Health going down hill!!!!

I'm currently 14 years out. I've never had any issues with my health after surgery until this past year. I started with daily headaches. It moved to reactive hypoglycemia then to top it off I have low blood pressure. The doctors can't figure out what is wrong with me. I constantly have dry mouth and have problems eating dry food without drinking to be able to swallow. My eyesight has also changed 3 times in the past year. I've had multiple test to. I'm so frustrated. Has anyone else had any of these issues??

Hi! I'm only 10 years out, but we have a few folks here that are closer to where you are and hopefully they'll chime in.

Reactive hypoglycemia is relatively common and can usually be controlled and maybe minimized. You might start by talking to your doctor and/or getting a blood glucose monitor and recording your levels before and after eating, and when you're having an episode. Low blood pressure is also relatively common. The biggest risk is falling of course so you'll need to practice getting up slowly to avoid fainting. Personally I live with both of those things.

A lot of folks have trouble with dry food. The only real solution is to make sure you don't eat anything that's not relatively moist. Things do get stuck and it can be very uncomfortable but those can also be learning experiences as you begin to recognize what you can eat without issues and what you'd probably want to avoid. The eyesight is a new one for me. I'd keep in mind though that not every challenge you have healthwise is necessarily related to your WLS surgery. Sometimes we just have stand alone health problems, just as we did and as others do as non-ops.

I admit to being a bit puzzled though. You're 14 years out. Are you just now beginning to have these issues? Because THAT would be slightly unusual.

It would be scary if all of this had developed very recently; it would also be pretty unusual. The farther out vets will probably be of more help to you. Good luck.

Every issue I'm having has started within the past year. I'm not sure if all are WLS related but it seems unusual. I'm familiar with the RH but my blood pressure now stays in the 86/66 area with no changes in heart rate. Tons of dizzy spells.

Thanks for your reply.

Hopefully we'll see some more long term folks check in here. It's just so odd that all of these things started so recently. We see a lot of odd stuff around there though and your post is raising some interesting questions.

B**** my doc apt on Tuesday my blood pressure was 72/58. I was told this would be a constant thing for me and have been taught how to manage it as best I can. Fluids are key and you might try upping yours. They also can give meds for low bp but I've been able to escape that so far.

Take care and keep asking questions until you get some answers.

I agree that reactive hypoglycemia and low blood pressure are not unusual in WLS patients, but those other issues are puzzling. Are you sure they're related to your surgery? Changes in eyesight, especially, doesn't seem like it would be related.

Have you maintained 100% compliance with labs and vitamins?

I'm also 14+ years out and (thankfully) am not experiencing any of these health issues. I am, however, compliant with all my supplements.

If you are compliant, I would guess that your health problems are not connected to your weight loss surgery, but are indicative of other reasons for their sudden appearance

I have been compliant. I'm seeing a dr to check my absorption rate on the 11th. Hopefully we can find an answer.

What vitamins do you take and what tests do you have in your yearly lab work? Please list both - there might be something that's missing that we can point out.

I had similar symptoms to you, uncontrolled hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia, low BP, dizzy spells, orthostatic hypotension, being tired, dry mouth, etc.

I was eventually diagnosed with adrenal Insufficiency. I was app 3-4 years post op.

My hormonal system just stopped working well.

I do drink a lot of water and I need to make sure I get enough sodium and other minerals - Electrolytes.

It can be due to WLS, but most likely I had borderline adrenal issues before that, and I used to medicate that with sugars - not knowing about connection with adrenals. Got tired in the afternoon- get a candy, feel dizzy - get a candy. Etc.

I watched an old home made video of me when traveling out of the country and I could hear myself telling my sister (I was in my very early 30's) that I need food because my blood sugar was dropping and I had a headache. I completely forgot about that. I used to get a headache, ate small serving of carbs, and I was much better. Like in the commercials: "eat a snicker, you are not yourself when you get hungry". When my BS is low I am really not myself. I don't get angry or abusive as some gets (my sister) I get very "whimpy" and whiney.

Edited to add: considering I had some symptoms of blood sugar disregulation plus other issues- I may have hormonal imbalances before my RNY. Most likely WLS did not cause that directly, but the surgery itself, anesthesia, teams to my body, could accelerate onset on serious hormonal imbalances. Getting skinny, having very low cholesterol may contributed to my body ability to make hormons. Some people get hormonal imbalances as they get older. Just because they are older.

Hi Lara,

We are so sorry to hear all you are going through. To have it come on so suddenly would be very confusing and scary. Are you or have you seen a bariatric surgeon in your area? H.a.l.a., sorry to hear all you experienced but it must help Lara to have some starting point with you sharing what you went through.

I will check and see if there is a Bariatric surgeon near you that specializes in complications and weight loss surgery but it sounds like it may not be related to your surgery.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing and what you find out to help others that may have this happen.

Take care,

Kathy