dawn5311

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I had my RNY surgery Aug 2011. I have lost almost 100lbs. I have another 50 lbs plus that needs to go. I have improved in a few health areas like no more insulin, blood pressure meds, diuretics etc..... I am still having some health problems BUT, since surgery I have had 5 endoscopies because I am having troubel with food staying down, going down, and food not hurting?! They have gone in a few times a stretched things and it helps a little. I still have trouble swallowing where food doesn't get stuck or food doesn't sit like in the middle of my chest in constant pain! I try to eat only a few bites. I chew, chew, chew. I stay away from liquid for about 45 min before and after. I am currently living on Isopures and greek yogurt. I have no apetite. I feel exhausted and hurt all the time. I just had last week hernia surgery because my apron I think pulled so much that it ripped open. I have had nothing but problems with constipation and then I live on dulcalx or stool softners and then end up living on the toilet or mopping up messes. This is not how I saw my life being? Food is a fear. I don't know what to eat? What to cook? I know all the things I cannot eat? What can I eat? I am sick and feel like I am dieing!? My husband says I look sick and that he should have talked me out of the surgery because he sees me in so much pain, vomiting, not eating, etc.... I need help and don't know what to do? I still do not drive so it is hard to get to support meetings. My family does not know about my having the surgery so, I have only my husband for support. I am looking for someone who might have some suggestions? Some time to help guide me? I am so sick and feel like I am dieing from not eating now? I am really afraid and getting depressed. This cannot be the way it is suppose to be for me. Can't be. Thanks for your time and consideration. Dawn

I am stuck and struggling! I have been struggling since after surgery & getting on solids. The surgery went awesome on Aug 17, 2011. Better than the Dr's anticipated. Since getting on solid food it has been a nightmare!! I have had to have 8 endoscopies. They found ulcers on 2 occasions and we finally have those under control. I was given some karafate (sp?) and some other meds for my stomach and we have won the battle of the ulcers. However, I am still having trouble swallowing, keeping food down, pain in my stomach, and overall increase in body muscle and bone pain?

Everytime I try to eat I cannot. It starts to get stuck, or it does get stuck or after eating a few minutes later I am running to bathroom to vomit?! They have stretched me a few times and initially things are better. Then after a few weeks were back to square one?! I have been basically living on cream of wheat, oatmeal, isopures, protein shakes, yogurt reg & greek, and on occasion I can do a little hamburger meat but, has to be pulverized pretty much. I know I am not getting enough protein and I am very afraid that there is damage happening to my body!!!!

My concern is that I am getting major & increased pain to what I normally have. ( I have severe ostroporosis, fibro, and compression fractures throughout my back, & in body, also neuropathies) I am now having cramping, swelling, and severe pain in joints, arms, legs, feet, back, hips,.... actually all over my body. It is like the fibro and other pain issues are magnified 3 times more!? My fingers are like sticking? Hard to explain... when I close my fingers to make a fist and try to open back up my fingers hurt and then stick won't open?! I cannot fully grasp like a pen without pain and having to fight hard? Is this a sign that I have destroyed muscles? I kept hearing before surgery .. "If you don't get protein in your good muscles will go/" I just don't know what to do? I increased potassium and vitamins but, even my medication and some vitamins are hard to get down or won't stay down? come back up?! I am to a point where I don't know what to eat? The weight is not moving up or down?

I keep telling myself you cannot eat this or that?! My husband is worried and keeps begging me to eat anything because he thinks I am going to die from starvation?! I doubt that very much! I just don't know what to eat these days? Does anyone have any suggestions? Or sites for recipes? I chew chew chew my food! I follow the rules on when to drink and eat. Lately I can go days without eating?! I fear I will start just eating anything like my husband says and the weight will come back? I am still on steroids and not sure if that is causing problems? Low doses though?

The other frusteration because of the pain issues I am not able to excercise much?! I move around the house but, I have not been able to go to the pool or gym? I am still on oxygen but, the breathing is getting some better. My A!C is the best ever I was at 15% now I am at 4.9% that is another issue I cannot keep my blood sugars or blood pressure in the good range. I am TOO LOW now? I passed out in the kitchen a couple weeks ago cause BS was too low. Thank god hubby was home to feed my sugar but, then I got so sick from the mass doses of sugar that I dumped for what seemed like a lifetime?! 

Sorry for the rambling. I am just concerned primarily about: Protein... What to eat? What to do about trouble eating?! Getting exercise in and pain issues, how to treat low bs and bp? I have a wonderful surgeon I just am afraid I go back and they are going to want to do another endoscopy so, I just hold off calling. There have been a lot of positives since surgery. I know I was very very very sick prior to surgery and I am grateful for the positive changes so far. I just want and need more positive changes and would like more of the weigt off?! The other thing is all these rashes and the extra skin?! I want to get that removed because I know the extra stuff if removed would help my back and hips from hurting so bad?! Not sure how to get help there?

