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Never experienced this or heard of it either. How weird. Maybe throw the spinach in the omelette for the last minute or so or before you fold/roll it so it cooks a little?? I knew it was hard on your kidneys but only because a friend with an autoimmune disease if her kidneys isn’t allowed it.

RA is a degenerative autoimmune disease so no cure but it can be slowed down with medication. I was really lucky that my GP didn’t delay with the tests and referral to Rheumatology so I don’t have too much damage to my joints. Fatigue can wipe me out though!

I agree with Arabesque, this sounds like a post viral syndrome. I'm so sorry you are going through this! You were doing so well!! What many people (and doctors) don't understand is getting any sort of virus that hits the body hard can result in a number of conditions afterwards, some caused by trying to recover from the virus, some caused by opportunistic viruses showing up when your system is low from one virus already, and some can actually be autoimmune conditions that are triggered to show up from a viral infection. Any of these could be contributing to your condition. A few years ago I got cat scratch fever (that's what I get for fostering litters of kittens! LOL). I was sick with it for a few weeks. My immune system had already been behaving badly that year, I have an autoimmune disease that flared so bad it effected my digestive system, my eyes (I was having vision problems), as well as my joints. But the virus kicked my butt royally. Then a few weeks later I started spiking high fevers at night out of the blue. I was so exhausted I started sleeping more and more every day until I was sleeping about 18 hours a day. My doctors were absolutely useless and said it was probably chronic fatigue syndrome caused by the autoimmune flare and started putting me on courses of steroids. My bones started aching so bad I would cry. I could barely walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water. My GP made out I was pain med seeking so I fired her, her lack of support was appalling. I started fainting when I tried to shower. I had vertigo all day. After fainting twice with temps over 104 I ended up in the ER where they did labs and said nothing was wrong, it was probably a virus and to go home and sleep it off. A week later I ended up in the ER again where a wonderful doctor said I was experiencing acute kidney damage from dehydration due to the fevers and that I was NOT leaving the hospital until someone figured out what was wrong. I was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks, two different hospitals where I continued to run fevers at night up to 105, it was absurd. Then suddenly one day the fevers and pain stopped. The infectious disease doctor was baffled. But when my advanced labs came back they finally understood what was going on---I had atypical Epstein Barr Virus. Atypical because mono didn't show up when tested for in the ER and I only had one lymph node swollen on my whole body, a tiny one behind my ear. Apparently atypical presentation doesn't show up on mono tests, only the two week test. Epstein Barr Virus is notorious for showing up with other viruses and generally making a pain of itself. It took me another two months before I could reliably get out of bed, and honestly my body took several years to return to a new normal. They thought I had POTS but turns out it was just severe physical deconditioning from the virus and bed rest. All this to say--if you still can't figure out what is going on after a couple of months, you might want to consider talking to an infectious disease doctor or immunologist, whoever is in your area that can treat long Covid and can test for other viruses that might be complicating the picture, as well as autoimmune conditions. Your symptoms sound so viral or autoimmune in origin. My Dad ended up with post viral arthritis. Viruses are such weird things and they can really give our bodies a hard time! Oh and one suggestion. You might want to give this device a look, it was made by two guys, one who had long Covid. https://www.makevisible.com/ I've considered getting one as I love that it helps track your activity in relation to pacing which is shown to help with post viral recovery, and in managing autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, fibro, etc...

I don't have this but I was tested for it during an Epstein Barr Virus flare... I remember it can mimic a fair few conditions. I think the vampire myth came from it because of the relation to heme helping alleviate the symptoms of certain porphyria if the attack is caught early. Of course in reality this needs to be a heme analog given through IV, not heme in human blood consumed with fangs, but what is accuracy in historic myths?? LOL I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Unfortunately with any significant trauma to the body (car accident, illness, surgery, death of a loved one) you can trigger an autoimmune condition or genetic condition to express itself. It's frustrating because there is no way to know if something will cause it, and there is no way to know what genetic things lie dormant in our systems, waiting to be triggered and misbehave. I hope they have luck with all the testing and find a source to the symptoms you are experiencing... It is distressing to have things going on and not know the cause of them. ❤️

