Question:
Long limb revision last July, extensive problems. Looking for anyone that can help

Extream Diarrhea, bleeding hemorrhoids, terribly foul smelling burps (they can be smelled from 5 feet away), Waking up many times during the night to go the bathroom, extream tiredness, leg cramps. I have tried everything my doctor could come up with and now he is saying it might be something I just have to live with. I'm taking liquid B12 and when tested it was 256 which he says is fine. I need to find answers. Family Practice Doctor is suggesting trying a different doctor, any ideas or suggestions? I should mention, I had original bi-pass done 25 years ago. 15 years ago, when having gallbladder surgery, the doctor reported he was going to fix my original surgury because they had found problems with it. After he "fixed" it, I started gaining weight and couldn't do anything to loose it. I went to see Dr. Buchwald at the U of M thinking I had done something wrong and that was why I was gaining. He checked my pouch and said it was still small, my staples were all in place. He said sometimes people's bodies just got used to smaller meals and amounts and it took further surgery to restart it. He suggested a long limb revision. What was suppose to be a 2-2 1/2 hour operation ended up as 7 and one problem after another. I'm hoping someone has some ideas.    — Jacki D. (posted on March 30, 2004)

March 30, 2004
I sorry to say I really don't have any advice for the diarrhea or burps (although mine is worse if I eat too much fat or sugar), however, on the B-12 issue I do have a suggestion. While in the normal range, 256 is on the very bottom of a huge "normal" range (225-1130). You should probably get a complete blood work up and get your iron and B vitamins checked as reduced levels of either of these will cause the fatigue. I know from experience as I'm now on iron supplements and a mega B-complex vitamin. Within a week of starting these (in addition to my daily 2 pre-natal, calcium, biotin, sublingual b-12)I felt better than I'd felt in months. I highly recommend getting copies of your lab results so that you can see where you are. You might be "normal" but borderline. Your doc won't say anything until you're in the "abnormal" range and by then, you're struggling to play catch-up. Personally, I get copies and chart them on a spreadsheet so I can see patterns before a problem develops. Good Luck
   — Carolyn M.

March 30, 2004
Your surgeon speaks as a fool! No, you do not need to learn to live with it. No! No! No! He butchered you and now he's washing his hands of all responsibility. <p>The first thing you need to do if you haven't already is ask your doctor to order a stool sample at the lab. This will rule out any bacterial infection you might have. Your symptoms sound very much like what I experienced at about 18-months post-op. I found out I had a bacterial infection (it's documented in my profile) which was cleared up with a prescription for a strong antibiotic. I haven't had any problems since.<p>After that is ruled out, you need to camp on your surgeon's doorstep until he does something about your ill health. If he refuses, then find someone else who will help you. You may need a reversal of the revision. You can bet your bottom dollar that if it was your surgeon experiencing this misery, he would be doing everything in his power to get it fixed. He owes you that.
   — artistmama

March 30, 2004
As a radical distal, we have issues that others do not have. You would probably feel better with B12 in the 500+ range. Do you know how far distal you are, for example? Someone as distal as I am needs megadoses of iron and calcium, for example. Also, we need to replace our fat soluble vites in large doses. And with the chronic D, even more so. When you have had lab work done, should be about 8 vials, and 3 pages of results. If all that isn't happening, you can email me privately and maybe we can organize your program a little bit?
   — vitalady

March 31, 2004
Jacki, I'm sorry for all you're going through. It's absolutely inexcusable for a surgeon to tell you that you may just have to live with such dibilitating problems. I second what others have said below. First, it sounds like you are probably experiencing bacterial overgrowth in your small bowel, and you may need a course of antibiotics (Flagyl is a common one to try for this type of problem). There is a breath test that can be ordered to evaluate you for this problem, or some doctors will go ahead and start you on antibiotics just as a trial. Second, I would definitely take Michelle up on her offer to help you sort out your labs and vitamins. If you're feeling this crummy, there is certainly some reason for it, and it's just a matter of finding out what it is and supplementing the heck out of whatever you're missing. Good luck with finding some helpful solutions very soon! Denise
   — Tally