Please Help!!!

Hello my name is Sarah. I am new as of today and am looking for some help. I had my DS Tuesday the 8th of January. Since then I have done really well as far as healing and energy goes. I got my drains out Monday which was an experience to say the least. But the reason I am writing this is I am in need of major help when it comes to everything else. I have had major issues with the protein drinks. I have tried many different kinds and they all make me very sick to the point I feel like I am going to throw up, then I get diarrhea, which turns into cramping. At first I thought i was drinking to much but then the last time I drake one it was only a few little sips and it did the same thing. My dietitian says that I need to just stick with it and that it's due to me drinking to much. Which ****** me off. I have until Wednesday of next week before they will see me again to possibly move me to the soft foods diet. But in the mean time I'm not really eating anything. A. because I hate feeling sick after I do, and B. because I am never hungry. What do you I? has anyone else had this happen to them? 

Please tell me you are getting in all your fluids.  If not you will be headed to serious trouble.

You may not be able to tolerate whey - in the protein drinks.  When I came home from the hospital (day 3) I ate yogurt and egg drop soup.

Try shakes that are made with whey protein isolate.  One brand name is Isopure, another is Syntrax Nectars, which come in many different flavors.  You may not be able to tolerate lactose, which is mostly processed out of whey protein isolate.

I ended up back in the hospital at 48 hours after release because dehydration from  of lactose intolerance, and that fixed it for me.

Sweetie...at 8 days out, I had only been home for 1 day.  You are still very new and your only job right now is to drink (anything that you can keep down), walk and rest so you can heal.  Straigh****er always made me feel sick, so I drank a lot of crystal light, flavored waters and powerade zero.  Broth was good too.  Just focus on getting your fluids right now.  Go to Vitalady.com and order a bunch of protein samples.  You can get single serving samples of a bunch of different brands and flavors.  You can try them all and figure out which one you can tolerate.  Costco and Sams carry Premier Nutrition Ready to Drink Protein drinks in chocolate and vanilla.  I drink 1-2 of those a day and really like them.  Everyone is different and is really trial and error to find what you and your new tummy like.  Take it easy and focus on those fluids!

The first thing I recommend is making sure you're drinking plenty.  Dehydration can cause nausea, which creates a vicious circle.  Now, I agree that lactose may be an issue.  If you're drinking straight milk with anything (esp protein drinks), try something with water, instead, and switch to the whey isolate or just plain soy or egg protein.  

I would bet that you are lactose intolerant. Check your protein, if the ingredients are whey protein concentrate, that's a major indicator of milk based products. Whey Isolate is your friend there. However, try soy based or egg based as well. I can handle whey isolate, as concentrate makes me cramp still. Can NOT make mine with any milk, I make mine with water.

Your dietician is a twit if she didn't think of this as a possibility.

At this early point, you really don't need to worry about protein, because your body has lots stored up to get you through the first few difficult weeks. Focus on fluids - water, crystal light, broth, egg drop soup, tea, etc. I used Progresso soups because they tasted so much better than plain broth, just didn't eat the solids. Try different temperatures. Do whatever works to get in those fluids. You'll feel better, and you won't be hurting your recovery.

Larra

I'm drinking my liquids... some days are better than others but I do try to get as close to the 64 oz as I can. The vitamins though and the protein is another story. I keep forgetting the stupid vitamins and well you ready about the protein. I tried the isoflex thing with water.. it's not good, but it's not bad either. I'll keep you posted on if I have the same issues, due to I just started drinking it. Thank you all so much for your help. I wish I would have found this web site sooner. 

Right now it is about fluids, walking and rest.  But the vitamins aren't stupid and are going to be part of your life for the REST of your life.  You won't die without the vitamins right now but by 2-3 months post op you had better learn to call them "life saving vitamins" rather than stupid.

I could not drink enough the first weeks to stay hydrated.  So at week 3 I went to the ER and got a bag of fluids.  That stopped the vicious cycle and after that I was able to get enough fluids and start getting protein and start my vitamins.

So it is not a failure if you aren't staying hydrated.  You just need to recognize if you are dehydrated and get help for it.

Congrats on your surgery!!

~Becky

Recovery from a major surgery makes you feel like you have been hit by a mac truck.  And Welcome to the roller coaster of the DS!!!!

IT WILL GET BETTER!!!!!!!

Stick around, and btw, you have gotten some great hints on your possible dehydration and liquids.