Re: Advice, please

[Guest guest]

Hi everybody!

I'm now 10 days post op and feeling good. I'm not having any trouble with

the protein shakes, the water, or the food - except my surgeon's list says I

should be eating 6 times a day - so far 3 is the most I've managed. I'm not

worried about it - from all of you, I have learned that protein and water are

the most important things right now.

I am having some major issues with blood sugar. Before surgery I was on

Lantus

injections, actos, glucophage, and starlix for diabetes. All that was

stopped cold turkey before surgery. while i was in the hospital, my sugar was

not

terribly high - they treated me with a few units of regular insulin. the

first few days home, it was 150ish - always lower than 200. it gradually

started climbing....150, then 200, then 250, then up to 302 last night. i

called

my endocrinologist's office today and was informed that my doc is out of the

country on a medical emergency. his fill in wants me to start taking all the

oral meds again, but no insulin. i guess i have a couple of questions for

yall about this. 1 - am i the only one whose diabetes seems to be getting

worse after surgery? 2 - these pills are pretty big, and i know i have to

crush

them. how in the h*ll do you choke that many down? i've tried mixing with

applesauce, then sugar free pudding, but both make me want to barf. that

makes 5-6 pills i'm having to crush (i don't do them all at once, but still)

and

they are horrible. HELP!

I'm really not just a fair weather friend, always taking and never giving

back. I feel kind of bad about asking for advice when I haven't been very

supportive of others lately. I promise I'll do better - I'm just having kind

of

a rough time emotionally.

Hugs to all,

Jayni

[Guest guest]

I had to take some large pills this past bout in the hospital for my

C-Diff...not only did they taste horrid, but I also had a hard

time " CHOCKING " them down..I tried applesauce and pudding,but

finally I was able to do it with cottage cheese...

I don't have a clue what else to even suggest cause you are such a

newbie - heck I am too at just 8 weeks out....I hope someone else

has some good suggestions for...

As far as asking for help...that's what everyone is here for - i

learned that the hard way. Just ask and don't worry about anything

else.

Good Luck

[Guest guest]

Jayni, don't ever ever feel ad about coming here and asking

questions!!!!!! That is what we are all here for!!! I don't have

any answers on the blood sugar question. I haven't had this problem.

I do know of some people in my support group have been on their meds

(I believe) up to 6 weeks after surgery. I would call your surgeon

and see what he says. There are also people here on the board who

have had high sugar levels and I bet they have some great advise!!

Hang in there!!! The first 4 weeks were an emotional roller coaster

for me. You will start feeling better soon!!

Hugs and kisses!!!

> Hi everybody!

>

> I'm now 10 days post op and feeling good. I'm not having any

trouble with

> the protein shakes, the water, or the food - except my surgeon's

list says I

> should be eating 6 times a day - so far 3 is the most I've

managed. I'm not

> worried about it - from all of you, I have learned that protein

and water are

> the most important things right now.

>

> I am having some major issues with blood sugar. Before surgery I

was on

> Lantus

> injections, actos, glucophage, and starlix for diabetes. All that

was

> stopped cold turkey before surgery. while i was in the hospital,

my sugar was not

> terribly high - they treated me with a few units of regular

insulin. the

> first few days home, it was 150ish - always lower than 200. it

gradually

> started climbing....150, then 200, then 250, then up to 302 last

night. i called

> my endocrinologist's office today and was informed that my doc is

out of the

> country on a medical emergency. his fill in wants me to start

taking all the

> oral meds again, but no insulin. i guess i have a couple of

questions for

> yall about this. 1 - am i the only one whose diabetes seems to

be getting

> worse after surgery? 2 - these pills are pretty big, and i know

i have to crush

> them. how in the h*ll do you choke that many down? i've tried

mixing with

> applesauce, then sugar free pudding, but both make me want to

barf. that

> makes 5-6 pills i'm having to crush (i don't do them all at once,

but still) and

> they are horrible. HELP!

>

> I'm really not just a fair weather friend, always taking and never

giving

> back. I feel kind of bad about asking for advice when I haven't

been very

> supportive of others lately. I promise I'll do better - I'm just

having kind of

> a rough time emotionally.

>

> Hugs to all,

> Jayni

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 7:07:11 P.M. Central Standard Time,

kalkidz2002@... writes:

I had to take some large pills this past bout in the hospital for my

C-Diff...not only did they taste horrid, but I also had a hard

time " CHOCKING " them down..I tried applesauce and pudding,but

finally I was able to do it with cottage cheese...

thanks, laura. i considered just splitting the larger ones - i don't think

i would have any trouble swallowing them. i wonder though, if the clump of

pill lying in the pouch could do any damage?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 8:57:33 P.M. Central Standard Time,

crazy4homeschool@... writes:

I do know of some people in my support group have been on their meds

(I believe) up to 6 weeks after surgery. I would call your surgeon

and see what he says.

thanks, heather.

the problem with calling my surgeon is....well....how can i say this? he's

an a**hole. i asked him in the hospital if he had consulted with my

endocrinologist, or advised him of my status after surgery....he said, no why

would

i?

