I'm needing suggestions, please.....

Let me preface this request with a couple of confessions......
I still don't have an appetite (10 months out), and have allowed myself to not eat regularly or often enough.  I get up, go to work every weekday, (usually, I'll at least eat a half cup of yogurt on the way to work), hit the office, realize about 2:00 that I haven't eaten anything, and have barely drank any water, think, "Oh well, just 2 more hours and I can simply grab something on the way home."  Of course I don't, because by then, the thought of food is making me nauseous.  So, when I get home, I look around for something that I can put in my mouth that won't make me harf (cross between "heave" and "barf").  Sometimes I find something, sometimes I don't.  I've not been able to find a protein powder that I could stand (I honestly haven't tried too hard), so my protein levels are so low that I've been struggling with edema for the last couple of months due to that deficiency.  Now my energy levels are almost zero.  Climbing a flight of stairs is a real challenge.
My stomach just doesn't seem to want any food in it.  I made a conscious effort yesterday (day off - I stayed around the house all day) to put food in my mouth at least every two hours.  That worked for the 8:00 and 10:00 feedings, but at noon, the first bite of hamburger sent me to the bathroom to harf again.  Oddly, the hamburger didn't come back up, I just spent 5 minutes retching over the toilet without getting any food back up (sorry - not a pretty image).
I've lost more weight that I would have liked to, am looking pretty bony in the head, neck, chest and upper arm area.  My PCP doesn't really know what to do with me, except to tell me that I've got to get my protein levels back up.
The harfing thing didn't start right away.  I was probably 3 months out from surgery before I had my first run-in with the need to excuse myself during a meal to go to the bathroom and wave goodbye to everything I had just put in my mouth.  Since then, it's happened several times, usually when I'm not paying attention to my food intake and exceed 3 or 4 bites, but there is the occasional time when just the first bite does it.  I've tried to pay attention to see if there's a pattern, and if there is one, it's usually that I've gone too long between meals.  It's not always so, though.
I went out of country for surgery, so follow-up with my surgeon isn't something I'm prepared to do.
My questions: (feel free to address any or all)
1.  Is it possible that this is a mechanical problem?  It seems like 10 months out would be a long time to survive if there were some kind of blockage.
2.  What kind of doctor do I talk to?  My reserves are so low, I'm having to lift my left leg up to get it in the car.
3.  I've tried to be honest with myself, and I truly don't believe I want to be anorexic, but I'm a little worried that, if I haven't crossed that threshold, I'm teetering on it.  I don't feel fat, I'm not disgusted by how I look in the mirror (well, the bony part's a little scary, but I don't mind that I still have hips, is what I mean).
So, if it's anorexia, who do you go to?  (I'm probably jumping the gun on that one, but, seriously, I'm getting a little worried)


I acknowledge that I haven't done this right.  I should have forced myself to eat more, supplement more, and drink more.  I just kept thinking, "I'll do better tomorrow".  Then I wouldn't.
So now, I come to y'all when there's trouble.  I'm sorry, but, would still welcome suggestions.

Finally, I'll be away from the internet until tomorrow afternoon (it's sunday at 4:00 in the afternoon where I am).  So the reason I won't be responding to posts is because they won't be available to me.  I promise that I will read everything you post, and respond tomorrow.

Thank you,

Sorry I don' t have any answers just wanted to give you a  Hope you get this all resolved. I'm sure old timers will be here soon!

It sounds to me like the best thing is some therapy.  Since I had my surgery I am 90% of the time NOT hungry, but I know that if I don't eat I risk way more issues than not.  I know you don't feel like eating but you have to and your waiting to eat and your stomach being totally empty probably pays a HUGE role in your getting sick.

Seriously you HAVE to start taking those extra steps and yes talking to someone is definitely a place to start.  If you have insurance contact them and find out what counseling they offer.  And/or your job.  My job offers limited counseling sessions.

Good luck to you.

Caprice,

I am sorry that you are struggling.  I think you have come to the right place for support.  If this is a mechanical issue (and not something you are doing to yourself on purpose) I would recommend talking to PrettyDove, I know she went a long time unable to eat much, and I have a feeling she could give you some advice and some hope.

I would start off by making sure you get all of your fluids and supplements in each day.  I like your idea of eating every two hours, even if its a few bites, and you might also try to take an anti-nausea pill on top of that.

I would suggest going to Vitalady.com and ordering a bunch of samples of her protein drinks and try to find one you like.  She has many different types to pick from.

I do not think that you should have to struggle with this- I would suggest seeing another DS surgeon that is near you and see if maybe you have a mechanical problem that can be addressed.

You need to get your fluids in, and 100g of protein in, so I would try my best to find someone who could help me and try to tell me what was wrong. I wish you luck and I hope you find the answers very soon. 

Hi Caprice,
Are you taking Prilosec?  It may help.  the only problems I've had, are my tummy doesn't like what I put in it, ate too fast or too much. 

You are going to have to force yourself to eat, drink and take your vitamins before you are seriously deficient, if you aren't there already.    Have you tried going back to the basics, a few bites every 15min?  Egg or tuna salad, doctoring up the protein drinks w/sf syrups?  Have you had your labs run?  Does you PCP do any follow up with you?  Nibbling on jerky - 11-12g of protein in each ounce, nuts...  Unjury has unflavored protein powder than be added into liquid or soft foods.
Good luck

I am so sorry your having this problem,...I wish you the best but I think you need to find a surgeon that is DS familar and get checked over.  You could send Dr. U an email and see if he could recommend someone to you.  I know there is a doc out there that will take you.  I even went to the local RNY doc myself and talked to him and he said he would be glad to take me to check up on what I needed because I was going to stop going to Omaha.  Of course sense have changed that idea because of my cancer labs and am affraid to stop going there.  So find you someone that will take care of you.  I had thoughts too that you might be getting or have anorexia, and from what I understand about that is you need to go to therapy to get the help you need with that.  Do Not put this off any longer it is important that you get the help you need.  I guess you don't like to cook for yourself?  Or you don't have to cook for someone else?  I enjoy cooking and eating so I have a good relation with food, but I understand when you don't it can be very hard to get passed that pause of the eating.  I worry about your health, you are taking your vits and calcium right?  Well keep us posted an I will keep the chicks up and flying high.
Marylin

Starting NOW, not tomorrow, not tonight, NOW carry water with you everywhere you go. A bottle of water should never leave your hand. Odds are your nausea is caused by dehydration.

Also starting NOW, eat each and every two hours you are awake. ONLY protein. You don't have room for carbs of any kind right now. If you throw it up or dry heave, shrug it off and eat again in two hours. Hamburger is dense, you might have better luck with eggs or sliced deli meat.

You don't have to like protein supplements. They can be disgusting and make you gag. You STILL have to take them. If you're not getting in at least 180 grams of protein a day, take enough supplements to reach that number.

This is serious, life threatening stuff you are dealing with here. One guy on a Yahoo DS group lost his legs and was lucky to not lose his life from protein deficiency. You are on a fast track right behind him.

If you'd like, you can call or email Dr. Ungson. But, this is not a surgery issue. This is a non-compliance issue.

Get therapy if you need it, but RIGHT NOW take your supplements (see Vitalady's list--I can pm you with it, if you need it),  eat your protein, and sip your water.

This is NOT optional if you want to live. Seriously.

Very GOOD advice Kelly! 

180?? Are you saying this because she's low or because that's what someone told you that we're required to have? I was told 90-100g and that's what I do.

90-120 is plenty to maintain us, though some people like to take in more. I upped it to 180 because she's deficient. She needs enough for maintenance AND to rebuild her stores.