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I am now five years post ileoanalanastamosis surgery and I still struggle with dehydration. My struggle is such that it interferes with the quality of my life. I am often weak and tired, my blood pressure is low, I get dizzy and lightheaded easily, and I have difficulty with concentration. 

I have tried taking Loperamide to slow digestion and increase time for water to be absorbed. But the side effects of tiredness and blurry vision are too extreme for me. If I take Loperamide, I sleep all the time and can't see clearly when I'm awake.

I drink liters of water per day, and still do not feel hydrated.

Is anyone else having problems with dehydration after surgery? If so, what do you do about it?

I have visited my doctor about this, but she did not have any answers. I am considering going to another doctor.

 Reply posted for angie99353.

I assume you've consumed a lot of electrolyte solutions?  G2 and/or homemade?  Add salt to G2 for better results

 Reply posted for angie99353.

Hi Angie,

I had a total colectomy on 7/30/13 and suffered terribly with hydration issues. I actually couldn't keep ahead of it and ended up in hospital again. The best thing for me was mixing lemon-lime G2 Gatorade with water. If I drank it straight it made me sick.

Bear in mind if you drink straight water you will flush your electorlytes out......

Time really helped as the small intestine got better at absorbing. I still get dehydrated now, but not critically and I have slipeed back to my old ways of not drinking much.

If you have a temporary ileostomy, once you get the take-down surgery it will improve because you will have more small intestine.

Laura

 Reply posted for lenoralouise.

Oh and for me, the only thing that slowed digestion was more time after surgery. But still it's questionable whether it is slowed for sure. I did try the Imodium (but what doesn't work for one might work for another) right after surgery and it did not help. I do think that eating steak and meats help,but I don't know if it is something that would have worked early on because I was not a big meat eater. I don't really have dehydration anymore that I can't handle so I haven't really worried about the "bulking' up issue I kind of gave up. I think my small intestine has learned to take in more electrolytes and stuff so think in time your's might too......if you are given a medication though for "bulking up" be sure to check if it causes dehydration because you could be running in circles, especially if you are given a medication that isn't helping much.

 Reply posted for angie99353.

I'm on a role here. I had my colon removed in 1989 and after it was all done I never went back for after care because I didn't have insurance, plus I was just tired. So I have kind of muddled through for 25 years. I  did not ever think to look online. I thought it was rare or something. Anyway, I found this site and now I can't seem to be able to stop responding to people. My advice is go get that artificial salt,they used to call it NUsalt. It is made from potassium, put a few pinches in a V8 and you would be amazed at what it does. I have learned it it not really just the water you are loosing, but the electrolytes are not being absorbed properly. Your food more then likely comes out fairly recognizable, so learn what makes you loose more liquids. Watermelon, grape juice, and red food coloring (especially red soft drinks) where some of mine. Also if you take vitamins make sure they are chewable so they will absorb well.

 Reply posted for mise410.

Hi! Thank you for the reply. Years ago I drank sports drinks on the advice of my surgeon. However, I did not get hydrated from it. While in the ER for dehydration, the doctor there advised against it because of the sugar content - sugar is a diuretic and laxative. Now I am trying the calorie-free sports drinks hoping that will work.

I've taken Immodium (loperamide) in the past. The side effects of drowsiness and blurred vision are more than I can handle - my life comes to a standstill because of those effects.

I'm glad to hear IV infusions are an option. I have been wondering about them.

Thanks again for your reply. :)

Hi!

I have had a 100% colectomy this past year. I have three year old boy running around, a super active career, and barely enough time to settle down. Hydration has been challenging for me. Water has not hydrated me at all. I talked to a nutritionist post surgery and she suggested Gatorade for the electrolytes. I endured five surgeries within six months and only Gatorade has helped my hydration. I also drink decaf green tea for some variety.

My doc has also told me that if I needed to I can go in for a couple hrs for IV fluids. I also take imodium to slow things down. Staying ahead of dehydration seems to be the key.

Hope this helps! Best of Luck!