Vitamins/Supplements

Jesi,

I just looked up small bowel bacterial overgrowth and one of the problems is malabsorbtion.  I think you need to go look this up and talk to your doctor.  It might be the answer. 

I didn't have any problems with malabsorbtion of iron until last year.  Since you're having major issues with this, you need to ask about it.
I

Who are you seeing?  I can no longer go to UIHC due to insurance changes....I went to Genesis for stomach pain and they said it was just spasms and gave me some pill for it......I am positive they didn't check for bacteria....it was barium swallow test with follow thru and stuff like that.  We really need to give each other a call and compare notes.  My iron issues have been since almost the begining, but the potassium and B are becoming more apparent now.  I was suppsoed to have a sinus surgery on Halloween and they had to cancel because my potassium was critically low even on prescription calcium.  Now I am on MEGA doses just to keep me normal.  I am seeing a new  doctor in a couple weeks......my hands are so tied here in Dubuque, cause no-one has experience with all this stuff and the problems.....I often "inform" them with things I learn here or from my own research.  Vitalady had been a great help, but I NEED to find a doc that can help me.  I hate having to take a million pills at 30....I can only imagine how bad it will continue to go.  Let me know who your seeing, I am willing to drive as long as they are in my network.  I am sick of being sick!!!  Are you maintaining your weightloss?  I have gone up a few pounds, but it is entirely my own fault......going back to diet pop, having alcohol.......bad stuf creeps back way too easy after 5 years!!  Let me know what you find out.  Thanks~ Jesi

I switched to Methodist Bariatric program here in Des Moines.  I'm seeing Dr. LaMasters.  Have you considered going up to Mayo?  From what I read on the internet regarding bacterial overgrowth, you seem to have the symptoms.  The biggest issue is cramping, bloating, gas and decreased absorbtion.  Looks like it fits.  The test for it here, they have you drink whole milk (gross) at certain times and they check your breath looking for hydrogen.  If you have the overgrowth, the bacteria changes carby stuff into hydrogen.  I think.  I got quite a few hits when I searched the internet for small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

Lyn

Hi Carol,
I just went for my consultation/dietician overview on Friday.  Even though I am not having RNY she gave us a listing for both Lap-band and RNY.  There are products out there that are specific to bariatrics and have most of your requirments rolled into one pill, only making it so you have 1 to take at each meal and one at bedtime.  Still need to take one B1 separately. She said they cost a little more than going to walmart.  Average about 28 a month verses 20.  It's called    4 Optisource.    Been lurking this past month since I am getting closer to reality.  Nice to know/see that the board is moving again.

thanks,

Thanks for the information, Jesi and Cheryl.  Every little bit helps and gives me some direction to head.  I like the one pill option if that would work for me.  I have taken a multi vitamin with iron for years just because I had anemia issues when I was pregnant with my second child.  I think I'm going to check into the Optisource and see what's there.  I'm sure that Debi or Amy (dietician) will give me the "low down" when I go for my pre-op on Jan. 30th.  I just want to be prepared and ready to go "post-op" before surgery so I don't have to try and find supplements when I'm recovering from my surgery.  

Glad you are both posting here and hope you continue to do so.  It's helpful to hear from everyone!

Thanks again,
Carol

PS Cheryl, I have family in Fort Madison!

I did some vitamin shopping this weekend. I purchased the b-12 sublingual dots at walmart, they are Rexall Naturals brand. I opened them up tonight and they are very small. They look like they wont be too bad to take, the directions on them say to hold it under your tongue 30 sec before swallowing, so im assuming they disolve pretty quickly. The B vitamins I got from Hy-vee...I had the pharmacist help me with them, but after getting them home and looking at them, they are huge, and Im not so sure that I will be using them, I might go do some more shopping around on that one!! I also got the Caltrate 600 plus D chewables for calcium, that is what they recommend in the "bible" and it was the only chewable I could find. I looked at Multi-vitamins, I found a Cintrum (sp?) chewable, and of course the flinstones chewables, when compared apples to apples, they are almost the same but the flinstones have a few less mg of some vitamins in them...plus the cintrum has minerals too and Im not sure if we can use those...so I need to find out...anyone know?? I looked all over for Iron, and didnt have much luck, so I will still be on the search for that one!

Good luck!

Jenn

Jenn,

Isn't caltrate calcium carbonate?  If so, we don't absorb calcium carbonate very well.  You might want to research that.  It's always been my understanding that if you've had RNY, you need to be using cal citrate.  It's even better to take it with Vit C as you need acid in order to absorb calcium optimally.

Carol -

I really like the Bariatric Advantage chewables.  I get them online from  www.bariatriceating.com  - or I think the last place I got them was www.ibariatric.com (but the shipping time was long - so allow lead time).       The calcium took some getting used too- it felt a little chalky at first, but 5  months out I actually like the cinnemon and/or mint flavors.     

I've also used the citrical petites (you can find them at Hy-Vee or Walgreens). 

Jody  

Thanks, Jodi.

I appreciate all the input and suggestions that I've gotten.  Common theme is that Walgreen's Hy-Vee or Wal-mart are the places to go.....................besides the websites.  I like the idea of cinnamon flavored calcium because I like cinnamon!  

Thanks again for all the input!

Carol