sorta OT - saw the new PCP

I have a script for Tramadol.  He did not think it would be an issue taking it with St. John's Wort, but I'm not entirely sure he understands that St. John's Wort works like an SSRI.  He seemed open to the idea of herbal medicine, though.  He asked me a number of questions about the St. John's Wort and the turmeric I take and how they have been working for me and stuff.

I spent what seemed like a long time explaining to him why we can't take NSAIDS.  He said he thought RNY patients could take NSAIDS "occasionally" after they were a year out from surgery.  I asked what "occasionally" was and he said once a week or so.  I pointed out the the ASMBS recommends avoiding them completely forever after RNY and said I feel safe following their recommendation.

He ordered my labs for me.  He asked if Medicare pays for all those blood tests and I said they have every time I've had them done so far.  He said if I am not anemic now, I probably will be after they draw that  much blood.  I laughed and said I am not anemic now, I take my iron.  It is  lot of blood to be drawn, though.

He would not write me a script for my B12 shots yet - he said he wants to get the lab results first.  When I told him I do B12 injections weekly he said, several times, that is a LOT.  I said yes, well, I initially did them just once a month but my B12 level dropped a lot so I've been doing them weekly for a couple years now.  He asked if my previous PCP knew I did them weekly and I said of course, she wrote the script for them.  He asked when my level was last checked and I said about a  year ago (I normally do labs every six months but it has been almost a year this time).  I told him my level was 1246 then.  I really hope I"m not going to have to fight with him for the script.  If I have to, I can go back to my old doc for it.  I just wanted to see someone closer to where I live.

I'm praying this works out for you and that you can work with this Dr and not have to travel to see your other one. Perhaps also he will be one you can count on and not be stressed over a visit.

UGH! I wonder why it is such a trial for him to write a script for B12. It isn't like you are jonesing for Valium or something. Ay yi yi!

I had a hard time getting my PCP to write a script for B12 injections and in fact he would only write a script for one injection per month which my husband, who is a nurse, gives to me.  However, when I was having more severe knee pain last year he had   no problem giving me Percocet (60 of them in fact) although I am grateful he did.

I now do the once a month B12 injection and I take 5000 MCG of B12 sublingual daily and my B12 is around 900+.

Sonja

I'm sorry about your trouble. It's hard finding doctors who understand our needs. I used to take tramadol long before RNY, but it made me really queasy, so stopped. When I need to, I use tylenol with codeine now, but very seldom because of ongoing constipation.