Help??

I know for Vit D that is pretty easy to find... B-12 is also what is optimal as WLS patients. B-12 is not one of those vitamins you will hurt yourself by taking more.

Dome of it you do have to evaluate by symptoms....

I didn't have RNY nor am I anywhere near to being a vet, but based on some of your symptoms and what friends of mine have experienced, a colonoscopy is really important.

Positive ANA indicates possible auto-immune disorder. Lupus, scleroderma, irritable bowel syndrom, chron's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. (not that you definitively have any of them, that's just some of the possibilities that will throw a positive ANA)

All of the symptoms you described can be due to any of the auto-immune disorders, except for the GI specific symptoms. Those sound like chron's or a really bad IBS. And of course with those symptoms, cancer has to be ruled out.

If you have an auto-immune disorder, it can be crazy-making. All of the regular tests show normal, so the docs make you think it's all in your head. It can take years to get a diagnosis, and it usually takes a LOT of pushing from the patient, demanding referrals to specialists and specific tests.

You need to have a CRP and Sed Rate run, as well as the specific antigen tests for rheumatoid arthritis and any other auto-immunes they have specific tests for.

They also need to ensure you're not anemic from the bleeding... that's a complete blood panel including ferritin levels (some don't do that test unless specifically requested, and you can have a normal hemoglobin and hematocrit - H&H - but have low ferritin).

The GI referral is a really good idea.

With the positive ANA you really need to be evaluated by a rheumatologist.

I'm sorry you're going through all of this, it's a nightmare. But keep a good thought, this is NOT in your head.

Thank you! It is not easy to say the least but I met with my general doc today she is pretty much at a loss because the surgeon who did my surgery doesn't practice anymore and the only other person in my area that she tried to refer me to today refuses to take me because he isn't who did my original surgery its like having that a mark in your record people just want nothing to do with you! Then to add to the fun the only rheumatologist here can't see me until Nov. of this year! I live in a small town and I am not opposed to driving to find someone its just knowing who to see that worries me at least if its someone here most of the time I can find someone who has been to them. My boyfriends mother had breast cancer and she told me about the health grades website so after a nice calm shower and nap I plan on looking through it and finding some information there hopefully. My frustration level is at a high at the moment but thats ok...this will all pass and now moving forward I am going to start looking for other surgeons who work with us outside of my area, I found a link in the forums here and have made a list that are from a few hours away and hopefully one of them will be willing to see me until then fingers crossed things don't get anywise! I was really blessed to find this website because talking to some of you and reading some of the stuff I have found is literally the first time I haven't felt like I was going crazy in a very long time!

lesliec,

You are not crazy it is in your stomach, intestines! I had a early/23years ago/ RNY with several other procedures. My surgeon called it a Memphis Gastric By Pass. Like you, I needed care after the surgeon had retired due to his own health issues..He explained it as "no one wants a part time surgeon".

I have had many of the symptoms you are exeriencing but on the right side is where mine occurs. If the gastric swelling ie looking like you are pregnant,you can end up with a twisted intestine. I did that 2 different times several years apart. I have learned what to do to take care of that... You do need to do a complete workup. but so one should do one until your bloating is down... with that kind of gastric edema it is not safe to give you a laxative.. to clean you out for a scope..

Until you are able to get a physician to see you there are some things that will make you more comfortable. You did not say what supplements you are taking or what you are eating... My second twist had many of the same symptoms you are experiencing. Here is what I do to prevent and to treat my gastric/ intestinal edema. Like you I have some IBS, and dietary intolerances which change daily sometimes. My guess is you are so irritated from a bad gastritis, if blood is bright red it is in lower colon Generally.

When My symptoms first start..(.they can include short and small diameter stools a dumping of foods that have been previously eaten and sudden explosive BM's.) I take 30 mg of Prevacid 2 x a day for 3-5 days, then daily for 2 weeks.. I buy OTC in 15 mg and take 2 for each(30mg) dose.Most small dollar stores have some in stock...so does wally world. 2 or three hours after that is taken , I take 4 activated charcoal capsules.and take those a couple of times a day until gas no longer has fowl (pun intended) odor.. and i take those well away from other nutrition and medication... Prevacid is in a generic and works quickest for me. I drink a lot of ice water. If weak and need calories I will mix 2 ounces of apple or grape juice with 2 oz of water and ice it with chipped ice, and sip slowly. then i go back to sipping ice water , as much as you can for several hours.

