Introduction

Hi All-- I am new to this so bear with me, hopefully it will go where it is suppose to. I can't figure out how to do the cute little card thing that Apple Pie sent me with all her info and journey....... My name is Sharlene. I had gastric bypass RNY Distal in May 2001. Pre-op weight was 303 and I am 5'8". Surgery went well with few complications and the weight came off quick. Got married Sept 2001. Became pregnant March 2002 (about ten months out). Had a horrible difficult pregnancy. Vomited absolutely everyhting up. Had to have 24 hour IV's and TPN. Plus blood transfusions for critically low blood count. To top it off had horrible kidney stones, two stents put in..... Had JAce in November 2002 (6 weeks early). He spent a week in ICU, but all was well. Then had to have hernia operation, had eight of them....with more kidney stones, but blasting now included because I was no longer pregnant. Got down to 125, looked like a walking skeleton. Got up to goal weight of 140. STayed there for a couple of years. Now here I am and I have gained 25 pounds in the last six months. Needless to say I am a little worried about this. I graze a lot......never eat a lot at a time. Today I did that fitday thingy.....I eat way more fat than I thought..... I guess I need some help with high protein low fat food choices..... I can't really eat a lot of meat cuz it makes me sick still. I also have some other symptoms that I have been wondering about lateyly (besides the weight gain). I have horrible stinky gas, and I have loose bowel movements everytime I eat. I have what I believe is restless leg syndrome that has been keeping me awake at night. I crave and eat enormous amounts of ice. My periods are way heavier than usual and come every two weeks or more...... Can anyone help with these things? Are they normal five years out, or is it soemthing else?

Hi Charlene, Welcome to the Grads board! Have you had your labs done lately? I know that I too suffer from "restless leg syndrome", and for me it's because of my low iron level. If your periods are heavier than usual, and coming more often, you could be losing a lot of blood this way. This happened to me also- I'm coming up on my 5 year anniversary next month, and I ended up having to have 4 liters of blood transfused. My hemoglobin level was a 6, and I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. Strangely enough, when I get in my iron supplements, it slows down the monthly issues for me. You might want to check with your gyno if you're not currently on birth control, to see if getting on some might help regulate. As for the other issues, it could be attributed to your diet. Try cutting out the higher fat foods, milk/ or gas-y causing foods. Just my 2 cents worth, I'm sure you'll get a lot of great advice here!

just another quick note, ice cravings are another symptom of anemia as well.

After 5 years, your BM's and gas should be fairly normal. You may have an imbalance of GI bacteria. See your doctor. You may need Flagyl to kill the overgrowth and then acidophollus to balance everything out. XOXOXO, Sharyn

Sharlene, Lord I hope that's not "normal for five years out!" I'm 3 years out and hope all my sketchy times are behind me! Couple of things there make me think "an imbalance of GI bacteria" too. That can also lead to odd mal-absorption as the bacteria Inhibit healthy villi action. I had some problem with GI Bacteria "out of whack" After two big rounds of anti-biotics that blew out my normal bacteria. I got a prescription for Flagyl, And took it for an extended course, at least a month. Some people take it in low doses (prophylactically) all the time. You should talk to your surgeon/doc if this is indicated and if so How much and how often, But my memory is it's longer and stronger than what a "normal" person would take. Flagyl is chemically related to Antabuse, The drug that is given to alcoholics to help them quit drinking - (If you drink alcohol while taking Flagyl, you can get very sick.) And while you're taking Flagyl, And for at least 2 weeks afterwards, You will need to take a probiotic -- Acidophilus, Lactobaccilus, Reuteri, for example, To repopulate your guts with good bacteria. You can also help the good bacteria in your intestines By taking one or two tablets of probiotics. Acidophilus bacteria really helps with the smells. You can also get these "good bugs" by eating live culture yogurt. Sounds like Some Chem imbalance. Have Bloodwork done recently? I'd call and ask for a full lab work up. Hope you are feeling better soon! Best Wishes- Dx