And you're not cranky. You're sharing yourself with us. That's a gift. M.

Well, I hope you don't mind but I literally cut-and-pasted your post and sent it in an email message to my doctor; he already has me scheduled for blood work to get my D levels checked, and some other panels. Thanks for this! I'm thinking this might really be connected to the leg cramping - it's really terrible for me... I hope you feel better soon! M.

Yes, the Vitamin D level is one of those secret time bomb issues because if your calcium level is coming back "normal" - your PCP or regular doctor is likely to say everything is peachy. But the fact is, if you are deficient in Vitamin D, your body is actually leaching calcium from your bones - a very, very bad thing - which is why your calcium level is coming back "normal" !! In other words, your body is eating your bones up for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because it is starving for calcium - all because the system is not absorbing Vitamin D. But no one knows this unless it is specifically being tested. Your WLS surgeon knows to do this - or should. But regular doctors tend to dismiss this. Connie, are you having any unusual leg or other muscle cramping going on associated with this disease? In the last month or so, I am having these debilitating episodes of cramps in my thighs, calves, and feet. Last night, I was screaming and sobbing because my thigh cramped up so badly. Is anyone else having this at all? Sounds like we all should get our D level checked out! There's so much about this surgery post-life concerning health issues that we simply don't know or understand yet. Yikes. M.

Here's hoping health insurance reform is just over the horizon, my friend... M.

mike...i don't care which party you voted for and i am not blaming either party right now - i simply need health care--and i need to be able to get a policy written--my experinece in this was losing my  (quiet excellent and free to us) health care in feb this year when michael's employer let him go -and so when i try to buy health care i am told that i cannot get it due to my (pre existing condition) wls.....well- no-that's not right--i CAN get it-just not til march 2009 --i must be 5 years out! that sux....i need my labs done and i think i am having thyroid issues....and i just pray that i don't get an obstruction or need my bg taken out!

so that is my issue--
i agree the whole system stinks and i do not have an easy answer for it--i am not po'd at you and i hope no one else will be--i simply wanted each of us to exercise our right to vote- our responsibility to vote!

on a diff note- michael had to be taken by ambulance from one hospital to another this summer--- the bill was 975.00---we just got another bill from them saying that they sent to ins (after i hadt o supply info for him) and ins denied it( which i don't understand) --soooo--if i want to pay in full right now i can save 10%--i wanna know which oriface they expect me to pull $900+ out of--i am thinking $5.00 a month is what they will get which is more than some of my creditors are getting right now!

that is a whole other soap box i could get on but won't-not tonite anyhow! and maureen accused me of being mellow!!hehe

good to see you posting guy!!!