seriously - GBS is not a magic bullet - ThinnerTimes

LisaM · 02-11-2007, 05:43 AM

I'm NOT looking for a "po' baby" response to this post, and I'm well aware that my woes are minor in comparison to a number of folks on the board. This is just kind of a reality check for the newer kids.

Also, thinking about Marie's post, I think my attention to the problems listed below is definitely because I'm taking better care of myself. I am more likely to go to the doc, because I can't blame my health issues on my weight anymore.

I thought losing the weight would take care of all my problems with my joints. However, my excess weight apparently damaged my knees more than I knew. I'll be talking to my doc Tuesday about the continuing pain in my right knee.
I'll also be talking to him about my inability to sleep for more than a couple hours at a time, and the impossibility of staying in bed for more than five or six hours all told. I thought my sleeping issues were due to undiagnosed sleep apnea or something else directly attributable to my obesity. Apparently not.
I'll also be talking to him (poor guy) about my overall exhaustion, which may be due to the above sleeping problem, or may be due to my work schedule, or it may be that some portion of my supplement intake is not sufficient. While all my previous blood tests have been fine, it doesn't mean these will be. I'm asking him to do my 18-month post-op blood tests a month early, so I can rule out anemia or other nutritional issues as we work to resolve this.
I came darn close to passing out yesterday when I stood up in the bathtub. Took 20 minutes for the feeling of dizziness and weakness to fade. I've also had an unholy craving for salt for the last week. I'm interested to find out what my blood pressure is, and whether low blood pressure is a problem for me. Or, again, whether it's a supplement issue.

This post is also to encourage those who are having internal or external pain, no matter how far post-op, to get thee to a doctor. Michelle posted something similar a few months back, and I think it needs to be said again. We get these posts on the forum almost every single day. Pain is not normal or natural, other than in the very early post-op period while your body is trying to heal. If you're in pain, go see your doctor!

JenBear7 · 02-11-2007, 07:16 AM

Lisa.. thanks for your post. The timing is great, I was just talking to a friend of mine yesterday about wondering if ALL the pain would go away after surgery, because I have been big for so long. I am also convinced I have undiagnosed sleep apnea (and it doesnt look like they are going to have me do the sleep study before surgery).

I keep saying I am in a better place than some of the people I know that had the surgery because of the information level. This board has been more helpful than anything else, because there is no sugar coating.. and stuff like you just said, is just more information for me to stock pile.. and there may be someone else out there feeling the same way, and can now say "I'm not alone".. (the second biggest reason I love the people on the board).

That said.. I do hope your doc figures out why you arent sleeping, and why you are exhausted. I also hope it is something easy to "fix"..Thanks for the info!

Dyann · 02-11-2007, 07:36 AM

Great Advice Lisa...especially about the pain issue.

Abdominal pain has so many causes. Like last weekend....I had horrible pain and I went to my doctor...definitely didn't doctor it myself. Sometimes we need a little reassurance that we are ok, but the better part of valor is always to get checked out.

Duckie · 02-11-2007, 08:50 AM

Lisa... I'm clapping! Thank you.

Gonna go search for my post.

Duckie · 02-11-2007, 08:57 AM

My post Lisa mentioned. I feel I must say this.

MiladyB · 02-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Excellent post, Lisa. I truly appreciated your post and Marie's.

Before surgery I was the type to avoid doctors like the plague. I know I turned a deaf ear on some very real health problems. I didn't want to know how bad off I was, even though I have a pcp who has a very refreshing attitude in regards to how he approaches the issue of weight. Since surgery I have vowed to take care of myself and have spent the last year seeing more doctors then I have ever seen. I've made sure that I have gotten to the dentist, had my yearly mamogram, pap smear and even made sure I had that dreaded colonoscopy. I just came to the conclusion that if I was going to do something so drastic as wls to help me with my weight issues, I was going to go all the way and do whatever I can to make sure I am as healthy as I can be.

I think so many of us have the attitude like I did; avoid doctors at all cost. Well it wasn't a smart way for me to be in the past and it isn't now. Thank you for the reminder to not avoid continued health problems and to not avoid possible new ones. We are all worth the extra effort to get ourselves as healthy as we can.

brookscn · 02-11-2007, 10:44 AM

Lisa:
I applaud you - a lot of us did avoid doctors because we didn't want to hear the "truth" - but, you can only get relief if you ask.

