Lookin4answerspostop11+years

Hi everyone, Im post op (11+) Years. Im curious and was wondering if anyone is on here who is post op 7+ Years and who, are having or have heard (in research or know of some post op patients years later having complex health struggles? if so what were the complex health issues years post op and what was the treatments or outcomes?

I hear you most definitely... I remember the same thing yet I know nothing would have deterred me from surgery. Yes info like this would have and did make me fearful a bit, but nothing would have nor did stop me. In saying that I don’t think anyone truly knows the prevalence. I’ve been struggling for 4 years and this is the first bariatric surgery group I have sought community and possible answers. I understand a balanced perspective yet most things on here are of newbies who are posting all great advantages.... there isn't a lot of balance either, like you said all people well into their journey have dropped out... who knows why... no one... it took for years to look for any possible answers in a bariatric forum... so it’s not like I got right on here and this is where I started looking.... but it does make me a little frustrated and sad that because I am asking tough questions because my life medically is radically different since surgery... it’s not met with anything but challenges, redirection, and basically we are all good, don’t rock the boat and ask somewhere else because what I’m apparently saying could not possibly be related, yet has anyone done the thorough research? I sure didn’t before! I was so grateful and focussed on one thing, saving my life... and assuming like they said just a small minority have complications.... so there’s no way that could happen to me... but guess what... I am on that small (?) minority... and now it does matter that I’m looking for answers to save my life.... just like before bariatric surgery when I was seeking a solution to save my life then... if you don’t have people on here years out post surgery... how does anyone know why they aren’t on here (the assumption they are well can’t be assumed as is they could be ill)... so if these questions rattle to people maybe that’s ok? Maybe they, like me were only told one side... maybe having people like me and the others who posted who have experienced first hand very difficult complications or knew of others with complications ... maybe that’s worth listening to as well as the benefits, maybe that is the balance? I was hoping to find community, some support and hopefully maybe some direction or something, connection, and not feel so alone in all this.... and even though I have tough things going on... even though I said I wasn’t saying don’t have surgery, my questions were enough to cause intense reactions.... maybe those fears already existed? Maybe hearing someone tell their story hits too close... but this IS my story... this is my life... if everyone is only looking to hear about all the triumphs and a few struggles and not the minority because it won’t happen to them... that’s what I thought too! anyway... I looked, I asked, the answers aren’t here, I’m moving on.... I do wish everyone in the community all the best, much success, a long and healthy life they have dreamed of, desire and deserve. sincerely, charlotte

I totally agree, i think what you’re saying goes both ways... no one can say how prevalent it is or it isn’t... all we can do is state our experience like everyone else. I was just merely addressing the comment that if it’s common they’d here about it, not necessarily. I’m finding evidence all over the internet in scrientific studies in medical journals like JAMA that correspond to a more broader issue with these surgeries (including less than 10 years post op) and there is a lot of complications still present even with ‘modern’ advancements. im not saying it equates common, but it’s equating enough stir in medical communities like neurological journals that warrant studies that have been done. If it’s very uncommon and rare... these journals would not have enough data to publish in the medical journals I’m reading. I think it’s fair to say that if there’s enough complications to warrant different medical specialities (for ex. The neurology paper) to see enough repeated visits by post bariatric surgery patients to warrant investigations and studies than maybe it’s ok to breach the scary topic and ask more questions, seek more clarity and transparency for everyone’s sake. Medicine is a business. Even in a free healthcare state like Canada. And business is business. Like cobalt in hips and then that poisoning those eith these hip replacements, so the companies then coat the cobalt, yet it hasn’t solved all the issues even knowing there’s still issues. im not ok with not knowing everything I can previous to any surgery and because I fall within whatever numbers are declared as a minority percentage, not getting full disclosures, just because my life doesn’t matter as long as the majority is somewhat ok.... still not saying bariatric surgery is bad at all... I’m saying full disclosure is paramount, and it should not have to be sought after by the patient post surgery, it should be a streamlined process of knowledge snd medical care continuity. I find it interesting how people are really riled up at just the questions I put out there. Why does it cause so much intense feelings. Why are quite a few respondents so quickly defending a surgery when I’m not attacking individual choice but just stating my experience and seeking my own health solutions. are people scared? I’m not judging at all... I’m being curious yet people seem very defensive and fearful of my struggles.... instead of being curious, most people who have responded are defending something I’m not accusing but I am definately curious as I said about a possible relationship between my complex medical issues that did not exist prior to bariatric surgery and are now mounting. just a mom, a post bariatric surgery patient, seeking with curiosity any possible connections here, as I’ve sought in other areas, reasons that could explain this... it’s interesting that this forum seems to be the only one very upset with my curiosity about others who possibly might have had or are having similar complex medical issues. im just a mom seeking solutions to a complex medical mess to I can live my life well and live a long healthy life with my kids. I am not attacking bariatric surgery as it seems others having feelings that I am... I’m simply seeking others who may be able to shed some light on my own individual personal experience with complex health issues post surgery, that’s all.... just seeking answers so I can get better in every place I can think of, there’s no one else to help me do it... so here I am... but seems as though everyone doesn’t even want me to ask such questions... it creates too much fear... I get that... I’m afraid too... I’m in the middle of this.... alone and trying to put a complex puzzle together. I’m not attacking or saying it’s wrong yet people are responding as if that’s what I’m saying or insinuating. I’m here because all of my issues are post bariatric surgery snd I’m just asking a simple question; are there others on this forum experiencing complications like me, do they think or have they found out that it’s from their surgery or it’s complications or that is caused by something else, and how was it resolved, how did they become healthy again... maybe no one knows, maybe the question then becomes to others; why is my curiosity so threatening to even ask these questions here? Why is my curiosity not met with curiosity but with obvious fear in the act of defending a medical practice that I haven’t accused as the cause... just being curious if it might be.

