Mal-absorption Disorder

Well, I knew that this surgery would hamper my absorption. But this wasn't what I expected. You see, I'm changed jobs within my company. I'm now responsible for the entire data processing operation for a different client. There is no one to ask questions because the person I am replacing is gone. Now, the malabsorption part... I think they removed part of my smarts and bypassed some of my learning skills! Nothing seems to stick in my head any more! Do you suppose my brain cells were hiding in my stomach all along? I've turned into a bubble head (Not to be confused with a bobble head) I guess they will just have to settle for beauty, instead of brains! Joy

Joy Start taking Sublingual B-12 ASAP. You are way too low on B-12 & most likely the rest of your B vitaminis as well. As soon as you start taking the b-12 you will notice a big difference in you brain power. This is no joke. You will notice a difference within a few days. You should be taking at least 2500MGR a day & B complex on top of that. There are several different brands out there, but make sure they are the kind that say sublingual on them as we obsorb them just fine. Good louck & hope it helps. It sure helped me. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Marilyn, I was told to get in my B12 sublingual ONCE A WEEK, at 1,000 MG per dose -- you're doing this every day??? Reenie

Renne i have B-12 shots at home with the needles just got to learn how to give them to myself.... They told me too take 1 cc shot a month does that sound right??? It was my reggie doctor and he was not sure what WLS person should have ...so i think he just guessed do you know????? Misty

Joy, you cracked me up. Marilyn may be on to something here though. I've noticed that when I skip my B-12, as in forgot, I really do have more trouble retaining. Of course that's a vicious cycle... can't remember the B-12, which makes me not so sharp, so I forget the B-12, which makes me forget to take the B-12. You see where this is going. Connie

No one ever told me I needed to take B-12...I'm just taking my normal vitamins....should I be taking B-12 shots? Joan

Joan, You don't necessarily need the shots and can probably get by using a sublingual form. I use a liquid instead of a tablet. I was still little sluggish with just taking it once a week as my surgeon suggested so upped it to twice a week and am fine. Connie

Hello everyone! I too like Reenie (we both have DR A) to take 1000 a week. But I was noticing a problem with tiredness, cranky, not retaining important information and I was emotional too! I mentioned this at one of my meetings when Amy was still with Dr. A and after she checked my levels she said that even though they were fine I should up my 1000 a week to 2x a week. That helped great! I had been taking a chewable and had read here that the subligal thingys were better. So I tried them and I have to admit I saw an even bigger difference. I take them religiously two times a week. Most of the issues are gone and only come around when they should. Too bad the B12 doesn't make the bills go away!

Thanks! However I take B12 shots. (Family history of pernicious anemia, so I just started there). I have upped them to 3 times a month. (Oops--I'm overdue for one!) Joy

O.K. Guys & Gals,(long) Most of our Dr.s are still learning the strategies regarding B-12. If WLS folk are normal or just below that is not enough. We have to have more. They are learning that most of us over a year out our very low on B Vitamins especially B-12. I take 2500 MG a day Sometimes more. You cannot overdose on B-12 as you will pea out what your body doesn't need. Some even take the shots as they get too low. Being low on B-12 and also b-1 can cause severe brain wave issues & yes forgetting stuff is one of them. You should all start taking more of it and see the difference in how you feel. I also take a B-complex for stress as well as the B-12 and it really made a big difference. Hope this clears up some of your questions. there is an article out there regarding B-12 inWLS Folks Here It Is: Thanks to VitaLady for sharing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is how B-12 doesn't work for us. Extracted from food, it formerly passed into the lower stomach, acid and enzyme ****tail, mingled with the intrinsic factor and from there went through the duodenum and down the jejunum, etc and distributes itself accordingly. Got no acid/enzymes, got no duodenum, got no jejunum. Can't mingle the B-12 with the intrinsic factor. Can eat B-12 all day and swallow it but it sits forever at the bus stop waiting for the bus, which never comes. Dots are supposedly absorbed via the mucous membrane of the mouth. The Nascobal (Rx) nasal spray works on the same theory. Never seen the Nascobal work for anyone long term. The dots do work but, in theory, they cannot. No intrinsic factor. In theory, B-12 naturally decreases in everyone after age 50. Excerpted from Earl Mindell's Vitamin Bible (bearing in mind that he is talking to people who have the use of their stomachs and access to intrinsic factor, which does not apply to RNY people): a.. Water soluble and effective in very small doses b.. Commonly known as the "red vitamin," also cyanocobalamin c.. Cyanocobalamin is the commercial available form of vitamin B-12 used in vitamin pills d.. Measured in micrograms (mcg) e.. The only vitamin that contains essential mineral elements f.. Not well assimilated through the stomach A diet low in B-12 and high in folic acids (such as a vegetarian diet) often hides a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A properly functioning thyroid gland helps B-12 absorption. Symptoms of B-12 deficiency may take more than five years to appear after body stores have been depleted. In the human diet, vitamin B-12 is supplied primarily animal products, since plant foods (with minor exceptions) don't contain it. What it can do for you: a.. Form and regenerate red blood cells, thereby preventing anemia b.. Promote growth and increase appetite in children c.. Increase energy d.. Maintain a healthy nervous system e.. Properly utilize fats, carbohydrates and protein f.. Relieve irritability g.. Improve concentration, memory and balance h.. Deficiency: pernicious anemia Best natural sources: a.. Liver b.. Beef c.. Pork d.. Eggs e.. Milk f.. Cheese g.. Kidney Supplements: Because B-12 is not absorbed well through the stomach, (Earl Mindell) recommends the sublingual form of the vitamin (and another one we cannot use). Toxicity: There have been no cases reported of vitamin B-12 toxicity, even on megadose regimens. Enemies: a.. Acids and alkalies b.. Water c.. Sunlight d.. Alcohol e.. Estrogen f.. Sleeping pills If you are a vegetarian and have excluded eggs and dairy products from your diet, then you need B-12 supplementation. (This would also apply to those who cannot digest these or mix them with intrinsic factor - people with the lower stomach out of the system). If you drink a lot, B-12 is an important supplement for you. Combined with folic acid, B-12 can be a most effective revitalize. Surprisingly heavy protein consumers may also need extra amounts of the vitamin, which works synergistically with almost all other B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, E and C. Elderly people (another reference reads "over 50") frequently have difficulty absorbing vitamin B-12 and require supplementation by injection. Women may find B-12 helpful, as part of a B complex, during and just prior to menstruation. Combining symptoms mentioned: a.. Body odor b.. Heart palpitations c.. Menstrual problems d.. e.. Mouth sores and cracks Vaginal itching Marilyn, The bearlady