Don't mean to be a whiner.....but need to vent!
I'm 6 weeks out now, and I'm sure some of you will remember me as the person who has been fortunate enough to go for IV therapy 3 times now.
Since then I've had my B1 drop out, requiring injections and now another supplement for 3 months.
I'm still having problems with drinking. They have me taking Lorazepam 3 times daily to help with the stomach spasms, and now Zofran 3 times daily to combat the nausea when I drink. I still struggle to drink, it's not just the nausea, it's like nothing tastes good, and therefore won't go down without a fight. I've tried so many kinds of crystal lite, Aquafina sugar free flavored water, sf Vitamin water, sf Sobe, plain water, and forget protein shakes. I have found that I can get some decaf tea down, so that's something at least.
Food is ok, most of the time as long as I stick to something really soft (meatloaf), it goes down pretty well. Most days I can eat 1/2 - 3/4 cup per meal (not quite at the 3/4 - 1 cup the clinic suggests). I never know what to eat because sometimes I can eat it all, and other times I can only have about 4 bites before my stomach cramps. I have had a couple of times where I've had stabbing sharp pains that last for a couple of seconds, so I try another bite, swallow, and then the pain comes back. It isn't anything stuck because the pain comes and goes quickly.
They are trying to get me in for a scope right now to rule out a stricture. I just want answers. If it is meant to be to have stomach cramps every time I eat or drink, so be it, I just want to know that there isn't something seriously wrong with me.
Because of my blood clotting disorder, I'm currently waiting for my PCP to sign off on me coming off my warfarin (I'm already on Lovenox), so they can schedule my scope. My warfarin is another concern, they can't get it managed. I'm at the clinic 1-2 times per week for testing, and until they can get it where it needs to be, I'm stuck on twice daily injections.
My mother who is not supportive at all had the nerve to ask if I could get the surgery reversed???
Oh boy was I mad. I don't regret my surgery, and I know that my complications may/may not be normal. I simply want to have a plan of action I guess. I don't really want to be on sedatives for the rest of my life so that I can drink.
I meet with my surgeon tomorrow to discuss what's happening, and what will happen if the scope comes back clean.
Wish me luck, and I'm sorry for venting on all of you. I just needed to let it out to someone who won't judge me and say I made a mistake like my Mom. My husband is very understanding, but he's tired of hearing about it!!
For those of you who have had scopes, and strictures, what were you symptoms? Did you have stomach pain drinking and eating too?
Thanks for listening
Since then I've had my B1 drop out, requiring injections and now another supplement for 3 months.
I'm still having problems with drinking. They have me taking Lorazepam 3 times daily to help with the stomach spasms, and now Zofran 3 times daily to combat the nausea when I drink. I still struggle to drink, it's not just the nausea, it's like nothing tastes good, and therefore won't go down without a fight. I've tried so many kinds of crystal lite, Aquafina sugar free flavored water, sf Vitamin water, sf Sobe, plain water, and forget protein shakes. I have found that I can get some decaf tea down, so that's something at least.
Food is ok, most of the time as long as I stick to something really soft (meatloaf), it goes down pretty well. Most days I can eat 1/2 - 3/4 cup per meal (not quite at the 3/4 - 1 cup the clinic suggests). I never know what to eat because sometimes I can eat it all, and other times I can only have about 4 bites before my stomach cramps. I have had a couple of times where I've had stabbing sharp pains that last for a couple of seconds, so I try another bite, swallow, and then the pain comes back. It isn't anything stuck because the pain comes and goes quickly.
They are trying to get me in for a scope right now to rule out a stricture. I just want answers. If it is meant to be to have stomach cramps every time I eat or drink, so be it, I just want to know that there isn't something seriously wrong with me.
Because of my blood clotting disorder, I'm currently waiting for my PCP to sign off on me coming off my warfarin (I'm already on Lovenox), so they can schedule my scope. My warfarin is another concern, they can't get it managed. I'm at the clinic 1-2 times per week for testing, and until they can get it where it needs to be, I'm stuck on twice daily injections.
