Neuropathy due to malabsorbsion?
Has anyone experienced any connection between bypass surgery and neuropathic symptoms? I have degenerative disc disease and saw a neurosurgeon. He is of the view that this may be the cases. We are going to do more tests, ie: CAT, x-ray and other nerve type tests. He explained to me that the malabsorbsion that is created from bypass surgery can cause nerve issues.
I have found quite a few web sites showing that this connection exists. Now I am wondering if any of you have experienced it and how you are dealing with it. BTW, All of my tests for vitamins and nutrients are at good levels.
Thanks,
I have found quite a few web sites showing that this connection exists. Now I am wondering if any of you have experienced it and how you are dealing with it. BTW, All of my tests for vitamins and nutrients are at good levels.
Thanks,
How would the malabsorption cause neuropathy if your vitamin levels are all good?
Are you sure your B12 is good? It's at least above 400? Docs often say it's OK lower than that but in fact lower than 400 you can get nerve damage.
Are you sure your B12 is good? It's at least above 400? Docs often say it's OK lower than that but in fact lower than 400 you can get nerve damage.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
ok, let's see. I had BPD without DS due to vigorous achalagia an esophogeal problem. At that time I also had a myotomy. Which is doing well. My next endoscopy is next week.
Labs, very recent, b's are:
B1-18
B6-10
B12-462
A-53
D-20.4, low so they have me taking 50,000 units once a week for a month then retest
K-389
ALPHA E-8.6
BETA E-.9
CALCIUM-9.2
SODIUM-141
POTASSIUM-4.1
CHLORIDE-108, HIGH
CO2 -2
GLUCOSE 88
PROTIEN- 6.9
BILIRUBIN-.7
PHOSPHORUS-4.
HDL/LDL/TRI: 180
I also have cbc w/diff nothing stands out as off.
When I went to my rhumetologist he suggest PT for my back, I have OA, and have had 14 orthopedic surgeries including a knee replacement, a shoulder replacement due and another wrist joint left hand index finger. Aslo fibromyalgia, PT was helping but with lots of pain. Then, went to a pain clinic who had MRI done. That showed issues in the cervical area but a cortizone shot in the spinal column is helping reduce the inflamation the did the same in the lumbar area. It is too soon to tell if this will help. The lumbar showed numerous problems including ridging, narrowing, facet arthroscopy, flavum buckling, moderate spinal stenosis. His conclusion is he could do surgery however, based on my symptoms of pain during sitting rather than standing that the pain won't be addressed. He ordered x-ray to be sure the slipage is stable at this point otherwise surgery for that would be necessary. However, he has me booked with a neurologist to do a CAT scan, EMG and try to figure out where the pain is coming from. He didn't say for sure that it was because of the malabsorbtion but rather he has experienced it as being something they are seeing more often now.
I think I answered all the questions, thank you for your interest and help.
Oh and yes I use only olive oil in my diet.
Labs, very recent, b's are:
B1-18
B6-10
B12-462
A-53
D-20.4, low so they have me taking 50,000 units once a week for a month then retest
K-389
ALPHA E-8.6
BETA E-.9
CALCIUM-9.2
SODIUM-141
POTASSIUM-4.1
CHLORIDE-108, HIGH
CO2 -2
GLUCOSE 88
PROTIEN- 6.9
BILIRUBIN-.7
PHOSPHORUS-4.
HDL/LDL/TRI: 180
I also have cbc w/diff nothing stands out as off.
When I went to my rhumetologist he suggest PT for my back, I have OA, and have had 14 orthopedic surgeries including a knee replacement, a shoulder replacement due and another wrist joint left hand index finger. Aslo fibromyalgia, PT was helping but with lots of pain. Then, went to a pain clinic who had MRI done. That showed issues in the cervical area but a cortizone shot in the spinal column is helping reduce the inflamation the did the same in the lumbar area. It is too soon to tell if this will help. The lumbar showed numerous problems including ridging, narrowing, facet arthroscopy, flavum buckling, moderate spinal stenosis. His conclusion is he could do surgery however, based on my symptoms of pain during sitting rather than standing that the pain won't be addressed. He ordered x-ray to be sure the slipage is stable at this point otherwise surgery for that would be necessary. However, he has me booked with a neurologist to do a CAT scan, EMG and try to figure out where the pain is coming from. He didn't say for sure that it was because of the malabsorbtion but rather he has experienced it as being something they are seeing more often now.
I think I answered all the questions, thank you for your interest and help.
Oh and yes I use only olive oil in my diet.
While your B6 and B12 are within normal range, they are on the low end of normal. B6 is vital to neurotransmitter function and B12 helps regenerate the myelin sheath of nerve fibers. They are both vital to nerve function. I don't think your levels are high enough.
Sharyn, RN
RIP, MOM ~ 5/31/1944 - 5/11/2010
RIP, DADDY ~ 9/2/1934 - 1/25/2012
Thank you Sharon, wht do you suggest to bring them up? There is another issue which is I take protonix to deal with Barrett's in the esophegeal area. It is the only one that works best. But it also doesn't allow the b's to be absorbed as well as they should. I asked my surgeon about shot's for b's but he is not agreeing.
Sharyn,
Well I just got off the phone with the Dr's nurse and went over everything with her and pushed the issue of B12. She is sending a letter over to my PCP so that he can begin giving me B12 shots on a monthly basis. Thanks to you, I can at least rule out one possibility of why I am having these neuropathic symtoms. It may not be the only reason, but it is a start and a simple one at that.
Much appreciate your input!
Anna
Well I just got off the phone with the Dr's nurse and went over everything with her and pushed the issue of B12. She is sending a letter over to my PCP so that he can begin giving me B12 shots on a monthly basis. Thanks to you, I can at least rule out one possibility of why I am having these neuropathic symtoms. It may not be the only reason, but it is a start and a simple one at that.
Much appreciate your input!
Anna