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Sorry I have the same issue. My levels keep changing because Im trying to adjust with dosage and brand....because I get constipation. But next month I will get another reading to see my new levels
SW / CW / GW 292 / 188 / 174 - Height 5'7, Size 10
HW 372 SW 350 CW 185 GW 150 Lost 187 so far....
- I'm seriously going to look into him as an option. Closer would be better, but I was considering going to California to see Dr K!!! 2X a year to Northern Virginia is doable. I was just told of a local doctor yesterday. She is young and open to innovation from what I'm hearing. With that being said, she may be receptive to addressing our special needs. If she'll "JUST ORDER THE LABS" without the struggles!! My pcp (now) just won't order them. I can read the results and tweet them. I have the luxury of amazing Vets that are always there. Thank you so much!!!
I finally found an internist who was willing to work with me on labs. It was a matter of interviewing them and explaining exactly what I needed. He was great. He doesn't necessarily understand the DS - but he understands malabsorption - I think he's had a few RNY patients, but I'm his first DSer.
Explain to them that it's similar to a distal RNY (RNY with the most malabsorption).
I'm in northern Virginia, so not sure you're willing to come to Reston (or if he's even taking new patients). His name is Michael Valenti.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
Hopefully the doctor you're seeing today is a hematologist, because that's what you need. They don't necessarily need to understand the DS, they just need to understand malabsorption. Hopefully they've had RNY patients before. That was my experience finding a hematologist. I've been as low as 3, but never needed a transfusion - only ever had infusions.
Not sure if you are pre- or post-menopausal, but if you are pre-menopausal, you obviously have another thing going against you - monthly periods. Some DSers just have issues absorbing oral iron. That was my cir****tance because even after my periods stopped, I still tended to be low. Only thing that has helped recently is a new infusion drug - Injectefer. Infusion was two years ago and still maintaining +200 ferritin.
Good luck.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
HW 372 SW 350 CW 185 GW 150 Lost 187 so far....
Reminder: Iron should only be taken with Vitamin C.... no other supplements. No caffeine... basically nothing 2 hrs before or 2 hours after. I take mine in the middle of the night when I wake up to pee. I set the clock, but always wake up before the alarm so I can shut it off and not wake Hubby.
Looking for a doctor that will order a complete panel of labs for a DSer in central to southern Florida or Delaware, Maryland, SE Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Washington, DC. I'm willing to travel to find a doctor that understands the DS. Surgeon has no appropriate follow up program. I live in Delaware and spend Winters in Florida. (10+ years out.)
I'm taking Xifaxan for 28 days along with neomycin for 20 days for SIBO. It has given me diarrhea, which is a relief since I've been severely constipated for past year, that caused 2 painful rectal fissures. I've had IBS-C for over 20 years, but was able to treat it with Metamucil and Miralax until SIBO. I've finished neomycin and continue to have the diarrhea. The fat is separated from the remainder of the stool, giving the "oil slicks" that I've heard other people talk about, but never seen. My fat intake is moderate, but I've decreased it due to the diarrhea. One of my two "gut" antibiotics, blocks vit A and B12 absorption. I've temporarily stopped those two vits. I've been taking my probiotics during antbx treatment. One is Primal Defense Ultra and the other is Now brand, that contains the same strain as Florastor.
HW322 SW296 GW150 LW196
RNY 8-29-11
Revision to Distal bypass 7-5-16
SW262 GW165
John 3:16
