6 days out, is this normal??

Okay, so it has been too easy.. Up until now..  I tried taking my vitamins today and protein drinks.  Wound up with diarrhea.  Is that normal?  Am I pushing my new DS too far too fast?  I wonder if trying to take the iron and all the other supplements today irritated it, along with protein drinks.  I just am now terrified of a lifetime of diarrhea.  Any words of encouragement or suggestions?

Absolutely normal & does decrease as our bodies adjust.  

Early out diarrhea is very normal - liquid in, liquid out.  I'm mostly prone to constipation these days, but recently I had 3 protein shakes in one morning and got diarrhea.  I now limit myself to 2 protein shakes a day - one in the morning and one in the afternoon and I take my laxatives as I normally do.

If you're on mostly chewable/dissolvable vits you want to check for the ingredients on them as I've read that they can cause some people diarrhea.  You're looking for artificial sweeteners... ones ending in 'itol' are the real baddies as most DSers are OK with stevia and sucralose.

Great thank you!  I didn't know that about the sweeteners, so thanks!!  anna

You're welcome, you also want to go easy on carbs and lactose too, so watch out for things like milk.  I used to have heavy cream in decaff coffee in my early days as the increased fat content results in a lower lactose content.  Fermented milk products like yogurt and cheese are also low in lactose and therefore easier on your system.

TOTALLY agree about the lactose/dairy.  I'm 5 years out and just recently realized how much straight milk hates me.  I haven't been on any forums in a while, so I didn't put two and two together because I'm fine with yogurt and cheese.  I just switched to Soy Milk (total shocker to me... never thought I would) and it's MUCH better.

6 days out I think that is normal. At that point I couldn't really tell what would trigger a bathroom
rush. Later I figured out that I came out of surgery lactose intolerant although at 16 months it seems
to be less of an issue and was really only an issue with actual milk.

Maybe the protein drink. IF your mixing it yourself you might want to try it thinner. I tried a Premier Protein
pre-mix the first week and it was just too thick for me. LOL. Some came out both ends.

You might consider backing off the vits and adding a different one every couple of days and see if any 
individual vitamin is causing a problem but they usually don't result in diarrhea, more often an upset stomach.

There is no need to push so soon on the vitamins, or even on the protein. Your body has vitamin and protein stores to get you through the first few rough weeks. And yes, diarrhea is totally normal at this point.

I would esp recommend not starting the iron yet, as it can be very irritating. Let yourself heal more first, then take the iron.

Larra

PS and congrats on being post-op DS!

Thank you so much everyone!  I switched the protein drink to a different brand today and did not take the iron, and well only got about half the vitamins in.  I will have to work up to them I think.  But, either way, today was a MUCH better day all around.  I will get this, I just need to find my patience and allow myself some grace.  :))))

If you have diarrhea, treat it!  Imodium is your friend!