4 Years Out 11-2 Feeling Crappy...LONG POST!!!

Hello OH Family.

I've never posted on this message board before, I usually lurk on the main board but I guess I am looking for some input on the way I am feeling so far out.  I had a great surgery, Lap RNY on 11-2-05, no complications, no problems after, some dumping but I never even had anything get stuc****il this past Feb.  In April, 2007 I had a TT, all went great with that as well.  Then I started feeling like crap and had to have my GB removed in Oct. 2008.  That was to be expected, I don't know why all surgeons don't take it out when they are doing the surgery, it's comin out anyway sooner or later!!!  Before I had my GB out I had constant burping, bloating, nausea and bad gas.  Afterwards I felt pretty good, my quality of life definitely improved.  I knew I could experience GB symptoms up to a year after the removal but I didn't realize I would start to feel so lousy again.  I have burping, gas, loose stools, gurgling stomach, intermittent pain and tenderness in my abdomen, everything I eat makes me run to the bathroom, my belly gets bloated so it looks like I am pregnant and my left leg is swollen.  I didn't like my family docs answer so I called my Bariatric Surgeon, he also removed my GB.  I spoke to the nurse but she didn't feel this all was related to either the RNY or the GB removal.  I finally referred myself to the Gastroenterologist and I am in the process of getting bloodwork and submitting stool samples  (OH YEAH...didn't know how fun this would be).  It was mentioned this could be a side effect of the GB removal..Oh God would I really have to live with this.  It is so inconvienent.

Just wondering if anyone out there had this happen to them, what was it and how are you doing?  I know this isn't professional medical advice, just looking for input and a shoulder to cry on.
THANKS!!!

You may have C-Diff or a bad bacteria in your intestinal tract.  That is the reason for the stool sample and I think you are fortunate that they are doing that immediately.  If you have c-Diff, it will take a prescription of Flagyl and you'll be feeling so much better!  If it's another bacteria, they will know which antibiotic will be effective in treating the overgrowth.

In the meantime, you can begin PROBIOTICS.  These are capsules filled with billions of several different kinds of the GOOD bacteria we all need in our gastrointestinal tract.  They canNOT hurt you so there is no reason not to begin them.

It is also recommended that you take probiotics whenever you are taking an antibiotic as antibiotics can disrupt the balance of the good and bad bacteria in your intestines.  When taking probiotics while on an antibiotic, space the probiotics in between the time the antibiotic is taken. 
You can find a good probiotic at a health food store like GNC.  Get a brand that has bacteria not just for the small intestine but for the colon as well.  There are some capsules that contain as many as 11 - 13 strains of good bacteria. 

If you can't get to the health store soon, eat more yogurt (bu****ch the sugar content and consumption amount if you are lactose intolerant). 

If you find that you have very good results with the probiotics do NOT cancel your testing and/or appointments.  While they may be highly beneficial to you and you may notice a difference relatively quickly (2 weeks), that doesn't mean that any condition yo u may have has been discovered so that there is no need to continue with testing.  I don't think you'd do that but I have seen people do that and while the probiotics helped tremendously, it wasn't their primary problem and treatment was delayed.

I hope you are feeling betters soon!


Good luck!

Wow.......are you sure we aren't the same person?  Here is my story.

 

First off I do Have Lupus and Rhuemetoid Arthritis plus a hernia.

3 months ago, i started having to go poo every hour and wasn't feeling good.  My Liver levels are way to high do to now diagnosed lupoid hepitis (from my Lupus)  I went in for a colonoscapy because a ct scan showed my intestines to be swullen.  Did all the poop tests and still nothing.  I have been dealing with the gas and girgling intestines as well along with the nausea.  I was unable to eat much for 3 months.  finally they ended up doing a liver byopsy (don't have results yet) but in the mean time I also swelled in my abdomen and look VERY pregnant.  I have had a perecentices done 2 times, where they took 6 liters each time.  I need one now, but my doc decided instead to double my doses of the 2 diuretics I am on to see if that works.  I have 20 lbs of water in my belly and am scared because the rest of my body is wasting away.  Both of my legs and feet swelled up and got so full of fluid they leaked.  my arms and legs look gross..wrinkly skin allover, I look like I am 90.  You can see all my veins and bones.  I am sure if this water was gone I would only weigh about 120 right now at the most.

Well, I am 8 1/2 years post op and have not had any problems until about a year ago.  I have lots of gas, lots of bloating, loud gurgling sounds, burping, I can literally feel my intestines moving around when they make this noise.  Lately when I burp, it is a minty taste as if I have eaten a chocolate mint.  I have not been to my surgeon in 5 years.  I am scared to go to the doctor because my surgery was paid for by Vocational Rehab and if I report problems that are related to the surgery, my insurance will not pay.  I did start taking a probiotic based on my research here on the internet and that seems to help but all of the issures are still there.  I keep thinking it can't be anything major because I feel good and am doing well otherwise.