Dumping Syndrome? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

no_more_big_order · 11-17-2009, 07:04 AM

Lately I have been nauseous and have had diarrhea. I am shaky and a little light headed... Last night I went back to the hosp for fluids and vitamins. I am wondering if this could be dumping syndrome?
I cannot imagine what would be causing it... I have been literally eating cottage cheese and natural apple sauce and today sugar free pudding.

Could it be dumping syndrome? What can I do?

mistymee · 11-17-2009, 07:13 AM

It could be; you could be dumping on the apple sauce but not necessarily either. Do you get the heart thumping in your chest along with this? Is it happening 15-20 minutes after you eat?

I'm wondering if they checked you for hypoglycemia? I would assume they would but if not, I would check for that next time it happens, if it does. It kind of sounds like you're going hypo to me anyway. This is something they are finding that more and more of us get as a side effect of the surgery and you need to be careful to eat smaller, more frequent meals.

And the fact that you needed fluids says that you were dehydrated and dehydration can cause the dizziness and shakes so it could've just been that.

Though the diarrhea is more of a symptom of dumping than going hypo so it very well could be that. Also, some people just get diarrhea as a side effect of the surgery itself. Deb (godsblessedme) has to take a bulking fiber daily in an attempt to not have it and I know there are others that also have that issue.

Sometimes, it's a bit of a trial and error to figure out what's going on.

watfam4 · 11-17-2009, 07:51 AM

Some people have a tougher time post-op than others. I was miserable for 3 or 4 weeks, and spent most of week 2 in the hospital getting fluids. You are only a week out, and it sounds like you are able to keep soft foods down. My advice would be to concentrate on your fluids, as getting dehydrated will only compound your problems. Try to be patient, you'll be feeling better in no time.

no_more_big_order · 11-17-2009, 08:02 AM

Thank-you ladies so much. I think I did not expect the complications because I was so "low risk." I have decided to try not to eat anything apple based for the rest of the day. We shall see... I feel like a pain because I constantly e-mail the dietitian and call the surgeon.
Also.... Misty - no thumping in my chest... more shaking in my head though?
I know I need to get over it... and for someone who others view as tough... I certainly do not feel it right now!

Thank-you all for your support and suggestions!

mistymee · 11-17-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no_more_big_order

Thank-you ladies so much. I think I did not expect the complications because I was so "low risk." I have decided to try not to eat anything apple based for the rest of the day. We shall see... I feel like a pain because I constantly e-mail the dietitian and call the surgeon.
Also.... Misty - no thumping in my chest... more shaking in my head though?
I know I need to get over it... and for someone who others view as tough... I certainly do not feel it right now!

Thank-you all for your support and suggestions!

do you have a blood glucose meter? If you do, I'd be going back to basics for a bit.. taking a fasting number, then one hour & two hours after eating, plus when the shakes happen, to get a reading on what your body is doing. That will be your best way of telling if it is hypoglycemia you're dealing with. Also, you said you needed fluids so I'm wondering if it was caused by dehydration, which also causes many of those symptoms. And yeah, I'd lay off the applesauce for a few days and then try it again. If you repeat those symptoms then you know that is what is the problem.

Good luck. (Oh, and Jim is a guy

though I'm sure he didn't mind lol)

watfam4 · 11-17-2009, 08:30 AM

Keep in mind that the light-headedness and feeling shaky is fairly normal as you have basically started fasting. It sometimes takes a few days for your body (liver) to adjust to fueling from your fat stores. As a result, it is likely that your blood sugar levels are low, which is probably why your doctor/nutritionist is pushing applesauce. If the fog does not clear in another week or so, you might want to get your blood sugar levels checked.

watfam4 · 11-17-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mistymee

Good luck. (Oh, and Jim is a guy

though I'm sure he didn't mind lol)

LOL. Not at all. Just another reminder of how outnumbered the dudes are here on TT.

mistymee · 11-17-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watfam4

Keep in mind that the light-headedness and feeling shaky is fairly normal as you have basically started fasting. It sometimes takes a few days for your body (liver) to adjust to fueling from your fat stores. As a result, it is likely that your blood sugar levels are low, which is probably why your doctor/nutritionist is pushing applesauce. If the fog does not clear in another week or so, you might want to get your blood sugar levels checked.

this is a good point, but also a good reason to have a blood glucose meter because dumping and going hypo are pretty much treated the exact opposite of each other. But not everyone who has this surgery has a meter handy so... trial and error!