Yeah, not buying it. The medical community looks for what it wants to see. I married a statistician. They constantly remind me "Correlation does not equal causation!!" The medical community wants to believe that more physical activity will miraculously solve obesity issues because it puts the cause and the remedy right back in our laps, instead of admitting that this is a disease that is very complex and no one smoking gun is the cause or the cure. We need holistic approaches. I was a very active child. So were my siblings. My brother is a normal weight, my sister is often underweight, and I ended up over 300 lbs. My parents are normal weight though they both have siblings with weight issues. I gained a ton of weight while I was still active. Puberty hit and it was like someone switched on a helium tank and I just ballooned up. I've had more doctors than I care to count tell me that if I just got more physical activity and stopped eating McDonalds all would be well, ignoring the fact that I hate McDonalds and until my autoimmune disease got severe I was quite physically active. I know a lot of thin people who are couch potatoes. I know a lot of fat people who are active. These "studies" do nothing but continue to give doctors more ammunition in the shame game that is current obesity management. My partner is Chinese, was raised on traditional Cantonese food (which is very healthy in general), in a family where everyone is effortlessly thin except their grandmother who was diabetic... Several years ago my partner was diagnosed with diabetes. They've had weight issues all their life, despite being very active for most of it. Is it genetics? Perhaps. Is it current lifestyle? It probably contributed to it. Was it due to a childhood diet based on rice? Not likely, that diet also incorporated a ton of healthy protein options and a healthy variety of vegetables, including plenty of greens. A lack of exercise was certainly not the cause of it and increasing exercise is not going to be the cure for it either...

Lovely suggestions!! I'm an autoimmune patient and I incorporate these every day. I'd also suggest for the fatigue and mental fuzziness due to the liquid diet, add ELECTROLYTES. You can buy all sorts of sugar free ones. Often during the liquid diet our body is trying to shift into fat burning mode/ketosis. This can feel very unpleasant and we go through carb withdrawal. We are also low in calories. So electrolyte supplements once a day help give us the things the low calorie, sugar free diet is lacking and it often eases the fatigue and headache some... Good luck with your surgery!! ❤️ I have found mine has really helped my systemic inflammation and fatigue!

My hands are getting smaller!! Specifically, my fingers. I've had chubby little hands since I was 14 and my autoimmune disease showed up. When I was 200 lbs last time I was still an 8 1/2 on my ring finger in US sizing. Yesterday I finally took off my wedding rings when I noticed that even with the ring snuggies they are spinning around on my finger and threatening to come off. So I decided to measure them. I had gotten up to a US size 9. Now my ring finger measures as a US size 7!!! Never in my life have I ever wore a 7 in rings except maybe when I was 12?? 😂 I cannot get over how differently our bodies lose weight with these surgeries. I have to find a substitute ring to wear now because at this rate I'll be a US size 5 when I'm at goal! LOL I never thought I might have to sell my wedding rings because they can't be resized due to the difference being too much! This is so fascinating...

Wow, you look amazing!! What a stressful month though! I wonder why your body decided to kick out your implant. This isn't weird for people who have autoimmune diseases (our bodies are extra emo about foreign occupants), but I have heard of it in perfectly healthy people too. I'm glad the asymmetry isn't too dramatic, that gives you time to heal up and consider what to do next. You had soooo much done at once, I think given the complications you've faired pretty well all in all! I am so glad to hear you feel at home in your body now. That is a priceless win and well worth the pain. I hope you have a much smoother healing process from here on out!

Oh Ashley, I am SO very sorry!! It must be quite rare for that to happen, my heart hurts for you. I'm glad your surgeon was so proactive about ensuring this wasn't being caused by vitamin deficiencies. Hair is one of those things that for many of us is part of our identity and to lose it all so dramatically on top of the stress of bariatric surgery is a huge load. I hope you are being very gentle with yourself. This isn't your fault. I've heard of this happening on occasion with autoimmune patients... Have you thought about seeing a therapist to help support you as you go through this? I've found them incredibly helpful when my body has done rare, weird things that caused a lot of mourning and grief. I'm glad you updated us, this is a safe place for you to come vent and mourn. I wish I had wise words to offer you in solace, but some things are really beyond our language. Just know I am sitting here alongside you with a generous measure of empathy. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support you. I just want to give you the biggest hug!

