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Topic: RE: Low Blood Sugar (Dumping?)
Hi, I am also at my 3 year anniversary. I lost about 120 lbs. I haven't had any real issues until last August. I started having low sugar symptoms. I was told I am now hypoglycemic by many doctors. In November, I had a grand Mal seizure. The docs all said it was a side effect of a medication I was taking. For the last three weeks I have had no energy, confused, felt like i was drinking alcohol (even though I wasn't). It would start out like a buzz but next thing I would be in bed and the bed would be spinning. I was so tired and out of it, I would be in bed for 2 or 3 days before I started feeling normal again. I recently started seeing a new doc and he did some blood work to test my thyroid and that test came back normal and then he did a barium swallow test to either confirm DUMPING or rule it out once and for all. I got the call this morning and the test completely ruled out the DUMPING syndrome that all the other docs wanted to say it was. My new doc is still working and I feel like he wont stop until he figures out what is going on.
I would like to ask if you have checked your blood pressure though? I have also been diagnosed with hypo-tension. It makes you feel just like your having low sugar. I had the glucose test done and it came back that I am hypoglycemic. However, when I have an episode my sugar levels are normal or elevated and my blood pressure is low. below 90/60 low. Just thought this information might help you.
Good luck
Monica Knight
I would like to ask if you have checked your blood pressure though? I have also been diagnosed with hypo-tension. It makes you feel just like your having low sugar. I had the glucose test done and it came back that I am hypoglycemic. However, when I have an episode my sugar levels are normal or elevated and my blood pressure is low. below 90/60 low. Just thought this information might help you.
Good luck
Monica Knight
Topic: RE: severe complications with stomach pain post op. Anyone else?
Hi Lorie,
I'm very sorry that you are suffering :(
My story is a long one (you can read my blog), but the short answer is yes, I have had RNY and multiple surgeries after that and continue to have abdominal pain/nausea/trouble eating. I'll add you as a friend. I hope you find answers and relief...don't give up!
I'm very sorry that you are suffering :(
My story is a long one (you can read my blog), but the short answer is yes, I have had RNY and multiple surgeries after that and continue to have abdominal pain/nausea/trouble eating. I'll add you as a friend. I hope you find answers and relief...don't give up!
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
Topic: severe complications with stomach pain post op. Anyone else?
I had surgery in 2004 and a revision in 2006. Did anyone have severe eating problems and pain associated with eating and/or drinking??
Lorie
Lorie
Topic: RE: Hi - New here
Thanks, Jules. Aside from a little pain where my abdominal drain still is I'm doing better. Back to my sugar-free popsicle! :)
Topic: RE: Surgery date set to try and get a win over pain/nausea
Thank you so much for responding. I feel bad that you are still in such a bad place physically, but it sounds like you have made peace with it. Unless another miracle cure is invented, they have told me in Cleveland that this is the only option. They are cautiously optimistic, and I do appreciate their honesty and support. I told my surgeon in Cleveland about this website, and that I'm so glad that there is a place for us to share, vent, and even look for solutions by reading about eachother. Thank you again, it means a lot to me. I'll keep you posted
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
Topic: RE: Surgery date set to try and get a win over pain/nausea
Hey Jules,
I am not on the boards very often but read your update.
I did have my remaining somach(remnant) removed, plus some extra intestines removed/re-routed in an attempt to stop my pain when I ate. I do not have any type of spinal cord stimulator- they had me on the fentynl patch for years. I finally told them that, although it kept me at a "lower level of pain" I felt I couldn't function- I did not feel safe driving my kids anywhere- and always felt "out of it". I still go through periods where eating and certain movements just cause too much pain and have to watch what I intake extremely carefully. I have since developed two ulcers that have not healed, so the nausea daily. I went to Cleveland and they told me that they could go in and try to re-route me again, but there is so many adhesions, scar tissue and they don't know really how I am routed that it would be open and major recovery with no guarantee that it would get rid of my pain. Plus, I was told that I would be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks and that they wanted me to stay in the Cleveland area for another 3-4weeks after that.
I am working with a pain specialist now and doing my best to "not" have to go the surgical route.
I know that if it is needed, I will go back to Cleveland, but, am trying to just live with what I have.
I do have pain, partially managed, but, for me, it is what it is. I currently dont have the strength or desire to search and hunt for anwers anymore- Too much money spent and time used with Doctors discouraging me from trying to solve the problem. I appreciate that they were open with the fact that trying to fix my messed up anatomy could further endanger my life.
I am glad that you have a course of action and are confident in your plan. After 10 years of complications, I just decided, I am done trying to improve and am going to live with what I have for awhile. I sincerely hope that this helps with your problems and can aid in your having some periods of enjoying life without pain.
Wigglypoo
I am not on the boards very often but read your update.
I did have my remaining somach(remnant) removed, plus some extra intestines removed/re-routed in an attempt to stop my pain when I ate. I do not have any type of spinal cord stimulator- they had me on the fentynl patch for years. I finally told them that, although it kept me at a "lower level of pain" I felt I couldn't function- I did not feel safe driving my kids anywhere- and always felt "out of it". I still go through periods where eating and certain movements just cause too much pain and have to watch what I intake extremely carefully. I have since developed two ulcers that have not healed, so the nausea daily. I went to Cleveland and they told me that they could go in and try to re-route me again, but there is so many adhesions, scar tissue and they don't know really how I am routed that it would be open and major recovery with no guarantee that it would get rid of my pain. Plus, I was told that I would be in the hospital for at least 3 weeks and that they wanted me to stay in the Cleveland area for another 3-4weeks after that.
