Neuropathy revisited
A while back some of you may remember me discussing (and especially with Laurie!) neuropathy in feet mostly but fingertips too. My doc did run B12 and B6 tests, I think, which were normal. I asked about B1 and such but she said B6 was what needed to be tested. Anyway, those were all normal when she called and left me the message. Think this was my 9 month post-op blood work timeframe. I wasn't happy with the fact that she didn't say anything like "hmmm, maybe we need to figure out the neuropathy" - but this was a recorded message with her review of the results from the paper and not a face-to-face type thing.
I am happy to report that it seems like the changes I MADE in vitamins was a success and that I don't seem to have much if any neuropathy anymore. I can now scratch my calf and feel the same sensation at the top as at the bottom. Amazing how good a scratch can feel when it feels normal.
I did my own adjusting on vitamins and added B1 along with my B50 and then ultimately I replaced both of those with 2 B100s each day. This information gleaned from a file on vitamins from one of the nutrition WLS yahoogroups (either OSSG-nutrition or OSSG-protein, I forget which one).
I really hate to have to make these changes on my own but I wasn't sure what the particular deficiency was but I was pretty darned sure there was one and it was the Bs and I was not going to take it laying down and sit and wait for possible permanent damage to be done. I do love my doctor but sometimes there is a disconnect there when labs are run and nothing is found and she doesn't tell me to come back in to further evaulate. I guess I need to be more aggressive in that and follow-up.
Anyway, I was proactive and took matters into my own hands and I looked at the vitamin list compiled by longer term post-ops who have dealt with deficiencies and knew that since the Bs do not get stored up in the body and there really aren't toxic levels of them that I wasn't hurting anything by taking two B100s. (I am aware that certain amounts of certain vitamins/minerals can be toxic like iron and selenium (which I'm now taking) but the Bs are fairly cool.)
My health is so very important to me. I don't want to go behind my doctor's back. I give her alot of credit for the myriad of blood work that she did do for my year checkup. It was alot more than many other patients get done. (Not as comprehensive as the list on that yahoogroup but a high percentage of them.) And, I've never seen selenium listed on any list of tests and lo and behold... I had a deficiency. So kudos to her on that. Next time I see her I'm going to discuss the neuropathy and the B100 remedy so that perhaps my experience will not be repeated with other gastric bypass patients of hers. I realize that she doesn't specialize in post-ops - I doubt there is anyone but she is learning and just the fact she tested me for selenium and many of the other things means that she is reading and learning about "us".
Kathy
AMEN AMEN and AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I so agree 100 % Kathy!!!! I too have eliviated my neuropathy on my own by making adjustments in my vitamins. I no longer have drop foot either!!!! These wl surgeons are NOT experts in everything!! And we do have to be proactive in our own health care.
Research, research, research - it's time consuming but well worth it.
Laurie
Kathy,
I'm experiencing that neuropathy issue with my foot rigiht now. I have been for the last 6 weeks or so. I didn't recall you having that issue. I'm so swamped with my job right now I haven't been able to get to the Dr. I'm going to buy some B100 today and give it a try. My foot has been slightly better this week, but not completely. I'm so sick and tired of tripping as I walk! Right now I take a b12 every day, but no other Bs. Maybe this is the answer!
Thanks for sharing!
Wanda
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