My mother who is not supportive at all had the nerve to ask if I could get the surgery reversed???
Oh boy was I mad. I don't regret my surgery, and I know that my complications may/may not be normal. I simply want to have a plan of action I guess. I don't really want to be on sedatives for the rest of my life so that I can drink. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow to discuss what's happening, and what will happen if the scope comes back clean.
Wish me luck, and I'm sorry for venting on all of you. I just needed to let it out to someone who won't judge me and say I made a mistake like my Mom. My husband is very understanding, but he's tired of hearing about it!!
For those of you who have had scopes, and strictures, what were you symptoms? Did you have stomach pain drinking and eating too?
Thanks for listening
Nicole
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
(deactivated member)
on 4/19/10 9:52 am - Clear Lake, MN
on 4/19/10 9:52 am - Clear Lake, MN
Hugs......This is tough.....My heart goes out to you.....Hang in there and I hope you get somekind of answer from your Doctor tomorrow.....Please keep us posted as to what he finds is wrong and going on.....
Take care, and know i'm saying a few prayers for you....
Kelly
Take care, and know i'm saying a few prayers for you....
Kelly
I had a stricture and it wasn't a consistant pain. I would eat and the uncomfortable feeling would come and go then after drinking it would really hurt or it would just come up. It's no fun and hopefully they can get it figured out. At least if it is a stricture it's an easy fix...just make sure you take the clinics recommendation on who to have to do the scope....I didn't and it ended up with a punctured pouch. (Worst case scenerio) Don't worry! The procedure was a piece of cake. Hope you get some answers and some peace soon!
Your doctor seriously wants you to be eating 1 cup at 1.5 months out? Are they insane? There's no way you can do that. Eat what you can and you'll be fine.
I hope you can get the scope asap!!! you will feel SOOOOO much better if it's a stricture and they can fix it for you. We're all routing for you!!!
*HUGS*
I hope you can get the scope asap!!! you will feel SOOOOO much better if it's a stricture and they can fix it for you. We're all routing for you!!!
*HUGS*
Please spay and neuter your pets!
My initial reaction was in line with Farrah - that's a WHOLE LOTTA FOOD for a new little pouch! I mean, you SHOULD follow your clinic's advice, but just to give you something to compare it to, PNC follows the notion that you should be eating 1/4 cup at 3 months, 1/2 cup at 6 months, 3/4 cup at 9 months, and a cup to 1.5 cups at a year+ post-op. So yeah, for a recent post-op, they're suggesting a pretty significant amount of food!
That doesn't explain the drinking issue, tho, and you definitely need to find out what's going on. Figure out what's going to work for you. But I'd be willing to bet that when your first surgiversary rolls around, you'll be THRILLED with your decision!
Just keep on working for a solution for you.
That doesn't explain the drinking issue, tho, and you definitely need to find out what's going on. Figure out what's going to work for you. But I'd be willing to bet that when your first surgiversary rolls around, you'll be THRILLED with your decision!
Just keep on working for a solution for you.
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
I so sorry to hear about your complications...Vent away, anytime you need to do so, we'll be here for you!
As for the drinking thing, I have very sensitive intestines and 30+ years of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I get the spasms and pain thing...so here a a few suggestions to try:
-- Play with the temperature of your liquids. We could only have room temp for the first month post-op. At 5+ years out, I still can trigger spasms with drinking too fast or too cold.
-- Drink out of 1 ounce medicine cups. You'd be amazed at how much we think we are "sipping" and our new pouch fells like we are "guuzzling / gulping". Letting the room temp liquids drizzle into your pouch may help ease spasming. Work up SLOWLY toward sipping out of a normal cup. You could try a sippy cup with smaller holes to slow down the water intake, too.
