Finally figuring out my body

KendyDawn81

For the past 6 months, I have tried to donate blood with Memorial Blood Centers, and been told each time my Hemoglobin is too low. I went to my primary care doctor, and told him I'm too tired all the time, my body aches and I can't work out without basically taking Vicodin before hand due to the pain, and it takes me 3 minutes to recover from climbing the 3 flights of stairs at work, and that my hair is coming out to the point that my husband has to clean the shower drain once a month (if not more). I make an effort, but I gasp for air and have a bright red face for about an hour after I am done working out. I reached a point of hitting 20 lbs down, but then went back up, and then down again. My doctor told me that it was because I have 2 young children, and I was just tired.

In 2003, I had a RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. I lost about 130 pounds, and felt great. Slowly, the weight has been creeping up over the past couple of years. With my doctor not listening to me, I went to my surgeon and told him something wasn't right. His nurse (not even him) listened to my stomach, said it was gas, and everything was fine. This wasn't good enough for me. I did my research online, and searched out one of the top Bariactric surgeons that happens to be here in Mpls. He listened to me, and pulled my bloodwork. My Ferritin, Hemoglobin, Parathormone Intact, Vitamin B1 Whole Blood, Zinc, and B12 came back too low. Because of this, he ordered an Upper GI Endoscopy. The opening from my actual stomach to my intestine is too big, and this allows food to pass through too quickly. Hence, my body is not absorbing nutrients and the calories it needs. This would explain my problems right now. I have another appointment coming up, this one will be another Upper GI, but I swallow barium, and they watch how quickly it moves through my system. After that, I will meet with them to see what they can do.

For anybody that is reviewing my diary, I do my best to log it, but I pass out at any given moment and don't always get it logged. I am currently taking daily vitamins, and a weekly B12 shot (B12 was borderline neurological damage, so that is their main focus, and the Anemia next). With doing my research, this becomes a typical problem for people that have had this surgery. I WILL fight through this, and I WILL get this weight off! I'm wondering if anybody has known anybody that has had this problem, or had it themselves?

KendyDawn81

I should also add that I have upped my calorie count to see if this will help me absorb some!