Clear liquid diet and headaches

Hi all,

I'm a brand-newbie, just had my surgery Monday. I'm doing what I imagine is pretty normal. Sore, but nothing extraordinary.

Two things, one an odd aching in my arm. Seems mostly resolved today. My iv arm had some swelling, my muscles and elbow joint were very tender. Skin felt warm to the touch from shoulder to wrist and my hands were chilled. But as I said better today so I'll write this one off as an anomaly unless it continues.

Headache! Two days in a row a killer headache at the front of my head. I've taken Tylenol with no relief. I'm wondering if this is related to my clear liquid diet? I'm allowed/encouraged to drink one protein shake a day which I was able to accomplish yesterday. (Yay me!) My headache did resolved eventually but killer way to start my day.

Any ideas/suggestions about the headache are appreciated.

Thanks!

I get headache when I get aspartame. Like in diet soda. If I stop drinking coffee - I may get a severe headache for a few days. Low carb diet - can cause "keto flu-like" symptoms.

Last but not least - dehydration can cause a headache. Plus lack of BM.

No Aspartame for me and no caffeine for well over three weeks. However, no bm either, I didn't associate that. I started taking two docusate a day yesterday.

I'll keep pumping the water and hope it helps.

Thanks for your suggestions!!

I know it's tough to get fluid in, but dehydration gives me the worst headache. Try to sip sip sip. Others may have other advice.

I should clarify that i am getting in a minimum of 48 oz fluid, closer to 55 but probably not 64. I will work to get in even more and reach that 64oz goal.

Drink liquids like it's your job. Headaches in the morning are likely dehydration as you've just spent the last 6-8 hrs fasting. I generally drank 8oz minimum during the night. Get an early start too. I had a big ole cup of decaf coffee every morning and with my overnight sipping and my protein shake I had 32oz down by late morning.

In the meantime it could another 10 days or so until you're feeling like yourself.

Thank you for the advice, it seems that hydration is the answer. So obvious but it didn't occur to me, which is why i went to this support group.

I increased my water, grabbed some decaf and protein shake and barely a hint of headache remains.

Scott I'm going to follow your lead and drink some water during the night. I've been awake the last two nights so might as well take advantage and hydrate! Didn't think about the overnight dehydration happening.

I had the same issue after mine and it was definitely a hydration issue. I struggled to even get a 30 oz in the first day or two for sure. It does get easier, but even 6 weeks out I've foregone a couple solid meals in favor of fluids (including protein shakes) just to hit my fluid goal.

+1 on liquids. You might add some Propel powder, if you can tolerate it. I get headaches also from lower electrolytes. I don't have a problem with artificial sweetners. Or hammer some broth full sodium to see. But I like Propel best.

Hi Nancy,

I am a newbie too. I also had my RNY on Monday. Woke up this morning about 12 a.m. with a crankin headache. I feel like I am doing good on my liquid intake. On my second 40 oz bottle, plus broth, juice, jello. But dang, it's bad! Been doing my pain meds, but it doesn't touch the headache too much. I hope this passes. After reading this thread, I will try getting in more water during the night too. Gas is also killing me! I had some of the same symptoms in my arms and muscles also. Sounds like it might be normal.

Gina