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Dry vitamins are water soluble. They are capsules filled with powder instead of oil. DS patients malabsorb about 80% of the fats they consume, including that oil, so they are pretty useless to us in that formula and all of the prescription meds for A, D, and K come in that oil.
The funny thing is that you can purchase these dry formulations in megadoses without a prescription at all through Amazon. Biotech is the brand that has everything you need, but there are other brands nowadays.
Now, I'm going to warn you that this will freak the beejeezus out of your doc, but I promise you that none of us ever get too much of these. Maintenance doses for dry D3 are 50,000 iu (but many take up to 250,000 iu trying to bring your levels up). Maintenance doses for dry A are 25,000 iu (but many take 4x that or more when deficient). Your doc will be afraid of you going toxic, but it's just not going to happen. Just suggest if they resist that you be tested in 3 months to see how they are doing. It took me a six months of 100,000 iu to get my level from 12 up to 80-something, barely normal. I continue with 50,000 iu to keep it normal, but when it dips I double it again for several months.
Valerie
DS 2005
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes
I call these my hollow leg days (13 years out).
I too, eat every few hours, even if it's a few nibbles of cheese. The caution is to try to snack on beneficial foods. If you start with bad snacks, you will continue craving those snacks. I've been in that cycle a few times, so heed my warning.
Valerie
DS 2005
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes
For the majority, the surgeon is good for one thing, cutting. I had one of the best DS surgeons in the country but his follow up sucked. I had to learn to be my own advocate and not rely on what the surgeon or his staff told me. I was taking bariatric vitamins sold by my surgeon. After a year I was so deficient they just kept added additional vitamins. I finally stopped the bariatric vitamins when I was fortunate enough to find Vitalady. She saved me.
Finding a primary doctor who was willing to work with me has helped enormously. Same with the right hematologist.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
Most bariatric doctors are awful with nutrition and supplements, which is why some DS patients become malnourished, especially the ones who listen to their docs who say take a bariatric multi and some calcium and you'll be good.
A normal day for me looks like this:
B: Protein bar with coffee (8am)
S: Protein Shake (10:30am)
L: Meat w/low carb wrap (12:45pm)
S: Low carb yogurt (2:30pm)
S: Protein snack (cheese today) (4pm)
D: Meat, veggie (7pm)
AD: fruit/dessert (fruit if protein is high otherwise a protein dessert such a SF jello with fairlife.) (9pm)
Plus I drink 96oz of water and will have a second cup of coffee most days.
HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147
Jeanieb, it would make me so uncomfortable to try to deal with such a serious medical condition without an experienced doctor to help me. Is there some reason why you can't find a bariatric surgeon in your area to help you, perhaps with the help of your PCP?
I know of people who have had to have gotten regular infusions in a clinic, not something they can manage on their own.
What are dry vitamins? ADEK?
Dr. Elariny is still doing the DS in Fairfax.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
I get almost everything on Amazon. My primary brand is biotech, especially for ADEK - all individual vitamins. Just found the convenience of Amazon (I'm a prime member) is worth it, especially if I realize I'm out of something I can usually get it in a day or two.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
Totally normal - even 16 years post-op. What I learned is that I need to graze - it's just making sure what I graze on is good for me and my DS. I've also found not to let myself get too hungry, another reason grazing is good.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
