Question:
My sister in-law had surgery on the 3rd of January of this year!

She is always tired and can't sleep could it be that she is low on vitamin B12 or any suggestions? She has done very good so far but she is not sure who too ask.    — sparrow68 (posted on July 31, 2006)

July 31, 2006
One of the things you need to understand is that those of us that answer questions are volunteers, and we can not answer medical type of questions. We all pay lots of monies to get to where we are, so your sister in law needs to go back to the surgeron, dietican or PCP. She could be lacking any number of items. good luck
   — Steve Cohen

July 31, 2006
It could mean anything at this point. Could be low iron, could be low protein. Low vitamin levels. If they have not been checked could be amost anything. Have her call and be checked by her Doctor if not her surgeon the her local pcp. She could also just be not drinking enough water. It's hot this time of year & could be dehydrated. Call her Doc.
   — Marilyn C.

July 31, 2006
As someone the amount of whose co-pay is largely irrelevant to how tired your sister-in-law feels, I can make a few suggestions based upon what I found when I had periods of exhaustion. Although it is normal for many post-ops to feel tired for the first few weeks after surgery, my experience (having lead support groups for over 3 years) is that 6-months of exhaustion would be out of the norm. B-12 was a common reason why I was tired alot. That's why taking a sublingual pill or having injections is important (we can't readily absorb B-12 that is swallowed or included in food). Also, low protein has also made me feel tired and restless. It is also possible that, if her diet has changed and she is now consuming more carbohydrates, denser foods or bigger meals, that she is tired because her body is working harder to digest the food that is eaten. With chronic exhaustion and sleeplessness, although we all like to think that there is a simple nutritional component to it, there could be any number of medical and psychologocial reasons (or combinations of both). That's why encouraging your sister-in-law to get a full medical work-up is critical. Good luck.
   — SteveColarossi

July 31, 2006
I'm a year and 4 months post op and if I don't get my B12 injections once a month I get very tired and feel worn out. She should ask her doctor to start her on the shots. Good luck.
   — Zimpo

July 31, 2006
As Steve said, it could be any number of things. The only way she is going to find out for sure is go to her doctor or surgeon. If the surgeon that performed her operation recommends monthly visits to his/her office, has she been going?
   — the7thdean

July 31, 2006
She should see her docot or nutritionists. Probably nothing but a vitamin issue or maybe not enough protein. I had the same problem and it turned out to be a protein issue, but I went and had blood work and went to see the nutrionist. I was actually suffering from malnutrition
   — WMKaisla

August 1, 2006
Doesn't she see her surgeon for check ups, including blood work? That should tell her if her B12 levels are too low. If she does not see her surgeon, she should see him or at least anotherdoctor. Most surgeons do follow-up care at least once a year because they understand the repercussions of the surgery better than a GP.
   — Novashannon