51/2 Years and Still Learning

Happy Friday! or at least it started that way, for me. I had a three hour glucose tolerance test scheduled today. I had to be there between 6-7 am and I knew that I would have to stay there for  four plus hours. Anyway, I kept telling them that I was post gastric bypass and that I needed the "alternative", instead of the carbonated liquid sugar that you have to drink. Well, they said, that there is not a substitute. So, I went ahead and drank the orange, carbonated liquid. Now you are suppose to drink it in 5 minutes, well of course that is physically impossible for me. I did get it down in 15 minutes, which for me that is amazing. Needless to say, as time starts ticking away, I start not feeling so well, on the bottle it lists the possible side effects: headaches, upset stomach, nausea and vomiiting. I am reading my book, trying to keep my mind off of things. Well, my body told me that it didn't feel so well. I did get the dry heaves and severe abdominal cramping and a few minutes later, off to the restroom I go.  Then at the hour later, they come and take blood again, at this point, I am not looking or feeling so good. Thank God I had my cell phone, I called some support to "hold my hand". Then another hour went by and another blood drawn. In the meantime, I called the nurse at my gastric bypass office, and explained what was going on and she said, that I should not even be taking this test. Talk about a self inflicted dumping session.  I should have listened to my gut, all wee****pt questioning if I should have this test. It made sense to me that I should not have it, but my pcp knows that I am post-op gastric bypass and figured she knew more than me. I even had other doctors appointments this week with my GI and Pain doctor and mentioned that I was having this test done this week. Both of them said, that it was a good idea and to get this checked out.   So why didn't I go to the Gastric Bypass doctor first? Well I did call to make an appointment, the girl said the earliest I could get in was July 16, which is unacceptable when you are in pain. I asked to have the doctor call me, so I gave her the information. I have yet to receive a phone call!  Of course I called the office to speak to the nurse today, after I have taken the stuff, but that was a little too late. The nurse did say the doctor was out of town all week at a conference, but was back today and suggested I come in as soon as I finished.  I decided not to go into the Gastric Bypass doctor today as I needed to come home and try to sleep this off. I called to let them know and the doctor is suppose to call me later today.  ***  Talk about another lesson in life learned. **** The moral of the story, DO NOT TAKE A GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TEST AT ALL; IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS ONE HOUR OR THREE!!! The whole reason, I was having all these appointments and test done, were because I was having abdominal pain-again. Of course, the blood work, cat scan, ult and upper GI do not show anything. We knew it was not another obstruction, no gallbladder, no stones; which lead us to believe it was an ulcer. But the only thing is there is more than one thing going on. I have had some issues with blood sugar, temperature fluctuation and a couple of other things. The pcp was trying to test the pancreas, blood sugar and thyroid too. Anyway, we will see what the results are and go from there but I wanted to share my experience so you don't go through what I did.   It has been several hours later and I still feel really weird and extremely tired. I will have to let it take it's course. As you know, I try to make a positive out of everything and the positive is that this is another lesson learned and something that I hope that I can spare someone else the same grieve. The other positive is that my system is all cleaned out and I have learned more about my body and how it works.  Well if nothing else, it is forcing me to relax today and enjoy this weather and hanging at home with my two puppies.I will keep you posted as far as the results. I am so grateful for my support people that were on the phone with me today, so THANK YOU!!!I It makes me appreciate the support groups and the message boards even more for the connections and the great friends and friendships that I have.  Talk to you all soon! Thanks for listening. Tah tah for now- Nicki

Yikes Nicki. Sorry you went through all that pain and discomfort. The advice is well taken, very well taken. Yikes. Dennis

I remember having to take that test when I was pregnant and how nasty it was then... I am so sorry you went through that... but thank you for telling us... because I am now doing the happy dance in my head... because when we can start trying again next year I won't have to take it... whoop!!!! Sorry but I think there are better ways to see if you have GD than that lame test...

I hope you are feeling better now!

Nicki Aw - sorry you had to go through all that, but thanks for the warning. Hope you are feeling better. Keep us posted. arlene