New to List

September 5, 2002

Can you tell me the difference in proximal or distal? I can tell you mine

was Roux-y Gastric Bypass and Cholecystectomy. I know exactly what was done

but am not familiar with the two terms.

I am taking iron with vitamin C. Each pill contains 330mg iron and 60mg

vitamin C. I take two a day as recommended by the doctor here. The calcium I

take has 400mg calcium and 10mg vitamin D. I take 3 of these a day. These

seem the best vitamins I can get here in Denmark. Another thing, I get

plenty of calcium in my diet. I love cheese! The problem is I'm not getting

enough vitamin D. Nothing here is fortified with it like our milk is. I

really don't understand why.

As for my bone density scan, it was not terribly low but below what it

should be. I don't know the exact numbers. The graph put me in the middle

between normal and osteoporoses. I was at the high end being closer to

normal.

Does this tell you anything? What should I do? I am getting my newest blood

results next week. I plan on getting a copy and sending to my surgeon to see

what he says. The doctor here seems to take a wait and see attitude.

Dawn

new to list

>

> > Hello all. My name is Dawn and I am new to your group. I am not new to

> life after surgery as I had mine May 17, 1993. I have been looking for

> others who are long term post op to compare notes. There are not many

> resources past three yrs. post op.

> >

> > To tell you a little about my history, I weighed 256 lbs. prior to

having

> RNY. I am 5 5 1/2. After 10 months, I had lost half my body weight,

weighing

> 128 lbs. During the next year, I went down to 117 lbs. This was too thin

for

> my bone structure. My surgeon advised me how to gain a little back. Now I

go

> between 130 and 135 lbs and have for several years. I have taken my

vitamins

> religiously, am very active, and watch what I eat, making sure to get

plenty

> of what I need. I have had no major complications and have been very

> healthy.

> >

> > At this time, I am living in Denmark. I have a specialist who follows my

> health. The only drawback is that no one has had this type of surgery in

> over 20 years. Everything is based on earlier type surgeries. My surgeon

> always makes time for me if I call him but it is difficult being so far

> away.

> >

> > My current health is as follows...last year my blood glucose was below

> normal. This means my iron is low. I have been taking extra iron for the

> past year but feel it is still low. I will get my newest results within 2

> weeks to know for sure. My calcium levels are a bit low. I was given a

bone

> density test which showed that my mass is just below normal. This can be

> corrected with vitamin D injections. Also, for the past year, my liver

> counts have been very high but jump back to normal then rise again. My

> surgeon tells me that it is not normal. My doctor here tells me it is

common

> with this surgery. A little confusing.

> >

> > Other than feeling tired, I feel great. I have never regretted having my

> surgery. I had the best surgeon anyone could ask for. As I said, after

> almost 10 years, he still takes time for me. My entire life changed for

the

> better post op and probably saved my life...high blood pressure, risk of

> heart failure, etc.

> >

> > Is anyone out there several years post op? Thank you as I know this has

> gotten a bit long.

> > Dawn Conner-Jeppesen

> > http://www.geocities.com/frwhlngrl/

> > http://community.webshots.com/user/frwhlngrl

> >

> > ---

> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

> > Version: 6.0.384 / Virus Database: 216 - Release Date: 8/21/2002

> >

September 5, 2002

--Cathie, this disease is so devastating. It can ruin our lives and

there is little we can do about it. I am either in a flare this week

or have some virus? Who knows, there are so many symptoms that come

and go. We will get some answers to this someday, I am very hopeful.

Welcome to the group.

- In @y..., " Cathie Horton " wrote:

> Hi there everyone. My name is Cathie. I was diagnosed with fms/cfs

several years ago. I have been trying to learn to live a full life

with the limitations this has given me. I am anxious to talk to

others and get some support with this as well as give what I have to

offer.

> Take Care

> Cathie

> Re: What I gain from having Fibro

>

> Hello ,

>

> I have CFS. I can really relate to your bit about the childhood

abuse. I always

> wanted to make everyone happy too. Or try to save people (like

my mother) from

> alcoholism. In my case I often wonder if my health problems,

especially my

> asthma, stem from the environment I grew up in. My mother drank

and smoked

> when she was pregnant with me. As a child I was exposed to

cigarrette smoke

> and marijuanna smoke. I often wonder if I'd be healthy if my

mother didn't

> treat her body bad when she was carrying me. Well even if I knew

the answer

> I can't change the past and I guess I'm lucky I'm more or less

normal as there

> are worse things that can happen to people who's mothers drank

while they were

> pregnant.

