Question:
I am SOOO tired! What is wrong with me?
I had my surgery Jan21 of this year. I have lost 45 pounds so far and I am just plain exhausted! I don't know if I am low on iron or what (I can't tolerate meat at all) even though I take SlowFe iron daily. My legs ache and I just feel almost the way you feel when you are first pregnant. I threw up last night for hours for no reason that I can see. My eyes burn like I have sand in them from being so heavy. I take two flintstones daily (although I admit sometimes I do forget) and my B12 shot monthly that does nothing at all for me. Anyone else having this problem? Any suggestions? — Tabitha M. (posted on March 31, 2008)
March 31, 2008
Tabitha,
Let's address three things that can be the cause., but most likely it is
the first one, B-12. Regular vitimuns are made to slow release so you need
to take vitimuns made for Bariatric Patients if you had a RNY or even a lab
Band, although a Lab Band give you more time to digest the regular vitimuns
then a RNY. I use Building BLock from www.bbvitamins. They only make
theire products for Bariatric patients. They have chewable as well as
regular B-12, but I use a spray. If it is B-12, go to your doctor, any
doctor and they will give you a b-12 shot. That will help you feel better
in a few days, but it will wear off in a week or so, so you have to
maintain to keep feeling good, because your diet is not giving yoiu enought
B-12. Next is iron. I was animic before surgery for over a year from
diets, but it does not make you feel as bad a you described. I also taking
120 MG of Iron from building blocks and I am no longer animic, but when I
quit or cut back to 30 MG a day as recomended, by blood test show I slip
back. Last is thyroid. If you are over 40, you should have a blood telst
to check Iron, B-12 and THyroid. If it is the thyroid, they give you a
small pill based on the blood test that is very inexpensive called
synthroid. It will correct the problem in 10 to 12 days totally, but you
will be on that for the rest of your life. Thyroid is the last thing to
check as it is not common from RNY surgery to just show up. B-12 is most
likely the reason. I wish you the best and if you eed any other help, just
write me.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 31, 2008
Tabitha,
Let's address three things that can be the cause., but most likely it is
the first one, B-12. Regular vitimuns are made to slow release so you need
to take vitimuns made for Bariatric Patients if you had a RNY or even a lab
Band, although a Lab Band give you more time to digest the regular vitimuns
then a RNY. I use Building BLock from www.bbvitamins. They only make
theire products for Bariatric patients. They have chewable as well as
regular B-12, but I use a spray. If it is B-12, go to your doctor, any
doctor and they will give you a b-12 shot. That will help you feel better
in a few days, but it will wear off in a week or so, so you have to
maintain to keep feeling good, because your diet is not giving yoiu enought
B-12. Next is iron. I was animic before surgery for over a year from
diets, but it does not make you feel as bad a you described. I also taking
120 MG of Iron from building blocks and I am no longer animic, but when I
quit or cut back to 30 MG a day as recomended, by blood test show I slip
back. Last is thyroid. If you are over 40, you should have a blood telst
to check Iron, B-12 and THyroid. If it is the thyroid, they give you a
small pill based on the blood test that is very inexpensive called
synthroid. It will correct the problem in 10 to 12 days totally, but you
will be on that for the rest of your life. Thyroid is the last thing to
check as it is not common from RNY surgery to just show up. B-12 is most
likely the reason. I wish you the best and if you eed any other help, just
write me.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 31, 2008
If you haven't had one done already, have a blood panel done right away.
Leg aches can be a sign of several things--low calcium, low protein
hydration, magnesium, etc. I use a liquid vitamin so it goes to work right
away. I do feel tired if I've had a busy few hours, but I don't feel tired
all day. I'm 22 months post op, and it takes a few months until you feel
pretty normal again. But I'm worried about the tireness, eyes burning, leg
aches, etc. A blood panel should tell your doctor what may be missing.
— Dave Chambers
March 31, 2008
Iron would also my first assumption. And not taking calcium or extra vit
D? Do you use a protein supplement? You said you're not eating meat, so
that would mean less B12, iron or protein than anyone is expecting. When
do you get labs again? Or can you get them done, like, NOW? Slow Fe is not
well absorbed by us. Any iron you take should be taken with vit C, alone
together for one hour, so not with caffeine, dairy, egg, whole grain or any
other vites, minerals or meds. But your iron may not be right for you
and/or not enough mg for you. We're each a bit differnt.
— vitalady
March 31, 2008
Hi Tabitha. I have been there. Got to be the vitamins. I take Shaklee
Vitalizer Strips and OMG!!!! Miracle worker. I was tired and run down. I
have lost over 200 pounds and am 7 years post-op. Check out Shaklee at
www.shaklee.net/gonegreen4life All natural products and they have been a
savior for me and my restored life. Best wishes to you and if you need any
advice from and old-timer(lol) feel free to contact me.
— Twanda S.
March 31, 2008
Its about thiamine deficiency--and what it presents as: in this case
Polynureopathy
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1681565
excerpt:
It is important to distinguish thiamine from B12 deficiency which may also
occur in gastric bypass patients. The neurologic picture for B12 deficiency
may also consist of dementia, irritability, and memory loss. For the
extremities, typically the dorsal (posterior) and lateral spinal columns
are affected, leading to symmetrical paresthesias and ataxia associated
with loss of vibration and position sense in the lower extremities.
— janice2007
March 31, 2008
Hi Tabitha! All of these suggestions are wonderful. You really are NOT
going to know the cause until you have your labwork done. It does sound
like you are not getting nearly enough vitamin/mineral-wise. (I can't tell
if you had RNY or Lap Band.) Step #1 is bloodwork. This will let you know
if you need to bump up your iron, protein or b12. (I personally have to
take 8 times the RDA of iron - this has been OK'd by my oncologist so I
would NOT do this on your own...but just giving it to you as an example of
how UNDER nourished you may truly be vitamin and mineral wise.) XXXOOO!!!
HUGS and get your LABS done! :0D - Melanie g. 10 months out and feelin'
GOOD! You can too! Take Charge !!!
— MAG
April 1, 2008
call your PCP and have a CBC done - complete blood work -- you could be
anemic which would you make you tired
roberta
— RCassety
April 2, 2008
I had surgery on December 3, 2007 and pretty much felt what you are
feeling. I didn't really start having energy or start feeling like myself
til about a month ago. I was extremely tired, i couldn't even take a shower
on my own, my mom had to help me. Just do what you are supposed to do and
trust me, with time you will definitely feel like a new person. Just be
patient. Congratulations and best wishes on your new journey.
— eliza2378
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