Day 3 after surgery...

[DesertGal]

Dennis (my husband) just went to a Chinese restaurant for egg drop soup. Luna has talked about it and it's got to be better than the broth I'm sipping.

Yes, there are so many suggestions on here, I am so thankful for the input. I forgot to thank Bagawk for the heating pad idea. I know I'll feel better soon, it's going to be soon. This too shall pass.

[RDH]

My nutritionist suggested TRIMINO water. It's protein infused water and it comes in great flavors. I find it a lot easier to drink than plain water.

[Christie13]

It gets easier. Try to sip what you can but don't force yourself. I can tell you it was a while before I was able to meet fluid and protein goals. Can you possibly take your pill by cutting it into pieces instead of crushing it? I can't do crushed pills either. That makes me puke. I had a hard time with fluids but I did enjoy my sugar free popsicles that first week post op because my throat was sore from the intubation. That will also help with your fluids.

[Christie13]

Also warm liquids like green flavored tea. For some reason the warm went down better. (With the exception of popsicles.)

[ghost_ryder]

I was all about the sugar free popsicles and hot and sour soup with just the broth. That was the best thing I could get down. Also, homemade chicken broth. Canned and pre-made broths tore me up.

PS-there must be a smaller pill you can take. Call the doc to see if there is a smaller one that might work better for you or can you use a pill cutter to make several smaller pills that would be easier to swallow?

[DesertGal]

The Melatonin didn't do it last night. I took my dissolving pill at 9pm and did fall asleep for 2 hours, tops. I was up walking, walking, fighting acid reflux in my throat when laying down, tossing, turning and actually thinking "What have I done to myself?" It's from lack of sleep and the fact I never had any type of reflux issues ever (even though I had a big hiatal hernia... go figure) and am trying to figure out what to do. I'm taking the prescription famotidine the surgeon prescribed for acid reflux, and the gas x , but at night it's not working. I've elevated my head too.
I will cut my massive trazodone pill tonight into little bits because I have got to sleep. I'm just such a stickler and take everything to heart that the dr's office lectured us on. "Dont swallow ANY pills because they'll get caught, trip to ER, hose down the throat into your new sleeve....", blah, blah, blah, so I'm scared. But I need a full night's sleep.

[Donald G]

The Melatonin didn't do it last night. I took my dissolving pill at 9pm and did fall asleep for 2 hours, tops. I was up walking, walking, fighting acid reflux in my throat when laying down, tossing, turning and actually thinking "What have I done to myself?" It's from lack of sleep and the fact I never had any type of reflux issues ever (even though I had a big hiatal hernia... go figure) and am trying to figure out what to do. I'm taking the prescription famotidine the surgeon prescribed for acid reflux, and the gas x , but at night it's not working. I've elevated my head too.
I will cut my massive trazodone pill tonight into little bits because I have got to sleep. I'm just such a stickler and take everything to heart that the dr's office lectured us on. "Dont swallow ANY pills because they'll get caught, trip to ER, hose down the throat into your new sleeve....", blah, blah, blah, so I'm scared. But I need a full night's sleep.

It could be something you are drinking is causing the reflux, I would switch up my drinks to see if that helps. I know you follow the rules strictly but toss the isopure to the side for a day and try a ensure or boost shake I had severe reflux for 20 plus years and since surgery and the change to my diet I haven't noticed any if switching out what your drinking doesn't help then it will just take time which I know doesn't help. You could also call your doctor they may increase the dose of reflux med your taking as far as pills I personally4 days out started having no trouble swallowing mine when broken in half. You might be able to swollow your sleeping pill if broken up well enough good luck and good god get some sleep.

[Tommy1969]

Do you chew gum? I have heard that chewing gum can also cause acid reflux because your brain is telling your stomach that food is coming.

[DesertGal]

Not regularly, and not in over a week.

