Southern gal here y'all! (In my Paula Deen voice)

[GA Girl]

Hello! I'm new here... u people are SMART!!!!!!!!!!!   I've been reading for about a week... so much to learn. Well my story is I was sleeved 9/2011 starting weight 272lbs by 1/2012 I was 212lbs. So there I was just inches away from WONDERLAND  when I started to experience numbing in the tips of my toes which moved to my entire foot within days...  then the burning started then the pain feeling like needles and yes it felt like needles. It was horrible!!!   Then it started moving up my legs... my fingertips started the same process... numbing, burning, pain moving to my hands then arms.  I did call my PCP several times to explain what was happening. Just my damn luck he was on vacation!!  My PCP is a VERY liberal Dr so I was too spoiled to see another Dr. at the practice I decided to wait it out. When the numbing started moving to my legs and arms is when I started to panic. Then the pain started so I went to the ER. They didn't know what was happening.... (idiots!!) but the Dr did rx neurontin @ 300mg/day and Zanaflex (good stuff!!). No relief from that so it was getting worse and worse. Within 7 days I was in a wheelchair.   I got a call from my PCP so there I went in the wheelchair. He said what the hell happened I just saw you two weeks ago! I explained how it started so he immediately started calling to get me in to see a neurologist. The first appt I could get was 10 days away! The issue was getting worse and worse almost everyday. By the time I got to the neuro I could not feel when I needed to urinate!   The nurse performed some kind of test. I could tell something was wrong by the look on her face. The Dr came back in to do an EMG which hurt like holy hell since I was already in pain! Just imagine your arms and legs already feel like someone is sticking you with needles.... then a REAL needle is.... lots of little needles. I thought I would faint.   Whatever the results were showing the Dr was worried. After the test was over he came back in with his intern or fellow. Both were rapid firing questions. When I was getting off the table to leave the Dr came back in the room said just one more thing... told me to stand straight up which I did... then he said close your eyes.... You know when trees are cut by professionals to let everyone know a tree is falling they yell TIMBER!! Well someone could have yelled that @ me! My ass started tipping over!      They both caught me but the Dr's eyes were bugging out. He said I need you to have alot of tests. I told him OK but no hospital. I was already irritable, in pain, and mad. I know I would have just ended up raging @ those nurses. You don't get any rest or sleep in there! They scheduled an emergency spinal MRI, spinal tap, brain scan & more. He rx'd neurontin... said that 300mg was child's play. I needed to titrate up to 2400mg! Then I'll be damn since I'm not already going through hell.... swelling started! My feet looked like balloons with little vienna sausages glued to them!   Oh that's not it..... muscle spasms! YAY me!  My muscles were seizing so hard you could just see them rolling up and down my legs. Here comes more drugs Flexerill, Tramadol, Percocet (which I hate)

All tests results were OK... no abnormalities. The Dr was like "I don't get it I just knew something was wrong with your brain or spine".   I could see him thinking he got an idea so back to the lab for more bloodwork. Got the results.... drumroll.... dun dun dun dun!!!! THIAMINE deficiency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So the first diagnosis is peripheral neuropathy. As soon as I tell any other Dr I get asked are you a diabetic. No I'm not and never have been nor is anyone in my family. I tell you all my story to say even though you may only be getting a sleeve, told to take a multi-v, calcium, and B12... you know they say that's all us sleevers need right?   WRONG! Maybe it hasn't happened to you but it can. And believe me just because it can you need to supplement. You do not want to experience what I have and still am! I've been having residual problems since this started January 2012. Brain fog, memory loss, muscle spasms, occasional swelling, constant.... yes CONSTANT numbing and some burning that has not gone away but it is tolerable to what I was experiencing before. I get needle feeling pain too just not constant and just in my feet. I have had a limp since I was able to walk again. It all went away in my hands and arms. Thank goodness for that!  I have symptoms from MS, Lupus, & Fibromayalgia. Ending DX fibromayalgia and peripheral neuropathy. 

So since I couldn't walk for 6 months guess what? WEIGHT GAIN!  Started to gain weight back as soon as I was in the wheelchair (Jan 2012). I got back up to 256. I'm now 246 been back as low as 232. But as soon as I start to eat more normal just a little more normal the weight creeps right back up. Oh yeah almost forgot I want re-sleeve with DS added. Am I a glutton for punishment or what?   My story continues..... more things have happened! But not sure if you want all my chapters at once. 

[goodkel]

Wow. You've certainly been through the wringer.

What vitamins were you taking daily before this started happening and they discovered your thiamin deficiency?

Have you found a surgeon, yet?

Welcome to the board! We'd like to hear as much of your story as you'd like to tell us.

[GA Girl]

Thanks for the welcome!

I was taking multi-v, B12, calcium, iron

The surgeon I contacted is Dr. Smith in Atlanta.

[goodkel]

Taking a B Complex now, I assume? Do you have a genetic predisposition for thiamine deficiencies? Were you diagnosed with beriberi or Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome?

Sorry for the questions, but thiamine deficiency is rare and I am curious.

[GA Girl]

I take B complex & B1 @ 200mg/day

Haven't been dx with those disorders. I'm having labs done today. I go back to neuro on the 15th so I'll know more then.

[Girlrocker]

Welcome southern belle, and WOW, you have been through an ordeal! I'm so sorry to hear this. Yes, you can tell us everything and all, vent it out, get as much support, guidance as you need. It's very courageous of you to share your story, and, generous, besides getting answers and support, your story helps educate others. Glad you found us!

[goodkel]

You paint a vivid portrait of why we don't take nutritional advice from our surgeons. I have also seen VSGers blithely popping one multivitamin a day and thinking that they are good to go because they don't have malabsorption. You blew that theory right out of the water, too.

I'm looking forward to your triumphant recovery and successful revision. Your story will help many people. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[bboop]

Welcome to the forum...don't have anything to add, but come back and ask questions - we love newbies and their questions.

Have you been cleared to have the DS surgery since all this happened to you?

[GA Girl]

thanks y'all!!

bboop I'm just starting out. I just emailed the sx office for a consult. I know it'll probably be a week or so before I hear back. I'm moving forward to get the clearances I'll need. I see a cardiologist Tuesday. Waiting on pulmonary Dr to call. My PCP sent the referral today

[GA Girl]

THANKS SOOOOOO MUCH Girlrocker & admin! ❤️❤️ I'm falling in love with this place already.