2 weeks and 2 days and I feel worse-- not better.

Hi all. I don't know if this is normal for 2 1/2 weeks out. Taking my Zofran but having a hard time eating any mushy food. The smells make me sick.  A few bites of cottage cheese and plain Fage yogurt, plus some shakes. My big problem right now is diarrhea. I know to expect loose stools ( liquid in/ liquid out) I get that, but I feel so sick and miserable right before it happens. Then I have waves of cramping and I break out in a sweat. This has been going on 10-15  times a day for the last two days. . I know I'm not getting enough liquids in. Am I going to turn a corner here soon, or should I call the doctor tomorrow? Sometimes I don't make it to the bathroom in time. Thank God I took extra time off of work. I just feel awful-- worse than last week even. I think I will certainly call the office tomorrow. Any other thoughts? 

Thanks, Kelly

DS with Dr. Kemmeter    January 8

First of all, you probably are dehydrated, not enough liquids in but lots of liquids out.

I don't know what you are ingesting at this stage but if part of it is any Whey protein and/or milk products, stop them for 2-3 days and see if that is the problem.

If you are not taking any kind of vitamins yet, you may want to try some liquid calcium citrate, if you are able to take pills even better, it would help firm up the stool quit a bit.

If you are still nauseated a lot don't wait to get fluids, fluids can drop quickly and make you very ill, don't put it of.

Also if you are not on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor like prilosec or prevecid) you probably need to be on one, 40mg most times will make a big difference in the nausea.

Call your surgeon if you are not sure about something.

Imodium and lots of it!  Add in the calcium, yogurt with live cultures, and natural cheese.

You can take Immodium for the diarrhea.  You take one pill each time you have a movement.  I've never had to take more than 3 pills, myself.  The food thing just sucks at first.  Just eat whatever has protein and sounds the least bit appealing.  

Hang in there.  It will get better.  I couldn't do mushy foods but scrambled eggs were my savior - along with G2.  I diluted it with water so the flavor wasn't as strong but that is what got me through.

Are you on a PPI? When I started taking mine twice a day, it all turned around for me.

My experience at that stage was very similar, though the loose stools not so frequent, the feelings were the same.  Do take  the antacids and the Imodium did help slow the trips to the bathroom. Do try to get off the dairy (including whey) and see if that helps. It did help me and I added them back in after a few weeks and was fine.

My experience was also similar with wild intolerances to most  foods. I pretty much lived on soup for a couple of months and still take only chewable vitamins.  Try chicken noodle soup including some of the noodles and ramen soups including some of the noodles, Miso with tofu - I made a lot of homemade soups with soft veggies (mushrooms, spinach, broccoli) and crumbled  high protein crackers/pretzels into them for my protein because I couldn't tolerate any meats or eggs - no matter how soft.   That's what got me through those weeks!

Hang in there!

Are you allowed to have ginger?  I swallow ground ginger by the spoonful if I'm very nauseated.  I would try just a little if your doc allows.

I would first call your surgeons office. They know your medical history, and can advise you accordingly. Up your fluids right away, hydration is your primary job at this point. You may be lactose intolerant, comes with the D.S. for some people. Take a break from dairy, then add it back to see if the symptoms return. The first month is the most difficult adjusting to foods that turn your stomach. I couldn't eat, but tried everything. Warm protein beef broth packets worked the best for my system. Your taste will change in a few weeks, what you try now can be retried again. Don't eliminate any foods permanently. Walk, get some exercise, take a water bottle with you every where. Gator aide helps with hydration. I used it when I was at your stage. You are not eating salty foods which would help retain fluids.