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I got my test results back from a full ds blood tests. 14 are either high or low. Mostly things improved. My copper went up, as did most of my low stuff however my red blood count tests went down, my white blood count went up. Hmm. To me it seems a low copper might have cause all the other problems. I'm feeling a lot better then last week. I'm happy to see most things getting better but I have not talk to my doctor yet. I eat lots of protein almost to much food but because normally I don't eat anything bad like I snack on roast beef. I dunno I'm not complicated and I just want to get better. I need to work out but I feel to tired too. So I don't know how to start. I'm taking everything my ds doctor told me too. So I'm covered on the stuff doctors tell you to do. I have great doctors. Ive never gained muscle in my life. I've worked out but I never managed to get in shape... Guess I'll look on you tube for work out stuff and maybe start writing down what I eat so I can add up my calories, drink more water, and I need to talk to my doctor about my latest results.
Hopefully you'll get some answers from your labs. Are you getting a full complement of DS labs drawn? What kind of vitamin regime are you on? How much protein do you eat on a daily basis? Some of your description sounds like iron deficiency anemia (tired, issue with your hands). Assume your ferritin numbers are low as well.
It's all a process - like everything else with the DS. Find out what you are deficient in and start adjusting your vitamins.
How much food doesn't matter - it's about what you're eating. How many meals you should eat doesn't matter - it's what you're eating that matters. You should get a minimum of 100 grams of protein per day.
You should be able to talk to your doctor about everything. They should answer any question you have and you should be asking a ton of questions.
Janet in Leesburg
DS 2/25/03
Hazem Elariny
-175
on 5/26/21 2:15 am
I realize this is a very old thread but I have been struggling to find much discussion on this issue. (Maybe it is the brain fog). I am on my second "round" of moderate protein calorie malnutrition in the past few years and my second GJ feeding tube. I am on continuous jtube feeds and water boluses 24 hrs/day, (plus vitamins, iron infusions, etc.) I have the pitting edema and all of the other symptoms mentioned. When I tried a year without the tube thinking I was "better" I declined so fast it made my head spin. Then...covid happened to the world. I have had other issues, (falling due to weakness and breaking my jaw in several places...that had to be rebroken in surgery, rebuilt and once that healed some of the teeth that broke had to be pulled...I still have "altered sensation" and other teeth that are chipped that will eventually need to be dealt with in some way. I can feel how weak my teeth are. It is very depressing.) I just feel like I need to get these deficiencies under control, in particular regain some strength an clarity by resolving the protein issue. I have had weeks where things "flare up" and I can't even get out of bed to barely use the bathroom that is connected to where I sleep...so not very far. I am so blessed in so many ways but I feel like I am failing at life until I get this under control. I do drink protein shakes when I am unable to eat orally. When I eat orally I try to stay towards protein although my team is pushing more carbs. The carbs shoot my heart rate up and just make me feel so sick but I am willing to do almost anything to get my quality of life back so that I can be stronger and more present in Life. If anyone comes looking for this topic in 2021 feel free to either post here or message me. I did not have the DS but maybe I can learn from someone's experience. I had VSG converted to a short (modified) mini gastric bypass due to complications (my body didn't heal correctly...it formed mass scar tissue and twisted and bent my sleeve. I formed ulcers after my conversion and I have had several other surgeries to untwist intestines and to remove scar tissue from throughout my abdominal cavity all the way from my diaphragm, my cavity and even within the small amount of stomach I have left, which isn't much. I am trying to be as informed as I can be to work with my team but to also take responsibility to learn from others and find any emerging research that might exist on this topic. If anyone has read this far... thank you.

Hi There
So sorry you are having to deal with this. May I ask some specific questions about your CBC?
What are your platelets white blood count and absolute neutrophils count that will show up on your labs as ANC.
Are you seeing a hematologist or a GP?
Your diet or DS surgery will not effect your white blood cells nor your platelets.
BLESSINGS
JULIE

What's the point of this post, Karen? Is there a question that I missed?
You are not alone! Last year was a tough year for many of us gaining weight during this pandemic. Good luck on your new journey if you decide to have the revision.
Well it's official! I got a call tonight that my surgery is approved. My emotions are everywhere. I think I've heard enough on my blog to create a book. I have considered the suggestions And ideas from all of you. I appreciate the honesty and the concern.
I don't expect any of this to be easy, so I will continue to search out support. My surgery date is it until June 30, to allow me time to heal Without missing much work.
I realize that it's no better time to start them now on focusing to improve my health. Being that exercise is my nemesis....This will be my first challenge. If I just focus on Small increments to build up my stamina, my progress well increase. One step at a time!
The main worries, in waiting for a blood test last week so all my information is from a blood test I took in April. I'm worried about all my blood counts being low and my white blood count being so low it says alert next to the number, my copper was 8 out should be 80, lots of things came back low but they're getting better slowly but it's like how long does it take to recover from serious low numbers. Also in so tired, my hands are losing they're grip on only 37 like I know I'm getting better and I'm waiting for my next blood test results to come in and so I'll know more very soon. But I just want to know the forgetting things, problems that are effecting me but no one else. Had anyone else recovered? I'm losing muscle mass from my Skelton and I'm in the danger zone. Obviously covid isn't helping but I feel to far gone to get back in shape. Also I've been sober a year and a half ago I just want to get healthy and feel better I really need advise on how much food I should be eating and how many meals and... I want to know other people have got bad and then got better. Is there any special trick im missing about life because my blood counts have yet to recover enough they're still really low in worried about my white blood count and my doctor has never explained it to me why... Anyways thank you.
Hi Tina, I really don't know a lot about ketosis and how it works, but for me, it depends on the TYPE of carb I get. I can't each any type of breads, noodles, oats or any of that type carb. The only carbs I get is from fruits or veggies. For me, that makes a big difference in weight gain or loss. Also have you had your bloodwork done for all your vitamins and nutrient levels? My doctor does blood work every three months to make sure I'm not malnourished in any of the areas. Because our eating changes after weight loss surgery and we don't absorb as much in the foods we have to supplement with vitamins. I had a gastric sleeve which I know is different. Also maybe the doctor can check your hormone levels and change the psychological medications. When I went through menopause it wreaked havoc with my weight and I was told it can impact your thyroid hormones. Also many of the mental health drugs have weight gain as a side effect, if the one/s you are on perhaps they can change them. There are many that don't impact weight. Look at the level of your movement too, if you are not moving enough that can also impact weight.
Drastic change. Well, I can give you that. Go get some Atkins shakes, drink 3 per day and that will be 90 gr protein and 3 net carbs per day. And you will be under 600 calories as well. When you get down to 160, add in salads. If you can tolerate those without gaining start adding in other stuff. Weigh every day and if you are over your magic number 3 days in a row, back to just shakes till the regain is gone. You will lose weight and it will be easy to maintain. It never gets out of control.
I am almost 20 years out and to lose I have to go under 20 carbs a day. Sometimes shakes are just easier than doing all the counting and low carb cooking!