It's been a very long time since I've checked in, so I thought I'd catch up anyone who might remember me. 

For the last five months I've been dealing with daily migraines, and bouncing from my primary, to a neurologist, to a different neurologist, and now finally to a pain clinic.  I've been on pain killers around the clock for five months, and no one knew what to do with me.  The pain clinic yesterday gave me my first signs of hope.  They have switched me to a patch that gives all day constant pain relief, instead of having to take liquid pain med every 4 hours.  This alone is a relief, because hauling around a jug of liquid narcotic everywhere you go is not easy, especially at the airport!!  They also did a series of steroid injections (6 into my right temple - where the majority of my migraines are, and 2 into my neck/shoulder area).  This knocked my migraine down to about a four, but the pain from the injections is almost worse I think!!  They also have some more ideas for me to follow, like continuing on with my physiotherapy for my neck, biofeedback, and classes on coping methods for pain.  Finally someone is trying to help me get my life back!

Weight wise, it's been a struggle.  After my hysterectomy in December - and being pretty ill, I got down to an all-time low of 206.  When my primary put me on Prozac to try to stop the migraines in January, I quickly went back up to 225.  I've been balancing around 225-230 for the last 7/8 months.  A month ago my 2nd neurologist put me on a different medication to stop the migraines ( I've also been put on Imitrex, Metoprolol, Migranal, Topomax).  This medication isn't working just yet, but I'm only 1/2 way through the increase, but at least it doesn't make me completely loopy and unable to make a complete sentence like the Topomax, and it doesn't have weight gain as a side effect like many of the others did.  As of this morning, I was back down to 217.8, a sight for sore eyes!!

For the first time since my husband and I have been together - 19 years - I actually weigh less than him.  It's only 5 pounds or so, and he'll lose weight quicker than I will, but WOW - I did a happy dance this morning.  This was one of my biggest goals having the surgery, and I've accomplished it!

To my South of the River support group - I hope that now they have a constant source of pain relief going for me, that I can start to resume my life a little more.  I can't make it to coffee this Saturday because my kids are both having sleepovers on Friday night, and my daughter and her friend are volunteering with their girl scout troop to carve pumpkins for the Rosemount Haunted Trail that morning.  I will do my very best to try to make it to the following Saturday for a few minutes - we have our family holiday pictures booked for 10am, but we'll try!!

Sorry this has been so long, but as I said, it's been awhile!! 

Thanks for putting up with my long post, and I hope to be more active on here again soon!

Nicole
Starting weight 335 lbs
Weight today   217.8
Total lost         117.2

There's support group south of the cities.  We meet in Eagan or Burnsville.  Every other week thing.  Need to know the locations and days/times?  I haven't gone for awhile but it is probably exactly what you are looking for.  We sit around and share anything to do with weight loss/surgery. 

Hey there all.  I am currently pre-surgery and getting excited.  I will have my date soon.  I am currently researching support groups and would love to hear your feedback.  I recently went to a support group associated with my clinic and although it was very informative and I learned a lot, it wasn't so much a support group as an information session.  When I picture support group, I think of people sharing their successes, challenges and looking for, well, support.  I am also thinking a support group that is not affiliated with any specific clinic would be great as well, because then people can learn from a collective wealth of information.  It would be great if the people at the support group came from clinics from all over the Twin Cities can share their experiences.  I would like it to be a support group solely for Weight Loss Surgery candidates that are considering, pre or post op.  

Does anything like this exist in the Twin Cities?  (Again, not affiliated with a clinic.)

And if not, would you or anyone you know be interested in attending, if I start one? 

I have super low iron, so I need to take a supplement.  I know a little about iron now, and I would be wary of taking a multi that has both iron and calcium in it.  My bariatrician and NUTs have all told me to seperate my iron/C and Calcium/D by at least 3 hours, to ensure that I get the effect of both.

 Very fast once you have passed the Psych eval.