Question:
Could I have food poisoning and how do I make myself feel better?

Three days ago I got a Chicken breast at the deli.....and I think that I now have food poisoning! At first I thought it was going to be dumping but it was much much worse! I have been sick for 2 1/2 days now and I feel miserable. I am almost seven weeks post op and am worried I am getting dehydrated and worse off cause I can't get any food to stay down. In these two days I have lost 6 pounds. Has anybody gone through this? What can I do to make myself feel better? Am I hurting myself because I am not getting in all my water, protein, etc? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!    — purdue_1993 (posted on January 5, 2002)

January 5, 2002
Call your surgeon immediately. There are prescription drugs like compazine that will fix you right up. Better to get the drug now than later when your in the hospital dehydrated and on a IV. This is a common and easily treated problem, dont let it make you really sick.
   — bob-haller

January 5, 2002
Sorry to hear about your situation. I am still a preop, but I did have salmonella poisoning and Know a little about it. A couple a years ago I had my annual 4th of july party. Someone had brought devilled eggs, and it was a record high in july that whole week. Realizing this dilemma, we set up the prepared foods inside in the air conditioning. What I didn't know was that the person who made them left them out all morning at their house. Well, needless to say, they spoiled. Luckily, out of the 54 people there, only 19 people ate the eggs. All 19 got sick, including myself. Some had to be hospitalized, others had to see their dr.s, but all of them but me got antibiotics like cipro or amoxycillin. I was stubborn, thinking I could beat it. Three weeks I suffered, with symptoms going in and out of remission. Each time being worse than the last, until I collapsed. Then I got the cipro, and voila! I was cured. Let explain the symptoms so you can see if they match yours. Nausea, vomiting, and the worse diarhea ever wrought on humanity. There were many times when I felt my entire insides were falling into the toilet, and at the same time, I had to have a bucket so I could puke while I was shitting. Not to pretty, huh? Another thing that was consistent with all 19 cases. It took more than 24 hours for anyone to have symptoms. If you got symptoms right away, it may be something else. At least it isn't what you just ate. The most important thing is, go see your doc, he can give you what you need to get over it. Don't suffer like I did. Good luck!
   — kyle S.

January 5, 2002
I am so sorry that you are feeling so terribly! When I first read your post, my initial reaction was that your stoma is blocked. Chicken is notorious for being dry and sometimes difficult to pass through. If after you ate the chicken, you nowcan't eat anything, you may consider that you have a piece blocking your outlet. Call your surgeon and get some recommendations. I remember I was incredibly sick with turkey bacon and it took about 24 hours for it to pass. I vomitted and nothing would help it come up. I waited and I suppose it passed on its own. I know that I felt instantly better. I hope you find relief soon. Shelley
   — Shelley.

January 5, 2002
You did not mention specific symptoms, but I just had a bad week, I have been Nauseous beyond anything I have ever felt. I could barely talk I felt so bad.I could not eat or drink. FINALLY I called my doctor and he gave me Compazine(sp?) it did not work, then he gave me something else, with the stipulation that if it did not work by the next morning I had to go to the hospitol for IV fluid and feeding. Luckily the medicine worked, but I go to the doctor on Tuesday and If I have not been able to get my fluids and food intake up, I still may have to go in. I am 18 days Post-op. I am still on Pureed food. I would not play around with dehydration and nutrition. I hope you figure yours out, but don't wait! Patricia Roberts
   — Patricia R.

January 5, 2002
CALL YOUR DOCTOR - and don't wait. You need to get some help before you dehydrate - if you aren't already.
   — Patty_Butler