WLS & Peripheral Neuropathy

Hi Cali,

Wow, I had to use the dictionary to spell that subject line.   LOL

During my 9 mos. post WLS appt. today, I was told to add another supplement.  That would be vitamin B1.  I asked the reasoning behind it and was told:

They (Dr's) are starting to see signs of Peripheral Neuropathy in WLS patients and this is not reversable.  The B1 will help with this and to take 1 tablet a day.  So I will head to Walgreens and pick up a bottle.  The mg. does not matter, just take 1 a day.

I know from watching my boss on a daily basis what Peripheral neuropathy has done to her and how much she hurts.  I sure don't want this kind of pain.

If you are a patient with Dr. Lepport's medical group you will be getting this information at your next visit.  The Bariatric Office is just now starting to incorporate this into their very nice binder you receive when you go for your 1st consult.

Thought I would pass this along.  If you are not taking B1, you may want to call your surgeon's office and ask about this.

Hope you have all had a nice day.

I will post some support group meeting topics that I picked up at the office today if you are interested in attending support group meetings in the OC.

The office called me prior to surgery and told me to take B1 because my initial labs said deficient. I am diabetic and already have the neuropathy in hands and feet. It is not a pain anybody would like. My surgeon was Mir Ali from LePort's group.

Look forward to seeing you at Starbucks. I've been twice today for the free coffee.  hee hee

Linda

I have PN...have had it many years.  Mostly in my feet and partialy in my hands.  I always say I can tell when my BS (Blood Sugar) is batteling my Insulin Resistance.  If my hands hurt, my BS is low...if my feet hurt, my BS is high.  I have taken Neurontin for the pain for several years..only as needed though.  Some days its a must just to sleep...other days I have good BS control and its not needed.  What I have found is, with PN, meds like Neurontin can cause Peripheral Edema of feet and hands.  It takes about 3 days for this to happen for me, and again 3 days to dissapate, as I only take the Neurontin at bedtime.  I cannot use it 3 times a day as Rx becuse of the drowsiness factor and the swelling.  I have not tried the B vitamins as a deterant to the PN, but I will start a really good regime of my B vitamins as I have slacked off in the last year.  That was good information ...thank you!
The best way to avoid any Peripheral Neuropathy is keeping good control of Blood Sugars. (gonna follow my own knowledge and advice starting right now!)
Kim in Fontana

I know what PN is, however I have no clue what it feels like.  My DH who is insulin dependent for the last 19 yrs., well let's just say I worry about him all the time.  At one point he was getting tingling sensations in his hands and also his feet.  For the most part of his diabetic life he has been a non compliant patient.  Now, his is compliant.  I use to threaten to leave him all the time if he did not get his crap together because I refused to take care of him for his own stupidity.  Of course we are still together and getting ready to celebrate 23 yrs married.

Now, DH used to take 3 shots a day.  We started WW together Jan. 09 and he has continued even after my surgery.  I am so very proud of him.  He has lost just over 40 lbs. and as of yesterday he and I weight exactly the same.  LOL  Well, with the exercise he does 3-4 nights a week and the weight loss, his insulin has been decreased to once a day and a lower dosage as well.  He no longer has the tingling sensations in his hands and feet.  If I could only get him to see a podiatrist to check his feet or even his endocronologist to look at them I would be a happy camper.  For now, I will be his eyes and check his feet from time to time.  After getting on him for years to wear some sort foot protection while outside he found a nice pair of flip flops he likes to wear while hanging out and of course sneakers while doing yard work.  AHHHH MEN, THEY CAN BE SO STUBBORN.

I sympathize for those of you with PN as I know this cannot be something east to live with.  My boss has it in her feet and she is not even diabetic.  I see and hear her pain many days and she does not walk very well on top of that due to 2 hip replacements and a very bad knee.