Conflict with medications post-op sorry its long)
Good Morning folks,
I met with the RN, RD and SW this week. I told them that I take fairly high doses of antidepressants, which I have tried (doctor supervised) to lower the dose with the thoughts of getting off of them completely. I felt myself slipping into a depression again and had to go back up on a higher dose.
I also have a rare autoimmune disorder which, amongst many other symptoms (total body rash, joint pain, unusual heart activity, severe coughing with lung involvement) I have lost my sight for a period of 4 months. Fortunately my sight has temporarily been reversed with injections into my eyes and the other symptoms have calmed down somewhat. After 2 years on high doses, I am finally off of them but have been told that this is temporary. I am also taking Methotrexate (a chemo drug) and something for my osteopenia. This is a chronic illness that comes and goes into remission.
I was told that these drugs are very hard on the stomach. I am also concerned about the compromised absorption with the RNY and wonder whether my other health problems will suffer from this. Dr. Glazer was also concerned about this as well.
When I spoke with the professionals as mentioned above, I asked whether they thought that the gastric sleeve might be available. The told me no, that OHIP doesn't cover the sleeve. This surprised me and since I cannot possibly afford to pay for this out of pocket, I began crying and said that I didn't think that I should have the RNY surgery then. I just cannot risk another Major Depression or posterior uveitis which cost me my sight permanently.
I've made an appointment to see the surgeon at his office but this isn't until the end of August. I feel totally discouraged. I know everyone on this forum understands the excitement one feels once we've make the decision to request this life altering surgery.
May I have your feedback please?
Carol
I met with the RN, RD and SW this week. I told them that I take fairly high doses of antidepressants, which I have tried (doctor supervised) to lower the dose with the thoughts of getting off of them completely. I felt myself slipping into a depression again and had to go back up on a higher dose.
I also have a rare autoimmune disorder which, amongst many other symptoms (total body rash, joint pain, unusual heart activity, severe coughing with lung involvement) I have lost my sight for a period of 4 months. Fortunately my sight has temporarily been reversed with injections into my eyes and the other symptoms have calmed down somewhat. After 2 years on high doses, I am finally off of them but have been told that this is temporary. I am also taking Methotrexate (a chemo drug) and something for my osteopenia. This is a chronic illness that comes and goes into remission.
I was told that these drugs are very hard on the stomach. I am also concerned about the compromised absorption with the RNY and wonder whether my other health problems will suffer from this. Dr. Glazer was also concerned about this as well.
When I spoke with the professionals as mentioned above, I asked whether they thought that the gastric sleeve might be available. The told me no, that OHIP doesn't cover the sleeve. This surprised me and since I cannot possibly afford to pay for this out of pocket, I began crying and said that I didn't think that I should have the RNY surgery then. I just cannot risk another Major Depression or posterior uveitis which cost me my sight permanently.
I've made an appointment to see the surgeon at his office but this isn't until the end of August. I feel totally discouraged. I know everyone on this forum understands the excitement one feels once we've make the decision to request this life altering surgery.
May I have your feedback please?
Carol
Referral April 2012, Surgery August 21, 2012
Carol, you are facing MANY more hurdles than most of us,
and they are serious ones. You have my sincere sympathy.
I think you will find that an intensive one-on-one interview (you'll have to make a special request for this, and insist on it) with Dr. Glazer will be really helpful.
First of all, he's now Chief of the programme at HRRH.
Second, he's a specialist in all of the effects and implications of this type of surgery.
Thirdly, he is originally an internist, responsible for the "rest" of your health, aside from the actual surgery.
And fourthly, he has published extensively on all aspects of the WLS experience from a doctor's point fo view.
Not only will he be interested in the variables you present (as a complicated case "for the books")
but also he needs to be aware of the many complications you face.
It is possible that they will need to find a different solution for you - become creative in their approach.
One size does not fit all , and you are a great example of that.
The best of luck to you - stay strong.
and they are serious ones. You have my sincere sympathy.
I think you will find that an intensive one-on-one interview (you'll have to make a special request for this, and insist on it) with Dr. Glazer will be really helpful.
First of all, he's now Chief of the programme at HRRH.
Second, he's a specialist in all of the effects and implications of this type of surgery.
Thirdly, he is originally an internist, responsible for the "rest" of your health, aside from the actual surgery.
And fourthly, he has published extensively on all aspects of the WLS experience from a doctor's point fo view.
Not only will he be interested in the variables you present (as a complicated case "for the books")
but also he needs to be aware of the many complications you face.
