Cough, Diarrhea, no appetite, too many pills

[OnMyWay1956 43]

I had surgery on 9/16, and am having the issues listed above. Did anyone else have these things linger this long? I got released from the hospital at 5 days because my potassium and magnesium was low so they wanted to make sure they were normal before they sent me home. Now that I am home, I can't get a balance on how many pills I have to take vs how much room I have in my stomach, I have too many pills too take and not enough room in my stomach. Any suggestions?

[Foster17RN 1]

I had surgery on 9/16, and am having the issues listed above. Did anyone else have these things linger this long? I got released from the hospital at 5 days because my potassium and magnesium was low so they wanted to make sure they were normal before they sent me home. Now that I am home, I can't get a balance on how many pills I have to take vs how much room I have in my stomach, I have too many pills too take and not enough room in my stomach. Any suggestions?

For post op I ordered vitamin patches so I don't have to worry about pills. Patch Aid Multivitamin has all the requirements needed per my provider. I also ordered some Biotin for hair skin and nails.

Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

[tarotcardreader 196]

40 minutes ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

I had surgery on 9/16, and am having the issues listed above. Did anyone else have these things linger this long? I got released from the hospital at 5 days because my potassium and magnesium was low so they wanted to make sure they were normal before they sent me home. Now that I am home, I can't get a balance on how many pills I have to take vs how much room I have in my stomach, I have too many pills too take and not enough room in my stomach. Any suggestions?

Hey welcome to the other side! I feel the same about the pills and the size on some is too big. I do not have cough or diarreah at this point post op but in the very beginning my lungs felt heavy and i did hack some stuff up From surgery. Is it possible you caught a cold or tummy bug while in there?

[The Greater Fool 2,071]

There is no rule that says you have to take all your pills at or even near the same time. Spread them out more. I didn't have many pills back when I was early post-op.

I'm 17 years post-op, I take a fair chunk of pills morning and night. About 1/2 the time when I take them I sneeze which is a sure sign I am 'full'.

Early post-op is the most difficult period. You just can't eat because you had surgery recently. Your pouch and surgery points are swollen and angry, so getting any food or drink near it is tough. You're also learning how to eat again. Just go slow and you'll get through it. Keep trying.

Good luck,

Tek

[GreenTealael 25,593]

2 hours ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

I had surgery on 9/16, and am having the issues listed above. Did anyone else have these things linger this long? I got released from the hospital at 5 days because my potassium and magnesium was low so they wanted to make sure they were normal before they sent me home. Now that I am home, I can't get a balance on how many pills I have to take vs how much room I have in my stomach, I have too many pills too take and not enough room in my stomach. Any suggestions?

Dose staging 🏆

Create a schedule for the ~12 waking hours where you can comfortably manage all of the pills

[catwoman7 11,280]

some people do have issues with diarrhea, but Constipation is WAY more common. Do you think the diarrhea might be a reaction to a certain food? some people have issues with lactose intolerance after surgery (sometimes temporary, sometimes not), and some people react to certain artificial sweeteners.

as for no appetite, that is the beauty of these surgeries. Most people do lose their appetite for several months. Take full advantage of that! You'll never have an easier time losing weight than you will right now when you don't give a flip about food. My appetite came roaring back at five months out - I wish it hadn't since things got a lot more challenging then!

[WishMeSmaller 1,274]

I was hoping someone else would mention it, but I don’t think anyone has yet. I am actually concerned about you having a cough AND diarrhea. This could be a virus of some sort or something more serious. If it persists, it is definitely worth a call to your surgeon. There are many different things that can cause the symptoms you are having, and it is best to get medical advice from your medical provider as they are more qualified than us (😊) and they know your medical history.

Enjoy the lack of appetite! Mine never went away, although I am satisfied so much quicker than before.

For pills, definitely space them out to get them in. It used to take me 30 minutes to take my morning meds. Now, at almost 3 months out, I take them in 5-10 minutes. For comparison, I take 8 pills in the morning, including Vitamins. Check with your surgeon or primary care provider in case certain meds are better at a particular time or should not be taken with something else.

Edited September 26, 2020 by WishMeSmaller

[OnMyWay1956 43]

9 hours ago, tarotcardreader said:

Hey welcome to the other side! I feel the same about the pills and the size on some is too big. I do not have cough or diarreah at this point post op but in the very beginning my lungs felt heavy and i did hack some stuff up From surgery. Is it possible you caught a cold or tummy bug while in there?

No tummy bug here. Checked with the doctor and everything is right where it should be. He said that the cough is from the breathing tube and the diarrhea is from my gut trying to get used to its new route. Looks like we are about 2 weeks apart on our surgery,..I'll have to keep you around and see if I can get some helps from you.....

[tarotcardreader 196]

19 minutes ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

No tummy bug here. Checked with the doctor and everything is right where it should be. He said that the cough is from the breathing tube and the diarrhea is from my gut trying to get used to its new route. Looks like we are about 2 weeks apart on our surgery,..I'll have to keep you around and see if I can get some helps from you.....

Yes, i noticed that you are fresh out like me. That sounds about right for tube. My new route is a littleslow so its opposite here lol

Edited September 27, 2020 by tarotcardreader
Forgot a word

[OnMyWay1956 43]

8 hours ago, MsMocie said:

You can use a bariatric Vitamin supplement so you don't have to take all the pills, just one (for Vitamin and minerals)

You can either take one with calsium or one with Iron. I find the best is to take a vitamin with Iron and then an extra calsium with Vitamin D. Reason why is that iron and calsium don't mix and should be taken 3-4 hours apart.
I had a huge amount of pills also, and still have. I used to spread them around the day to fit them.
What are you taking? It would be easier to give inputs on it if we knew what you were taking exactly.

