2 Years Out and Having Concerning Symptoms

 Hi OH Community,

I had RNY 2 years ago and have started having some concerning symptoms. By posting here, I am hoping that someone else out there has gone through what I'm going through now and might have some advice as to what might be the cause and potential solution.

I 've been dizzy/lightheaded, had blurred vision, difficulty getting words out, and been told my speech has slowed. My thinking's also been off - I've been really foggy-headed and can't seem to remember anything anymore. I've even fainted a few times. I've taken my blood pressure throghout the day with one of those at-home machines, and it's jumping all over the charts. I've tried to figure if there's any patterns to these symptoms, like if it coincides with when I eat, but I can't seem to determine any type of pattern.

i have an appointment with my surgeon next week, but since I live 5 hrs away from him, I want to get a start on tests that I can do where I live so that I can go over results when I see him. 

Have any of you experienced these symptoms before? If so, were you able to resolve it? Do you have any suggestions of what it might be?

Thanks so much! I really appreciate any guidance you can give me!!
Julie

Is it related to anything you are eating?  You may want to get a blood sugar monitor and check your blood sugar levels when this happens.  Reactive hypoglycemia is very common at this stage.
If it is RH then you can help it by eating something with a little protein and carbs when it happens and you may be able to prevent it by watching your diet and having frequent high protein snacks during the day.

How are your labs? Iron, vitamin A, B12?

Sounds more like stress related symptoms to me. I had hypoglycemia before my surgery, and the only symptoms I had regarding that was the dizzy sensation and an urgent need to eat something sweet or I felt like I would throw up. I also have adrenal fatigue, which is caused from being under constant extreme stress for long periods of time. I have dealt with the dizziness/foggy head and blurred vision and trouble getting simple thoughts put into words. Your symptoms match many for chronic stress, fatigue, or anxiety. Has there been many changes in the past 2 years, that may be causing some of these symptoms, that is not related to your surgery?

You should definitely see your PCP about it. Recording all symptoms and incidences is a wise choice. The more info the doc has the better the diagnosis. Wouldn't hurt to get your hormones tested to determine if your adrenal glands are over worked. They control your ability to handle stressful situations. Also evaluate your sleep patterns. Lack of proper sleep can also add to your stress and ability to cope with them. Have your eyes tested. Could be simply needing glasses. Fainting is a tell tail sign something is wrong, so you are doing the right thing by recording everything. Also try medhelp.com and enter your symptoms. They are a great resource website, with a chat area for many medical questions and ailments. They have a list of specialists in many health areas who also for a fee will answer any question you may have for them. Research and recording everything is the best way to get to the bottom of your symptoms and get the proper diagnosis. Good luck.

This sounds neurologic.   What was your B12 level at your last labs?

 .... Also get your thyroid levels checked.....

You need labs - thorough ones. Go to Vitaladys web site and get her list and make sure you have every last one of those drawn. 

I suggest having a specialist look at them, not just your PCP, as they usually just do a cursory look for flags by the lab, of values that are out of range. You need a more thorough look than that. 

You need to get on this soon, and some deficiencies can cause permanent damage.

Please check things out with both your PCP and your Bariatric doctor! One may know something the other doesn't.

Hope you feel better soon!

You say your blood pressure is erratic.  What are the numbers???  And how's your heart rate???  If your BP and HR are erratic and you are fainting, I suspect something cardiac, like AFIB.  But, you need an EKG for that.  Do not wait for your appointment with your surgeon.  See your primary care doc ASAP.

Julie when were your last labs?  Sounds like some neurological issues going on to me which low B vits will contribute to.  Please don't mess around you don't want to end up with irreversible damage.