No energy

First of all I'm going to see my PC doc next week to make sure my BP meds don't need adjusting(BP seems to be fine when I take it).
Second--I'm getting an average of 50g protein in and at least 64oz of fluids..
Third, I'm walking a little, cleaning house lots more and doing yoga and "core strengthening" excercises.But...
Walking upstairs at home really winds me--not any more than pre-op, but certainly hasn't improved!

Any suggestions?

 definitely calling your PCP to make sure that your meds are correct is the answer.... 

but with that being said,  I would try to introduce more cardio into your exercise diet.  You need some exercise that will get your heart going.  I love yoga and core exercises but they never get my heart rate high enough.  Start slow and build up your endurance.  While you are doing it, focus on  your breathing.  It should be slow and steady.  

As a singer, I have been doing breathing exercises for years.  Even at my fattest, I didn't really get winded b/c my breath support was solid.  Here are a couple of my favs.

#1 -  lay on the ground and put a plastic cup on your tummy.  take a deep breath in.  the cup should move up.  remember you are a balloon.  bring air in, lungs get bigger.  your shoulders shouldn't move.   breath in for 8 hold for 8 exhale for 8.  

#2 - take a big breath remembering the above exercise.  air in, ribcage expands, shoulders don't move.  after you take a big deep breath, pause and take two more sips of air.   then say the pledge of allegiance while pausing after each line and taking another sippy breath.  like this...
BIG BREATH,  2 SIPPY BREATHS
"I pledge allegiance"  BREATH
"to the flag" BREATH
"of the united states of america"  BREATH
and so on.......  

EXHALE

at the end, you should feel the tightness in your abs.    do these as much as you can.  the core exercises really help with the breath support too.

On the energy thing.... you're taking all of your b12 and stuff like that?   also, upping your protein will help so much with the energy.  use daily plate to log all of your foods so you can keep track of how much you are getting.  I felt like poop until I was able to get my protein to 70ish.  I also figured out the 2 glasses of skim milk a day are my protein savior! 

okay, enough of my rambling!

Those are great suggestions Missy! I am a singer as well and I definitely support the idea of more supported breathing.

Also remember that it has only been 1.5 months since surgery and your body is still recovering. Some doc say it could take up to 4 months to really feel better with regard to energy level, etc.

Like Missy said, slowly increase to more cardio exercise!

Good luck,
Stacey

 You're not too far from my surgery date, and I know my nut pushed getting in the 70 grams of protein, I'm sure that isn't helping your energy. I know it looks like your a Vanderbilt patient too, and it's all the same program. I mean I get some fatigue at times too. But getting my protein closer to 70 grams and uping my exercise (especially cardio) has greatly helped. My nut pushed for me to start to get away from the protein supplements to at this time. She said they are still fine when I'm traveling and such and have really no other choice, but if at all possible to get my protein from actual food and for the most part I have been able to do this. Some days I may need a supplement at the end of the day to get my 70 grams, but I'm finding it possible to do it without it the supplement.

 I'd talk to your nut too, if you haven't recently. She might catch something we haven't thought of.

Good Luck, I know the fatigue sucks.

How are you doing on your vitamins?  B12?   That too could be the culprit.  Have them check all of your levels when you see the PC next week.


Beth

Thanks for all the suggestions!  All good reminders.
Kenny and Missy--You are right about the 70g protein.  Jennifer Angus is my nut and I am trying to get all 70g in, but you are right, I'm sure it's not helping that I don't make it all the time(maybe once a week).

Another friend suggested more iron supplements--I take 29mg daily now.  She thought my symptoms sounded like hers when she was iron deficient.  So I am going to go to twice a day with the iron and see if that helps.

Thank you all! Erika

We have Jennifer too, she's the best. She can be a little scary, but I wouldn't trade her for any other nutritionist. If she's hassling me about something, it's because I need it. If you start having trouble with your iron causing some stomach irritation or burning, I was told switching to SlowFE (the brandname, from what I understand) really helps and will do away with that.

If you have trouble thinking of little things to get in more protein here and there, feel free to message or email me or Missy, we've figured out all kinds of things to get our 70 grams in a day. It's hard to get there at first, but it gets easier. I do still have days myself where I just don't quite get there, but it's getting better, maybe only 1 or 2 days a week.

krcoffman@gmail - Kenny
kweenbee73@yahoo - Missy

Hey Beth! Yes I am doing fine with them--as above I think maybe I need more iron--I take 1000mcg of sublingual B12--can/should I take more?  Erika

 I take 1500 mcg per day, from what Jennifer told me, whatever your body doesn't use it will discard of. But you could be one of the people who have trouble with absorbing enough from the sublinguals and have to have the shot. That is something they will check at your 3 month labs.

First, it sounds like you are not getting in enough protein on a regular daily basis. Even if you have to drink 2 or 3 protein shakes a day, getting in around 70 grams of protein is what is important. I had absolutely no desire for food for several months after my surgery - still don't have much. I still drink 2 or 3 protein shakes a day. Since I am exercising (weight training and cardio) 3 or 4 days a week, I have upped my protein intake tremendously - I shoot for 150 grams or more a day.

As for the vitamins, all of the B vitamins are water based. Whatever your body doesn't absorb and use is excreted in the urine. I would suggest increasing the B12, as well as taking a B conmplex daily.

Most importantly, talk to Jennifer about all this.  Also, you may want to call Barbara or Benny (Dr. Richard's nurses) and advise them of this.

Good luck - keep on keepin' on - it will get better and better!