>

> I suffer from the suicidality sometimes. I don't think about it

daily like

> I used to, but when I have a really bad day the thoughts creep

into my mind.

> How did you manage to give up your suicidality?

>

> ~Jen

>

> I thought the post about what people have to gain from their

sickness is very

> interesting. I'll give 2 examples how I've felt this impact in

my life.

>

> Last summer, I was going through a very dark period in my life

and was in and

> out of suicidality. My psychiatrist and I had several

discussions about what

> I gained from being suicidal. What I gained was having

that " quick fix. " As

> a recovering bulemic and alcoholic who was clean/abstinent for

the first time

> since I was 8 - I knew the answer. Suicidality had become my

drug of choice.

> As I gave up my suicidality, I was forced to learn how to deal

with day to day

> life without any easy outs.

>

> I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. My *theory*

about why I (and

> no one else) have fibro is that it is a result of all the

physical and emotional

> trauma held in my body. As an ultimate people pleaser, I kept

running myself

> into the ground. I could never make room to heal. I could not

say " no " to

> people - especially those I loved.

>

> Having fibro has taught me to say " no " and it has opened up the

doors for me

> to allow others to take care of me (I was always the caretaker.)

As I find ways

> to manage my fibro, I risk other people beginning to expect more

of me. My

> personal challenge is learning to say " no " simply b/c I want to

and not b/c

> I'm too tired, too achy, etc.

>

> Does this mean fibro is all in my head? Well, in my view, yes

(kind of.) I'm

> a firm believer that body, mind and spirit cannot be seperated.

How we think

> about ourselves - how we love - or don't love - ourselves

influences how we

> feel in our physical bodies. As I'm learning to love myself and

heal from old

> wounds, I find my fibro is more easily managed. As I get sucked

into vortices

> of stress, I find my fibro worsens.

>

> I want to make sure to qualify the above my saying it is *my

opinion* -- it

> is what works for *me*. Take what you want and leave the rest.

>

> There are as many paths to healing as there are people on the

journey.

>

> Thanks for " listening " ,

>

> ---------------------------------

>

September 5, 2002

--Cathie, this disease is so devastating. It can ruin our lives and

there is little we can do about it. I am either in a flare this week

or have some virus? Who knows, there are so many symptoms that come

and go. We will get some answers to this someday, I am very hopeful.

Welcome to the group.

- In @y..., " Cathie Horton " wrote:

> Hi there everyone. My name is Cathie. I was diagnosed with fms/cfs

several years ago. I have been trying to learn to live a full life

with the limitations this has given me. I am anxious to talk to

others and get some support with this as well as give what I have to

offer.

> Take Care

> Cathie

> Re: What I gain from having Fibro

>

> Hello ,

>

> I have CFS. I can really relate to your bit about the childhood

abuse. I always

> wanted to make everyone happy too. Or try to save people (like

my mother) from

> alcoholism. In my case I often wonder if my health problems,

especially my

> asthma, stem from the environment I grew up in. My mother drank

and smoked

> when she was pregnant with me. As a child I was exposed to

cigarrette smoke

> and marijuanna smoke. I often wonder if I'd be healthy if my

mother didn't

> treat her body bad when she was carrying me. Well even if I knew

the answer

> I can't change the past and I guess I'm lucky I'm more or less

normal as there

> are worse things that can happen to people who's mothers drank

while they were

> pregnant.

>

> I suffer from the suicidality sometimes. I don't think about it

daily like

> I used to, but when I have a really bad day the thoughts creep

into my mind.

> How did you manage to give up your suicidality?

>

> ~Jen

>

> I thought the post about what people have to gain from their

sickness is very

> interesting. I'll give 2 examples how I've felt this impact in

my life.

