Can Anyone Post-Op help me- not sure if this is normal
Very good advice. I think part of it IS low blood sugar. I was diabetic and came off my medication right after my surgery but I have not been getting many carbs as it is all I can do to get the protein in. I thought about that the other day and had some carbs and immediately felt better. I guess I never even thought of low blood sugar after having so much trouble with HIGH blood sugar. I am going to try your apple cider vinegar suggestion.
on 10/31/15 10:20 pm
I am 4 months out, and about a month ago, I was having the same exact symptoms, and it was getting worse daily. After about a week of it, I couldn't eat or drink anything at all due to it making me sick to even think about, much less try. I went to the ER because it was a weekend, and it turns out, I was dehydrated. I had probably been dehydrated all week long, and as it got worse, so did my symptoms. I didn't think it was dehydration because it seems like I drink all day long, but I went back to logging my water intake like I did in the beginning, and that was definitely the problem. I had slacked off over time and didn't realize it. Be absolutely sure you're getting enough water in.
I got 2 bags of iv fluids that night 3 weeks ago and have felt like a million bucks ever since! Good luck!
Make sure you are drinking. Keep trying different protein shakes until you find one you can handle. I like the premier already made shakes! 1 shake has 30 grams of protein. If you have to drink one in the morning and one in the evening. That will give you 60 grams of protein. I also like the syntrax nectar protein. that gives you I think 23 grams of protein. Not saying to just drink your protein....but if you had 2 premier and 1 syntrax a day you would get in your protein everyday. It would also count toward your liquid requirements. Make sure you are taking your vits everyday. Call your surgeon and fire your primary care!
I was just reading your reply and my bariatric surgeon has started me on protein drinks prior to my surgery in December, I want to say that the Premier Protein Shakes are the absolutely best tasting ones I have found. Goes down smooth. Relatively cheap at Sam's Club. Yes she needs to definitely see her surgeon!
I didn't get time to read all of the responses so if this has already been said my apologies.
GET HELP. Get copies of your blood test results and get them to someone who will seriously look at them. Very low potassium can have deadly consequences. I've dealt with it twice - both times my levels were so low that my heart went into what is called Ventricle Tachycardia. (also known as Sudden Death Syndrome). The first time it happened they kept taking blood draws in the ER because my potassium was at what they called cadaver levels. Finally an arterial blood draw confirmed it. I had 13 encounters with the defibrillator that night - and was wide awake for 11 of those - until my heart was reliable back in rhythm. The second incident put me on life support and my family was called home to Washington to say goodbye. I have no idea why I was spared.
The survival rate for one episode of V-Tach is less than 5%. I've had two and I won't survive another. Sorry to be so dramatic but when you talk potassium you are talking life and death stuff. Especially if you are feeling it in your legs AND you are already having hear rhythm variations. Screw your snotty doctor. Get help now.
Good luck - I sincerely hope you find and resolve whatever it is quickly. Maybe it's not low potassium but at least you can take charge and find out what exactly you are dealing with.
Yes I have had really low potassium twice now - mine was at critical level but no where near as low as yours went!! You are blessed to be alive! I am taking potassium and it might be on the low side but I do not think it is fully potassium. It might be a combination of things with me- not enough water- drinking soy protein instead of whey- and low ferritin levels. I need to go to the clinic and get a full blood panel done.