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts or ideas on any of the things I have rambled about here. I am just so so stuck! I need out! I want to feel better and live my life!!! Thanks for your ears, time, and consideration! hugs,

Always,

Dawn

I am still struggling with getting food and water down and in! I hurt so bad and am so sick! I go into tmo for another endoscopy and hydration. I try to eat and food hurts so bad! Then I get sick and throw up. I am to a point where I am afraid to eat food! I am trying to go back to a liquid diet pretty much but, I still feel sick. Last month I had an endoscopy and they stretched things. I just have not recovered the way I would have liked from my surgery on Aug 17th. Things were going so good in the begining?! What is wrong with me? Why can't I do this? I am still loosing weight but, not in a good way. I am so ashamed that I cannot seem to get with the program? I feel like I am letting Dr. Mattar down and now I see him tmo?! I am just so tired all I do is sleep and hurt so bad? Nothing seems to go easy for me or right. I knew it was going to be work and an adjustement I just didn't know it would be like this? I just want to be able to eat and drink again. Not be afraid of food?! I pray the endoscopy tmo will help. I hope the ulcers are looking better since last month and not worse.  

Well, I saw my surgeon on Tuesday the 27th and he was very happy with my healing and the weight loss. Hard to believe over a month now! He was not happy however to hear that I have been having horrible problems getting my medicines and sometimes food, vitamins, protein, and water to stay down too much!? I have felt like the pills and vitamins are sticking and then I get sick. I am chewing what little food I am eating to death and sometimes it just works its way back up?! Anyhow, I was dehydrated and he was/is concerned with my protein levels. I went in on Wed and got some fluids! The infused 2 1/2 liters of fluids so hopefully that will help get me back on track. Today - Thursday I went in early and had an endoscopy. Dr Mattar found some restriction and closure as well a couple areas where ulcers are forming! NOOOO So, I got yet another liquid med to drink down now every 6 hours to coat my tummy and things. Tomorrow - Friday I go up to the IU cancer center and get my monthly infusion to help with my immune deficiancy disorder. When this week is over hopefully!!!!!!? all of these steps and procedures will help get me back on track. I am extremely tired and having problems with my moods, thinking and restlessness. I have been apologizing so much to my wonderful husband for being the witch that I have been. I go back in a week to see my doctor so I am praying I will feel better then we can talk about a more aggresive exercising plan etc... The great thing out of all this is that since surgery Aug 17th I have lost 10 inches in my waist and since surgery I have lost a total of 28 lbs. Since I started this journey in Jan it is now a total of 58 lbs. I am running out of clothes I can wear?! As Martha Stewart says "Its A good Thing!!" Thanks to all my supporters and friends. Love ya!  

I have been so sick the last few days! I went in for my treatment for my immune system at the IU Cancer Center Friday. They said my BP was so very low that they were monitoring every 15mins. The thought I was dehydrated so they decided to give me more fluids. They ended up giving me 2 1/2 liters of extra fluids. I was sick over weekend from gama treatment then I got this headache that will not go aweay. I am dizzy and so tired. I just sleep. I feel like I am drunk. My BP is still low. I have been drinking! I was so upset when they said they thought I was dehydrated?!!!! I have been SIPPING! I have not been taking all the vitamins because I have not found ones that I can get down. They stick and I have even thrown up. Esp with the Citrate. If anyone has an ideas where to one shop vitamins I would appreciate it. Online is cool too. I just wonder if others have had these headaches, low bp, tired, sick to stomach too? What did you do if anything? Any ideas? Thanks my support folks. Love ya! Dawn

Well, I went in for my one week post check up and things went really well. I have lost 12 lbs since surgery! I was so happy too I was told I could move on to puree'd food! I came home and thought I would try some oatmeal. Harmless enough right?! WRONG!!? I was so excited about eating real food that I completely forgot the new rules. Small amount, chew, chew, chew!? I got full so fast that I did not notice. I just had a couple bites!? After a few minutes the pain came around and then panic. What had I done to myself?! I got so excited that I ate too quick and too much. BOY did I get SICK! I threw up and had such pain in my stomach! I still do not feel so hot and that was about 9 hours ago. Just when I feel that this is getting easy something gets thrown into the mix. I have to remember to not let my guard down and I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULES! I am afraid to try something else to eat. I don't want that feeling again it was awful.

Well, I go in tmo for my 1 week dr check up since surgery. I have been home 5 days now and I am feeling a little stronger. I am so struggling with the sipping of the water! Cream of whatever soup is not keeping me satisfied either. I am hungry. I thought that was going to go away with surgery. "The being hungry" all the time that is. I am trying to get the protein in however, everything I take in seems to be so sweet?! Makes me nauseated. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am hopeing that tmo at the doctors they will put me on puree food. Of course I have no idea there but, maybe it will be easier. I am still sleeping so much. Wish the energy would come back. Maybe tmo. There is always another day. I am hanging in and really looking forward to a healtier life. I pray I have made the right decision. Please god guide me I could use the help. Love Dawn

Well, I had surgery on Wed Aug 17th, 2011!!! I had surgery and got through it without complications. I Finally came home laste Sunday night. I am trying to follow the rules and get things done. Having trouble with the water right now. Having major difficulties getting all my medications down. I see surgeon on Friday maybe he will have some suggestions. Feeling weak right now not sure if this is normal. Fighting with nausea and a little pain. This too shall pass. I am just in shock!? I finally had surgery and am on a road to a new life. So many emotions going through me right now!