Neuropathy/ Paresthesia following WLS

[ironpoorer 88]

Following a gastric sleeve on December 28 I have had five or six episodes of neuropathy of the tongue and lip. Each one lasts approximately five or six hours, and subsides. At first I thought I had bitten my tongue while sleeping but repeated episodes told me maybe it is something different. I have seen a neurologist who tells me that he has very many bariatric patients that have neuropathy. Naturally bariatric patients that have no neurological symptoms do not visit him so his experience is only with those that do. My surgeon told me that there was no problem and he had not had other patients with this problem. On line I find something different, some are related to Vitamin B 12 deficiency, also Calcium deficiency.

What is your experience? Have other people had the same problem?

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[reree6898 1,164]

I just went for my 9 month check up today and was telling my dr about numbness in my arms during the night sometimes when I'm just laying flat and have not done anything to cut circulation. She ordered a check of my B12 levels and said it can be from that being low. I'm interested to see what others have to say about this as well.

[jess9395 5,450]

I had some on my thigh for about ten weeks starting around 3-4 months out. Lots of blood tests for B12 and consults with a neurologist and electrical stimulation tests. Couldn't figure out what it was. And then it was gone. Never came back. Wish I could help more!

[ironpoorer 88]

My B-12 was about 250 (normal is 200-1100 I believe) so I have been talking monthly injections to boost it up- along with weekly sublingual B-12 supplements. Since starting the injections three months ago it has gone up to 350 and I have not had any more episodes so maybe that is helping. Or maybe tomorrow I will have another episode and I have to rethink it. The thing is that when I have these episodes the tongue or lips also swell. I can actually feel them coming on, almost like a tiny mosquito bite. The numbness crescendos over an hour or two and then diminishes over the next five or six hours

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Edited July 2, 2016 by ironpoorer

[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

What is your B1 (thiamine) intake like? I know a deficiency in that can also cause the same issues

[ironpoorer 88]

Just what I get from the Multivitamin 25% of daily requirement. Will check labs; neurologist didn't mention any deficiency tho I have eliminated most grains from my diet so could be. Thanks

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[NeedaBreak4Me 1,755]

They don't usually test it in standard bloods... 25% is definitely not enough for a bariatric patient..the body also doesn't store it for long, so we need to keep ontop of it ... B1 deficiencies cause major issues if not treated early....

[ironpoorer 88]

I'll get with our company clinic and see if it was tested for; there were almost two pages of tests requested and done for the neurological work up . If not then I'll request it. Nice thing about the clinic is that all blood tests are free of charge. Will also look for Vitamins with higher Thiamine

Thanks again.

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Edited July 3, 2016 by ironpoorer