Just want to add, that I was told there are very very few people on here who are post surgery by a lot of years. If all these complications there are now 4-5 responses to confirm their significant struggles. I think it’s important to note that I was told on this thread that its very rare for old timers like me to be on this site, there are an extreme few if any.... so I’m wondering why then there now several responses 4-5 of confirmation of known (by personal experience or through knowledge of someone else), severe complications? This to me says it’s not be as rare as at a glance assumed? Maybe there are more benefits to people and to the medical system to disclose these fewer side effects than state them outright? Maybe by discussion these sites can provide information not through the medical system but through experiences that provide a balance accumulation of data both of great benefits and possibly very difficult complications? It’s only personal experience, I’m not, nor do I think the others are saying this surgery is wrong, we want to share information, information never presented with not enough follow up (in my case) by a bariatric specialist who would know. 5 years follow up is not ok (Ontario) for so many reasons! it’s not meant to threaten or cause misinformation, as that would never be stated in the benefits discussion, it’s just experiences that people want to also share and connect through. yes getting my life back has been extraordinary! Yet maybe if more follow up, more discussion forums, more stat and data kept post 5 years here in Ontario, maybe just a lot more transparency would be not so threatening but empowering, no matter the choice or the outcomes any one personally makes. ? I think everyone should feel safe to speak of what they know or have studied, experienced, questions, and what they’ve heard in clinics and through loved ones, ... it’s up to each of us to look at everything, take what information we need to be empowered.

So glad you are doing so well! I know this post feels like a downer to most yet I think it’s a vital discussion so that all info is on the table to make a truly informed decision. I’m not saying all my conditions are caused by my bypass, but I’m saying all these seemingly unrelated type of complexities especially when following all regiment guidelines is a very vital discussion to have for those considering surgery and those who have had it. Information is power. I hope this thread balances information to provide a very clear picture of all incredible benefits and very scary possible or likely consequences even while following guidelines. It’s vital for informed consent knowing ahead of time. I know it would not have changed my decision (like you) to have the hope of my life back, yet if I had this info I would have been pushing much harder for bariatric specialists to be involved. Our governance g need to provide this coverage for a specialist (as they would any specialists for complicated surgery patients in Ontario!). This surgery radically changes everything for good and sometimes has complex complications only a bariatric dr. Would be privy to connecting some of the possible and connected health effects that lead all the way back to surgery snd weeding out causes that have zero to do with the surgery. I believe that access and info is vital for self empowerment and advocacy.

