Question:
Should I always mention wls before taking perscription drugs?? Even in ER??

Last night I ended up in the ER with a UTI. Got the antibiodics that said take with a FULL glass of water, and the"orange" pills that must be taken with meals. Since I had been in the ER for 3 hours, I had neither a meal or full glass of water and couldnt have done both anyway. I had a MAJOR< MAJOR, dumping eposide. Scarry. Should I have mentioned the wls? How shold I hadle next time. I just wanted to get all the meds I could in my body , fast, I was in pain. Any advice??    — jiggers (posted on September 17, 1999)

September 17, 1999
Hi, Jan---My doc makes me check EVERYTHING out before I take it--even over the counter things, so I guess you should always tell another doc. Just wanted to say hi, also, because I'm in Pensacola (fairly near you), and a really good friend of mine lives in Green Cove Springs, too. Did your area survive the hurricane ok? I've tried to call my friend several times, but never get through. Thanks--CHarlene
   — charlene M.

September 17, 1999
Yes, always let the physicians especially in an ER know what type of surgery you've had so they can adjust dosages or methods of administering meds to you. Very Important! (as you just discovered)
   — Sherrie G.

September 17, 1999
AB-SO-LUTELY. I wear a medic alert at all times. If I'm dressed up, it's a wrist band. It gives my type of surgery, my doc's name & ph#, the meds I take and CANNOT take. I'm terrfied of being "hurt" by bad meds or bad medicine. But worse, I've heard the stories about being in a car accident and having some ER doc undo the surgery! GASP! Wake up 50 lbs heavier? NO THANKS. I wear my medic alert, as if my life depends on it. The only time I don't wear my seatbelt is when I drive the car over to be washed, from the carport to the driveway! As it is, I sent my new doc (my ins. changed) my op report, a sketch of my surgery and I "interviewed" him before we settled on him. I can't have him missing a brain tumor because everything is the fault of "my surgery", like it used to be "because you're heavy". Now, I'll need to train ANOTHER one, thanks to my insurance, who will be doing a scope on me. The other option would be to PAY IN FULL to have my regular surgeon do it. You've got to rememeber, NO ONE (but the doc who did you) knows as much about your condition as you do. When you're in Medical Land, play a recording, wear a sign, fax instructions, make SURE they know they can't handle you like a normie. And never take any meds without calling your original doc. Some can cause you so much pain, it wasn't worth it.
   — vitalady

September 19, 1999
Jan, It can't hurt ... and might help. I'm not a doctor, but maybe they could have given you a shot of antibiotics instead of a pill. I make sure that all of my medical professionals know. Good Luck M
   — Mary Anne M.

September 19, 1999
Yes you should mention the wls. I hope you know the details of the surgery since those would be important to the treating doc. The advice for taking pills and food is dependant on the surgery type that you had. generally if you go slow with any drinking and eating then things should work out.
   — Bruce B.

September 20, 1999
Always mention that you have had WLS The doctors probably won't understand what it actually means but than you can educate them. There are meds that they can give you that will not cause dumping, or they can give you an injection. Good luck to you. Anna
   — Anna D.