I Want A New Drug

[ladysprite]

So at least I have a reason for why I've been feeling sicker and sicker instead of better and better every day. It's a lesson that had to come at the cost of another ER trip, but such is life.

I came home from the hospital feeling, if not great, at least as decent as could be given the situation. And I rested, and I nibbled a little food, and I took all of the meds they prescribed me, just as directed. Including, among other things, dexamethasone and oxycodone.

I knew the dexamethasone could cause some GI upset, but I figured I wasn't going to be on it for too long, and the alternative to taking it was not being able to swallow, so I guessed I'd just tough through it. And when I started losing my appetite and feeling sick, I just stopped eating, and hoped that I'd get better when I finished the dex. And I kept taking my oxy like a good girl.

And I kept getting worse. And worse. Until, by Thursday, I wasn't even able to keep water down. At that point I had given up on most of my meds, but it was too late. And when I called my doctor on Friday morning, he ordered me into the ER...

....where they informed me that one of the main side effects of oxycodone, especially when taken on an empty stomach, is apparently severe and extreme nausea. Go figure. You'd think it should say that on the label somewhere.

Two hours and two liters of IV fluids later I was sent home with orders not to take the darn stuff anymore. I've got some vicodin instead, but to be honest at this point I'm pretty gun-shy about pain meds in general - it seems that no matter what I take, I have the choice of being essentially comatose, puking up my toenails, or both. Thankfully, I'm at least starting to feel a little better. I'm mostly managing the pain today with rest and heating pads, and I've managed my first actual meal since last Thursday (hooray for scrambled eggs and toast!). One step at a time.

This entire situation has certainly been a learning experience....

Comments

[citabria]

So ... how do you feel about drinking milkshake-like things like Ensure or Boost? Or even Carnation Instant Breakfast? You're not a large person to begin with, and a week since having an actual meal post-op is ... concerning to me. If you think you can tolerate either of those (they come in quite a few flavors) -- or even better, Ensure Plus or Boost Plus -- I'd recommend buying a pack and having at least one a day (two, if it's not the Plus version) for the next week or so. (Or, if you prefer to mix your own, you can use protein powder.)

I don't mean to be -- or even seem -- pushy, but (as you likely already know) surgery puts your body in a hypermetabolic state to begin with. That, coupled with a week of near-fasting has probaly left you with a major protein deficit. While I'm generally a fan of eating real foods, I'm not sure that, right now, you could eat enough regular protein a day to make up for that. {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}

[keshwyn]

Once your tummy calms down a bit, maybe mix them with whole fat greek yogurt? Fat and protein to give your tummy something to grist on...

Hugs! And glad you going the culprit. I strongly dislike opioids, they play hell with my GI tract too.

[grum]

Ilike orgain shakes much better than ensure. for what its worth.