I agree with NickelChip, your PCP not knowing about the surgery is not a big deal IMO. What is most important is that YOU understand your surgery and whatever anatomy you end up with, and that you are able to communicate that to emergency responders and ER doctors in an emergency. Everyone close to me knows what surgery I've had done, knows the technical term for it, and it is in my phone's health info that emergency responders can access. A lot of SADI and DS patients carry a card illustration of their surgery in their wallets or on their phones. When I was considering the SADI and two surgeons recommended I do the DS instead I had reservations. I live in North Carolina and we have some really stellar bariatric surgeons here in Raleigh. But I plan on moving back to New Zealand in the next few years and DS surgery is really rare there, there are only 2 surgeons I know of in the country who can perform it and they are both in Auckland. My surgeon here told me as long as I planned on having the first few years locally here in Raleigh, and as long as there was one surgeon that could be consulted about my care in the area I move to, I should be fine with the DS... The same applies to the SADI. What we tend to forget is that people have surgery on their small intestines for a variety of reasons besides bariatric surgery. Cancer, Crohn's, etc... Many people have designer insides and while not every gastro doc is trained to do a DS or SADI, they have the technical skill to find a surgeon to consult with about your surgery should they need it. In terms of your PCP what she most needs to know is that it is vital to order a FULL panel of bariatric labs for you at least once a year, as well as at any point if you start having symptoms of a vitamin deficiency or protein deficiency. She'll also need to watch your iron levels. These are things a PCP can do. She also needs to be in good communication with your surgeon if she has any questions. Doctors act like they can't talk to each other, but they can. I have an autoimmune GI condition that causes ulcerations sometimes (like Crohn's) and my bariatric surgeon actually called and consulted with my GI doctor to ensure they were on the same page about the surgery and to ensure it was a safe surgical option for me. That made me feel SO well cared for! My PCP has a sister who had the sleeve done so she's familiar with the bariatric surgery options. She is well read, researches what she needs to, knows how to consult when she needs more info, and trusts me to tell her what I need when I need it. For me, that's the perfect PCP. I don't need her to understand the complexities of my surgery. I just need her to know when she's out of her depth and needs to refer out to a GI doctor, my bariatric surgeon, or the ER.

I agree with this. At your starting weight you should have been offered a Duodenal Switch or a SADI procedure. If you weren't, I'm assuming it is because your surgeon can't perform those surgeries, so just offered you the sleeve? If you were offered these options, why did you opt for just the sleeve? My highest weight was 320. Two surgeons agreed I should have a traditional duodenal switch. I did the research and agreed with them, though originally I just wanted the sleeve. I was terrified of the switch portion of the surgery, especially because I've had ulcerations of the small intestines due to my autoimmune disease. So my surgeon called and consulted with my GI doctor and together they decided the DS was the best option for me and worth the risk because of how many benefits it would offer me. So I decided to accept my fear and go with the DS anyway. I'm so thankful I did and that it was an option offered to me. It has changed my life in so many ways for the better... The sleeve is the first part of a duodenal switch, that's where the sleeve operation actually came from. The intestinal part can be added at any stage by a surgeon qualified to do it, but only a small percentage of surgeons can perform it, as it can be rather complex. We see revisions from sleeve to DS all the time in my support group.

I don't have MS, but I do have several autoimmune diseases along with Fibro and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I am almost 3 months out from a traditional duodenal switch. I have found my energy level and ability to exercise has increased a lot, I no longer get post exertional malaise. I also have less pain because the surgery causes your inflammation levels to decrease and as you lose weight, those levels will continue to go down. Since I am so early out, I have not had any nutritional issues. However, my surgeon did advise I go with a longer common channel than the standard 100cm cookie cutter length that most doctors go with, because I have a history of nutritional deficiencies. I went with 175cm. I'm really glad I had the DS, I'd do it again every year if I had to just for the fact it put my diabetes and high blood pressure into remission immediately after surgery!! Plus I have more energy than I've had in 2 decades. There is a different forum that has more DS patients on it, you might try posting there. It is www.bariatricfacts.org I'm not sure if anyone there has MS, but they are great with recommendations. There's also a support group for DS patients on FB called "Duodenal Switch SUPPORT Group" and there are a TON of DS patients there, you might try posting and seeing if any have experience with the switch and MS. As for surgeons, I had my surgery done with Dr. Pilati at WakeMed Bariatrics in Cary, NC which is right outside of Raleigh. We have a number of excellent DS surgeons in this area because of our world class healthcare centers. I don't know of any in the DE area but the women at bariatricfacts might, a lot of them are vets of the surgery for 10+ years!

