Hi-ho hi-ho....it's off to the ER I go (again)
Once again I was back at the ER this weekend. They wanted to admit me, but I weasled my way out of that one. After a bag of IVs and IV antibiotics, I was free to go.
This started with a simple cold again. Then turned to an ear / sinus infection. I went to my PCP on Tuesday and he gave me antibiotics. I asked for liquids since last time around I didn't seem to get the benefits of the capsules and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia. Actually, I begged for a shot so that they would get into my system for sure, but PCP wouldn't go for that. By Friday night, I had lost my voice and it had moved to my glands in my throat and my chest. I was also dehydrated (again) even though I thought that I was drinking like a fish! I'm getting so frustrated with the doctors in this rinky-dink town. They all want to blame all of my problems on my gastric bypass surgery. I'm so tired of educating them all on the facts / myths of WLS.
Anyway, I'm back off of my soapbox for now. Thanks for letting me vent.
Heather
Sorry to hear about your health problems, Heather. I hope this round of antibiotics will help you. One question, did you have problems with sinus/ear infections prior to your gastric bypass, or is this a new problem? This is one infection I haven't heard blamed on WLS before.
Best of luck to you.
Debra M.
They aren't saying that my sinus/ear infections and bouts with pneumonia are directly due to WLS. What they (both my PCP and the ER doctor) have insinuated or are directly saying (the ER doctor directly blamed WLS) is two-fold:
1. Because of my WLS, I'm not absorbing the medication that they give me thus letting the infection worsen because essentially, I'm not getting the full treatment.
2. Because of my WLS, I'm malnourished and therefore have an extremely weak immune system. I'll admit, part of this one is probably true. I finally admitted a couple of months ago that I had a problem with anorexia (see my profile). I had let my body get pretty out of whack. However, I've been working on this problem REALLY hard and have made great improvements!
It's just so frustrating to constantly feel like a problem patient. They make me feel like I purposely altered my body in order to harm myself. I just wished they would see all of the good that WLS does for people.
Thanks,
Heather
That's a bummer Heather.
Remember that you're the PAYING customer!!! If the doctor is belittling you or dumping blame somewhere then I's say - GET A NEW DOCTOR!!!!! You don't have to put up with that kind of treatment.
I've gone through a handful of doctors to find one that is respectable and treats me like a real human with real problems. (although my case is the opposite and most doctors tell me that my problems have nothing to do with wls when I know they do).
Get some rest and take it easy on yourself!!!
laurie
Heather,
I just read your profile, and I think it takes a great deal of courage to admit you have a problem with anorexia. Congratulations to you for admitting this, and taking steps to control it. The first issue with the medication not fully working for you is your doctor's problem. There are thousands of new WLS patients every year, and doctors have to learn to how to properly treat us for various diseases, including common cold and flu viruses, as well as bacterial infections. If they need to use different medications or dosages than they normally would in a non-WLS patient, then they need to learn that. That is not your fault.
The second issue of having a compromised immune system due to your malnourishment - well, as you have said, you are taking steps to improve that. Looking at the pictures of your beautiful family, you have several wonderful reasons to do so. They are depending on your continued good health for their well being, so vitamins and good nutrition are the key.
I can finally understand the ferocious undertow of anorexia. I am not there, but I understand it. I have lost five pounds in the last two weeks, with the grief of my father's death. I have simply not wanted to eat, as I was afraid I would never stop. I have begun to eat again, although even when I wasn't eat solid food, I was drinking my protien shakes. I am still not probably not eating as much food as I should be, but seeing the scale drop again is like a drug. I wonder how low could it go? That is the pull of anorexia I understand. With the holiday dinners coming up, I guess I'm not too worried about eating again. lol, I'll probably be complaining about the weight gain.
All I can say, again, I wish you a quick recovery, both from this recent sinus/chest infection, and your problems with anorexia.
Debra M.
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