hi Changes4Life, I really appreciate your candid and kind result. Its awesome to have you post.... Im feeling much less alone in all this, Im so sorry you as well have been through so much and grateful your still ontrack and thankful for the life its afforded you, even though its been a very tough go at times! Im definitely happy I got my life back through the surgery, yet if the complications take my life that would be brutal now as a solo parent of two younger kids. I just read a neurology article that states most patients do best with nutritional supports given by injections and not orally. That a large percentage - up to 20% develop neurological disorders even when taking appropriate oral supplementation. This I didn't know about except that it would be prevented by oral supplementation... this article states this isn't so for 2 out of 10 patients. I also learned the neurological disorders are related to how much you loose and how fast, meaning the majority of issues come from loosing the weight in less than 1year. I was 450 pounds and at my lowest was down 293. I lost the weight extremely fast. Ive kept all but 25 off in almost 12 years. to add to my diagnosis list; They just discovered my colon in entirely air filled distended and dilated without air/fluid levels, thickening and no obstruction, meaning now bowel disease but its of unknown origin and significance so its being investigated. it can be related to neurological disorders and vagus nerve issues that eventually cause a paralyzed intestinal system. Im praying and hoping for the best outcome possible. Im just also putting all this out there in case any of the people on this site themselves with any similar struggles and if so may be able to help direct their drs to a 'possible' association with bariatric surgery post complications in order to receive help that's more targeted to correction in a more effective and efficient way than having years go by with a lot of I don't knows. I hope my post not only connects but also helps others in their after surgery care should odd seemingly unrelated symptoms arise and they don't know where to begin... I definitely had no idea any of this except depleted vitamins and minerals could be a play. im definitely not against surgery!!!!!!!!!!! just in my case I hope what drs have missed and if all these accumulated health struggles - not present pre-surgery so these possible and (rare?) complications of post bariatric surgery, as im now reading in literature, that this surgery does not end up shortening my life... if it does only because of a lack of awareness by patients/drs/and specialists, simply because it took to long to figure out the brain/body system complicated connections to the gut or in my case it wasn't fully disclosed or known at the time, I pray this information will help someone in the future who is also seeking answers to complicated health struggles. I've been actively seeking help since 2017, the symptoms have now become physically undeniable;e and hopefully I can be helped in time to continue onward with my beautiful life being present to be involved with my incredible children as they grow up. im thinking of you all and just pray that if someone finds themselves with mounting medical complexities this information will help you advocate for yourself and possible change in the medical systems to provide in my case, better post op care and immediate investigations with this many unexplainable medical complexities post surgery. im glad I had the surgery.... I just want much more time her to enjoy life. just aceesperate mom seeking help and community.

Hi, We have a severe shortage of primary care physicians, Ive checked and yes there are a lot in GTA but Im north. I also was sent and paid by ohip to get the surgery done down in Rochester NY because the wait here back then was way too long. So OHIP covered my medical cost for follow up but now travel expenses, hotel overnight etc. I did do the 5 year trek to Rochester but because by then there was a catch up with patients having WLS in the GTA, no one was willing to take me on because they were only seeing their clients that had surgery in Ontario. I did, through a contact get in for a consult with one WLS dr. but he said because my weight loss is maintained, and ohip doesn't cover follow up with him I needed to see a GI. finally convinced one walk in dr. to refer me to a GI because of my symptoms, colonscopy found a spot of undeferentiated colitis, mildly increased lymphocytes, and a precancerous polyp was removed with other polyps. He ended up closing practise or moving and a few years later again GI symptoms, another walk in dr referred me to another GI who assumed my total abdominal swelling was 'probably ibs' said everyone gets all uptight about precancerous polyps but they aren't a big deal, and he was willing to do an oral scope and did but not a colonoscopy. I said my issue isn't up top its in my abdomen. but he refused. my pouch is still its original size, staples look good and no esophagitis. I asked him to refer me to a dr I had a connection through another acquaintance but then he said oh sure Ill refer you I know him we went to medical school together, the second GI replied he doesn't give second opinions. The online dr is shocked at how I seem to have fallen through the cracks at best ... that's the reason he was willing to take me on... he said that the medical system is great when it works and when it doesn't its very difficult to get help. Im very very grateful I came across him in November. Maybe I will find answers in unlikely places as I did with him (a shot in the dark that worked great, finally), I was hoping this forum may be another unlikely place to find more answers or some possible directions to pursue. No I don't have any coverage through private insurance, nor through odsp as Im on cpp disability and they provide no medical coverage (odsp does but im ineligible because I qualified for cpp). I appreciate those suggestions, they are great. Sadly It just doesn't work the same when living outside the GTA area.

to receive assessments and help I mean, up until just two months ago finding this online ohip walk in dr who has taken me on, at least for now.

