I'm Back Home - Are My Symptoms Normal? - ThinnerTimes

Yoli · 07-09-2005, 12:23 PM

I posted a thread under "Emotional Support" to discuss how cranky I was feeling the day after surgery, but I seem to be getting back to normal emotionally. I just wanted to check to see if everything I'm feeling physically is normal. Physically, I'm alert during the day, but when I take my walks I feel very light headed and dizzy, I feel like I can't make it back to where I started, like I'm going to faint. I'm a bit worried that I shouldn't be feeling this way. Is that normal? Also, I can't sleep at night. It's not because I'm not sleepy, because I am, I just can't seem to get comfortable. When I lay on my sides I get sharp pains inside my stomach on the side that I happened to be laying on, so I'm forced to lay on my back which I'm never good at because I can't breathe very well on my back and I snore like crazy. My CPAP doesn't help because it causes me to have a very dry mouth. Any suggestions?

LizardQueen · 07-09-2005, 12:49 PM

Glad to hear your not so cranky. Ask the doc on the faint spells but I know what you mean. I felt that way too for about the first week or so. Try not walking quite so far. Do a shorter distance but make a few extra trips. As far as the sleeping goes, I was miserably uncomfortable! Try to get some extra pillows and prop up your arms when on your back. I don't know why but it made me more comfy and able to sleep. Also, try propping a pillow under your tummy and one behind your back when your on your side. That was the best position for me after about 2 weeks but I had the open procedure so it took a little longer to be comfortable on my side. I know you're feeling pretty sore and uncomfortable and just out of sorts but this will pass. A lot of folks on here also slept in recliners. I couldn't do it no matter how hard I tried so that may be another option for you. Let me know if any of this works for you. You'll feel a little bit better each day.

veroniquetalk · 07-09-2005, 03:41 PM

I had surgery on the 6th, also! I had my husband go buy me a wedge pillow and sleep with that under my upper body and with a pillow under my knees. That helps a lot!

Terrilynn · 07-09-2005, 05:06 PM

I am approximately 8 weeks out (05/09/05)...I was such a meanie to everyone the first weeks...even made my sister cry. As far as sleeping, I slept the first week in a recliner until my husband raised the bed and got me a wedge to go behind my pillow. I am ususally a side sleeper, but semi-upright was the only way I could sleep for weeks, until I could prop a pillow under my tummy and one behind my back to keep my heaviness from pulling on the incision. I promise, every day will be better... As far as dizziness.... keep in close touch with your doctor. Hope you feel better!

Yoli · 07-09-2005, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the advice. I do have a recliner that is really comfortable which I sit in during the day, I never thought about it but I will try to sleep in it tonight. If that fails, then I will try wedging the pillows under my knees and back, although I did try sleep with one against my back the first night. Also, this sounds wierd, but, I'm having more dreams than I ever had in my life. They're not bad dreams, just typical every day dreams. I'm thinking it's because I'm not sleeping that well.

Blueyz · 07-09-2005, 05:44 PM

Yoli~

Crankiess is normal and may get worse with all of the hormones and stuff. Just remind everyone that you just had a huge surgery and to be understanding of you. Right now, I am having a lot of emotional anxiety with the 2 surgeries I had last month. I am cranky, then happy, then sad, then I don't know....it is such an emotional roller coaster and you will get through it with all of us behind ya cheering you on.

Oh yeah, forgot to tell you that all I did was sleep on the recliner and I am sleeping on it again with the surgeries I just had...it is the only way to be comfortable for me. Hopefully, you will get some good sleep.

LadyGigi · 07-09-2005, 06:35 PM

Yoli,
I had to sleep on my back for over 2 weeks before I would not hurt sleeping on my side. Felt like my insides were alway going to fall out the other side. At almost 4 weeks out I still have to use a big pillow when I'm on my side. I'm all backwards still too, can't sleep at nite and then sleep all morning.
Your dreams may also be from the pain meds your are taking. First nite I took some heavy duty pain meds I had an awful nitemare. Went back to meds not so strong.
I still get light headed at times, but I'm sure it because my body is still freaking out at not getting enough food that it thinks it needs. I always take my cell phone when I walk and make sure somebody know where I'm going.

________
Cindy
298/278surgery day/251
June 14, 05 OPEN w/ Dr. Callery

Dara · 07-09-2005, 09:14 PM

Yoli:

Feeling lightheaded and dizzy during exertion is normal at first. You're consuming very few calories and you've just been through a major physical trauma. It is entirely normal to feel weak. Please don't push yourself during the first few weeks. Your body needs time to recuperate.

Feeling uncomfortable while trying to sleep is also normal, especially if you're not normally a back sleeper. It will probably take time for you to learn how to position yourself to be comfortable and rest during the night. Fortunately for me, I am a back sleeper. I was pretty comfortable right away. I also agree that elevating your upper body might help you sleep. Experiment with different things until you find something that works for you.

Best of luck to you. Welcome to the losing side!

Jennimaria · 07-09-2005, 09:35 PM

Hey girl. It seems like everything you are going through is normal. I went through the same stuff last week. In the beginning I felt very faint going up the stairs in our house. Sleeping wasn't something I knew of that entire week. You will be sore for a while, but it will go down day by day. Finally at 1 week and 4 days out I'm sleeping like a baby again and getting less tired.

As far as crankiness goes..I'm generally not cranky, but I do seem to get like that when I haven't had enough to drink for some reason. I also get cranky going to food places and watch all the "normies" eat. Bastards.

Anyway, I wish you a speedy recovery

Blueyz · 07-09-2005, 10:36 PM

Just remember to carry around a bottle of water or Propel or something. I got caught dehydrated one too many times and it does make you feel awful and cranky, too. Sip, sip, sip. Yeah, yeah.....I know we all say that, but that is a good way to keep the fluids in.