[Tamera2]

you should do fine breaking your pill into tiny pieces, I was told cold opens your stomach and makes things easier to swallow. The heartburn was bad in the first couple weeks than calmed down or the new med worked better I used Nexium and you can break open the capsule and inside are very very tiny pearls. I poured of very thin 1st stage baby applesauce. The sauce really helps you swallow small pieces of medication too. Nurses taught me when i was having trouble swallowing one time. I used Tums too and popsicles I found helped calm the burn, eventually It stoped and I only occasionally use tums just Nexium bid.
For some reason my insomnia really got bad for about 3weeks after surgery. Hopefully your prescription will help. It will get better I promise. First week the hardest. Sorry Melatonin didn't help. Hope you feel better soon.

[Pattimelt]

Hi Lori! I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time sleeping. That's the thing I'm most worried about after surgery, not being able to sleep! Of course we know EVERYTHING SUCKS when you have no sleep! It feels like the end of the stinkin world when you have endless insomnia, but hang in there, I'll bet it gets better soon. Can you crush up your sleeping pill and take it with jello? I'm thinking that may be the only way to get it down at this point in your recovery. Let me know what you figure out, my surgery is in three weeks!

Know I'm thinking about you and sending prayers and healing vibes your way down the road in Vegas. Take care and keep in touch, Patti

[Lorna Doone]

I don't know if your doc will do it but ask for 5 mg. of valium. Take it before bedtime. It will relax you and knock you out. If you're in pain, you can get or take 1/2 a lortab. Not enough to knock you out but keep you coherent. Did your doctor offer you pain meds? If he didn't be brave and ask. By week 3 you can get by with the occasional Motrin 600-800 mgs. As for fluids I walked around with a water bottle all day and took occasional sips as the doctor told me.

[DesertGal]

I don't know if your doc will do it but ask for 5 mg. of valium. Take it before bedtime. It will relax you and knock you out. If you're in pain, you can get or take 1/2 a lortab. Not enough to knock you out but keep you coherent. Did your doctor offer you pain meds? If he didn't be brave and ask. By week 3 you can get by with the occasional Motrin 600-800 mgs. As for fluids I walked around with a water bottle all day and took occasional sips as the doctor told me.

Yes, before surgery I picked up a huge bottle (liquid) of hydrocodone/acetaminophen. I haven't needed to take it because the surgery pain(s) weren't that bad. It's the pains in the abdomen... gassy pains... that hurts. I don't burp. Don't "toot". How's this stuff supposed to escape? I've been using my gas x strips too.

[DesertGal]

Hi Lori! I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time sleeping. That's the thing I'm most worried about after surgery, not being able to sleep! Of course we know EVERYTHING SUCKS when you have no sleep! It feels like the end of the stinkin world when you have endless insomnia, but hang in there, I'll bet it gets better soon. Can you crush up your sleeping pill and take it with jello? I'm thinking that may be the only way to get it down at this point in your recovery. Let me know what you figure out, my surgery is in three weeks!

Know I'm thinking about you and sending prayers and healing vibes your way down the road in Vegas. Take care and keep in touch, Patti

Oh Patti, I crushed up my sleeping pill first night home. Mind you, it takes up the whole spoon. I added it to a little jello. Barfed it up. Added it to applesauce, barfed it up. It's VERY bitter. I may just cut it into a dozen tiny pieces if the melatonin doesn't do it tonight. I was going to double up the melatonin.

[Pattimelt]

Oh Patti, I crushed up my sleeping pill first night home. Mind you, it takes up the whole spoon. I added it to a little jello. Barfed it up. Added it to applesauce, barfed it up. It's VERY bitter. I may just cut it into a dozen tiny pieces if the melatonin doesn't do it tonight. I was going to double up the melatonin.

So sorry about your episode of barf-o-rama! That totally blows (no pun intended). Melatonin never worked for me either, but hopefully you'll be lucky! Good luck tonight with sleep, wishing you all the best!