Who else has neuropathy now?

Hi guys....This is going to be rather long so forgive me! First time on this board and I came here specifically hoping that someone can shed some light on what's happened to me since I had Rny on 12/01/04. I'm 5'6 and weighed 234 upon leaving the hospital after surgery. I now weigh 145. My problem is that I've recently had to give up a 27 year career in law enforcement due to something called "Peroneal neuropathy" of the fibula head. I began walking for exercise back in February and shortly afterward began experiencing what felt like electrical shocks in my right thigh while walking and even while standing. I also tripped a lot, but at the time, I placed the blame on what I believed were invisible tree roots in my driveway. I didn't put two and two together until weeks later when I attempted to put my right shoe on and my foot wouldn't or couldn't cooperate. I was not able to wiggle my toes/feet to get them in the shoe. It took both hands to fit my foot in it. Well, that freaked me out, cause nothing like that has ever happened to me before. My doc sent me to have a nerve conduction study done and hence the diagnosis above. Since that time the carpel tunnel that I had in one hand (for years) suddenly spread to the other hand too. I sleep on my side and now wake up every hour or two because my arm goes completely numb. I get up until it comes back to life then go back to sleep on the other side and the ritual continues throughout the night. I take nuerontin for this disorder, but I still go numb and it's quite painful. I've been checked for everything under the sun and have had every test known to mankind. I have not had a stroke, heartattack...anything like that. Now the neuropathy seems to have become bilateral in that my left foot is going numb and I am begining to trip using that foot as well. I forgot to tell you that the nickname for this disorder has the unglamerous title of "drop foot." Now, this has been going on for months. I never know when I am going to trip and fall and have become quite paranoid of walking alone. Back in June, I tripped at work and fell down 8 or 10 steps, but luckily didn't break anything. That's when my doc took me out of work. Said I was gonna kill myself if I kept it up. There's other problems like bulging disks and things like that, but I've always had those things. This doesn't seem real to me that I feel better than I have in my entire life and now cannot even walk without the fear of hurting myself! I've been told by a neurologist that this is a side effect of gastric bypass. He said he couldn't prove it, but the sheer number of his gastric bypass patients alerts him to the facts. Ok, I thought I researched this surgery pretty well before having it, but that's one side effect I never read about nor even heard of. Have any of YOU had this? I was told there is no cure, and that surgery will not make it better. Please let me know if you have! Emails are welcome as are any comments. I have also been told that this is a delayed result from having severe diabetes. That, by the way, is the main reason for my having surgery to start with. Oh, and for any preops reading this, please know that knowing this beforehand would not have made any difference in my decision. I have not regretted surgery (aside for the first two weeks that is) since I had it. For me, it was the best decision I ever made.

Sorry to hear about this disorder, i'm just researching surgery right now and I have never heard of this. I think you should post this on the main message board to get more results. I hope it gets better and I will pray for you.

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you. I have heard of this happening to both diabetics and gastric bypass patients. I seem to recall that it can be related to nutritional deficiencies. Is there a chance that you haven't benn getting enough or absorbing enough of something? You bariatric surgery team should be able to do a vitamin analysis to see if anything can be addressed in this area. Best of luck to you and I do hope it impoves. DD

i am readig this bard. i have foud similar post .a lady ended up having to learn to use all muscles agian not to scare you but to aware you. she developed "gillian breea"syndrome.due to not absorbing potassum.maybe you should check into that. just a thought best of luck

I have neuropathy. I have diabetes type2 and have had it for ten years. I have had some of the problems that you have. I feel like four of my toes on the left side has cotton stuck under them,this has caused me to fall also. Sometime my legs hurt so bad I could cry. That doesn't Help. I am having a problem with my left knee right now. I thought I had a blood clot but it was only the neuropathy acting up. I can feel your pain. I know it myself.I haven't had WLS yet but I am in line to have it . I have to lose 23 more lbs. before I can have it done. Wish me luck. I do hope you get to feeling better and everthing improves for you. Just know you are not alone. Anytime you need to vent feel free to e-mail me.I will remember you in my prayers. I have to see a neurologist in Aug. about my legs. I can;t walk without a walker to steady my self.I was also put out on disability from a job that I held for 30 years. Im could no longer stand up to do my job. I didn't know getting older could hurt so much. I will be thinking of you and hoping you feel better really soon Patricia Stephenson

Dear B Mac, Yes, I read about this before my surgery. I even recall having to put my initials next to this part of a waiver form before I was operated on. From what I understand this is most likely due to a vitamin deficiency, possibly B 12. Were you taking the sublingual kind? We just discussed this same issue at our last wls support group. This can happen although it is rare. Check for any vitamin deficiancies. I am suprised that more people on these boards haven't come across this before because I was made well aware of it before the surgery. I am so sorry you are experiancing this. My heart goes out to you. I will say a prayer for you tonite! But please know you should go to the best drs and hospitals for opinions and diagnosis. Do your research and hunt the best docs down for your treatment.

I also thought that this may be related to vitamin B12 deficiency, but someone on the Obesity Surgery Gone Wrong Yahoo! Group, who has this neuropathy problem, explained that it is not. Maybe you can check that group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-gone_wrong/ Take care of yourself. So sorry to hear about your problem Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie

Check the WLS forum on thinnertimes.com I have heard it mentioned by a couple of folks who post regularly there.

I haven't had wls yet, but I have this type of neuropathy in my left thigh. It started about a year ago, searing pain, lightning bolt sensations, and constant numbness of the area. I found out from my neurosurgeon (for an unrelated condition) that it is usually caused by excessive weight loss, or gain in a short period of time. It can also be caused by injury to the hip area. Hope this helps. Carol

Dear B Mac, I am not a doctor by any stretch of the imagination but I would BET you anything... it is a lack in vitamins that you are having this problem. I NOT only take a B-12 sublingual but I get B-12 shots once a month as well... and then w/ my regular regimen of vites is included a stress B+C as well. Go to www.vitalady.com and email Michelle... she can tell you what vites you need and what protein shakes are awesome. You can also call their 800 number and they can tell you this stuff over the phone. For ANYBODY reading this...this website and Michelle has really saved my life and health.. I would HIGHLY recommend EVERYONE going to this website and calling and ordering their vitamins. Please feel free to email me back..at [email protected] God bless you, Heather