Hi yes in 2017 I had to have 8 iron infusions in one year. I was at a seizure threshold level. My iron is low normal now again but ferritin is bottoming out even on supplements prescribed by online walk in dr. so is my vitamin d. also prescribed by the walk in dr who has temporarily taken me on until I find someone. there is no one anywhere near my area accepting patients as a NP or primary care physician. Ive looked into that site. Also the GI's outside of the GTA where I am are at a loss and just cut me loose when I did see one a few years ago and when I asked for a second opinion from another GI he refused and said he doesn't give second opinions. I finally found this ohip covered online walk in dr. who took me on. things are finally starting to move as far as seeing specialists and tests, but Im worried about the time its taken to find him and also get in to specialists who can and are willing to take on complex cases as Im finding a lot of drs just don't want to. One ER nurse just two years ago when I explained my diagnosis, said "Ya you are the type of patient every doctor hates to see walk in the door".... Its been a brutal struggle.

I totally agree that it has given me my life back in many ways. and with my aunt 600+ pounds and died early in her mid 60s of stroke and was in a nursing home at 60 after her first stroke. Im very grateful to still be here and have life. Id just like to improve my health significantly so that at 47 with two younger kids (7 and 8 ) and parenting totally solo on my own during covid, I want to be here as long as I can and live a healthy and full life. Hi you asked for a bit more details so here it goes.... possibly related yes, possibly no... just seeking possible ways to become stronger, healthier and live my best life with my kiddos. Im not saying anything against wls surgery at all... its given me so much for quite some time... im just concerned and looking for possible solutions as I think most would if a snow ball multi system deterioration is happening and no specialists have answers and the gastric bypass specialists won't see me. I am sending out a question to see what might fit to help improve my health, that's all. thank you to all for understanding and reading this. Without weight loss surgery I wouldn't probably have been able to have my kids (I was told previously I would never have kids at the weight I was at and with the health issues I was having at the time related to my weight... so no I definitely do not regret it... but I would love to have my health back and improve my and my kids quality of life to an even greater extent. Thanks again! Im 47 female I weigh 180 pounds and at 167 my bones were sticking out and I was receiving a lot of concern as people assumed I was down to 130 on my almost 5'8 frame that's always been very muscular until I gained all the weight in my 20s. Up until then I was very athletic, voted most athletic female at my 1500 student high school, won all possible awards with sports and leadership and invited to try out for the Ontario Provincial Women's soccer team. Im saying that as most BMI charts would have and did conclude I was overweight even while playing for rep soccer, basketball and volleyball teams etc. so the the BMI for me has never been a good indicator of health or fitness. These are my struggles Third Degree Complete Heart Block and flat lined for recorded 22 seconds on a halter monitor. Some may argue it could have been a vasal vagel response (although they usually tap out at 10 seconds)... and if in this line of thought were true, part of the vagus nerve is severed during gastric bypass reux en y surgery, most often not the part that can affect the heart yet any slight injury can occur during surgery especially to nerves. If my vagus nerve was nicked by mistake in the wrong spot, even without surgeons awareness, It could cause a vasal vagel response and shut off my heart temporarily (as its a nerve conduction issue). I developed this complete heart block in 2015 but had symptoms starting in the fall 2009/winter 2010 that could point to the start of the glitches with my hearts electrical circuits. I also developed super ventricular tachacardia (SVT) that did not pre-exist surgery. No arrhythmias did. But I also have heart conduction issues in my family... so it could be genetics or a surgical complication unrecognized during surgery. I have always had stellar bone density. I was tested pre-surgery