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Strange symptoms after Ileostomy

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Posted 4/2/2008 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Had UC and went undiagnosed so long that treatment did not work. Colon ruptured April of 07 and had to have whole colon removed except for part of rectom. I have the bag and was doing great until recently. For about 2 weeks I've had symptoms of some slight pain in left side and a general tired, washed out feeling; just generally felt bad, draggy. I guess I am a little nervous about what this could be. I do have an appt with gastro doc. But, as I said, I am a little nervous.
Any suggestions?

Post Edited (tivoli) : 4/2/2008 8:44:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/3/2008 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
could you have a flu or stomach bug
Posted 4/3/2008 12:01 PM (GMT 0)

summerstorm said...
could you have a flu or stomach bug


Well, I had considered that, but this same thing happened about 3 months ago. I never actually get sick, just all the draggy, tired, not quite right feeling.
Posted 4/3/2008 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest you have your doc check you for Vitamin B deficiency (esp if you've lost a bit of your small intestine too). People who are deficient in this vitamin say it's amazing how much energy they have after getting their monthly shot!
Posted 4/3/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Shaz, you took the words right outta my mouth! B12 deficiency will definitely make you "draggy" and make you feel overall yucky. I have heard there is a B12 sublingual tablet out but I don't know if it is sold OTC or by RX. If your ileum has been removed and you take plain old oral B12 vitamins, they will not be absorbed by the body since it is the ileum is where those vitamins are absorbed. However, I've heard that the sublingual tablets work rather well. I take my B12 by IM shot every 2 weeks.

This season's "bugs" are quite different than the 24 hour flu bugs. Are you fevered at all during these "draggy" times? Could you be a little dehydrated? Maybe your electrolytes a bit off too?
Posted 4/4/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
well we all just had, save for me (knock on wood) a short stomach bug, but it seems to be longer every where else, lol.
the b-12 helped me lots! i got the sublingual, i just got it at wal-mart right off the shelf. It tastes yummy, lol.
Posted 4/4/2008 12:21 PM (GMT 0)

summerstorm said...
well we all just had, save for me (knock on wood) a short stomach bug, but it seems to be longer every where else, lol.
the b-12 helped me lots! i got the sublingual, i just got it at wal-mart right off the shelf. It tastes yummy, lol.


thank you all for the suggestions. going to doc today, will inquire.
Posted 4/4/2008 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Stacie,

MY CD surgeon first ordered the shots back when, but I only go to a GI now and he writes the RX   I give myself the shots since it is lifetime maintenance and sooooo cheap to do it myself.  I can buy the supplies and RX for the shots for under $20 for the entire year!!!!  shots every 2 weeks.

Have you been tested for B12 levels?  It's just a simple lab draw.... results take a little longer to get for me, about a week. 

I'm due for a shot right now, and have taken a nap yesterday, and today.  I even went to bed at 7:30 last night!   My appetite sucks right now too.

Let me know what you find out!

 

Posted 4/4/2008 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Summer,
I'm glad to know that Wal-Mart sells the sublingual B-12 tablets. I recently bought some at a health food store for $11.99, which is expensive. I should have looked there first, so thanks for the info.
Posted 4/5/2008 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
they were really cheap, i got some at the pharmacy for like 7 dollars and i think at walmart they were like 5
Posted 4/5/2008 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I decided I needed B-12, too ,because I 've been dragging around lately. So I sent my husband to Wal-Mart ( I would rather take a beating than go to Walmart and he likes to go). He came back with B-Complex, sublingual liquid-$6. I am going to try it tonight.
Posted 4/7/2008 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I just had my ileostomy 3 days ago and I was told to drink a lot of water so I do not dehydrate.  My nurse told me that symptoms of dehydration were dizziness and being very tired. Just thought I would let you know what I was told so you can make sure you are getting enough water. I hope the B12 works well for you. Take care. HisWill
Posted 4/7/2008 9:49 PM (GMT 0)

HisWill,

You are right!  Drink lots of water, especially at first until your ileostomy slows down a bit and acclimates to normal foods.  And you learn what you can eat to slow it down a bit too.  Dehydration can be very serious and if you can't hydrate yourself enough, you will have to have IV's.  Dehydration can sometimes be confused as a "bug" because of the symptoms.  Do the PINCH test...   pinch the skin on the back of your hand and if it goes back to normal quickly, then you are well hydrated. 

Posted 4/9/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy, Thanks for telling me about the pinch test! I never heard of it before. I am feeling really sleepy today and I noticed that I havent had as much water. So, I am going to have to really take notice of how much water I am drinking. I could end up needing B12 as well. But, I know now how important the water is. Thanks again! HisWill
Posted 4/10/2008 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
You are welcome ---  so how many others have tried the "pinch test"?

Posted 4/10/2008 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
I tried it and passed! :-)
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