follow instructions - ThinnerTimes

melanie hirschorn · 12-22-2005, 11:27 AM

when i had my gbs almost three years ago they told me i had the healthiest gallbladder they had ever seen. after surgery they told me to take actigall to avoid gallbladder problems later on. i took it for about 3 days and i thought i was allergic to it. i got a bad rash and had really bad diaherra. i think it was just from undergoing surgery and i just didn't want to swallow that horse pill and i stopped taking it. well, guess what. three years later i now have to go in for gallbladder removal. so the bottom line is follow instructions when it comes to vitamins or anything because down the line it will catch up with you.
melanie

Mavisavis · 12-22-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie hirschorn

when i had my gbs almost three years ago they told me i had the healthiest gallbladder they had ever seen. after surgery they told me to take actigall to avoid gallbladder problems later on. i took it for about 3 days and i thought i was allergic to it. i got a bad rash and had really bad diaherra. i think it was just from undergoing surgery and i just didn't want to swallow that horse pill and i stopped taking it. well, guess what. three years later i now have to go in for gallbladder removal. so the bottom line is follow instructions when it comes to vitamins or anything because down the line it will catch up with you.
melanie

We have to take a med called Urso.......OMG was it nasty back when we had to crush it. It's not too huge, so is ok to swallow now. I was afraid of exactly what happened to you, so I gagged and suffered through those first 6 weeks. By the way, I wish you the best for your upcoming surgery!

Dara · 12-22-2005, 01:12 PM

Melanie and I have talked about this subject time and time again. It is SOOOOOO important for us to take our medication and supplements religiously. In rare cases, it can mean the difference between life as a healthy person and death! If we don't, consequences may not be revealed for years, but the lack of vitamins and nutrients will catch up with us eventually.

I'll never forget Woody's post about his dear wife. Her planned plastic surgery had to be postponed because they found she had lesions on her brain. Guess what caused them? A thiamine deficiency, because she had stopped taking her vitamins! Geez, lesions on the brain?!?! Now, THAT'S scary.

Please don't be tricked into thinking you're okay if your labs are normal. Down the road, they probably won't be...and it might be too late to reverse any problems then!

In Melanie's case, she now realizes it probably would have been better to take the Actigall and suffer the side effects...especially since the Actigall was a short-term medication. Melanie is truly the poster girl for WLS. She's a wonderful success and my mentor. This situation just emphasizes that we all must be diligent with EVERYTHING we do to maintain our good health.

Melanie, I hope and pray that your surgery is done lap. You know I'm pullin' for ya! Love ya!

Bypassingme619 · 12-22-2005, 01:45 PM

I am 5 months out and haven't taken any atigal. Could be the very reason why I have been feeling sluggish sometimes. Melaine I hope everything works out. Thanks for sharing your story, I need to make an appointment to get my GB checked out.

coptergirl · 12-22-2005, 02:09 PM

Melanie...I wish you the very best and will be praying along with Dara that they can do it lap for you. Hang in there!

melanie hirschorn · 12-22-2005, 03:30 PM

denise, you would not be sluggish from the gallbladder. you would be having attacks which is sharp pain on the right side under the rib cage and radiating to the back of your shoulder. it feels like you're having a heart attack. it's a gallbladder attack. if you're feeling sluggish, make sure you're taking all your vitamins.
melanie

Dara · 12-22-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melanie hirschorn

denise, you would not be sluggish from the gallbladder. you would be having attacks which is sharp pain on the right side under the rib cage and radiating to the back of your shoulder. it feels like you're having a heart attack. it's a gallbladder attack. if you're feeling sluggish, make sure you're taking all your vitamins.
melanie

Denise:

What Melanie said is right. I actually had gallbladder attacks before surgery and I mistakenly thought they were from my GERD. When I had my pre-op gallbladder ultrasound, I was told I had gallstones. I did some research, and found that what I thought had been really bad acid reflux episodes were actually gallbladder attacks. My symptoms were more concentrated in my midsection, but they were EXTREMELY painful. It felt like someone shoved a sword through my midsection and out through my back. A couple of times, I laid on the floor of my office to try to ease the pain. Nothing eased it. Thankfully, the pain subsided after a while. But I quickly learned that gallstones are nothing to mess around with!