In need of some input/advice, please.

Hey guys, I've been a member of OH.com for a little bit and I've been lurking through the forum for a while now. I never actually posted but I did get some help from reading your responses to other people's issues that are similar to mine. Well, here's a little bit about me: I had my surgery in September of last year, everything was going smoothly(weightloss, energy, yada yada...****il sometime in December I suddenly fell very ill and landed in the ER. I had to have my gallbladder out right then and there. After that I never really felt "okay" again. I've had constant diarreah since my second(gallbladder)surgery and I suppose that's what has brought on my problem with potassium. I have been hospitalized over five times since then(three times with very low potassium and four times with kidney stones or swollen kidneys). I have lost over 90 pounds(not yet century club but I'm so close, I can't wait!) in six months and even though it's been a very bumpy ride, I DO NOT regret getting the surgery done at all. This is the longest I've gone without being hospitalized(by either going straight to the ER or being directly admitted through my surgeon's office..) and I want to keep it that way. Thing is, I feel so damn lousy lately. I am nauseous 24/7(yes, even when I sleep lol), and I guess it's something I've learned to live with since I've been nauseous for months now. Sometimes it's not that bad and other times(like the last couple of days) it's hard to bear and I can't even eat. I've been trying to get my nutrition as much as I can. I used to be able to do chicken, tuna and eggs but now those very same things hurt SO bad going down and I have completely vanished them from my diet. I've been living on crab meat, lobster, and salmon for protein and then broccoli, cauliflower and dill pickles. I can't tolerate milk(dump) so I can't do protein shakes and anything sweet(even sugar-free jell-o) will throw me into a mini-dump of sorts as well. I don't think I have a stricture, since I haven't actually THROWN UP since the last time I got the foamies(and that was over a month ago), but I do wonder why things bother me so much going down and why I'm constantly nauseous. Also, since like two or three nights ago I've been feeling sort of faint. Whenever I get up from any position; whether it be the floor, sitting down, laying down, the toilet(lol), whatever, I feel like I start blacking out and cold and then I feel my heart racing and I start to flush(I get really hot, specially around my ears and my arms). The other night I was talking to my mom in the kitchen and I was just standing there and I felt like the floor underneath me was moving and if I even tried to take a step I would fall so I ended up holding on to her until it passed(which was like a couple of seconds later). I haven't actually fainted so I guess it's not THAT big of a deal but still, I wonder what's going on. And yet another thing(LOL, sorry)...for the past couple of days my legs, feet and hands have been sort of bothering me(okay, killing me at times...). I googled it and one explanation I got was vitamin defficiency but that can't be it because I take my vitamins daily even though I feel violently ill(supernauseous) every time that I do. Unless the chronic diarreah is making them go right through my body and I'm not absorbing any of them which would really suck. I also got another possible explanation which would be dehydration but then again I don't think that's it either because I have a chilled water bottle with me from when I wake up to when I go to bed that I re-fill constantly and I'm constantly chug-a-lugging, except half an hour before and after I eat of course. I hope it's not my potassium again, having that stupid thing given to me through IV at the hospital is the most excrutiating thing ever and I can't take the potassium pills because anything that's not liquid/pureed consistency will really hurt my chest/pouch. I have an appointment with my PCP on Monday(coming up) and then I have my six month follow up with my surgeon after that so of course I will be speaking to them about this but I was hoping that someone here would have some insight, meanwhile. Thanks in advance! Love, Jess

Hi Jess, Potassium is a mineral necessary to good health. It maintains the water and acid balance in blood and tissue cells, assists in muscle building, and transmits electrical signals between cells and nerves. Early symptoms of hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency, include dry skin, muscle weakness, fatigue and slow reflexes. If the deficiency develops rapidly, heart problems may result. Left unchecked, a condition known as hypokalemic paralysis may develop, in which the entire body goes stiff. This is a very serious condition requiring immediate medical attention. Potassium is available in large quantities in many foods. Beef, chicken and fish such as cod, salmon, and sardines all have significant amounts of potassium. Good vegetable sources include peas, tomatoes, leafy greens, lima beans and potato skins. Bananas, melons, apricots and citrus fruits are also rich in potassium. Dried fruits such as mangoes and apricots provide concentrated sources of potassium, as do nuts and chocolate. Accordingly, a diagnosis of potassium deficiency is not usually due to a dietary deficiency. Known causes of potassium deficiency include excessive diarrhea and vomiting. The treatment in these cases should be for the diarrhea and vomiting, and ensuring there continues to be sufficient potassium in the diet. Mineral supplements may also be necessary. Hyperthyroidism, an illness of the thyroid, the main hormone producing gland, is also known to cause potassium deficiency. It, in turn, may be caused by an imbalance in other minerals similar to potassium such as magnesium, sodium and calcium. There are numerous treatments available for hyperthyroidism, all requiring some level of medical supervision. Have you had a TSH blood test done recently? Medications known to increase the likelihood of potassium deficiency include diuretics, cortisones and drugs for controlling high blood pressure. Alternate medications and/or treatments can be explored with a medical professional. If changing medications is not feasible, it may be necessary to supplement with potassium or mineral tablets. It has been suggested that potassium deficiency may be a side effect of malfunctioning kidneys that contributes to rheumatoidal arthritis; currently there is little data to support this theory. However, hyperkalemia, or excessive potassium in the blood, has been linked to kidney problems. You may want to talk to your PCP about a nephrology consult. When was the last time you had your labs done? Are you taking a potassium supplement like KLOR-CON? I hope that you feel better real soon. HTH, Kristen

Hi, I agree with Kristen on the potassium. Very important!! I have had to put my mom in hospital many times when her potassium gets low. They put her on a drip. Talk to your pcp about it. Also, what do you mean by nervous? After wls many people go into deep depression. A must treat problem. The diarrrhea will wash out any food, vits and etc in minutes sometimes. I tested it with greens and sure enough out in 30 minutes! They are hard to digest reason I used greens. Mix your protien with water and sip slowly. Perhaps you can get some in that way. Also call your surgeon and talk to him/her. Good luck, Marla