Hey guys. Can't write much now. Lying in hospital bed, recovering from the surgery. My one question is this; I keep getting the hiccups. They seem to be coming on non-stop. Did anyone else experience this? Aside from the hiccups, things seem to be going very well. I'll write more about the experience once my head clears up.

It has been a long time since surgery for me but that is definetly one thing I remember is that I got hiccups very frequently which I thought was so odd (and here I thought i was so special Look forward to further updates on how u r doing

I had the hiccups for 48 hrs following my second surgery which they did the big incision. Oh man was that uncomfortable. I was feeling awful coming out of that surgery. I lost a lot of blood and my blood pressure was messed up. Then the hiccups started and wouldnt stop for 48 hrs. I asked for meds to stop the hiccups-they actually do have something for that. The dr wouldnt give it to me although some dr's would. The dr. said they didnt want to "mask" what was going on. I guess if you are having hiccups it can mean something else to them maybe.

Aren't you sitting in the hospital? Ask the surgeon or a nurse!

Sounds like you are doing well! Speedy recovery!

Yeah, I did ask the Dr. He came in shortly after I posted the message. From what he said, it's quite common because the diaphram is affected during surgery and this causes the hiccups. There is a drug they can administer for hiccups but it's pretty potent so they don't like doing it unless they have to.

Anyway, I do have to say this. I actually SLEPT last night for the first time in months. Yes, I made it through an entire night without cramping and running to the bathroom. This feeling of being healthy is so foreign to me. I am SO glad that I went through with this. I don't think I would have lasted much longer if I held back on getting surgery. I lost over 10 lbs in one week, was bleeding really bad, had a constant fever, was cramping, etc., etc. I just love the fact that the rectum and colon are gone now. Good riddance!

Did you get the biopsy results on the colon?

So glad you are doing so well! It will keep getting better with time! I too had hiccups a lot after my step one surgery. My grama taught me a trick years ago for them that I still rely on today. As soon as they will let you ask for Peanut butter, eat a spoonful and it will relieve the hiccups and no nasty side effects from meds. As a bonus it will help thicken things up too Hang in there and enjoy feeling good! Keep us posted, I am going for my takedown later today.

I had my surgery 6/16/10 and also got hiccups, they went away when i stopped doing some inhaling medication they were giving me. The doc could not figure out why the hiccups and we put it on the inhaler.

Yeah!! Good for you!! You have a rough few weeks ahead, but unlike UC you'll be feeling better and better instead of worse of and worse.

I got the hiccups too, but they didn't last long. Using the breathing things helps, and they want you to use it a lot anyway to avoid pneumonia risk. Walking also helps, another thing you need to be doing.

Did the room have an extra bed for you to have someone staying with you?

My main problem for the first few days after step 1 was the nausea, which they can help you with easily, don't be afraid to ask if it's an issue.

So happy for you Dean!! You'll probably cope a lot better mentally with the temp ileo than I did because you were so sick before and it's a major improvement for you. Be sure to take advantage of the ostomy nurse, he/she has a wealth of knowledge for you.

Meesh62

My dad had the hic-ups for 48 hours following gall bladder surgery-they finally gave him meds to stop them, but it was a suppository, so not sure how that would work post-this surgery.

Glad you are on your way to healing!

DeathStalker's wife here. Unfortunately, he had some complications shortly after his last post. He's had a high temp and heart rate. He wasn't making much sense the last couple of days, although today he appears to be improving slightly. He's had blood work, cultures, EKG, X-rays, CT scans, etc., but they still haven't figured out what's going on.

Hopefully he'll get through this soon and start healing. He's looking forward to going home (and eating, finally).

Im so sorry he is having to deal with complications We look forward to hearing good news soon

I hope you feel better soon DeathStalker!! I too had some complications before and after surgery. I lost about 20 lbs in the month before surgery. After surgery, I had 2 really good days and that's when it hit me (fever, high WBC count). I basically felt pretty poor for 2 weeks and then started feeling a little better each day thereafter. I am now 1 month post surgery (step 1 of 2) and am feeling pretty good and gaining strength and weight (I've gained 8 lbs back). Hang in there and keep us posted. We're all pulling for you!!!!

After step 1 surgery I had an ileus, nasogastric tube inserted for 24 hours, a very high WBC count and fever from an infection, plus my potassium level dropped precipitously to the point of being forced to drink liquid potassium on an emergency basis (they will not inject you with it in an IV as it cannot be absorbed rapidly without risking cardiac arrest). This is a serious major surgery and these complications are not unusual. I am confident DS will pull through OK.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DJBHusky,

How's Deathstalker doing? Hope all is well!