Need some advise
I've been type 1 for about 23 years. I have a series of health related issues.
- For the past 4 years I have had to be on Prednisone to be able to breath. Dr's call it asthma even though asthma meds make no difference. If I don't take Pred I can't breath. I've passed out during coughing attacks and my lungs fill with mucus. The Pred is the only things that helps. The pred is slowing killing me though and make controling blood sugar levels a challenge. Prior to taking the drug I was consistantly under 7 A1c. Since being on the meds I've never been below 7.7.. Over this time I've put on 80+ lbs (350 total).
- Finally my lung dr told me the only way to get off the drug is to loss the weight. Easy for him to say as Pred makes that virtually impossible. He suggested WLS and I'm listening.
- I've concluded that I'm going to do to sleeve in Feb 2012 but am really concerned with potential complications (have a wife and 2 young daughters)
I guess I'm posting this for a couple reasons
1) has anyone ever lost their dependance for pred following weight loss, if so how long?
2) what impact did the weight loss have on your dependance to other meds? Right now I'm on a cpap, lipator, licinipril, and zantac..
Somebody give me some good news. I really want to get control of my life again...
- For the past 4 years I have had to be on Prednisone to be able to breath. Dr's call it asthma even though asthma meds make no difference. If I don't take Pred I can't breath. I've passed out during coughing attacks and my lungs fill with mucus. The Pred is the only things that helps. The pred is slowing killing me though and make controling blood sugar levels a challenge. Prior to taking the drug I was consistantly under 7 A1c. Since being on the meds I've never been below 7.7.. Over this time I've put on 80+ lbs (350 total).
- Finally my lung dr told me the only way to get off the drug is to loss the weight. Easy for him to say as Pred makes that virtually impossible. He suggested WLS and I'm listening.
- I've concluded that I'm going to do to sleeve in Feb 2012 but am really concerned with potential complications (have a wife and 2 young daughters)
I guess I'm posting this for a couple reasons
1) has anyone ever lost their dependance for pred following weight loss, if so how long?
2) what impact did the weight loss have on your dependance to other meds? Right now I'm on a cpap, lipator, licinipril, and zantac..
Somebody give me some good news. I really want to get control of my life again...
I am type 1.5 diabetes x 25 years. I had RNY in September, so just about 7 weeks out from surgery. I don't have the other issues you mentioned.
Have you consulted with your endocrinologist and asked for his/her opinion on this? Or had a WLS consultation yet? I think those visits could help to answer a number of your questions about what could happen for you. My surgeon also required attendance at support group and I'm betting you can find someone with your issues at one of those.
I am on insulin still, but about half of pre-surgery levels with much better control. I'm off blood pressure and cholesterol meds and 2 out of 3 orals for diabetes. I do take metformin again, but half of previous levels. I have 80-90 pounds to lose total and have lost 25 in 6 weeks. I thought about having surgery for about 9 years and had saw 3 surgeons before deciding to proceed.
A lot of people do get off their c-paps for sleep apnea after they've lost weight. So, you should ask about that and what you can expect.
It's a big decision, but just keep asking your questions until you get answers that make sense to you. And, in my experience, if the surgeon couldn't answer my questions, I knew they were not the right person for me.
Best of luck to you - be patient and curious.
FPG
Have you consulted with your endocrinologist and asked for his/her opinion on this? Or had a WLS consultation yet? I think those visits could help to answer a number of your questions about what could happen for you. My surgeon also required attendance at support group and I'm betting you can find someone with your issues at one of those.
I am on insulin still, but about half of pre-surgery levels with much better control. I'm off blood pressure and cholesterol meds and 2 out of 3 orals for diabetes. I do take metformin again, but half of previous levels. I have 80-90 pounds to lose total and have lost 25 in 6 weeks. I thought about having surgery for about 9 years and had saw 3 surgeons before deciding to proceed.
A lot of people do get off their c-paps for sleep apnea after they've lost weight. So, you should ask about that and what you can expect.
It's a big decision, but just keep asking your questions until you get answers that make sense to you. And, in my experience, if the surgeon couldn't answer my questions, I knew they were not the right person for me.
Best of luck to you - be patient and curious.
FPG
I can well identify with you. I've had to be on an insulin pump for the past 2 years. I too took Prednisone for my asthma and watched as my weight grew by leaps and bounds. Add in the co-morbidities of congestive heart failure, stage 3 renal failure, and the nightly wonders of a cpap for sleep apnea....and it made for a less than stellar existance..
In April I was told that I probably had 18 months (at most) left prior to needing to be on daily dialysis....and that I was not a good candidate for that dialysis. Transplantation was totally out of the question. In essense, I was given a death sentence. My only hope for prolonging my life - very literally - was to have WLS. Prior to surgery, I made sure I went to each specialist to get clearance for the operation. Didn't want to take any (unnecessary) chances. Had an RNY on 9/13/2011.
They had me disconnect my pump as they took me into the operating room. I haven't had to use it since.. Only have to take one shot a day of Lantus now. Because I lost 33 lbs. the first month after surgery - my neck size went down. With that decrease, I was able to come off the cpap and the prednisone. The asthma is still there of course, but at least it's more manageable.
I went from requiring 50 mg. of Hydralazine 3x a day to taking 5 mg Lisinopril only once a day. In all, pre-op I was taking 26 pills a day to stay alive. Now, I take 5. WLS obviously can't solve all my problems...but at least it's offering me a chance for some quality of life now.
I know you're scared of the complications because of your family. It's a very scary thing. What's scarier still is knowing that if you don't get some kind of help - your chances of seeing those 2 little girls grow up diminish steadily.
Do your due diligence. Make sure you research all of your options. Make sure your anesthesiologist takes time with you prior to surgery to allay your fears as much as possible. I know the hospital where my procedure was performed takes pulminary issues very seriously and monitored me VERY closely. I'm sure with your history, your hospital will do the same.
Most importantly - take heart. There really is hope out there. You've just got to take that major step to grasp it.
All the best to you and your family!
In April I was told that I probably had 18 months (at most) left prior to needing to be on daily dialysis....and that I was not a good candidate for that dialysis. Transplantation was totally out of the question. In essense, I was given a death sentence. My only hope for prolonging my life - very literally - was to have WLS. Prior to surgery, I made sure I went to each specialist to get clearance for the operation. Didn't want to take any (unnecessary) chances. Had an RNY on 9/13/2011.
They had me disconnect my pump as they took me into the operating room. I haven't had to use it since.. Only have to take one shot a day of Lantus now. Because I lost 33 lbs. the first month after surgery - my neck size went down. With that decrease, I was able to come off the cpap and the prednisone. The asthma is still there of course, but at least it's more manageable.
I went from requiring 50 mg. of Hydralazine 3x a day to taking 5 mg Lisinopril only once a day. In all, pre-op I was taking 26 pills a day to stay alive. Now, I take 5. WLS obviously can't solve all my problems...but at least it's offering me a chance for some quality of life now.
I know you're scared of the complications because of your family. It's a very scary thing. What's scarier still is knowing that if you don't get some kind of help - your chances of seeing those 2 little girls grow up diminish steadily.
Do your due diligence. Make sure you research all of your options. Make sure your anesthesiologist takes time with you prior to surgery to allay your fears as much as possible. I know the hospital where my procedure was performed takes pulminary issues very seriously and monitored me VERY closely. I'm sure with your history, your hospital will do the same.
Most importantly - take heart. There really is hope out there. You've just got to take that major step to grasp it.
All the best to you and your family!
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