I have had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for over a decade, along with Fibro and an autoimmune disease, so fatigue is a daily companion of mine. Pre-op I could generally pick one thing in a day and anything else was too much, not enough spoons!! Just walking from the car to the flat was exhausting. Before my fatigue was disability level and I slept on and off all day and all night. Post op at about week 3 I started feeling more energy off and on and it was so strange, I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I just noticed I wasn't falling asleep in the middle of the day anymore... Then I noticed I had enough energy to make a meal. Then several meals. Then I noticed we'd go run and errand and I could still pick something to do around the house afterwards. Walking to and from the car was easy. I've gradually started adding steps in, increasing by 500 each week. I'm at over 2,500 steps a day now (which is a bit more than a mile) and I'm not wiped out by it!! I can still go run errands or go to an appointment, and still no naps. Honestly, I haven't felt this much energy in my body in decades... I still pace myself some to respect my limits, but man, it is a miracle, I swear. I had NO idea that the surgery I had could impact my chronic fatigue. I'm incredibly grateful, it just feels unreal. I'm almost 10 weeks post op. I can't imagine what I'm going to feel like a year post op!! ETA: I do still get tired, but it is a good kind of tired from a productive day. And I sleep much better too, before sleep never did anything, now I actually feel refreshed a bit in the morning!

Prior to COVID, (which delayed my treatment which was to start in 2020) tooth decay and gum issues. I was to get some work done including filling, root canals, and possible bone graphs to my jaw. Due to life, I have yet to have this done but am working on it. I wanted to share that I have found that the condition is called pernicious anemia (of the teeth and gums). There are many health issues that this can cause. This is a medical issue, not a dental issue. You will likely have to educate your physician (who must write the referral correctly) and and your oral surgeon. The request to your insurance company MUST include the medical information. If they turn you down, appeal it so you can send the information yourself. Just be sure you use trusted medical sites (Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, NIHA, are good places to start. 11 years ago there was no information available, and/or not provided to me. This disease is NOT a dental issue. It effects your autoimmune system and others. Left untreated, though RARE, can cause death. Please don't panic over the "death" part, it is very rare. If you have broken, cracking, teeth coming out, gum issues (even tongue issues), this might apply. As I mentioned do your homework, note your references and talk to your primary care doctor. Get the help you need. I have 8 teeth that need to be pulled now plus some "repairs" to others. I have opted for removal of all my teeth at one time and implants. A note about implants: dentures do not stimulate your gums and jaw which is imperative to keeping you jaw from decaying. My primary care doctor, after I educated him 🙄 agrees with me , BTW. There are dental clinics out there that do a one and done treatment where you can have your teeth extracted and get your implants the same day (my option to prevent more surgeries). Keep that in mind. I hope this information is helpful for someone suffering my fate.

Hi all! Karen here from Pennsylvania. I had my lap band surgery last Dec. on the 16th after trying way too many costly weight loss options that never worked, including about $900 on hcg injections. I'm the only patient in my county who has Hashimoto's hypothyroid autoimmune condition so my doctor says I'm "special" because he's the only doctor who has a patient with this condition, so he gets to report back on my progress, which so far seems to be going really, really slow. I lost 15# in the first month and another 3# in the second month and nothing since, despite two fills, the second of which was just last month. The only difference I've notice is that I have to eat a lot slower, especially my scrambled eggs & cheese, so it takes me longer to eat. Since I have this autoimmune condition which is accompanied by a gluten intolerance, I rarely if ever eat any breads. My menu is so simple it's pathetic: gluten free Chex Cereal or eggs & cheese for Breakfast, brown rice & peas for lunch and again for dinner and an apple and yogurt with each meal. Evening snack, 1-2 bags of microwave popcorn. That's pretty much it. My doctor says that's fine as long as I take Vitamins. I just started my exercising again last week so I'm hopeful that adding an hour mixed cardio and stretching will help speed up the process but I'm not going to stress over it. I'm eating healthy and not overeating and I'm exercising, and right now I can't afford a third fill on the band so I'll just have to be happy with whatever my body decides to do, right? So anyway, glad to have found you all! I get busy with a couple of home businesses so I'm not sure how often I'll get here but keep up the great work everyone!

