Question:
What happens if you are distal, and you stop taking your vitamins?

   — Laura W. (posted on January 6, 2005)

January 6, 2005
There are certain vites that can't be gotten from food realiably, but in essence: vit A = eyes (night blindness); B1 & B12 = nerves/brain (brain damage, numbness, loss of ability to walk); C = immunity and enhances iron absorption; D = bones, absorption of calcium (rickets/osteoporosis); E = hair, skin, nails, capillary wall (first would be red bruising, crispy hair & skin); iron = base of blood, so brain, heart, all organs (first thing is usually fatigue and being cold); calcium = bones and muscle (first you'd feel might be muscle spasms, which could be anything and then, of course, the big one, osteoporosis); multi vite touches these, but does not hit them hard enough. we don't KNOW which trace minerals are malabsorbed, so the 2 multis per day are a shot in the dark to cover the basics. And of course, uncontrolled wt loss (skeletal) or weight gain. That's the basics. Some take a few months to show, some take years. Not all are reversible.
   — vitalady

January 6, 2005
Laura, you didn't say so but are you contemplating stopping your vitamins? I can't imagine why anyone would have this risky surgery to get in better health then stop doing one of the vital things that keeps us healthy. Wonderful answer from Michelle...........it's always obvious she has done her homework. Please reconsider if you have stopped or are considering stopping your supplements. Your quality of life, and life itself could depend on what you do.
   — scbabe

January 6, 2005
You'll become anemic.. Possiblity get osteopeoris (spelling) your B12 will drop - WHAT does will cause in the long wrong... can not be good.. Dont stop vitamins. If you are having trouble taking vitamins; may I suggest (I hate taking vitamins took a long time to get these).... B12 - Solary brand - no taste, UpcalD powder - calcium citrate no taste. Vitamins - One a day essentials are SMALL; or even to Vitaballs (gum) they have 11 100% vitamins - and Sweet Essentials from drugstore.com is a 'malt ball'. Iron VitronC is small... In all honesty you dont want to stop taking your vitamins, unless your are 'prepared' for ill health.
   — star .

January 7, 2005
Laura, please PLEASE do not stop taking your vitamins! If you need to read my profile because it will tell you what can happen if you stop taking your vitamins! And it will also tell you what I am going thru now to get it back on track......NOT FUN!!!
   — Carole M.

January 7, 2005
Laura, I noticed that you stated your are a distal bypass??? Why on earth would you set yourself up for real danger of malnutrition and possible death!!! I too am distal as is almost everyone in my support group. We are all doing very well with a few exceptions. Being Distal makes you already prone to possible malobsorption issues more so than proximal. I would hope that your doctor would have explained to you the REAL dangers in not following your vitamin program. Please do not even consider not taking your vits. If you are having problems (heart burn or something), contact your doctor or someone else in your group for ideas on how better to take the vitamins. Good Luck and please be careful. Distal can be a wonderful way to go as we have an extremely low rate of weight gain post op but you have to take responsibility for maintaining your nutritional requirements.
   — debbie11092002

January 7, 2005
Reading michelle's list of what could happen if you go off vitamins below ought to be enough,but if its not, read Carole's profile. I just did...geesh, it made me run to my iron pill bottle and scarf down an extra one!
   — Cindy R.

January 8, 2005
I forgot to mention protein. The first thing you'd see would be edema in ankles. But no, not all edema means this. But usually, the local doc will give you water pills, which makes them crash. ER will give them potassium, but not check protein. Next time, they will check potassium, calcium, MIGHT check protein. It's a slow process. SC BABE, unfortunately, what I reported is what I SEE, not what I read. Textbook stuff is kinda boring, but real people with real faces and real families are what I see. So, when I sound a little bit fanatical, that's why. But :-), thanks for the compliment! Sad thing is that it can happen to proximals, too. Just takes longer.
   — vitalady

January 9, 2005
Well, you *could* die. Or worse, end up brain damaged, with brittle, porous bones. Sick all the time. Why don't you just kill yourself quickly, if you're really feeling suicidal? And if you're not suicidal, don't even *think* about not taking vites!
   — RWH G.