Saturday AM

Hey everybody.

Just got done reading and responding to a few of the posts from the last two days.  I spent all day yesterday trying to get a prescription filled.  The pain management MD had put me on Percocet.  I was having to take two at a time and chew them to get any relief so obviously those aren't going to work.  He gave me a prescription for liquid morphine, which isn't really working all that well either.  I guess I'm wondering how many other posties have problems with meds and malaborbtion.  I made an appointment to see my PCP this morning to talk to him about this and see what my options are, or if I even have any.  I made the appointment to have the "procedure" done, but I'm still not thrilled.  I am really concerned not only for myself but for other WLS patients.  Why doesn't there seem to be any doctors that understand the needs we have regarding meds.  Maybe I'm an isolated case, who knows.  This MD wants to "detox" me of ALL my medications, including my anti depressants and the meds for the bipolar and ADHD.  I am a basket case when I don't take my meds; I've tried going without them before and it simply doesn't work.  Then when I start taking them again I have to wait 4 to 6 weeks until I start getting the benefits from them.  Just because I don't work anymore doesn't mean that I no longer need to function.  I'm pretty upset with this whole thing right now. Ok, I'm done *****ing about that right now.  I can't wait until June; I really need that retreat right now.  In the meantime it's prayer and deep breathing.

I had a student last night but no one told me so the poor lady sat waiting for me.  I got a phone call right after I took my dose of morphine and there was no way I could make a class last night on such short notice.  I rescheduled her for after my doctor's appointment; I hope she isn't too upset.  I think what I'm going to do is have the education coordinator give my cell phone to the students so that if anything goes wrong they can contact me directly.  I am going to take a few bracelets with me a let her pick one out as an apology gift for the mix-up.

I'm very excited for my hubby; he lost 8 pounds.  That's pretty good considering he's been off of work with his little accident for weeks now.  Not sure when he is going back, but it won't be until that wound heals.

Has anybody heard from our dear Vickie?  If you are reading this I just want you to know that you and your family are in my prayers.  I love your sense of humor and miss reading your posts.

Well that's it for me; time to shut up.

Colleen

wow. im sorry to hear about your struggles. so the malaborption messes with your psych meds? now im worried. i have the same issues minus ADHD and id never give my meds up for anyone because they work just enough to get me by as it is. Good luck with your decision and your appointments. you will be in my thoughts. keep us posted

Typically, we just require a slight increase in our meds to get the same effectiveness... don't worry too much on this one. Remember we are all different.

Hi Colleen, happy Sunday to you.  I was tapering my antidepressants with the councelor I was seeing, several years ago.  She and I did not like the things that happened when I went below the dose I am currently am taking.  Her instructions were to not try to taper any lower and to continue to take the antidepressant long term.  I was stabilized on a dose of effexor XR.  This was changed to plain effexor, taken morning and evening, before my wls.  This dose continues to work well for me.  I accidently  forgot to put the pills in my med planner one week.  After 4 days, I was not myself.  Took another week to get myself back on track.

I hope that things work out well for you.  Unscrambling meds is not fun.  We want you to be functioning and active in life.  Glad to hear the Don is losing some weight.  Also hoping that his leg wound heals quickly and well.

I too am so ready for the retreat.  I miss Patrece already and she has only left Thursday am.  I know her family missed her too.  I haven't heard a thing from Vicki and miss the posts.  Oh Vicki, please take the best care of yourself.  Come share again when you can.  Loads of hugs for everyone.

Colleen. I look so forward to having you at the retreat. It will be a time that will serve you well in getting some YOU time, without the pressures of reality back home interfering. You will be with others *****ally know and understand so much of what you struggle with, and help you make the most of this journey.

It sounds like your doctor is worried about all of the meds you are on. It is far too often that people build up a resistance to pain meds, and soon none of them can do much to help as they can only be raised so much and not be life threatening to the one taking them. Do try to keep an open mind with the alternative treatments. You may be suprised at the effectiveness of them. My husband had the needle in the pressure oint treatment this past Saturday, and after 1 1/2 days, he is now feeling some relief. they will have to go back in and do more of these treatments, but they wanted to make sure it would be effective before they did more areas. As far as taking you off of your psych meds.. thats a bit scarey to me... I encourage you to discuss this with your psych doc before this happens. You may crash, and we do not want this! (I am not a doc, but do take antidepressants, and know what would happen with me should they take me off of mine). I am not bipolar but do have severe clinical depression which must be treated. I know I couldn't come off of them and stay stable. I'd be in bed for weeks trying to deal...

Keep us posted on how you are please. Hugs and love to you!