Regarding your joint issues - I thought that the weight loss would totally cure my chronic knee pain. It didn't. In fact, it seemed to get worse. I went to an orthopedic surgeon, and he took x-rays and we saw that my knee joints were a mess (age related, heredity, but mostly the years of weight). He did this series of five weekly injections in my knee - and while I won't say I'm totally cured, it has helped me 99%. The shots do hurt, I won't lie - but I'm glad I did it (and I will eventually end up doing it in my other knee once it starts acting up).

Good luck to you.........when you go to the doctor, make sure you have a list of all of your issues - I always bring them on a sticky note - just so that I don't forget one of them. My doc is always happy when I have the list with me.

michelleJC · 02-11-2007, 02:35 PM

Lisa,
I could have written this post myself. All four of the things you mentioned, I too experience. I have talked to both my surgeon and my PCP about all of these problems and have yet to resolve them. My surgeon says they are unrelated to my GBP and to see my PCP. My PCP says that I should talk to my surgeon. I have seen a rheumatologist about my knees and he doesn't think the pain is severe enough for surgery or anything else. He did mention the cortisone injections once but I opted out. Might reconsider now. My sleeping has been an issue since the day I had surgery. We all on here have talked a lot about the causes and medications that we use or in my case, over use (ambien). I have also suffered from exhaustion in the last year. I have been told it's due to the fact that I lost so much weight so quickly and it will take some time for my body to readjust. As far as the dizziness goes, I have it daily when I get up from a sitting or laying position. I have had extensive cardiac testing and everything came back normal so that was kind of brushed aside. All my labs since one month post op have been normal. I don't know what to think about all these medical issues other than the fact that maybe our bodies really do need an adjustment period. It doesn't feel like anything life threatening so I am just hoping things change with time.

Gina in NY · 02-11-2007, 03:00 PM

I can see this too. Before surgery, I blamed all negative aspects in my life on my weight. It makes sense to think that when the weight is gone, all other negative aspects of my life would be gone too. But I guess not.

I'm already getting some of the dizziness, only now and then.

The sleep thing I think makes a lot of sense. I think I used food to put myself to sleep. If your stomach is working hard digesting, the blood is there, busy and you can sleep. I wonder how much of a habit that is for your body to overcome?? Or I wonder if it is an anxiety issue..

Ah well. I appreciate everyone's input. I'll keep a sharp eye as I am sure most of us will, learning from your wisdom.

kittens4 · 02-11-2007, 04:13 PM

I agree! WLS doesn't solve all problems, but it sure does help! For some people, the problems are worse. I had complications, but am feeling better than ever now. Duckie you are right on...this is the internet...it's one thing to get your opinion or Dyann's opinion on some things...diarrhea, food choices, sleeping, whatever....but people have to realize that you can't diagnose us on the internet! I remember when I was vomiting uncontrollably for hours, I certainly wasn't posting on here! I got my a$$ to the ER and of course was admitted w/a small bowel obstruction! Then 2 weeks later when I had SEVERE pain in my left side....again, I wasn't posting here...I was back in the ER with pneumonia!

I think you know when something is really wrong. I had diarrhea (8-10 times a day) for the last 2 weeks straight. I thought something was wrong, and due to my previous blockage, I talked to the doctor right away, submitted stool samples, blood, and had an abdominal ultrasound! He started by slowly taking away things. Prevacid was 1st on his list....and sure enough that was it! After not being on it for 2 days I felt improvement, and now, day#4, things have returned to normal and all is well! Ya just never know! I do believe I'm healthier since having the surgery, but I am also aware that can change any minute! I do love this forum though! So many questions have been answered and I believe I've avoided doing/eating some bad things based on the information I've received from you ladies! I can't thank you enough for being there and for answering the questions!

p.s. I have the sleep issue also. I tried Trazadone, but it was too much for me. I woke up feeling hungover..even on a low dose. I have anxiety issues also, so I take Paxil in the morning and xanax in the evening. I sleep 8 hours every night, right through...and wake up feeling great! So far, so good! I think water exercise helps also...I take that 3 nights a week, and do 45 mins on the treadmill 1 or 2 nights also.