Hungry. ? rice 2-3 ounces every 3 hours for most of first day. anything else should be soft, and something you do not think will cause gas (everyoone is different to tolerances, but generally no beans, no broccoli, cabbage, any meat should be very tender, diced very fine and taken slowly with some kind of veggie..I try for 50% meat and veg, and keep meals to very small...5 ounces or so... and put meat tenderizer on meat..I use one with bromelin or papin and no MSG).. rice will absorb and is tolerated better...than most other foods.

day two, I will add a food I know i tolerate well... going back with an effort to get most of my nutrition in is the goal if stomach distention is down..a high protein shake,one you have used and tolerate well? soft scrambled eggs? I maintain t hsi diet until my stomach is no longer distended and cramping. Usually one day or 16 hours of rice.. followed by some chicken noodle soup is the first days food... after I tolerate breakfast of soft prepared scrambled eggs and dry toast...my challegne is to find something that is low acid, and tastes good.. so protein shakes fit well...for me..

meats like hamburger should be cooked medium...so it is soft. I also eat liver 3 x a week and take dessicated liver capsules daily. Your weakness may be from rapid blood sugar drops that are preceeded by spikes( does not have to be really high, just high enough to release large insulin...dose internally.(when i have those it is preceeded by rapid heart rate.. 1 and a half times my normal. I have relative hypoglycemia/since I was 21/now 58.. avoiding carbs and increasing protein will stop the dumping. also avoid Corn, tomatoes and all the rough foods for a few weeks until your intestine is healed.....Know that all of your symptoms can be caused by blood sugar issues and gastritis.the tingling in hands and fingers included. I use bitter melon for my blood sugar 15 days each month.one bottle=4 mo supply. Be sure to add your foods back very slowly no more than one per week.. It sometimes takes three days for a food to ferment and one to realize it is not digesting. also do not take any pain meds..no ibuprophen, or motrin or asprin.. Immodium will help absorb and slow intestinal motility. they are what i usually use. also. gas x works for me, I buy them 2 packs at a time and a minimum of 10 is what it takes for me...so they are for horrible pain and when I think am in immediate danger of gastric twisting..

You may be lactose intolerant and may need pre and probiotics to get your digestion back up to a near normal. If you tolerate buttermilk or yugurt now would be the time to add one that is all natural with no artificial sweeteers. The nutrasweet and asparatine they put in yugurts hurts me.. Most fruit I do not tolerate, but love. applesauce is ok, no bananas, :>(. oranges.

sweetners: sugar and pyure stevia are my only tolerances. I avoid all sweetners when possible. I drink unsweet coffee and tea,(limited)No colas or carbonated drinks..filtered ice water is best for hydration. My wt is really close to yours... so I think I know where you are coming from. I hope these things will give you some relief..

Thank you for the information -- I have managed an appointment with a GI and I go on the 24th of this month so I am thankful for that especially after today, up until now the blood has always been on the brighter side and no real "substance" to it. Today however, I had a bm that had a thicker darker blood that was almost for lack of better words jelly like... I am very glad its not to far away for my appointment! Right now rice and potatoes and oatmeal are what i live on my stomach tolerates those but not much else occasionally jello and sugar free pudding are ok but for the most part my day is oatmeal for breakfast half a baked potato for lunch and then rice for dinner. I try to stay away from dairy because it does not like me at all right now but then again most things don't I didnt have this much trouble after i had surgery and started to reintroduce foods after the liquid stage of my post op! Thank you for the suggestions I will def try them -- right now I would try to juggle fire and stand on my head haha

I am glad your appointment is close. I would call the office and tell them lower intestinal (bright red blood) has changed to larger amount and "gel "consistency. They may can work you in with worsening symptoms and someone may cancel, giving you an opening. try not to worry it won't help you , It could be a lot of things including a polyp burst, diverticulitis, or a hemmoroid burst... Take care and be alert for more changes.

I am on the waiting list for if anyone decides to cancel so that will help maybe

I second all of this! My husband has crohn's and experiences a lot of those symptoms when he is between medication cycles.

Can you post your most recent bloodwork results? As others have said, doctors often say things are ok or in range, when they really need addressing. Or, they don't do full panels and you don't have a complete picture of what can be wrong.

As for the cold feet/fingers, google Raynaud's Syndrome. I developed this after surgery and its a PIA. It apparently is not a common side effect, but it can happen.