Also make sure to have your labs followed. Talk with a doctor about what you need and don't need. There might be no need for you to continue taking for example diabetic medication if you were on it before surgery. There are many conditions that rapidly improve fast after surgery and thus no need to take pills for it.

These medications are taken EACH morning or AM.

Medication

How to take

AM

allopurinol

Dissolve

X

aspirin

chewable

X

bumetanide

Dissolve

X

diltiazem

Crushing

X

leflunomide

Small, crush or dissolve

X

levothyroxine

Dissolve

X

magnesium oxide

Crushing

X

omeprazole

Open capsule

X

oxybutynin

Crushing

X

sertraline

Crush or cut in half

X

These medications are taken at Mid-Day each day, or around 2 PM.

Medication

How

Mid-day

acetaminophen

Liquid

X

methocarbamol

Crushing

X

rOPINIRole

Dissolve

X

ondansetron

Dissolve under tongue

X

Spironolactone

Dissolve

X

Vitamin D

X

These medications are taken EACH evening or PM.

Medication

How

PM

acetaminophen

Liquid

X

gabapentin

Open capsule

X

Losartan

Small, crush or dissolve

X

Methocarbamol

Crushing

X

montelukast

Crushing

X

potassium

Liquid or capsule

X

pramipexole

Chewable

X

rosuvastatin

Small, crush or dissolve

X

topiramate

Dissolve

X

ondansetron

Dissolve under tongue

X

This is what my surgeons nurse has dwindled my pills down to so far. When I go to my doctor I have three pages double sided to check through to see if anything has changed. i have my first post op check up on Monday and we are going to go through more closer check on the meds then.

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[OnMyWay1956 43]

2 hours ago, WishMeSmaller said:

I was hoping someone else would mention it, but I don’t think anyone has yet. I am actually concerned about you having a cough AND diarrhea. This could be a virus of some sort or something more serious. If it persists, it is definitely worth a call to your surgeon. There are many different things that can cause the symptoms you are having, and it is best to get medical advice from your medical provider as they are more qualified than us (😊) and they know your medical history.

Enjoy the lack of appetite! Mine never went away, although I am satisfied so much quicker than before.

For pills, definitely space them out to get them in. It used to take me 30 minutes to take my morning meds. Now, at almost 3 months out, I take them in 5-10 minutes. For comparison, I take 8 pills in the morning, including Vitamins. Check with your surgeon or primary care provider in case certain meds are better at a particular time or should not be taken with something else.

Thanks for the concern, but yes I have check with the doctor and he says its all ok. No fever, just from the breathing tube and reconstruction....

I have spaced them out, but I get full before I get through the first set and can't even go on. If you look at my reply to one of the other posts, I did get a modified pill sched until I see the doc on Monday. Hope I can get everything under control then

[WishMeSmaller 1,274]

1 hour ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

Thanks for the concern, but yes I have check with the doctor and he says its all ok. No fever, just from the breathing tube and reconstruction....

I have spaced them out, but I get full before I get through the first set and can't even go on. If you look at my reply to one of the other posts, I did get a modified pill sched until I see the doc on Monday. Hope I can get everything under control then

Sounds like you have things as under control as possible. 😊 Things will get easier!

[tarotcardreader 196]

16 hours ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

These medications are taken EACH morning or AM.

Medication

How to take

AM

allopurinol

Dissolve

X

aspirin

chewable

X

bumetanide

Dissolve

X

diltiazem

Crushing

X

leflunomide

Small, crush or dissolve

X

levothyroxine

Dissolve

X

magnesium oxide

Crushing

X

omeprazole

Open capsule

X

oxybutynin

Crushing

X

sertraline

Crush or cut in half

X

These medications are taken at Mid-Day each day, or around 2 PM.

Medication

How

Mid-day

acetaminophen

liquid

X

methocarbamol

Crushing

X

rOPINIRole

Dissolve

X

ondansetron

Dissolve under tongue

X

Spironolactone

Dissolve

X

Vitamin D

X

These medications are taken EACH evening or PM.

Medication

How

PM

acetaminophen

liquid

X

gabapentin

Open capsule

X

Losartan

Small, crush or dissolve

X

Methocarbamol

Crushing

X

montelukast

Crushing

X

potassium

Liquid or capsule

X

pramipexole

chewable

X

rosuvastatin

Small, crush or dissolve

X

topiramate

Dissolve

X

ondansetron

Dissolve under tongue

X

This is what my surgeons nurse has dwindled my pills down to so far. When I go to my doctor I have three pages double sided to check through to see if anything has changed. i have my first post op check up on Monday and we are going to go through more closer check on the meds then.

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My doctor was pretty sure the bypass would eventually get me off most meds. The nurses in his office said most bypass patients eventually get down to only having 1-3 pills a day as well as have fast weightloss. I noticed you added your stats wtg on that weightloss so far!

[OnMyWay1956 43]

On my way to the surgeons office today and to see the nutritionist. I' m not expecting a big loss since the hospital, but I do hope that I can go to stage 3 eating and get some of my semi solids back. I will see how the day goes.......

[tarotcardreader 196]

2 hours ago, OnMyWay1956 said:

On my way to the surgeons office today and to see the nutritionist. I' m not expecting a big loss since the hospital, but I do hope that I can go to stage 3 eating and get some of my semi solids back. I will see how the day goes.......

What is your stage 3. I am on soft foods which is above the puree but below the normal foods somewhere lol