I am sick and need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post Date: 10/14/07 4:25 pm 1 yr post lap gastric bypass 9/22. I was bad and started smoking again, developed ulcer, little gastric reflux but not bad, did not know I had ulcer. ulcer perforated had emergency surgery 9/14/07 pouch was revised with all new clean tissue. after bypass started where I could not have a bowel movement, I could not pu**** out; thats been going on for appox 9 months .  While in hops for ulcer developed acute renal failure, high bun and creat, tpn and lipids infused and g-tube conts with conts feeds. they said renal failure was due to vancomucin antibiotics, toradol pain med ? creat and bun now normal. potassium was high, now normal but albumin and proytein and iron still low. I keep losing weight, no energy, voming/dry heaves, DRY mouth, lehtargic alot of the time. MD says I am hooked on drugs. Drugs started post ulcer and I have taken less than what was perscribed. I am not taking any pain med now so md can find out what is going on. I want to get better, I have 2 little girls and i love my job. No history of alcohol. was healthy prior to this. any ideals or paths suggested to take? Amy Spears

Sorry to hear everyhting that you've been going through it's awful. Your doctor thinks your hooked on meds do you think you have a problem? Are you having a problem not taking the meds withdrawls ? you can go to one of the 12 step sites the have a short test to take to see if you truly have a problem. I hope this helps some.

Based on what you've written there, it doesn't sound like addiction to chemicals is your problem.   You need a complete medical workup.  If your doctor is simply labeling you an addict and the symptoms you describe don't match, get a different doctor. I am not a doctor, but based on what you've said, you picked up a deadly infection and then took vancomycin to combat it.  Vancomycin is an incredibly powerful antibiotic and could indeed shut down your kidneys; combined with toradol, you could have some major issues with kidneys/liver. Get a second opinion.  It's easy to blame addiction, but clearly you have some health issues that don't fit.

Amy, What "drugs" is the doctor accusing you of being addicted to?  Toradol is a potent non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug.  It is non-addicting.  It is usually only given temporarily.  Vancomycin is a very potent antibiotic as the previous writer stated.  TPN and Lipids are hard on your body as is Toradol and Vancomycin.  If you are not taking a narcotic, then how can you be addicted pain medications?  Is i the bariatric surgeon who thinks that you are addicted to medicine or a different doc?  I am confused. I am so sorry for your difficulities. Kathy