It is possible that they will need to find a different solution for you - become creative in their approach.
One size does not fit all , and you are a great example of that.
The best of luck to you - stay strong.
This is great advice. The only thing I would add to it is that if the answer is still no after taking this step, request a transfer to another centre for a second opinion. I think you would have the best chance by requesting a transfer to Hamilton. Good luck.
I had OHIP approved Duodenal Switch surgery with Dr. Dennis Hong at St. Joseph's Hamilton on March 7th, 2012. Want more information on the DS in Ontario? Send me a private message!
Thank you Gabygee. I actually have an appointment in a month with Dr. Glazer. I will certainly discuss my concerns with him. But is the sleeve NOT covered by OHIP? I knew that the band wasn't but I was surprised about the sleeve. I just cannot afford that. After almost 1 1/2 years in bed with the other stuff, my business has suffered and I'm a wee bit broke! Just getting back on my feet and I am alone, except for the cat, and she REFUSES to work! I will soon be 60 and don't want to wait too long to have this surgery. Once again, thanks!
Hi Carol,
You do have a lot of obsticals that you are working with. I hope that when you talk to Dr, Glazer you get the information you need. I've known people who have had the sleeve because of medication issues, but I'm not sure about the coverage. Dr. Glazer will be able to tell you in August.
I wish you well on you journey.
Cathy
You do have a lot of obsticals that you are working with. I hope that when you talk to Dr, Glazer you get the information you need. I've known people who have had the sleeve because of medication issues, but I'm not sure about the coverage. Dr. Glazer will be able to tell you in August.
I wish you well on you journey.
Cathy
Thank you everyone! I am confused as to why she would tell me that. Anyway, I will certainly tell Dr. Glazer everything. Perhaps I will ask my Sarcoidosis specialist to send them a letter. He would FLIP if I told him I couldn't take my meds during a relapse, which is inevitable!
Once again, I thank you all.
Carol
Once again, I thank you all.
Carol
I am not writing to discourage you. I very rarely ever write on the boards anymore, as I am not well and not up to it.
I had serious health problems also and a serious malabsorbion problem before surgery. I had to lose over 250 lbs and because I was so large they went ahead {but in US as back then Canada was not really prepared for the likes of me, they are now though, back then these many centers didn't exist like now} I had RNY just over 3 years ago.
Now don't think because this happens with me your a shoe in for it too but I think your issues are severe enough you need to hear from someone who's been there and is there.
When you talk to this Dr {from what I've read he's very knowledgeable and excellent} if he says it's too dangerous try hard to "truly" hear. I know it's a bugger being overweight {i couldn't walk to bathroom without breaks} but although I can walk now my life is worse.
I malabsorb in horrible amounts now, I did very bad before but now it's crazy. I have developed seizures from something the body is doing from the weight loss surgery {had tons of tests can't figure it out, but keeps happening}. I have to take double the highest seizure med dose to even get it in my blood stream to show in a test. I have no thyroid and that's even worse, I was extremely ill before they found what was wrong with me {a thyroid disease} and operated, back then I'd had every side effect there is {large boil like sores on legs, myxedemia, eyes bulging out so bad they pop out past the eye lids and it hurts, the eye lids slip behind eyes and gotta wait for liquid to get it back, shake horrible, memory loss and confusion, etc etc} i have it all back very bad and then some. Due to malabsorbion. I have severe hypoglacemia now, and lots more.
Why am I telling you all this. You may totally become well, heck if I know but I wanted to be honest with you. LISTEN TO THE DR if he says it's not safe.
It can change your life even worse. I have friends who have had the surgery are doing amazing. I lost 279 lbs and my pouch has never stretched it's still half an ounce, which makes eating hard, i eat every hour.
Just realize that it does help many many illnesses and issues but it can hurt many too and although its hard to hear a Dr say I seriously don't think it's safe, don't let it get you down and give up on loosing weight or just enjoying your life. Blessings are in the small things that we don't even realize save us.
Don't know if I said all this right but hope you understand what I am saying. I am not discouraging anyone from the surgery, I have seen so much good, but in other situations where we have dangerous health issues it can be a total ruination. So listen with an open heart to the Dr and don't let yourself get down if the answer is be it's not safe.