I'm so sorry for your loss! I had my surgery at 59 and I can identify with the recovery process. I had literally no pain and in fact after surgery I had to look to see if they had done it. However I have Liver Disease from autoimmune disorder. Recovery was especially hard . It took me the better part of 2 months to get back to normal without feeling like I just couldn't do another thing or walk another step. Fatigue which is part of the disease issue of mine was terrible in compounding it with surgery. But after my recovery, wow what a difference. I had energy that I had never had before and felt so good. I too want to see my grandkids get married, graduate college etc. I know both of us are doing this for the right reasons..

One part is an autoimmune deal, but it should have resolved with the steriods already. I think I've stumped them.

Twice, I was out walking this past summer,,I made it about 1/4 mile and it took me about 10 minutes to do that. I ended up in ICU both times due to respiratory distress because of a rare autoimmune disease I have..it sent me into a Myasthenia Gravis crisis. My muscles in my chest wall just couldn't do the work..not to mention the extra weight those muscles had to try and lift. Today,,I walked at 2 mph on my treadmill for a mile!!!!!..no distress, no pain,,just energy and enthusiasm. I just thank God that this is finally happening for me. Steroids put most of the weight on and by golly I'm going to fight to get this weight off and get well!!!

Many (but certainly not all) bariatric patients experience improvement of autoimmune diseases after surgery. What a wonderful side effect!

I have Myasthenia Gravis, not MS. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks the muscle receptors. And I have a sleeve. My neurologist was very supportive and has been with me every step of the way providing information and support. My surgery was a team effort by the VSG surgeon, my neuro and my PCP.

Per the US National Library of Medicine.... Causes, incidence, and risk factors There are many causes of proctitis, but they can be grouped in the following categories: Autoimmune disease Harmful substances Non-sexually transmitted infection Sexually transmitted disease (STD) Proctitis caused by STD is common among those who engage in anal intercourse. STDs that can cause proctitis include gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and lymphogranuloma venereum. Non-sexually transmitted infections causing proctitis are seen less often than STD proctitis. The classical example of non-sexually transmitted infection occurs in children and is caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. Autoimmune proctitis is associated with diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Proctitis may also be caused by certain medications, radiotherapy, and inserting harmful substances into the rectum. Risk factors include: Autoimmune disorders High-risk sexual practices such as anal sex

So sorry to hear this. I had possible gastroparesis prior to my sleeve gastrectomy. My surgeon told me than often times the gastroparesis would resolve post surgery. I never went for the scan to get a definitive diagnosis, however when I had an EGD months prior to surgery for continued GI issues, the GI doc told me I most likely had gastroparesis because they found food in my stomach when they did the EGD. In any case, are you on any meds that might slow digestion? I have a number of autoimmune issues including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and because I sometimes have to take pain meds to deal with these conditions, I feel that the narcotic pain relievers may be the culprit. I try very hard to avoid them if possible. I hope you find relief from your gastroparesis. Good luck!

I understand. .I have dealt with chronic fatigue for 25 yrs..I am 8 wks out..most calories I get in so far 700...I have hashis autoimmune, lupus, polymyalgia, fibromyalgia an the list goes on..it doesn't matter wat I eat by early afternoon I'm so tired an fatigue I stay close to home,or home or let others drive. I take armour thyroid. .u mentioned u just had ur testing done..I hope she is running more then a tsh test...that's incomplete. I'm getting ready to go back Tuesday I've got the proper thyroid test I'm telling her I want ran. Its out of protocol. .tsh, T3, T4 an reversed T3..although u may realize all this already. .but she's going to have to raise my dosage as well. Sythroid never wrkd for me. Have u also had ur adrenals chkd? I am 8 wks out..I just added plums an melon this wk..for me even with complex carbs they do opposite on me..they played havic on my insulin so I am very choosey about carbs. I did try a teaspoon or so of quinoa this week..I hope u get feeling better..

That does make sense...I'm on medication to calm some of the autoimmune response. I guess that strategy is working...and long may it continue. My PCP did relate that a former patient of his that he was not totally informed regarding her medical history wanted a band, however he refused to medically clear her as she had Crohn's disease. Thanks for sharing the information...I did suspect that reasoning would be part of the logic.