Any ideas?

 Jan 25 will be six years since my gastric by-pass.  I have been successful at keeping the weight off and maintaining.  However, I have been sick with a sinus type infection, cold sores and a cold on and off, more on, since Thanksgiving.  My head feels like it is going to explode!

In early Dec, went to PCP, ran blood tests and ferritin is 9, other than that everything else was in the correct range for a by-pass patient.  Did a "z" pac Dec 22 - 26 since I had the prescription and was still feeling really crummy. (She gave it to me so I could use it if I did not start feeling better.)   I feel ok for a few days and then really bad for a couple of days.  I just cannot shake this.

At 3pm on Jan 4 I went to see an allergist.  I live in Texas and EVERYONE has allergies.  He gave me a steroid shot since I have to be off antihistimines until next Wed when I do all of my allergy tests. He said it should make me feel better within about 10 hours since I was feeling so crummy and that should help out alot.

Today, Jan 5, I still feel terrible and my head feels like it is going to explode.

Just looking for some suggestions.  Could my low iron level be contributing to all of this?  I have been  supplementing since I got my blood work back but I know that takes time to increase that number.  My PCP was not really all that concerned.  I faxed my lab work to my bariatric dr. on Tuesday but have not heard back.  Should I be more persistent with him on a solution?  Should I just live with it until next week when I get the allergy tests done?  Any suggestions are very much appreciated!

Rhonda

YES YES YES. I had ferritin issues too. I went and saw a hematologist and got iron infusions and it made me feel sooooo much better. having low ferritin can actually make you feel like you're sick. the allergies is prob what is making your head feel like that but the rest sounds like the low ferritin. If you can get your pcp or bariatric surgeon to refer you to a hematologist and show them your low ferritin you could prob get iron as well and feel loads better.
Good Luck!!

 Thanks so much!  I just called both and hopefully one will get back to me asap about a referral.

I appreciate it!


Rhonda

My girlfriend had the same exact symptoms as you. She found out the z pack didn't work for her. Short term relief was all she got. She went 3 months with symptoms and feeling crappy. Went
on nasal spray for alergies, 21 day antibiotic and she's finally symptom free. Nasonex is what she takes daily still and will have to as long as she seems to have alergy symptoms/hay fever symptoms. Hope you feel better.
Jen 10 yrs post op RNY

 Thanks Jen!

I have been using my Nasonex as well.  I did get a call from my bariatric surgeon who is referring me to a nutritionist about my low iron.  

Thanks for the help!

Rhonda

 Did you by chance also have a low grade fever? I am dealing with very similar symtoms and use nasonex as well. Year round allergies. I am 2 years out now. My b12 was somewhat low, and my d. But from time to time I feel lousy and have a low grade temp. 99.2 for example. Just curious if you have experienced this?

No, I have not had any fever, my body temp actually runs a little low.  I have been feeling better though this week.  Back to allergy doctor for results today.

Thanks!!

 My body temp runs a little low too. Odd, anyway glad your feeling better.

 Flonese helps me keep my sinus problems under control. 

As for the low feritin -getting that taken care of makes a HUGE difference.    Mine was at 6 this summer and 4 this fall... even though the hemoglobin looked close to normal.   The PCP and the Surgeon didn't seem overly concerned...but I was the one living with the symptoms.    At my insistence the PCP put me on 150mg of ferritin (with vitamin C) a day.   HUGE huge difference in my energy level and fogginess, etc.     The lesson is be persistent.     Sometimes they don't see things from our point of view.