Almost Fainted in the OR Twice!! - Page 2

Nature Valley Granola bar (Oats and Honey - green box). Eat both of the bars in one packet, put 2 TBSP of peanut butter on one of them but eat both. In the car or on your way in, eat one banana, wash it down with 8 oz. orange juice -or- one can V8, Vfusion strawberry-bannana juice.

Do the above and you'll last.

I passed out in the OR too. Idk why. I ate a good breakfast and remembered to shuffle my feet. Another student in my class passed out also. I don't think I got nauseous either because I was just watching a colonoscopy not a limp amputation or anything.

Not everyone could tolerate that many carbs. A breakfast like that would have me on the floor a couple hours later for sure.

I eat a high protein breakfast with only complex carbs, never juice, and a serving of a healthy fat, and that does it for me. The OP may need to experiment with limiting simple carbohydrates and focusing on protein and a small dose of a healthy fat, especially if lunches are hard to come by until late, as is the case where I work.

Breakfast...it really is the most important meal of the day when heading into the OR. I can oh so feel it if I've not eaten well. Don't be stingy on that btw...eat a healthy BIG breakfast with the protein and whole wheat natural bread (no high fructose corn syrup)....and oatmeal with nuts was always a fav of mine with scrambled eggs on the side. Work up to that if you're not used to eating it. I'm glad you're going to check things out with your doc...good idea to r/o other problems. And think WATER is so underrated!! I drink TONS of water during the week when I'm working. Bring a tumbler/cup with the straw and keep it filled all day!

I ALWAYS wear my compression socks (don't do hose) and I'm never without my Danskos. They are worth every penny and then some.

I always breath out of my mouth if it's a smelly case...I've made the mistake of taking a "sniff" here and there, but I usually just "shut off my nose" if that makes sense.

Heat plays a HUGE factor and people always ask why it's so cold in the OR. Bottom line is, scrubbed-in personnel's comfort. I work with a ST that will wear the vest mentioned earlier if she's in certain rooms that are either long cases or the room is hot.

:redpinkhe I think the bottom line is to not be a hero and take care of yourself. Hopefully between the advice you've received here and talking to your doc, you'll be able to get through this. If you will need to be in the OR before your doc appt. ask to be in SHORT cases and not in hot rooms. If you are able to observe and sit periodically, do it.

I agree...and don't do pop if you don't have to have it. Water, water, water. Mid-morning I'll have a quick sip of 100% OJ with no added sugar. Oh and I forgot, I also second the Naked juices. Some Starbucks will sell them, so I ask them to blend it with ice to make a smoothie.

Sounds like blood sugar to me and sometimes it's not that it gets very low but rather how fast it falls that will make you feel faint....high protein/complex carb breakfast and then 15 or so almonds about 3 hours later is my routine and it really works. Otherwise, I'm on the floor too!

This may seem labor-intensive, but when I had time to make breakfast I'd have 4 egg whites & 1 whole egg, scrambled with cheese and/or salsa, toast w/peanut butter, and some fruit. It's healthy and will definitely keep you full for a long time! My more time-conscious suggestion would be instant oatmeal with peanut butter added. Sounds weird, but it's delicious (I put cinnamon in mine) and it'll keep you full a long time! Only takes about a minute and a half to make. And like others mentioned, water water water!

If you do feel another episode coming, sit down! Even if you have to sit on the floor. I had a student who fell this week who went down spectacularly- took out an entire rack of supplies and almost nailed his head on the floor. I leaped across the room and got my hand under his head just before it hit. This young man had been in several cases just fine, but maybe it was the lead this time that got him.

I do agree that most fainters forgo a good breakfast. I lost several students/residents during Ramadan.

Good luck! Hopefully it is an easy fix for you. And like you were told, it does happen, so don't feel like the only person to ever faint in an OR.

my easy breakfast that works AMAZINGLY well...slow release of glucose into blood, no crash, and lots of fiber to keep you full for a long time: 2 eggo low fat whole grain waffles (the box with the peach slices on the waffle on the cover) toasted. smear 1 tsbp natural jiff on on waf and then slice up 1/2 banana and put on peanut butter. add other waf on top and voila! it's easy to carry (i eat mine in the car on the way every morning) and it seriously keeps me feeling genuinely full up to 5 hours at a time. try a breakfast with more fiber, protein and complex carbs and see if that helps your fainting spells. good luck!!