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New to posting, finding my way after fundoplication surgery

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 1/24/2012 10:41 PM (GMT -5)
Bill how'd you manage not to eat and drink for three days?

How's your diet and appetite now?
Posted 1/25/2012 2:21 AM (GMT -5)
Well it was 3 weeks. I had a picc line and had TPN through it. I had to go 7 weeks last March and April without eating or drinking (NPO) and had TPN and finally a feeding tube through my belly for a month. then in July I had to go another 2 weeks NPO and was on TPN then too. TPN is a bunch of nutrients and lipids that they mix up for you every day after a blood draw and then put into the PICC line over 24 hours. Oh, forgot had to go 7 days NPO after my last redo in August also.
Not fun if they don't have enough fluids going in as you get very dry mouth, but when you are a sick as I was you don't have any urge to eat anyhow.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 1/25/2012 2:23 AM (GMT -5)
You are a champ Bill!
Posted 1/25/2012 3:45 PM (GMT -5)
Well I don;t know about that. It's amazing what we can endure when we have to.
with my esophagus repair they wouldn't even consider leaving me leave the hospital until I said I was feeling some hunger. that was almost 4 weeks.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 1/27/2012 1:52 PM (GMT -5)
Day 24:

Haven't posted for a while, was struggling and just needed some quiet time I guess. Found out one of my problems was I stopped taking my pain meds - accidentally. I forgot them at my brother's house and thought I could do fine without them. Wrong! My Aetna nurse called and when she found out about it read me the riot act. We figured out a way to get them mailed and I have to say my life has changed. It's amazing how only one small dose a day can allow the inflammation to subside so you can get nourishment down! I have finally stopped losing weight and yesterday actually consumed 500 calories! The most since my surgery! I have found that Boost is an easier nutritional drink to get down than Muscle Milk.

When, onward and upward. Thanks for all the support!
Posted 1/27/2012 4:59 PM (GMT -5)
Nyteller,

How often do you take the pain meds and what type of pain meds are you taking? Is the pain more from the incisions or inside? Thanks.
Posted 1/27/2012 7:45 PM (GMT -5)
The pain is from the inflammation from where the esophagus is tight at the top of the stomach. When it's spasming I can't even swallow hot water very well. It's a liquid form of OxyContin but the lowest strength you can get. I don't use it very often but it is a lifesaver when it gets bad there.

I haven't had any incision pain. It was a little tight in those areas the first week but just a little tender now.
Posted 1/27/2012 7:49 PM (GMT -5)
My surgeon said I'll be getting Oxycondin also but not sure if in the liquid form...
Posted 1/27/2012 8:56 PM (GMT -5)
Max-

I didn't have any trouble swallowing the hydrocodone or oxycodone pills. As long as they are the 325 or 500 APAP it should be alright. The 650 APAP gets a bit big.

Nyteller-

Please don't drink hot or cold water if you are having spasms. That sets them off. Stick with room temp or just slightly warm drinks.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 1/27/2012 9:04 PM (GMT -5)
I wonder causes the spams?
Posted 1/27/2012 10:10 PM (GMT -5)
I would say the nerves do. I don't believe there is any way to not injure some of them during surgery. As they heal they can do some weird things and cold or hot temps can set them off.

take care,
Bill
Posted 1/27/2012 10:28 PM (GMT -5)
Bill: I found that out the first couple days. I'm definitely a room temperature girl now. Sometimes it happens for no reason, I think it's part of the healing process. I believe that I am finding my way thru my new normal and it has really helped that I have been able to sleep thru the night now. Each day feels more hopeful.
Posted 1/27/2012 10:33 PM (GMT -5)
That's good to hear. I know after 3 of these I have been through a lot of quirks and just when I think I have been through it all something new pops up. LOL. Still the best decision I ever made though.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 1/27/2012 11:58 PM (GMT -5)
That's what I'm hoping for Bill for me ;) 10 days and counting.....
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