Having issues 5 years later

Hello ladies...It's been quite a while since I've been on this site. I had VSG on March 31, 2011 and lost 153 pounds. I have never had any issues and think I've done quite well for myself. But about a year ago I started to have what I thought were seizers, but my doctor now believes I'm just passing out. The "passing out" would happen a few days after I'd have a "wild" night, lol meaning a night I drink a lot and then I don't re hydrate myself after. So my doctor said I'm passing out due to being dehydrated.
In April of this year I went in for blood work and the only deficiencies I had were Iron and Vitamin D3. So I've now been taking those supplements along with Biotin and Nexium.
4 weeks ago I noticed my hair falling out A LOT...about 50-75 strands of hair every time I comb it. My nails are now splitting...all of them. And I have diarrhea at least 3 to 4 times a week. *Update* I'm no longer taking the Nexium and I'm not drinking.
I'm going in on Monday for some more blood work, but wanted to know from any veterans if they too have had any of these same issues? Just worried it has something to do with the surgery. Any info is great! Thank you, and I'm so blessed to know you guys are always here!

Makes sure when they do blood work they are doing so with the knowledge you had WLS.  Sounds like you may have low iron as well.  We don't tolerant alcohol very well.  Check out this article that just appeared on OH's home page.

Should WLS Post-Ops Drink Alcohol After Surgery?

When you review your blood work, look for drops in levels.  We can have our blood work still in "normal" zones but if you see a difference in the blood work that is a warning sign for us to start upping the supplements.

Here are a couple of suggestions for a list of labs to be done.

This is Vitalady's list. http://www.gblcreations.com/Resources/Gina/VitaLadysLabsandT argets_11-2009.doc

Here is another source, PacLap.com and go to forms. It is the website for Dr. Rabkin.

http://www.paclap.com/downloads/annualvglaborders.pdf

 

 

Make sure they are testing for everything. When I get a full workup done it is 20-30 vials. If they are only taking 5-10, they are not testing for much.

How low were your iron levels? Maybe you need an infusion.

I was wondering if there is a list somewhere of things we need to have checked, when I went to my 3 month check they told me they do only a few vials to check b 12, cbc, iron, and something else she mentioned , but they don't do this until 1 year out. She told me I was of course free to ask my pcp to do more or to do it sooner . Any recommendations on this so I don't wait to late or get Insufficient testing ? Thanks Laura 

First, for god's sake, stop drinking. Then, get your vitamin levels, in writing, and track them over time. What they say is "fine" might not be. You are pretty clearly deficient in something.

Something for sure is messed up. Your party days need to be over right away.  Get on your vitamins and educate yourself about what your deficiencies will do to you.  Monitor the results and keep track yourself about where the levels should be.  Go to a new doc for a second opinion if your health continues like this.

I once had someone tell me that what level is good for you might not be good for someone else.  So because a certain number is considered normal doesn't mean that it is normal for you.  That normal might be low or high for you (if that makes sense).  The medical industry goes by these arbitrary numbers and expects everyone to fit within those guidelines.  But maybe your levels are coming in normal but you still bad because those numbers are low for you.  I would say no matter what your labs say start taking iron supplements...if you are taking them, increase them. 

Listen to your body.  There is a reason you are losing hair and your nails are splitting.   

If all these episodes were associated with your "partying", could also be due to severe hypoglycemia from the alcohol

I've seen some of the issues you mentioned related to B deficiencies and/or protein deficiencies and/or an iron deficiency.

Are you on a good vitamin regime? Do you drink protein shakes everyday?

A full set of labs should help you narrow down the issue.

Scott