This topic is about someone who is recovering from emergency diverticulitis surgery and is experiencing a mix of morning energy and evening dizziness, along with discomfort from their ostomy wafer. They are seeking advice on how to manage these issues. Here are some helpful insights and tips:
1. Monitor Blood Pressure
- It's common to experience low blood pressure after surgery, which can cause dizziness, especially when standing up quickly.
- Consider using a home blood pressure cuff to keep track of your readings. If there's a consistent difference between the readings of your arms, consult a doctor.
- Wearing compression or pressure stockings might help stabilize your blood pressure when you stand.
2. Hydration Balance
- Both too little and too much fluid intake can affect your blood pressure.
- Try to maintain a balanced fluid intake by including drinks with electrolytes, like Pedialyte or pharmacy electrolyte sachets, instead of just plain water.
- If you have a high-output ileostomy, aim to drink 90–100 ounces of fluid daily, with added salt or electrolytes, as plain water can sometimes worsen dehydration.
- Drinking warm water before bed and keeping fluids within reach to sip on can be helpful.
3. Assess Possible Contributing Factors
- Consult with a doctor to rule out other causes of dizziness, such as low iron, thyroid issues, or ulcers.
- Although no medications are being taken in this case, it's worth reviewing any that might cause light-headedness.
4. Wafer and Skin Comfort
- It's normal to feel a tight or heavy sensation from the wafer in the early weeks after surgery, and this usually improves over time.
- Using a barrier ring under the wafer can help reduce pressure and discomfort, and prevent stinging.
- Make sure the wafer isn't applied too tightly in the morning, as your abdomen might expand throughout the day.
5. General Recovery Tips
- Take your time when standing up and use furniture or walls for support if needed.
- Keep chewable foods that can thicken your output handy if you experience watery output.
- Track your stoma output, hydration, and blood pressure daily, and report any ongoing issues to an ostomy nurse or physician.
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