-- This may sound crazy, but I take Prozac for my IBS. It stops the spasms. I hated when they put me on sedatives...I'd just be sleepy and still have spasms!
-- Quit worrying about the quantity at this point...worry about nutrition! You can eat several small meals throughout the day. Try to plan your meals, then separate them into two intsead of one. Again, this may lessen the spasms.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Cheryl
As for the drinking thing, I have very sensitive intestines and 30+ years of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). I get the spasms and pain thing...so here a a few suggestions to try:
-- Play with the temperature of your liquids. We could only have room temp for the first month post-op. At 5+ years out, I still can trigger spasms with drinking too fast or too cold.
-- Drink out of 1 ounce medicine cups. You'd be amazed at how much we think we are "sipping" and our new pouch fells like we are "guuzzling / gulping". Letting the room temp liquids drizzle into your pouch may help ease spasming. Work up SLOWLY toward sipping out of a normal cup. You could try a sippy cup with smaller holes to slow down the water intake, too.
-- This may sound crazy, but I take Prozac for my IBS. It stops the spasms. I hated when they put me on sedatives...I'd just be sleepy and still have spasms!
-- Quit worrying about the quantity at this point...worry about nutrition! You can eat several small meals throughout the day. Try to plan your meals, then separate them into two intsead of one. Again, this may lessen the spasms.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Cheryl
Matata 2
Pre-op 320/Current 152/Goal 132
Pre-op 320/Current 152/Goal 132 Well, the appointment went pretty well. My surgeon is trying to help me bump up the time frame on my scope. He doesn't believe anything is wrong, but, this way we can rule out any serious complications.
As for the cramping, he has switched my medication from lorazepam to Bentyl, which he said should work better. He wants me to keep taking the zofran 3 times a day, and to start using sea sickness patches as well.
As for eating and drinking, he told me to cut back on everything except what goes down well. So he said pudding, popsicles, protein chips, protein bars, fruit cups are all ok as I have no pain from them (so far!!). I'm supposed to stop trying to eat 3 meals, and just get in food/drink whenever I'm not nauseous. He said that the pudding, popsicles and fruit all count a little towards liquid. I'm also supposed to start eating ice chips at home. Any form of liquid I can get!!
He thinks the problem is that my pouch and intestines are still healing, and not overly happy with me right now. I need to focus on constant snacking to get in as much liquid and protein as I can until I can get rid of the pain/nausea. Then I can go back to three meals a day.
He told me that I would probably be making a pretty big protein sacrifice right now, but I need to focus on liquids so that I don't get dehydrated and sent back for IV therapy. He hopes that in a few weeks these problems will be gone.
So, now I am waiting for my scope appointment, and snacking on popsicles!!
Thanks for all your concern, and I will keep you posted after my scope - whenever that may be!!
As for the cramping, he has switched my medication from lorazepam to Bentyl, which he said should work better. He wants me to keep taking the zofran 3 times a day, and to start using sea sickness patches as well.
As for eating and drinking, he told me to cut back on everything except what goes down well. So he said pudding, popsicles, protein chips, protein bars, fruit cups are all ok as I have no pain from them (so far!!). I'm supposed to stop trying to eat 3 meals, and just get in food/drink whenever I'm not nauseous. He said that the pudding, popsicles and fruit all count a little towards liquid. I'm also supposed to start eating ice chips at home. Any form of liquid I can get!!
He thinks the problem is that my pouch and intestines are still healing, and not overly happy with me right now. I need to focus on constant snacking to get in as much liquid and protein as I can until I can get rid of the pain/nausea. Then I can go back to three meals a day.
He told me that I would probably be making a pretty big protein sacrifice right now, but I need to focus on liquids so that I don't get dehydrated and sent back for IV therapy. He hopes that in a few weeks these problems will be gone.
So, now I am waiting for my scope appointment, and snacking on popsicles!!
Thanks for all your concern, and I will keep you posted after my scope - whenever that may be!!
Nicole
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
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