Should I be concerned???

I sometimes have been known to experiment with things that maybe I shouldn't...or try things too early. Having said that though, I've not tried anything with sugar in it, but here's what's been going on... Wednesday night had 1/4 cup of lipton noodles, had a few bites before and tolerated it. GOT SICK the entire night, not just once, but repeatedly. Thursday day: ate a BBQ chicken leg. Had one before I cooked in the slow cooker and tolerated great, this one was cooked on the grill. I got really sick several times. I thought maybe it was the skin, I took the skin off in the slow cooker, not on the grill. Thursday late night, run 101 fever. Quesy. Friday night had 1 and 1/2 potato skins. Got sick once, thought, maybe I over ate. Saturday day- ate 1 pot skin and got sick again. (Had potato skins before and tolerated them well before- guess not anymore!) Saturday night- had 2 bites of steak 1st time with steak- had roast beef and hamburger before and tolerated well, and I purchased a really tender cut of steak!) and 1/2 baked pot and 1/2 cup cottages cheese. WAS ILL all night, got sick maybe 5-6 times atleast. Sunday I finally went really easy and went back to a soft diet and didn't get sick at all. Monday, like a dumb a@#, i had some BBQ chips in the evening, just a couple and got sick all night again. Had BBQ chips before and did ok. I'm not sure what's going on, if i had the stomach flu, wouldn't i have gotten sick all the time, not just when I ate certain things???? And why are some foods I handled fine before, not handling so well??? Can that happen??? Has it happened to anyone before? I know I don't always make the best food choices (CHIPS, VERY BAD! ) but I can eat so little and have been doing good (66lbs since surgery) that I only have these things once in a while. I used to get sick a lot right after surgery, but this past month it has been getting a lot better, maybe just once or twice a week cause I over ate. The surgeon told me that was normal, but this past week has been h*ll. My mom thinks I should call the surgeon, but I'm not sure. I'm not sure if there's anything that can be done, I don't think I have anything stuck, and it's not like I'm not tolerating anything, if i go back to the basics I do ok. ANY ADVICE???? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Sorry this is so long. Thanks everyone. Christie

Christie, It seems like I go along just fine for several days, and then the next several, I a lot. That being said, I can't do chicken well at all. Well, there have been a couple times that I have kept it down if it was really super moist and no skin. Though, I can try what works the next day and so it's difficult to figure out! I would never do potato skins, or anything with a "skin"...because I know my pouch by now. I can eat chips just fine (several, not half a bag!). The night you had steak, do you think you had too much in amount? Just wondering because I am allowed up to 1/2 cup per meal...not sure what your doc has specified for you and your pouch. Maybe it's a combination of having a tummy flu and a sensitive pouch? You could always call your doctor for some reassurance. I know it says in my information binder from my surgeon, if you have several days like that to go back to clear liquids for a day or so, then full liquids, then soft foods (progressing just like in the beginning after surgery) to let your pouch "rest". Chele

I would say go back to the basics and no more experimenting for awhile. You've pissed off your pouch (one of the ladies in my support group uses that phrase and I think it's funny). If you go back to the basics and once you're all settled, try ONE new thing. Don't try anything else for a few days. Kind of like when we first start feeding our babies solid food so we can identify what they don't tolerate. I'm an experiementer too and nothing has made me sick. I kind of wi**** would so I am not so bold. If I were you, the last thing I would do is call my surgeon because he would chew me out so bad I wouldn't have a butt left. He's not very tolerant of experimentation. Here's a funny story: I went to bingo a couple of weeks ago and there was popcorn on the table. I was eating it without even thinking - just habit. Well, popcorn is on my "not ever" list and I was so worried that something would happen and I'd end up in emergency. The fear of emergency room wasn't as bad as the fear of having to tell my surgeon what I'd eaten. Sad, eh? Take care and enjoy some Cream of Wheat

Mt best guess is your pouch is irritated from the first bought. You kept trying things that were a little different or maybe ate too much and the sensitive pouch reacted. Go back to softer foods for a few days, no experimenting and see if it gets better. If not, call your surgeon. Most likely he would say to go back to soft or liquid right now, so try that if you really don't want to call him/her. It sounds like others that have had the same problem, irritated pouch.

I could say you need to experiment with 1 new thing a day. That is what my nut told me and do it when you are home. If I got sick one day from something I sure wouldn't eat it again the next day. (that is just me) Also when you tried the steak I think you ate to much. I would only be able to eat the cottage cheese and maybe a few bites of potato. Try going back to bland plain food for a while and give your pouch time to rest. Carly

Christie, I am so sorry to hear about your trouble!!! As for chicken, I have a very "iffy" relationship with it. Most times, I can't handle it and end up Potatoes, other than mashed with gravy, make me Steak makes me 9 times out of 10 Lunchmeat, except for lean roast beef, makes me As for experimenting, Jaci and I discussed this last night. This is a lifestyle change and we have to find that comfort level that we can tolerate the rest of our lives. I don't see anything wrong with trying things in moderation. But again, that's just me.... I would say just give that pouch a break and stick with your soft diet or the tried and trues. I have gone through this and I can definitely feel your pain!! Hope you feel better!!! ~amber~

We are surgery mates, mine was on 1/19/06 as well. I like to try new things, but I do it slowly. I don't add a whole lot of new things at once. Also, what goes well one day might not the next. Chicken for the most part is a no no. It just doesn't go very well for me most of the time which is funny since my nut said it would probably be the first meat I would be able to tolerate. I have problems with as well. That is the only thing my surgeon is really concerned about at this point. I just suggest that you slow down and add things more slowly and if they don't go, wait a week and try them again, they might go then. Hazel

Your not supposed to have beef or por****il you are 4 months out. They are too hard to digest for the pouch.

I would go back to soft foods for a couple of days. Then try something that you've eaten before and if you get sick again call your Dr. I had that problem at 6 weeks out. My Dr. made me an appt. for an Endoscopy..(where they put the tube in your throat with a balloon attached to open up the hole a little. ) I went in and had that done on a Thursday and Friday I was 100% better. I had a soar throat from the tube for 2 days but nothing I couldn't handle. It's very common for the hole in your intestine to close up a little between 6-8 weeks. I also asked my Dr. about the Beef and Pork not being allowed till your 4 to 6 months out from surgery. He told me if I can tolerate it I can have it. He did suggest to cook the meat in a crock pot because it makes the meat so much more tender.... But ask your Dr. he may say something different. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the advice, it really helps. I took it easy yesterday, felt a little quesy but kept everything down. I really appreciate everyone's advice, it made me feel better to know I'm not alone, and that our pouches can have multiple personalities, and that's ok (I think). You guys are awesome, thank you again.