Vitamins..How important are they?

I re-post this every once in while so that I can remind people about the importance of taking ALL their vitamins.  

I was really good about my vitamins the first couple of years. Then what happened? Life I guess. I figured that I was a few years out that it didn't matter too much anymore. Yeah I was wrong. I started to feel off at about 3 1/2 years post-op. So those that are a year or so out saying "My labs are great and all I take is a multi once in a while" are living life on a chance. It started with being really tired. Then it progressed to not being able to walk up my stairs. I went to a doctor (key word here "a" not my surgeon) and he checked my B12 and yep I was low. Gave me daily shots for a week. Thought I was all good. I'm not sure how long after that it was til I collapsed. I still don't really know what day I did collapse. I'm not even sure about the month. I do know though that it happened in front of my children. I was laying on the floor basically dieing in front of them. I was saved because my sister called and figured out something was wrong. From what I have been told my system was shutting down and my family was told that I may not live.

Well obviously I did but not without a lot of physical and mental problems. I was in the hospital for a while and basically because of the lack of B1 and B12 it caused me to have a few mental health issues, to say the least. Hallucinations are a blast. With this and the small problem of not being able to feel my arms and legs and being completely bed bound my family had to make the hard choice to place me in a long-term care facility. I was there for a few months and was given daily PT to help me learn to get myself in and out of a wheelchair. I left there in a wheelchair with alot of other medical equipment. Just a little perspective on just how low I was...it took DAILY shots of both B1 and B12 for about 4 months then to weekly for a few months and now monthly, plus I take it daily in supplementation, to have OK levels.


I also left with the memory problems. Not your run off the mill.."where are my keys?" But the "what keys?" I don't remember day to day stuff. I don't remember Bdays, Christmas or conversations. My family has to take care of all my health and personal needs. They transport me and pay my bills. I will never work again. I most likely will never drive again. It is not known if I will ever get better. I may not be able to remember the day my children graduate or walk down the isle. As for the here and now I wont remember my baby turning 10 tomorrow.

I could go on with what I have lost because of my stupidity. Yes I have learned a lot of valuable lessons. It is too bad that it had to come at the expense of so much. So for those of you reading this and have questioned just how important can vitamins be (cause you feel so great right?) ask yourself just how important is it for you to feel your legs? How important is it for you to remember today? Ask yourself just how important is your life.

Thank you, Tonya for this post, and for sharing a valuable lesson.  One that you learned the hard way.  I'm sure it will hit home with many of us!!

Blessings,
Cindy

Tanya.

We can live in a home together for Bariatric Dementia.

(((Hug)))

Tanya,

Wow that was pretty powerful!
I'm so sorry that you had to learn the hard way, but I very much appreciate you sharing your story!!  I am only 5 months post op and had been slacking on my vitamins between months  2 & 3 1/2.  I was forgetful.  Not on purpose by any means.  I was never in the habit of taking medications before surgery and once I went back to work I would leave the house and forget to take my vitamins.

I started not feeling well last month.  I had no idea why, this is all new to me.  My doctor did labs and found I was vitamin deficient.  I immediatly felt responsible because it was my fault that I wasn't faithful taking my vitamins and ensuring I get all of my recommended protien in.
I can't stress the importance of both of these!

I now carry a pill case in my purse, fill it every Sunday, therefore no matter where I am, I can take my vitamins at any place, any time.  I also carry protien bars in my purse, so I have something to eat when I need to eat for the times I am on the go and can't eat something healthy.

Your story really hit home and stressed how very important vitamins are. 
Again, thank you so much for sharing!  I hope many people read your post!!
I know I needed it!

((((hugs))))
Jen

LOL Now there's a thought MM.  Someone should really look into that. 

Entertainment would be easy..cause  the hallucinations would be enough.  Mariachi men on stils can be very entertaining.  Well that is until you think they are trying to kill you.

Eating would be cheap!!  Plus the menu would be a breeze.  I never remember what I ate so they could feed us the same thing everyday.

Thanks Tanya again for sharing your story.

I'm anal about taking my vitamins. I will stay up at night longer if I didn't get them all in. Monday though Friday it's no big deal, I have them all lined up on my desk and take them thoughtout the work day.
Sat/Sun I do the same, put them out on the counter and take them thoughout the day.

Everyone, take your vitamins. Learn from Tanya's mistakes. You don't want to put the cart before the horse!

Thank you Tanya for posting this! It was a real eye opener! I will say a prayer for you and send an angel to watch over  you!

A very powerful post.  I know my vitamins are so important.  I also promise never, ever to slack off on taking them.  Thanks for a great reminder. I'm so sorry you have gone thru all this.

Thanks for the post... I don't come on here often but today I decided to check in and see if there was anything going on, and I believe it was Gods way of giving me a reality check.
I am almost 7 months out and I am always extremely tired and have horrible headaches and in the last week or so have this numbness in my head. I also have heart palpitations (sorry for spelling) daily. This being said I also do not take my vitamins. When I had the surgery I bought a year supply of bariatric fusions and told myself that I would take them everyday like I am suppose to. I have to be honest with myself and say I don't think that I have taken them in about 4 months and before that it was far in between the times that I took them. Even the 1st month I was extremely bad at taking them, always have been horrible at taking pills.
2 months ago I had my labs drawn and my vitamin b (not sure which one) was low and the dr told me to take a supplement, because see I lied to him and told him I was taking my vitamins everyday and he had/has no idea that I don't take them.
So THANK YOU for sharing your experience. It hopefully will the kick me in the butt and set me straight. I have 2 little kids that I had this surgery for and I don't want my own stupidity to me the reason they lose me.

If your B's are too low supplements might not be enough.  You may need shots.  Please make sure.  Kids can be a great motivator.  I was home with my kids when it happened..they have had to go through a lot with it.  Its hard on them.  They hate that we have to depend on others so much also.  If they want to do anything it has to be planned way in advance.  I cant just run them to the mall or to the movies.  So get it done!!