i considered calling him - but i can just hear him yelling (yes, yelling!)

and saying this was something i should have taken care of before surgery. i

go back to him on monday, but right now i just don't feel emotionally strong

enough to deal with a confrontation with dr. charm.

thanks for your good thoughts!

hugs,

jayni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/23/2005 8:02:04 A.M. Central Standard Time,

jbrown1265@... writes:

If the doc wants you back on your oral meds...then do it. Call the pharmacy

and ask for empty capsules. Crush your pills and fill the empty caps and

take them that way. That's what I did for Mike for the first month after

surgery. It's a pain in the arse, but we do what we gotta do. Make sure

before

crushing anything that none of the pills are time-released, as they cannot be

crushed and remain effective

great suggestion jodi- thanks! at this point, crushing pills and filling

capsules wins hands down over trying to get them down in applesauce or pudding.

i may never look at applesauce the same way again - and i've always loved

applesauce!

hugs,

jayni

[Guest guest]

Jayni --

Your diabetes may fluxuate for a while before getting better. It may just not

have resolved as yet, and since you have been on no meds, the numbers are

climbing. Don't panic. Give your body time to heal before making any decisions

as to what has or has not worked. Remember this is a process to a healthy

life...not an overnight fix.

If the doc wants you back on your oral meds...then do it. Call the pharmacy and

ask for empty capsules. Crush your pills and fill the empty caps and take them

that way. That's what I did for Mike for the first month after surgery. It's a

pain in the arse, but we do what we gotta do. Make sure before crushing

anything that none of the pills are time-released, as they cannot be crushed and

remain effective.

Good luck to youm and keep us updated.

blessings,

jb-bb

angelmuse44@... wrote:

Hi everybody!

I'm now 10 days post op and feeling good. I'm not having any trouble with

the protein shakes, the water, or the food - except my surgeon's list says I

should be eating 6 times a day - so far 3 is the most I've managed. I'm not

worried about it - from all of you, I have learned that protein and water are

the most important things right now.

I am having some major issues with blood sugar. Before surgery I was on

Lantus

injections, actos, glucophage, and starlix for diabetes. All that was

stopped cold turkey before surgery. while i was in the hospital, my sugar was

not

terribly high - they treated me with a few units of regular insulin. the

first few days home, it was 150ish - always lower than 200. it gradually

started climbing....150, then 200, then 250, then up to 302 last night. i

called

my endocrinologist's office today and was informed that my doc is out of the

country on a medical emergency. his fill in wants me to start taking all the

oral meds again, but no insulin. i guess i have a couple of questions for

yall about this. 1 - am i the only one whose diabetes seems to be getting

worse after surgery? 2 - these pills are pretty big, and i know i have to

crush

them. how in the h*ll do you choke that many down? i've tried mixing with

applesauce, then sugar free pudding, but both make me want to barf. that

makes 5-6 pills i'm having to crush (i don't do them all at once, but still)

and

they are horrible. HELP!

I'm really not just a fair weather friend, always taking and never giving

back. I feel kind of bad about asking for advice when I haven't been very

supportive of others lately. I promise I'll do better - I'm just having kind

of

a rough time emotionally.

Hugs to all,

Jayni

[Guest guest]

Jayni,

Girl, don't ever worry about asking questions!! We are all at different stages

of post-op-ness (I think I just invented a word) and we all have different

issues. Thank goodness for a group that respects and honors all the different

stages.

<<I am having some major issues with blood sugar.>>

I can't help you here, except to say to call your doc. Don't rush getting off

meds - it will happen in time, if it's meant to be.

<<promise I'll do better>>

You are doing just fine - you are only ten days out so give yourself a break!!

<<I'm just having kind of a rough time emotionally.>>

Call me!! You and Gracie and I can do a Starbucks decaf protein latte soon and

talk <g>.

Hugs to you!

[Guest guest]

Jayni --

Do I need to come to that appt with you on Monday and yell back at this SOB?

Don't take it...tell him you are not an idiot, and you need to have a real

discussion with him. Remind him that patient care is not just getting paid for

surgery, but includes supportive aftercare...then tell him to pull his head out

of his arse...

stand up for yourself sweetie! Write your questions down before you go, so you

don't get flusterd and forget some of them. Be prepared...and snap back at him

if he is nasty!

jb-bb

angelmuse44@... wrote:

In a message dated 3/22/2005 8:57:33 P.M. Central Standard Time,

crazy4homeschool@... writes:

I do know of some people in my support group have been on their meds

(I believe) up to 6 weeks after surgery. I would call your surgeon

and see what he says.

thanks, heather.

the problem with calling my surgeon is....well....how can i say this? he's

an a**hole. i asked him in the hospital if he had consulted with my

endocrinologist, or advised him of my status after surgery....he said, no why

would

i?

i considered calling him - but i can just hear him yelling (yes, yelling!)

and saying this was something i should have taken care of before surgery. i

go back to him on monday, but right now i just don't feel emotionally strong

enough to deal with a confrontation with dr. charm.

thanks for your good thoughts!

hugs,

jayni