I am sick and need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post Date: 10/14/07 4:25 pm 1 yr post lap gastric bypass 9/22. I was bad and started smoking again, developed ulcer, little gastric reflux but not bad, did not know I had ulcer. ulcer perforated had emergency surgery 9/14/07 pouch was revised with all new clean tissue. after bypass started where I could not have a bowel movement, I could not pu**** out; thats been going on for appox 9 months .  While in hops for ulcer developed acute renal failure, high bun and creat, tpn and lipids infused and g-tube conts with conts feeds. they said renal failure was due to vancomucin antibiotics, toradol pain med ? creat and bun now normal. potassium was high, now normal but albumin and proytein and iron still low. I keep losing weight, no energy, voming/dry heaves, DRY mouth, lehtargic alot of the time. MD says I am hooked on drugs. Drugs started post ulcer and I have taken less than what was perscribed. I am not taking any pain med now so md can find out what is going on. I want to get better, I have 2 little girls and i love my job. No history of alcohol. was healthy prior to this. any ideals or paths suggested to take? Amy Spears

AMY, sweetheart, I am just starting my journey, as I just had my surgery a month ago, but please I wanted to just tell you that you are deep in my thoughts and heart! Here is a big hug   (((((((((((((((Amy)))))))))))))))))) I can't give you any advice, but you touched my heart. You have such a beautiful avitar, what a pretty mommy! Oh, before I go if you go up to the Forums tab, click on it to 'more forums' and scroll down....you will see a board that talks about WLS complications and a few other boards you may be interested in.....You will see many others who are having the same issues that you are experiencing. Check 'em out.

Dear Amy, What has your doctor suggested?  He/she is probably the best one to address your specific medical needs.  You have relayed some very serious issues here, so it is important to follow professional medical advice.   All I can suggest it that you find a local support group where you can hear what other people are doing to be successful and match that with your doctor's instructions. Good luck, Sally

I was a bad toad too. I have started smoking again. I didn't know smoking can cause an ulcer though. Some times I just feel deprived & that little devil tells me " you can't eat sweets, not you can't eat crunchy stuff(lost bottom teeth) can't have sex. You deserve to smoke." I need to get that devil off my back soon. I guess I just talk myself into not quitting. nasty little devil.

I've never been a smoker--learned from my parents' negative example--but I understand it is a tough habit to break.  My friend had to stop smoking before she could get eye surgery.  She did have some success with some new pill they have now.   You might want to read some book on self-talk (I like the Beck Diet Solution) that helps you think through some of the things we tell ourselves to justify behaviors we know aren't good for us.  Why do you think of smoking as a reward, knowing how much damage it does to you?  So many of us reward ourselves with harmful things--it just doesn't make sense.  We'd never think that eating some poison as a reward, but we will think that some food that we know will be bad for us physically or mentally is a reward!  It's all very strange.  Maybe because we don't have immediate negative experiences and don't focus on the accumulate effects? Well good luck with getting healthy, Sally

   Pardon me!  You "can'r" have sex?????????  Why? BTW, don't be so hard on yourself, if I couldn't have sweets, crunchy, or have sex, I'd smoke too!

Pffsssttt!  Your doctor probably wouldn't like me -- especially b/c of what I'm about to say. There is an EXTREME difference between drug ADDICTION and drug DEPENDANCY.. You can google it just like that -- "addiction vs. dependancy"   OR   you can go to a site such as www.webmd.com   go to the drug center and search for "drug dependency" or "drug addiction." They are vastly different.  If acute pain isn't treated properly, it can develop in to chronic pain and even REMAIN there as a "ghost" after the cause of the pain is discovered and repaired. No one knows your body as you do!   They should be lISTENING to you! Can you get another physician?   If your doctor things you have a dependence/addiction then why hasn't he suggest that he admit you to a long term drug recovery progam! I've had major complications.  No matter what we do, I continue to have pain in my URQ.  I have come to terms with accepting it (unless it becomes severely worse) at which time I will again consult my physician. Your PCP may not be qualified to control your pain.  You may need a pain management specialist!  The first time that I went, I was so mortified and humiliated.  I don't know why other than there is a "stigma" attached to pain killers.  However, the fact is that some of us do end up with or develop later a from of pernipheal neuropathy.  That can typically be corrected by an increase in B vitamins; however it should be caught as soon as possible so that it can be repaired. I'm ramblind!  I hope this helps you in some way! Blessings to you and yours, Vanessa