I am working with a pain specialist now and doing my best to "not" have to go the surgical route.
I know that if it is needed, I will go back to Cleveland, but, am trying to just live with what I have.
I do have pain, partially managed, but, for me, it is what it is. I currently dont have the strength or desire to search and hunt for anwers anymore- Too much money spent and time used with Doctors discouraging me from trying to solve the problem. I appreciate that they were open with the fact that trying to fix my messed up anatomy could further endanger my life.
I am glad that you have a course of action and are confident in your plan. After 10 years of complications, I just decided, I am done trying to improve and am going to live with what I have for awhile. I sincerely hope that this helps with your problems and can aid in your having some periods of enjoying life without pain.
Wigglypoo
Topic: Surgery date set to try and get a win over pain/nausea
I heard from Dr. Kroh's nurse today and I am scheduled for July 6th to have my abdominal/GI surgery (remove rest of stomach, re-route some intestine, and place a j-tube that will hopefully come out 6 weeks after surgery if I can eat enough). This surgery has to come before the replacement of the spinal cord stimulator. I'm really nervous, but I trust the team I am working with, and this is my only chance at a more normal life, and I have to take it. I'm just trying to take it one step at a time. If anyone out there has read my blog and then had this revision that I'm about to have, please provide feedback as to how it improved your quality of life, abdominal pain, nausea, etc...Thanks!
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
Topic: RE: Hi - New here
Rika,
I hope the broth went down ok, and that you are on the mend, you have been through a lot, a really rough start. I think all of us on here, and probably others who haven't found us yet, have had some tough roads, so I'm glad you found us to help you through this and know you are not alone. Please keep us updated, and keep taking slow sips as you can :)
Jules
I hope the broth went down ok, and that you are on the mend, you have been through a lot, a really rough start. I think all of us on here, and probably others who haven't found us yet, have had some tough roads, so I'm glad you found us to help you through this and know you are not alone. Please keep us updated, and keep taking slow sips as you can :)
Jules
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
Topic: Hi - New here
Just thought I'd check in here since I had my RNY back on 2/29. I did have many complications from mine and spent a lot of time in the hospital from then until about a week ago. I don't remember much and the family and doc think that's a good thing. Here's what I can tell you...
The initial surgery was uneventful, but I somehow managed to knock a suture loose on my stomach. That gave me a world of pain and sent me back to the hospital for a second surgery to clean up the area. That was back in March. Also in March, it was found that the stomach left behind was dying and trying to take me along with it. I had emergency open surgery to remove the stomach and clean out the infection I now had. I've spent the last several weeks in ICU and only got upgraded and discharged on 4/13. I have come home to a PIC (IV line) line still in me as well as an abdominal drain. I'll have the drain for about another 3 weeks and will hopfully be off of TPN (food through IV) in the next week.
Right now I'm in the process of re-introducing clear liquids to my diet. It has been hard. I'm so afraid of something else going wrong that I'm reluctant to put something different in my tummy. Has anyone else been in this position? How do you get past it?
Right now I'm still in some pain from some additional work my surgeon did on my incisions this past Thursday. Apparently, things were not healing the way they should and he had to cut me a little and remove some sutures. So I am sore. It also doesn't help that I still have the abdominal drain in and the nurse "anchored" it down with so much tape that it honestly hurts. Fentinol (sp?) pain patch is not really working either. Sucks!
Anyway... going to drink some beef broth now. Hopefully this sits well with me and I can move forward. Please say a prayer for me. I need all the healing prayers I can get right now. Thanks!
The initial surgery was uneventful, but I somehow managed to knock a suture loose on my stomach. That gave me a world of pain and sent me back to the hospital for a second surgery to clean up the area. That was back in March. Also in March, it was found that the stomach left behind was dying and trying to take me along with it. I had emergency open surgery to remove the stomach and clean out the infection I now had. I've spent the last several weeks in ICU and only got upgraded and discharged on 4/13. I have come home to a PIC (IV line) line still in me as well as an abdominal drain. I'll have the drain for about another 3 weeks and will hopfully be off of TPN (food through IV) in the next week.
Right now I'm in the process of re-introducing clear liquids to my diet. It has been hard. I'm so afraid of something else going wrong that I'm reluctant to put something different in my tummy. Has anyone else been in this position? How do you get past it?
Right now I'm still in some pain from some additional work my surgeon did on my incisions this past Thursday. Apparently, things were not healing the way they should and he had to cut me a little and remove some sutures. So I am sore. It also doesn't help that I still have the abdominal drain in and the nurse "anchored" it down with so much tape that it honestly hurts. Fentinol (sp?) pain patch is not really working either. Sucks!
Anyway... going to drink some beef broth now. Hopefully this sits well with me and I can move forward. Please say a prayer for me. I need all the healing prayers I can get right now. Thanks!
Topic: RE: need encouragement
I sure hope you are feeling better at this point, and I wish you better health after such a rocky start
Jules RNY 10/30/2007
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