Drink, Drink, and Drink some more!!!

So, on top of having dumping syndrome like symptoms with most of my food I try to eat. (outside of salad stuff like lettuce, tomatoes, some cheeses etc) The 29th of Oct. turned into a nightmare for me. What I thought was starting out as a dump turned into 2 days in the hospital at my home town followed with an ambulance ride to the city for kidney stone surgery. And then finally home sweet home.

I will NEVER underestimate the pain level a person can tolerate ever again. And apparently I'm the nicest patient my home town has ever had when trying to pass kidney stones. My goodness that is a pain I would not wish on my worst enemy. I was told child birth was less painful. If it is anywhere near the pain I had, I nod my head to you ladies who were blessed with children.

So with this little story, I just want to remind every one, drink your water, and then even if you think you have had enough.. drink some more. Apparently my seizure meds make a person prone to having kidney stones (I never knew this till a few days ago) But top that off with I still don't get the amount of water I should and I guess I was a disaster waiting to happen.

I thought I was doing good with my water intake, but was apparently so dehydrated, that after 3 bags of liquids, I had still barely peed a full cup, they upped my bags, and then gave me Lasix. This was a diuretic to force my body to start dumping all the liquid it could. Lets just say, this put my already tortured kidney into overdrive and was forcing it to dump into my bladder, which then my poor bladder was forced to expel at a high rate of speed.

Needless to say this just adds to the amount of pain. I now understand when someone says I hurt so bad I got sick. Because that is exactly what happened for me. My body was in so much pain, I could not keep anything down. Good thing I had an IV in.

But I guess even with all that going on, I was the most well mannered and polite person my hospital has ever had during something like this. If me crying and constantly muttering ow, ow, ow was polite. I hate to think what those poor nurses and doctors normally go through.

But honestly, drink your water. If you have to doctor it up, put a little fruit in your water and let it flavor it for ya. Or get some green tea and have that. Just do what you need to do, to make sure you get the water you need into you. Don't go through having to try to pass a kidney stone, it's not worth it. And while mine wasn't all due to not getting enough water, it was part of the reason.

Glad you are on the mend, sounds like an ordeal. Water and fluids are so important and I know with the weather getting colder I am not as thirsty.

Feel better!

I am SO sorry you went through that! I take a seizure med as well and my neurologist warned me it can cause kidney stones (& my father has a history of them) and I truly fear them like being thrown into a pit of snakes! My dad said pain meds aren't really helpful while you're in that level of pain either. Thanks for sharing and the reminder to DRINK!

I'm glad you're getting this solved, and want to back you up on drinking, drinking, drinking.

The number one cause of postop complications and overall rotten feeling is lack of fluids. Its a big issue.

Everyone can drink a little more. I know how hard it can be, but it's one thing that is under our control.

Glad to hear that your on the mend. Hope your feeling better soon!

A few years back I passed 11 kidney stone over 3 days and it was some of the worst pain I have ever experienced!

Since WLS I drink as much as possible. The vets gave me great advice before I had the surgery.

So the stones are gone... The stent is in till the 8th, but I have not been able to eat food since the 28th. Also I have only been able to hold down 16oz of water since the 31st. I called the urologist and they said pain was normal with stent and unless I have a fever, I'm doing ok. Big sigh, not sure when no eating and hardly any drinking was ok. But at the point I'm not sure who to even talk to.

Hi Miranda:

I'm sorry you are still having such a terrible time!

Are you still in touch with your bariatric surgeon's office? Would it be possible to contact the office staff and let them know what is happening to you, especially not being able to eat or drink after just passing a kidney stone? Maybe they can arrange for you to receive outpatient IV fluids for hydration.

I know my situation was totally different. I had so much nausea and vomiting right after I was discharged home from the hospital after my RNY and then again when I developed a stricture. I couldn't eat or drink for days either.

I contacted my surgeon's office. Both times, the office staff arranged for me to get 2 liters of IV fluid at the hospital's outpatient infusion center. I went there for a couple of hours and then went home.

Each time I had the IV fluids, I felt so much better that I was able to start drinking more fluids on my own. I'm sure a part of feeling so bad is because you're dehydrated.

Maybe your surgeon's office staff can order outpatient IV fluids for you for several days until you're feeling okay enough to drink fluids on your own. It's just a suggestion, though. It might help prevent you from needing to be hospitalized again for dehydration.

I hope things start turning around for you soon. You have been having such a difficult time.

I wish you well.

---Joyce

Thank you for the suggestion I will check with them. Didn't even think to try them.

So glad that the stones are gone! I was seeing a Nephrologist. They specialize in kidney problems. I'll be swinging chickens for you. Keep us posted.

So I had to go back into the hospital, diagnosed with hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, UTI, kidney infection, bladder infection, gastroenteritis. They gave me this nasty drink for low potassium, a bag of magnesium via iv, some morphine for pain (which I hate btw) and then sent me home with some more antibiotics pain meds and zofran. And told to only follow up if I have a fever.

They did a ct scan with contrast, and said no leaks or tears and the stent is still where it is supposed to be so I should be fine. Outside of the infections they told me nothing is wrong with me. So I guess I'll just keep plugging along, and hope for the best. Thank you all for the suggestions and replies, I didn't feel so alone.