Question:
When I wake up MOST mornings, my tounge is stuck to the roof of my mouth.
It's kind of "glued." Does this mean I am dehydrated? Does anyone else have this happen to them? Tomorrow I will be 10 weeks post-op. I know I don't get all of the liquids I probably should, but am having a hard time balancing the 6 mini meals with liquids in between... especially since I am not supposed to drink for at least an hour after eating. Additionally, I don't seem to like the taste of anything anymore. Water tastes awful, I used to love Crystal Lite so I went out and bought tons of that and now... well, it just tastes plain nasty to me! For a while after surgery, I was squeezing lemons and/or limes into my water... well, can't stand that anymore. I feel like I am forcing the liquids I am drinking down...it's a huge struggle. Ideas? — Lynette H. (posted on October 22, 2003)
October 22, 2003
The only thing that made that stop for me was going to straight water.
Hammering it down as much as possible. After a few days the tongue thing
went away and my tastes improved. Good luck!
— TheresaC
October 22, 2003
Same for me as previous poster. I'm four weeks post-op and haven't had the
dry mouth problem since week 2. At this stage, if I have to choose between
fluid and food, I'm choosing fluid. I'm having a tough time getting in all
the food and fluid too so I drink my protein drinks to be sure I get enough
protein then I switch to water. I only managed three mini-meals today but
have had 70 grams of protein. I used a filter pitcher pre-op for my water
but seem to be more sensitive now and that wasn't working well so I found a
good tasting brand of bottled water, I put the bottle in the freezer for
awhile, and then drink that.
It has gotten easier and I think it will get easier still so I just keep on
forcing the liquids down as best I can.Hang in there, everyone says it will
get easier.
— SCbabe B.
October 22, 2003
I am glad to see someone else with the dry mouth problem. I posted this
exact same thing about a week a go, most people thought it might be my CPAP
causing it but maybe not. I too struggle to drink enough water, I guess I
will just keep plugging along! I am 4 weeks tomorrow!
— Saxbyd
October 22, 2003
I'm going to comment about what you mentioned in relation to drinking water
before meals: I really think stopping fluids an HOUR before meals is a bit
overkill. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about that time period. I
mean, fluid just runs right out of your pouch like a sieve, so I really
don't understand why it's necessary to stop drinking an hour before. If I
had been following that philosophy, i would've been in the hospital two or
three times by now for dehydration. <br>
As for ideas for water, I've tried several different Crystal Lites, and
what i've found is there is no way on God's Green Earth that I could EVER
use the ratio of powder to water that the manufacturer of Crystal Lite
suggests - YUCK! I use about double the water, and dilute the powder. It's
so much better that way! I also drink sugar free hot cocoa in the morning
(at least one cup), and jello is also considered a liquid. Anything that is
liquid at room temperature is considered a liquid. Good luck!
— sweetmana
October 22, 2003
Try Wyler's sugar free (simialr to crystal light), try fruit 20, try
regular hot tea with equal (with the cold weather approaching), and try
diet snapple. All have helped me tremendously.
— Girl from B.
October 22, 2003
Yes, I also went through this, it was so annoying, I just keep drinking
water, and sucking on sugar free candy. But just mostly sipped my water.
— Naes Wls J.
October 23, 2003
Like it or not you MUST have your water. Before I eat my first meal I make
sure I drink 8 ozs of water. After I have eaten and I'm waiting the 1 1/2
I may have a SF popcile or SF candy. Then I make sure I drink 8 ozs of
water between each meal. Drink 8 oz before you go to bed.
I prefer to drink some of my meals because I love liquids vs. eating solid
foods. Soup is a good way to go with FF cheese added. WATER, WATER,
WATER......
— Linda R.
October 25, 2003
I am 2+ yrs postop. I HATE drinking water. I used to drink a gallon or
more daily prior to surgery. It just tastes awful now. I drink juice,
sometimes diluted, milk, sugar free lemonaide (coke has a GREAT tasting 5
cal lemonade), and my personal favorite! Fruit 2 O. It comes in all sorts
of flavors and isn't heavy flavor, just a light taste to make it
interesting. And no carbs or calories. It has some Splenda as sweetening.
Which is safer than the other sweeteners as it comes from sugar, not a
chemical! The cheapest way to buy Fruit2O is by the case at Sam's Club.
Also I eat lots of popsicles. Sugar free fudgesicles, etc. There is a
very very low carb frozen dessert called Le Carb. It tastes pretty good
and you feel so sinful eating it!! If you have gotten to the point you
feel thirsty or you aren't producing saliva to keep your mouth moist, you
are seriously dehydrated!!! Not good. You can experience tooth decay from
dry mouth. Saliva is very important to dental health. Other issues are
low blood pressure. Your body can't function at top levels if it is
starved for water. It will affect all your body systems, expecially
kidneys. Your body is 97% water, you need it to work right. So find
something you do like and drink, drink, drink, or eat, eat eat!!! Good
Luck! karen, RN (open rny, 9/6/01, 297/146)
— Karen M.
October 26, 2003
Have you tried super cold ice water? That is the only way I can drink it
otherwise it is gross. Propel is pretty good, it is made by gatorade and
it has several different flavors. You can get it in walmart and most
stores where the sodas and water is. You kinda got to look for it.
— Christine B.
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