9 yrs Post Op & Malnourished

44, F,  5'11, 109 lbs,  BMI 15.5   Post Op weight - 28     Highest Weight - 312   

Hi to all.  I am posting in WLS Graduates forum, after attempting to find some previous information on this subject here.  I found some good information, but was interested to see if anyone else is having any problems or complications as I am experiencing.   As well, I did not want to put it into general forum and frighten the newbies away.  

This is likely a very long post as I have many problems going on here.

I am interested to know what your experiences in this area are/have been.  All of the things that I have listed here have began and occurred since April 2013.  I am beginning to get the "DRUG SEEKER" treatment from my GP clinic.  I have an appointment set for the 6th on which we will discuss these issues as they relate and not individually as we have in the past.

I cannot keep food down.  Painful Spasms in throat and pouch and difficulty breathing when spasms are present.  Frequently, this is accompanied (90% of the time) with vomiting.  When vomiting is due to digestive issues, with little pain present, it is not a violent action.  If I am in a great amount of pain, the vomiting is usually harsh and violent.

Teeth –  3 teeth now removed, with another in position to be pulled.  Tooth to be extracted will result in a disability, by leaving 3 teeth missing on the lower right side.  All teeth with exception of “smile teeth” are in advanced state of decay.  Jaw Clenching.  Breath is toxic.  Foul taste in mouth at all times.  I have undergone 1 root canal, and have been recommended for 4 more. (Impossible due to finances).  Pains resumed around Thanksgiving to tooth, we are currently in a state of trying to allow the nerve to die, without extrication of the tooth. These pains are at times accompanied by jaw pain that originates behind my right ear and shoots a jolt out of my lip.  THIS IS EXCRUCIATING!!

Bones- Spinal fusion at C6.  When walking steps, any incline, or toting anything of weight, at some point in the incline, my legs go numb and feel as if they just will not work.  There is a strange tingling sensation that extends through my hips, but does not travel my legs.  Loss of bladder.  I have pain in left leg frequently that shoots down from the lower back, down and around the thigh and leg. Often this leaves my toes numb.  There are times when there is an ice water feeling within my left leg.  It feels as though water is dripping down my leg.   Cyst on lower back near spine near L4/L5.  Spinal Stenosis.  Degenerative Disc disease.  Facet narrowing.  

Shoulders/Neck area –  Slight tingle occasionally in the left arm.  This is normally a response from lifting too much weight, turning head to fast, or waking with pain in neck.  Tingles and numbness more frequently in the right arm.  Neck is frequently tight and feels very tired.  Headache  I have a headache approximately 70% of each week.  Difficulty in finding a position that I can sleep in.

Have awakened 3 times since 11/30/2013 unable to move my legs.  Usually lasts less than a minute or two.  Very painful throughout the spine when this happens.  As if the entire spine is tired.                 

I have a headache 70% of each week.  When digestive issues are present, the headache is far more intense.  When pain is in the shoulder/neck area, the headache intensity increases. Headache with jaw/tooth pain is very intense, excruciating, but is normally very short in duration.  The headache that comes with or from this lasts for about an hour maybe 2 then subsides.

Pain in Left side – When it first began, I thought it was constipation.  When my bowels were clear, and pain remained, I thought it was a kidney stone.  Kidney scan, MRI, CT, done again.  Kidney function good, no signs of stones.  Potassium noted as low.  Potassium increased, pain meds given.

Other System issues –

Exhaustion – I am almost always tired.  My energy level is often between a 2 and 4 on a scale of 1-10.  On the chance that I begin my day not already worn out, My energy often leaves me by about 1 or 2 pm.  If I have worked a 6 hour shift, that is all that I can handle for that day.

Eyes -  My vision is often very blury.  Left eye more than right.  Close up is very blurry and deteriorating quickly.  My night vision is HORRIBLE. 

Skin is very thin.  I can scratch my arm with little or no force, and I will bleed.  Arms  & hands often appear that I have been fighting with kittens.

Periods of heart palpitations.  Hair falling out.  Night Sweats – EVERY NIGHT!!  I soak my clothes, and linens NIGHTLY.

I am always cold.  The environment can be of normal temperature and I feel a chill.  With the weather as it is right now, I wear approximately 3 or 4 layers when I am going outside.  Outside activities in the cold do not happen.

Feet are painful, left side more than right.  Left foot (toes) are changing shape.  Left foot/ankle often very stiff.

INSOMNIA!  I do not sleep continuously through the night.  Regardless of my time to bed, I am up at least 2 possibly 3 times during the night, remaining awake for 35 – 45 minutes. My routine often ends between 5 and 530 am, as I often give up and just get up for the day.

DEPRESSION -  Having to spend so much time in pain and worry over various health decline issues, in addition to daily strains and struggles….yes, there is depression.  Sexual interest has ceased to exist. 

Thank you for reading this far.  If you can offer ANY information that can help me.  I have an appt at Duke WLS tomorrow.  I am really thinking of begging for a feeding tube.  

Sorry I can't relate, but do hope you find help soon. Which surgery did you have?

Thank you!  I am sorry, I should have included that.  I had the RNY gastric bypass.   I should also mention that with the stomach/digestive issues, I have had endoscopy and have had the distal sphincter dialated.  That was done in October.

I'm no Doctor... and am just passing on a recent article that I read, but infected teeth and gums can send bacteria and technically poison into the system, which is hard to treat/detect.

It sounds though, that you've got several things going on.  I am recommending you find a specialist - FAST!  I do not think this sounds like WLS related... just because you're throwing up doesn't mean your WLS is failing you, but is probably due to the other conditions you have.

If your appt at Duke WLS doesn't take you seriously, find someone else.  Don't just take what they say as you KNOW you feel like crap and have problems.  

Hugs to you - I hope you can get this figured out ASAP.  

Jody,  Thank You!  I did meet with them on the 3rd.  Another endoscopy at the beginning of next week.  Expecting dialation, with plans to stretch more than in October.  The doctors at Duke WLS are wonderful.  They are taking my case very seriously.  I am so thankful for that blessing.  I am planning to post updates as it goes along.  There may be someone out there reading, but afraid to ask.  If my mis fortune can help another WLS patient, then I am willing to share it.

Big Hugs !

Pam

Have you been ruled out for lupus or another none weight loss related disease ?

Tracy,  

Thanks for your reply!  NO ma'am, Not lupus.  My GP did test for Rhuemetoid Arthritis, That was negative.  

I met with surgeons at Duke WLS on 01/03/14.  The plan, thus far is another endoscopy with dialation and admission.  Said that the last time they dialted, they stretched to the size of a nickle.  This time, they plan to stretch me more.  Says for right now that it could possible take 4 or 5 different times over time to get it back to right.  So, until we can get that done, I am surviving on Sweet tea, and anything else I can manage to keep down.  Suggestion for now is to eat anything i can keep down, even if it is a full diet of Reese's cups.

Meeting on Monday with my GP, trying now to get all physicians on the same page of the play book.

Hope everyone has a glorious weekend!!

Well best if luck. I adore sweet tea but I hope you can tolerate more than that soon.  I will pray for you. 

Tracy 

Prayers are much needed and appreciated!!

hi pam, im greg from bethlehem pa. i had my surgery 10 yrs ago very few problems but didnt lose all the weight i wanted to lose, i even gained 30 back i found that i get low sugar attacks, a month ago i went to er with some symptoms u have it was low blood count it was 7.1 i needed 4 transfushions and 2 bags of iron im fine now, well thats only problems i have hope u get better. greg