Almost passed out in Grocery store!!

OMG, I really almost went down today. I am almost 3 wks post. I have been feeling good the past few days. Voted Tues., Yesterday did a few errands, even to the library for 20 minutes for book. No probs!
However, today went to just slowly, carefully get a few things at Shaws, small items. I did push the carriage, but carefully. Well, I did start feeling pressure (probably cuff area + lower abd.), and a little discomfort 3/4 done, so got in line and really started to feel baad. > heart rate and I knew I probably was looking pale. Of course getting scared too. Oh, and kind of a cool feeling hips, thighs. I just told the lady in line I didn't feel well and I left the store (without my items). I made it to my car and elevated my legs up on the steering wheel to get my BP stable and called my husband. I am darn lucky I didn't go down. I think I am finished with grocery stores for a whiile. Anyhow, I did NOT drive home. Hubs had to come and get me. I just didn't feel well enough to take the risk of hurting anyone else also. So much for being in good shape pre-op. The healing really takes time no matter what.
I guess I am coming to see why my doc said 6 weeks off work!!

Please call your Dr. That could be a sign that you are anemic, or that your potassium could be low, or it could mean that you over did it, but for your safety you should really call your Dr. and let him determe why you felt faint.
Sending you a big and my prayers. I hope you never have that kind of spell again

Oh gosh, how scary for you :-(

I am so glad that you did the right thing & got yourself out of there & home safely.

But I do think a call to the Dr would be a good idea so that he can make sure everything is fine.

And no more shopping without an escort for a little while :-)

Hugs

Katy

I didn't call the doc. I am sure she would have said I over-did it, which I know. I know my hgb was around 10 when I left the hospital so I am a little anemic. And I have had little to no bleeding since (except a little when I walked too much last Sunday). If I had been bleeding I would have absolutely called. I got home and rested and felt much better. I think the pushing the carriage and being up too long just wore me out. It is also possible that when I started to get concerned I had a little panic attack too.........Thanks for the concern though. I will take another week break from shopping (alone) I don't show any signs of internal bleeding either, but certainly if I feel like that again I will let her know.

I am so glad you are feeling better, A good friend of mine is going to have a hyst. in Jan and I was showing her this site and she read your post, she chuckled because she said when she had her gall bladder surgery, she did the exact same thing you did except she actually did pass out, so she had to go by ambulance just to be told that she over did it. Good thing you know your body so well, me? I would have freaked and ended up spending hours in the ER

Interesting reply about your friend Diana, how terrible she did faint! She will be experienced now.
Well, I think it helps I am a nurse and have had to make many, many judgement calls on when to call the doc for post-op patients. I am just so glad I made it to the car where I could recline. I checked to make sure I was not actively bleeding in the car. I certainly would have called an ambulance if it was more then spotting, but Luckily there was none. I bet this actually happens alot. The ladies near me at the G-store must have been perplexed, but I didn't want to stick around to explain. That may have been a judgement lapse on my part, but I just wanted to lie down ASAP, just not on the floor in front of everyone!And darn, I had some good things in my carriage

Olive - I had severe acute anemia and had similar symptoms as yours. I asked doc about it. He said it was my anemia - "You'll be going along just fine and suddenly you will crash. Just take it slow and sit down when you feel the crash coming." He told me it would probably take a full 6 months to recover completely.

I can still feel "the crash" coming - don't know what will bring it on or when it will happen, it just does. They are getting fewer and farther in between, but I am still surprised when it happens. Last week, I was standing in the hallway waiting for my class to take its bathroom break, when WHAM. I had to sit down, I sure was glad there are benches by the front bathrooms!

I am glad that you listened to your body. I had the same problem after my TVH. I went to the grocery store after week 4 and by the time I finished I was wore out. I started to get light headed and thought I was going to faint. I was at the back of the store and had to make it to the front since there was no place to sit down until I got to the front of the store. Listen to your body and don't over do it. Resting is the best thing to do.

Thanks gals, I did figure the anemia was not helping. Mine is not severe atleast. I am thinking of resuming the iron. I tried after week one and it just exaccerbated my bowel issues. Maybe now though.
I needed to lie down though with feet above heart. When I did that for 10-15 minutes in the car, then sat up I felt bad again so had my husband pick me up. I felt uncomfortable , pressure in the pelvis that kinda scarred me too. Oh well, hopefully wont happen again for any of us.
Thanks!!

Oh, Olive! So glad you made it to your car. That's so frightening .

Take care of you and get rest!

Hugs,
Buzylady