I shake like I have parkinsons, ppl stare all the time. I can't stop loosing weight and am starting to look weird with all this skin and very old. One Dr before they did the test and realized my pouch is only a half ounce still yelled at me cuz I am starving myself to death, even though he read my eating journal. {he doesn't say that now}. My hair falls out in mounds, I have to check sugars 10 times a day cuz it can crash very very fast and then I am not co herent enough to know to eat. Sometimes I look back and think man was it that bad taking a break walking to toilet LMAO {Lets be honest I'd probably have been dead or very close, if I didn't have the surgery, but I am scared of being me every day, I never know if I will wake up and its a few days later and I don't remember, it's very difficult life now.
Anyways hope it helps some to keep an open eye and heart when talking to the Dr and truly "HEARING" what he has to say. Maybe there are other options you can have that weren't available to me.
I wish you all the best and didn't mean to freak anyone out. I am one in hundreds maybe thousands but it "can and does" happen. This surgery can be a true miracle, but it's dangerous and when they say that they mean it. EAT WHEN YOUR SUPPOSED TO, DON"T FORGET VITAMINS and look at each small blessing along the way so your heart don't get weighed down.
Elizabeth
I had serious health problems also and a serious malabsorbion problem before surgery. I had to lose over 250 lbs and because I was so large they went ahead {but in US as back then Canada was not really prepared for the likes of me, they are now though, back then these many centers didn't exist like now} I had RNY just over 3 years ago.
Now don't think because this happens with me your a shoe in for it too but I think your issues are severe enough you need to hear from someone who's been there and is there.
When you talk to this Dr {from what I've read he's very knowledgeable and excellent} if he says it's too dangerous try hard to "truly" hear. I know it's a bugger being overweight {i couldn't walk to bathroom without breaks} but although I can walk now my life is worse.
I malabsorb in horrible amounts now, I did very bad before but now it's crazy. I have developed seizures from something the body is doing from the weight loss surgery {had tons of tests can't figure it out, but keeps happening}. I have to take double the highest seizure med dose to even get it in my blood stream to show in a test. I have no thyroid and that's even worse, I was extremely ill before they found what was wrong with me {a thyroid disease} and operated, back then I'd had every side effect there is {large boil like sores on legs, myxedemia, eyes bulging out so bad they pop out past the eye lids and it hurts, the eye lids slip behind eyes and gotta wait for liquid to get it back, shake horrible, memory loss and confusion, etc etc} i have it all back very bad and then some. Due to malabsorbion. I have severe hypoglacemia now, and lots more.
Why am I telling you all this. You may totally become well, heck if I know but I wanted to be honest with you. LISTEN TO THE DR if he says it's not safe.
It can change your life even worse. I have friends who have had the surgery are doing amazing. I lost 279 lbs and my pouch has never stretched it's still half an ounce, which makes eating hard, i eat every hour.
Just realize that it does help many many illnesses and issues but it can hurt many too and although its hard to hear a Dr say I seriously don't think it's safe, don't let it get you down and give up on loosing weight or just enjoying your life. Blessings are in the small things that we don't even realize save us.
Don't know if I said all this right but hope you understand what I am saying. I am not discouraging anyone from the surgery, I have seen so much good, but in other situations where we have dangerous health issues it can be a total ruination. So listen with an open heart to the Dr and don't let yourself get down if the answer is be it's not safe.
I shake like I have parkinsons, ppl stare all the time. I can't stop loosing weight and am starting to look weird with all this skin and very old. One Dr before they did the test and realized my pouch is only a half ounce still yelled at me cuz I am starving myself to death, even though he read my eating journal. {he doesn't say that now}. My hair falls out in mounds, I have to check sugars 10 times a day cuz it can crash very very fast and then I am not co herent enough to know to eat. Sometimes I look back and think man was it that bad taking a break walking to toilet LMAO {Lets be honest I'd probably have been dead or very close, if I didn't have the surgery, but I am scared of being me every day, I never know if I will wake up and its a few days later and I don't remember, it's very difficult life now.
Anyways hope it helps some to keep an open eye and heart when talking to the Dr and truly "HEARING" what he has to say. Maybe there are other options you can have that weren't available to me.
I wish you all the best and didn't mean to freak anyone out. I am one in hundreds maybe thousands but it "can and does" happen. This surgery can be a true miracle, but it's dangerous and when they say that they mean it. EAT WHEN YOUR SUPPOSED TO, DON"T FORGET VITAMINS and look at each small blessing along the way so your heart don't get weighed down.
Elizabeth
^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^
Surgery May 13, 2009
With Dr J Caruana Synergy Bariatrics
STARTING WT: 439 lbs CURRENT WT: 197.3 lbs
TOTAL LOSS TO DATE: 241.7
^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^ ^I^
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