and they were shocked that someone at my weight (450+) had such strong bones. In 2014/15 I started having back issues and did my bone density test and I was diagnosed mild degenerative disc disease in L4-S1. Three years later its now moderate to severe with a leaking disc, slipped vertebra, and a vacuum affect pulling my spine over to the right. I also now have it in my thoracic and cervical spine all at the mild stage right now. My calcium levels are normal. This may be the cause or one of the causes of widespread ligament/muscle inflammation surrounding my entire spine. Because of no nsaids to reduce the inflammation and because its such deep tissue the anti inflammatory topical creams don't help so much. I have also developed more than 1% bone density loss in my right hip and was told on my report that the Ontario Government recommends bone density repeat testing in one year. I did have a GP at that time but she refused to refer me saying that's not a big enough risk as it is compared to the exposure of the scan. I disagreed but was blocked. Im still in search of a GP (family dr but rural/more northern communities are all in short supply of family drs. People are driving two hours and keeping their family drs when they move because finding one is next to impossible. My hip now is so painful that I cannot lie on it at night. Yes it could be bursitis or it could be due to bone mass loss. This started in my early 40s and has been worsening rapidly. (I had WLS at 36). My teeth also have started to physically crack and crumble, the dentist thinks its somehow related to malabsorption although my tested levels of calcium are normal. I don't know... They aren't sure with the deterioration of my spine if that is causing nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy in my lower extremities as the CT isn't clear enough to see and the referring neurologist who was involved at that time said that all Toronto Hospitals she contacted said no to an MRI until my legs start to give out, as Im too high risk of another complete heart block. Ive also had a lot of cardiac ablation surgery for the SVT and that even in people without previous heart blocks increases the chances of severe heart blocks and death with one spot ablated, I had 7. Yes the heart blocks could be hereditary, yes the svt could be hereditary, the bone density no. The possible way to diagnose this and other neurological issues (which could be ms or my spine deteriorating is possible) cannot now be done due to my heart history that may or may not be related to a vagus nerve injury sustained during surgery and I can't get help to remedy this until its so severe I can no longer do activities of daily living, maintain independence because of risk of falling and loose my lower ability to function. To find other answers to shore up my spine (bones) and make them stronger is imperative to have a good quality of life and function well as a mom of younger kids on my own. I also have since developed very low blood pressure as well now which was never an issue that has now started to have episodic high spikes. This makes medications difficult too low or too high Im in trouble. I had my pacemaker put in in 2015 and another this past October 2020. I have a lot of gas showing to fill and expand my non functioning stomach and I asked the GI when I had one in 2018 why my stomach is so full of air/gas when no opening from the top is there, it only drains downward. I suspect possible infiltration of SIBO somehow or another gas producing organism but he just shrugged and didn't pursue it. My abdomen has now started to severely distend to the point that I look 9mths pregnant, its hard to breathe, and its hard as steel as my 8 year old would tell you and he says its usually mushy lol with all my extra skin. this occurs after I eat especially although its always tender and slightly hard and swollen... just worsens when I eat, not sure if its connected to my cycle and digestive tract, if my stomach that's been severed has issues now that its not functional (just drains gastric bile/stomach acid) and this abnormal non use of my stomach specifically has reacted over time to this, how bacteria migrated upwards while gastric acid flows down and out. I just don't know... possibly totally unrelated for sure... these are just some of the issues... Im just looking to see if any one in this specific community has any similar issues and if they resolved, how.

