Is your RNY keeping you awake?

Mine is. It's after 2 and I wish I was asleep but unfortunately my body thinks differently. My family physician, who used to work as a weight loss specialist informed me last week of how my RNY is making me feel high during work (I don't eat til after so I don't get sick) and waking me up in the middle of the night. The hypoglycemia, caused by overproduction of insulin, caused by lack of pyloric valve triggers a reaction by the body to get sugar up quickly by releasing adrenaline (aka epinephrine), openning airways and increasing attentiveness (same thing that happens in dangerous or stressful situations). I didn't really understand what my doctor was saying til I read this article... www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/27344.htm. I know my case is not the norm but the extreme so I hope everyone else is having sweet dreams but if you're up with me - that may be why.

Thanks for this info, my nurse wasn't able to tell me why, only that is is common after rny.

I'm so sorry Jen,
it is so unfair to deny you the treatment that not only exists but is also widely available and was offered to other people. I feel your pain, I would have been the same "extreme" case if I had the RNY. 5 years ago my reproductive endocrinologist tested me for excessive insulin production and it was HUGE, even with pyloric valve. My body (liver) didn't process the insulin well and therefore I had uncontrolled diabetes. At first I thought it didn't make sense, but my doc explained that apparently it's very often the case that body produces too much insulin, but it doesn't work. After RNY my insulin production would have sky-rocketed and after a short  honeymoon period I would have had the worst case of reactive hypoglycemia.

I just don't understand WHY all these ONTARIO bariatric professionals prefer to IGNORE this condition? WHY they leave it to ... nutritionists. diet helps only mild cases... WHY KNOWING about the potential risks they keep pushing RNY as a golden standard? Why not VSG as the least altering our physiology? why we don't have a choice, considering that cost (public funding) of all procedures is approximately the same. WHY not to look what Quebec doctors and medicare do and say about it?

Just a side note. I know that you have your whole life in Windsor, and what I'm saying is extreme... but if the appeal board shame them selves once again, maybe it's worth to move to Ottawa? You can transfer to work here - we also have kids and schools and need teachers. And you can live in a city of Gatineau QC - just across the river, 2 minutes from Ottawa downtown. My good friend lives in Gatineau, works in Ottawa and loves it. About 30% of the population are anglophones, the rest are bilingual. Most of the people, living there, work in Ottawa.

Quebec covers all types of wls and while the waiting times are longer than for our OOC, if it was my only option to get a DS - I would move to Gatineau in a heart bit.

Thanks for your response Nata, and for the advice. If I lose my appeal I will definitely look into it. It makes sense both work wise and medically. My youngest started high school this year, would be easier if he was off to University and my mom owns our house (= beautiful space, low rent). I guess if I am dead none of that matters. Definitely something to think about. Thank you.

I've heard of this as well but don't experience it.  I am absolutely exhausted by the time I get to bed. I find that I don't get up like I used to.   In the old days I always had to get up to go the bathroom in the middle of the night. Now I find that I hold my bladder now til  morning...

Dawn

I have the worst insomnia now, made worse cuz I work midnights and sleep during the day which is hard enough. Since surgery I can't sleep and am lucky to get 4-6 hours tops! I am even exhausted sometimes and then seem to get this stupid second wind or something that gets me just tossing and turning, or I am sleeping and keep waking up every so often. I was even like that before I started this midnights shift.

I have had insomnia since surgery which has tapered off significantly in the last few months.  I also had insomnia after my cancer surgery in 2004 - so I don't associate it with my RNY.  I refuse to suffer with it - and take a Trazadone (non-narcotic) before bed each night - makes me sleep like a baby!!

I am also suffering from memory loss and speech problems. I saw a neurologist who, after hearing of my migraines, sleeplessness, and continual dumping gave me a low dose 10 mg of sulfatrim. I only took it one night - made me feel crappy and didn't keep me asleep all night. I am worried about becoming dependent on drugs to sleep. (Pharmacist told me I could become dependent on non narcotics as opposed to addicted). I'll have to re examine that option at some point. Just wanted to add that I never experienced any of this before my botched RNY with Dr Joffe - ugh in 2002.

Hi Jennifer,

For the memory loss and speech problems make sure you are getting your B-12 in. Those sound like symptoms of lack of B-12

Take care

The effects of sleeplessness are much more damaging than any kind of dependency you may develop to a sleeping aid.  Sorry that you are having such a terrible time with your RNY - I hope that you can find some solutions to help.