Chattanooga Support?

Hi all, I am old, but new to this board. Was on it 3.5 years ago when I had surgery. Lost internet for awhile but am back now. I don't see too many posts from Chattanooga area. I had surgery in Johnson City, TN but live north of Chatt. Like I said, I'm 3.5 years post-op and lost 124.bs. Had a 70lb regain in the past 2 years but now have lost 40 of it. I'm so happy to be back under 200. Now just trying to keep going down. It's not been all that hard as I have NO appetite and hubby says I eat next to nothing when I do eat. I guess I just don't have a good picture of what I am doing food-wise. Anyways, I occasionally have gastric bleeds that are unexplained. I've had everything including CAT scans and MRIs. Nothing shows up and no one seems concerned. I'll pass blood a few times then it won't happen for many months. Has anyone here experienced this? Hope to hear more from this board. :) Beckey aka bpdjw

Beckey ~ I'm too new to know anything about this, but wanted to let you know that we up here in the Nashville area are a very warm and welcoming bunch! We would love to have you join us when you can. Watch for posts regarding Lunch Bunch (once a month on Saturday) and they've just started a Dinner Club - this Friday night at 7pm if you can make it. Take care, and welcome back!    ~ Tara

Thamks Tara. My sister lives in Franklin and I try to visit every couple months if she doesn't come here to Chatt. area. I'll keep it in mind. Still anxious to hear from others too.

Welcome Home Beckey!  I'm not to familar with the Chattanooga area support groups. There is as girl who post on here named Beth B., she is from Chattanooga.  Her screen name is baughhouse.  Click on her blue name in this post, and it will take you to her profile page.  You could PM her, maybe she would know something about the Chattanooga area.  Anyway, welcome home to the Tennessee board!

Hi Beckey. Welcome back to the boards. Congrats on your weight loss.  Can I ask what the gastric bleeds are like? How do you know when you have them? Do you pass black blood in your stool or red blood or do you get real sick? I am just curious to know the symptoms. I have never heard of it before so just curious. I know I have IBS so I bleed quite often but mine is red blood and comes from places like internal hemorroids and I have even had polyps removed.  Sorry for the too much info!  Have they checked you for ulcers? Ulcers can cause bleeds (that could get dangerous). I would say to stay on top of it until they figure out what it is. Only you know what is "normal" for your body and if your Doc is not worried about it or following up like you think they should, then change Docs. It may not be anything to worry about but if you are concerned, maybe a second opinion would not hurt. 

Misty, yes it is characterized by black blood in the stool. I have seen 7 different Drs trying to find the cause. They can only guess at and treat it as an ulcer though they've not found one. Of course it could be in my lower stomach and they can't see it well. Anyway, I did all that when I had insurance. Things are more complicated now that I have no insurance and am uninsurable. "Nother long story. Beckey

Hi There! Sorry I've been absent from the board for a while. I've been swamped. I live in Chattanooga...where exactly are you? I live in East Brainerd but was raised up in Dayton Tennessee. Glad to see your taking control. Get that protein in and keep us updated on your gastric bleed issues. Beth B. in Chattanooga

I understand totally. I live on the north end of the county so Dayton tends to me my stomping grounds for shopping and friends and such. Glad to hear from you. I'm working on the protein thing and just joined a fitness group.