Vitamin deficency's???????

Hello friends,     Well, I got a call from my NUT today; and needless to say the news was not good. She told me that my vitamin B1 is so low that it is impossible to even register, B12 is also low, along with calcium, and vitamin D. I have been taking adult certrum chewables; and calcium. Aparently these are not enough; and I can suffer some serious problems due to these deficencies! I was wondering if any of you have ran into this problem since your RNY? I was told to go to my Dr and get vitamin B1 & B12 injections until I can get these numbers up. I read some distrubing things about all this on web md! This is also an alarm to others; please take charge of your health, and do not ignore or dismiss anything! Some of these vitamin def. can lead to other things that can cause permanent damage, and or disabilities! I was really unware of all the risks. Now I must get all the information I can and work on correcting my problems before they become majorly serious ones. If anyone has any tips please let me know a.s.a.p. Thanks, Judy R

judy make sure you get to your doctor soon!   Laurie G.  had this and suffered what they to be a stroke.    I remember she was in the hospital a few weeks or so until they figured it out.    I read that it's very common after wls and can be life threatening even.   I think they ended up diagnosing her with berri berri (i probably spelled that wrong).   You should contact her and ask her what she did.    Shes the one who posted about moving to oklahoma and being hot i think a few days ago.    Stay on top of this and get it taken care of before something bad happens.    Linda

Hey Judy, Check out this website: www.bbvitamin.com. I've been on these vitamins and I am really pleased with them. They make vitamins for bariatric patients. You don't have to figure out what your body will absorb. But definitely get with your doctor. You need to take care of this. Take care, Carey

I have had this problem and currently am fightly an extremely low vitamin D.  I have some health problem from this.  When my Dr. found it he put me on 50,000 units of vitamin D once a week.  It brought my levels up 10 point which was great but still not any where near normal and then they started to fall off again.  So for the last two months I have been taking 50,000 units twice a week.  I just had my blood re-checked on Monday and am waiting to see where my levels are now.  I always take every vitamin and supplement I am supposed to take everyday.  I never miss.  So I can feel relieved that it's not something I am causing.  I will continue to work with my doctor to get this under control.  If my levels are still low I am going to ask if there is such a thing as vitamin D injections.  Take care, Fran

Judy, I too have B12 and Vitamin D deficiencies. I am giving myself a B12 shot monthly (1000mg) and take 1000 mg daily. My doctor said you cannot od on B12, your body eliminates the excess.  My count has improved over the past 2 months, from 111 to 198 (doctor said low normal is 300). My concern is the Vitamin D/calcium deficiency.  I was referred to an endrocrinologist for this. She said WLS patients should take calcium citrate not calcium carbonate. The citrate absorbs better for us. I found calcium citrate at Sam's club that has 630mg calcium and 400IU vitamin D3 (I take double dosage daily). The doctor also has me on 50,000 units vitamin D, once weekly.  I think it's getting better because I feel better, but won't see the doctor for a few more weeks.  I think Vitamin D deficiency was know as "Rickets" years ago.  You are very correct, this can be serious. I am fending off some of the most serious problems by having colonoscopy every 2 years to get rid of the bad polleps, and mamogram yearly(seeing surgeon this afternoon for a biopsy).

Thanks Gals,      I am very stressed and worried right now. I am headed to my family doc today @ 2:00! I don't think he knows a whole lot about WLS pat.'s. I am going to stress my urgency of this situtation to my doc. I read some syptoms on web md site and they certainly fit me; now that is really scary!! I will update my post as soon as I know anything. I have been told by quite a few people take this very seriously.. Thanks again, Judy R

Went to Doctor;      I am feeling no less stressed than before. My family doc said what does your surgeon say. The surgeon I haven't seen since my surgery I asked; well they say I am now your patient! I guess I am going to have to reasearch my own answers. Doc did give me a scrpt to B12 injections on weekly basis; and said take more multiples and a B complex. Nothing much about vitamin D or calcium. I did not have this surgery to backwards in my health!!! I am soooo angry! I told my family Dr about the articles in Web md about encephalopathy and brain damage, neurological complications from lack of B1! This is serious; so why do I not get the feeling they are listening?? I am going to overcome this before it does certain damage to me; but it would be nice if I felt like my doc was on my side. Everyone please keep on top of your blood work ups!!! Article I read said WLS patients can be permentally damaged! We must make them listen. My doc is not in the loop at all with the updates of Bariatric care!! Judy R

Whoa......your WL surgeon told you that your are the PCP's patient now?  That is so horrible, and it means that you have a crappy surgeon.  You need to insist that their office work with your PCP to find out what is going on. Also, WebMD is an awful place to go when you have any symptoms.  You can diagnose yourself with anything.  I would suggest you post and ask around for a PCP that is up on WLS and switch doctors ASAP.  I also think you should blast your surgeon if this the kind of after care you are going to get. Don't stress yourself out too much....it will make it worse for you!  You're a smart cookie and hopefully you can research around and find out just what suppliments to take to make things balanced again.

I suggest you ask the NUT if she can recommend a PCP, or call the hospital in Flint that specializes in WLS and ask them to recommend a doctor who is familiar with WLS patients.  If you didn't have your surgery at that hospital, call the one you did have it at and ask for a recommendation.   .

Hi Judy.  Hope you are doing well.  I also had problems.  I currently take shots myself at home and I am now disabled as a result of it all.  Memory and cognitive issues.  I am just not the same person I was before.  I tried for many months to get someone to help me but I guess it was too late.   Best wishes to you.   Michele