Question:
Dizzyness and Dehydration

Hi all, am feeling quite sorry for myself today. I am 3 weeks post-op and am not having a very healthy time. On tuesday at lunch I started to feel dizzy, it was my second day back at work and I had just finished lunch so I thought, well, I just ate to fast. Anyway during the afternoon it progressively got worse. I went home and laid on the couch and finally went to bed. I tried to get up and go potty but my head was SPINNING!! My husband and I finally decided to go to the emergency room which is an hour drive away. We made it and once there they took my blood pressure and it was 74/41 - they took me in and put an IV, two litres of solution later I could at least hold up my head. I went home. It is now Friday, 3 days later and I still feel like crap!! absolutely no energy, a little nausea and I threw up this morning and yesterday morning (not a lot). Am wondering why I did this! Have already missed five days of work and am wondering will I ever feel normal again. I had my 2 week post op and had been doing fine up until this point. Any words of wisdom? You're remarks will be helpful, thanks.    — jacqueline O. (posted on July 27, 2001)

July 27, 2001
Hi - I am now 9 weeks post-op and figured that anything minor that could go wrong would...LOL!! I have had two dilations (where they go in with a scope and stretch your stoma) - I have suffered from nausea, throwing up, dehydration, and low potassium and calcium levels. At week 3 1/2 I went to the E.R. where I was admitted from Friday and released on Monday. The rehydrated me and did my first dilation. I had to have my second one done this past Tuesday, with the GI Doctor tellling my I may have to have it done a couple more times. In my case, I have learned to associate continuing nauseaness with a stricture. It has NOT been easy, BUT I have lost 38 pounds as of 2 1/2 weeks ago and well, did a lot of research prior to surgery. I half expected some of the trials I have gone through!! I hate the feeling of 24/7 morning sickness or not being able to tolerate foods I once loved like eggs, etc. I do LOVE the thought of getting healthier each day!! My asthma attacks are now a thing of the past. The shortness of breathe gets better with each passing week!! I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel - and things will definitely GET better!! Hang in there and Good Luck!!
   — chance2lv

July 27, 2001
Drink LOTS of water, eat frequently (chew, chew, chew!!!). Eat/drink protein, take your vitamins (2 Flintstones Complete chewables per day.
   — [Anonymous]

July 27, 2001
I had the exact same experiences at around 3 weeks post op. I got scared when my skin began to dry, crack and flake and the skin on the top of my hands stayed stuck when I pinched it together - signs of severe dehydration. I immediately began to sip, sip, sip water and liquids CONSTANTLY - I mean tie a water bottle to your hand if necessary. I also began to eat frequently and learned that when you are newly post-op you can't eat slowly enough and you can never chew your food enough. Like the previous poster said "chew, chew, chew!!!" Do this faithfully and you will see an improvement almost immediately and IT GET'S BETTER SOON!! Good luck
   — [Anonymous]