all icky in your tummy and sometimes end up that goo up...well, on a post op tummy, it's really awful. So, be very careful. SF cough syrups are readily available at CVS, as are SF Halls. Tylenol or tylenol cold and flu is safe and will be okay for aches, pains and fevers. Stay warm...your body resistance is low and a chill in this nasty weather would not be good. Wrap up in a nice warm blankie, thick socks on your tootsies and cuddle up with the dog or the cat...they're great for that kind of thing...and get yourself well. Congrats on the new job!!! Love ya Girl!! ~CAE~

Congrats on the new job! But please call the doctor, you never know!! Phyllis