and then there's covid eating and lifestyle... when things improve I think a lot of things will improve in so many ways for all of us... lets get through covid. congratulations on keeping the weight off, that's awesome news and that your motivated and exercising even admidst covid.... Good on you! Thats awesome!

I have heard around year 7 from a fellow gastric bypass patient when I first had the surgery as she went for her follow up (it was in the States - Ontario doesn't follow up past 5 years) that the hormones that make you hungry that can be dampened by cutting the vagus nerve near the stomach somehow (Im not a dr, or biologist) start to rev up more than they have since surgery and this can be a period of readjusting to a hunger level that most of us may not have had for several years which makes loosing that last bit and keeping it off a bit more challenging. I think going right back to the basics post surgery and doing a food journal (as painful as that is after awhile lol) could be extremely helpful to find many answers. be sure to include how much water your drinking each day and is it at least 30 minutes after eating, are we all being conscious of taking time to still really chew everything? I think if I found my initial binder of what to do and not to do that may help me again as a fresh reminder, not sure if this may be helpful? It might be for me, thanks for asking this great question! Im interested to see the responses for myself and my own health and weight loss of the last 15/20 pounds, again....

Hi guys, so here goes... if you are wondering why, if you are thinking this is far reaching this far out from gastric bypass reux en y surgery than this whole message might be of interest to you... if not ... no worries... just responding and hopefully clarifying as best as I can. Not sure what you mean by my question being far reaching, can you let me know what you mean, Im honestly just looking for anyone who might have experienced some health challenges that they are curious if there surgery could have been impacted, worsened or created by the surgery. Im not looking to blame my health on weight loss surgery nor am I saying its a good or bad choice for anyone, that's a personal decision for sure. Im just looking for possible answers in several places (other than bariatric as well) to find answers so I can live my healthiest life that all and if someone else has had complicated health issues or is several years post op and health in many areas has weirdly changed in not so positive ways, what they may be and did they find a specialist or find a solution/decrease in symptoms or cure and what that is. I know its a needle in the hay stack but I am also doing due diligence post surgery as I did presurgery to look for all possible ways to make the most healthy choices for my life. I started to have one thing after another happen starting in roughly 2014 and increasing to the point of 5-6 years later involve multiple systems of my body. The follow up here in Ontario with a gastric surgeon specialist or any gi for that matter, nutritionist, specialized nurse practitioner etc. is not covered by OHIP (our medical coverage in Ontario) past 5 years. I did get a consultation at about year 7/8 when things started to accumulate as far as symptoms, diagnosis's, and medications, specialists etc. But he was just please I kept my weight off and did a general food diary check, supplement check that I was using and just said Im not sure, all these things aren't directly related to gastric bypass and all the best as he said we only follow up for 5 years as a way of gathering data, research, and statistics, once the 5 years are up, its up to your GP (general practitioner) to follow you. In Ontario we have a severe shortage of GPs and mine retired and soon after I moved out of the area and cannot find a gp to even do regular blood work and keep an eye on all the health stuff, let alone gastric bypass related regular check ups, that just now up to walk in clinics that I wait to see whoever and check my own levels online if they will do the test and as they remind me I need a gp and when I ask where would I find one, they go silent. Am I saying its related not necessarily yes and not necessarily no, all I know is our gut is our second brain and controls so many functions in all systems throughout our bodies, even often telling the brain to release or decrease certain hormones, proteins, chemicals throughout our body to attain a delicate balance of homeostasis. So I don't think its a huge leap to say the gut controls a very substantial amount of systems in our body directly and indirectly and when manipulated may effect what seems to be a totally unrelated system. Am I saying this is coincidental or due to life stressors maybe, maybe not... I just don't know and I don't think even most or any gastric surgeons know yet either because to be honest I don't know if that's included in their 5 year max research and stats before your on your own. I know its probably for most gastric surgeons, in there best interest to say no, it can't be connected to gastric surgery and be blown off for many reasons that don't need discussion as far as Im concerned. could it be the accumulation of the perfect storm of gastric bypass surgery, chronic unforeseen life stressors AND heredity, age, all of the above yes I think so.... Im trying my best to seek for answers and do what I can in the area of management of my life stressors, self care, living a healthy life style according to my surgery requirements and and what's best for me, could it be bodily changes just due to aging + all the factors that make aging a more challenging journey than it needs to be, could it be hereditary or just coincidence... I think yes to all of that. Yet if I am willing to seek answers in all areas of my life that could be having an impact on my life, I feel that not seeking answers in this area would be irresponsible to my health and sticking my head in the sand... I think its all important and contributing factors for me. Im just looking to see if others have some commonalities that may give me clues as to what may be part of a complication directly or indirectly related to the surgery or supplement brands/types/ways of administration to provide best deliverance of vital minerals and nutrients. Im sure everyone researched very deeply into surgery just like I did. Does it not make sense than for me to ve researching deeply into possible connections that may be simply modified that could have an amazing cascading positive affect on my health in many areas, may be to something very simple and overlooked by me or specialists yes... because I want to live fully, be healthy, enjoy my life... so searching for every possible way to improve my health is vital... I am worth it. Hope that makes it a little more clear as to my question and why I am seeking some answers here. Even if slim... fit me, every possible help from anyone, is much appreciated as a community of people who have been through this process. We are here because of a common bond, common fears, questions, concerns and victories. I am just coming from a different point in my jouney than most on here... yet I have hope by seeking I will find answers and even though Im post surgery by quite sometime I can also add value to this community of things that have been absolutely changed my life in so many great ways, yet also valued enough to ask the questions... I want answers and my health complications in some or many areas has been somehow caused or contributed to my complex health struggles in any way than that's important information for not just me, for all of us... is it not?

Thanks for the response. I figured it was going to be difficult but still thought Id just ask.