>

> Last summer, I was going through a very dark period in my life

and was in and

> out of suicidality. My psychiatrist and I had several

discussions about what

> I gained from being suicidal. What I gained was having

that " quick fix. " As

> a recovering bulemic and alcoholic who was clean/abstinent for

the first time

> since I was 8 - I knew the answer. Suicidality had become my

drug of choice.

> As I gave up my suicidality, I was forced to learn how to deal

with day to day

> life without any easy outs.

>

> I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. My *theory*

about why I (and

> no one else) have fibro is that it is a result of all the

physical and emotional

> trauma held in my body. As an ultimate people pleaser, I kept

running myself

> into the ground. I could never make room to heal. I could not

say " no " to

> people - especially those I loved.

>

> Having fibro has taught me to say " no " and it has opened up the

doors for me

> to allow others to take care of me (I was always the caretaker.)

As I find ways

> to manage my fibro, I risk other people beginning to expect more

of me. My

> personal challenge is learning to say " no " simply b/c I want to

and not b/c

> I'm too tired, too achy, etc.

>

> Does this mean fibro is all in my head? Well, in my view, yes

(kind of.) I'm

> a firm believer that body, mind and spirit cannot be seperated.

How we think

> about ourselves - how we love - or don't love - ourselves

influences how we

> feel in our physical bodies. As I'm learning to love myself and

heal from old

> wounds, I find my fibro is more easily managed. As I get sucked

into vortices

> of stress, I find my fibro worsens.

>

> I want to make sure to qualify the above my saying it is *my

opinion* -- it

> is what works for *me*. Take what you want and leave the rest.

>

> There are as many paths to healing as there are people on the

journey.

>

> Thanks for " listening " ,

>

> ---------------------------------

>

September 5, 2002

--Cathie, this disease is so devastating. It can ruin our lives and

there is little we can do about it. I am either in a flare this week

or have some virus? Who knows, there are so many symptoms that come

and go. We will get some answers to this someday, I am very hopeful.

Welcome to the group.

- In @y..., " Cathie Horton " wrote:

> Hi there everyone. My name is Cathie. I was diagnosed with fms/cfs

several years ago. I have been trying to learn to live a full life

with the limitations this has given me. I am anxious to talk to

others and get some support with this as well as give what I have to

offer.

> Take Care

> Cathie

> Re: What I gain from having Fibro

>

> Hello ,

>

> I have CFS. I can really relate to your bit about the childhood

abuse. I always

> wanted to make everyone happy too. Or try to save people (like

my mother) from

> alcoholism. In my case I often wonder if my health problems,

especially my

> asthma, stem from the environment I grew up in. My mother drank

and smoked

> when she was pregnant with me. As a child I was exposed to

cigarrette smoke

> and marijuanna smoke. I often wonder if I'd be healthy if my

mother didn't

> treat her body bad when she was carrying me. Well even if I knew

the answer

> I can't change the past and I guess I'm lucky I'm more or less

normal as there

> are worse things that can happen to people who's mothers drank

while they were

> pregnant.

>

> I suffer from the suicidality sometimes. I don't think about it

daily like

> I used to, but when I have a really bad day the thoughts creep

into my mind.

> How did you manage to give up your suicidality?

>

> ~Jen

>

> I thought the post about what people have to gain from their

sickness is very

> interesting. I'll give 2 examples how I've felt this impact in

my life.

>

> Last summer, I was going through a very dark period in my life

and was in and

> out of suicidality. My psychiatrist and I had several

discussions about what

> I gained from being suicidal. What I gained was having

that " quick fix. " As

> a recovering bulemic and alcoholic who was clean/abstinent for

the first time

> since I was 8 - I knew the answer. Suicidality had become my

drug of choice.

> As I gave up my suicidality, I was forced to learn how to deal

with day to day

> life without any easy outs.

>

> I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. My *theory*

about why I (and

> no one else) have fibro is that it is a result of all the

physical and emotional

> trauma held in my body. As an ultimate people pleaser, I kept

running myself

> into the ground. I could never make room to heal. I could not

say " no " to

> people - especially those I loved.

>

> Having fibro has taught me to say " no " and it has opened up the

doors for me

> to allow others to take care of me (I was always the caretaker.)

As I find ways

> to manage my fibro, I risk other people beginning to expect more

of me. My

> personal challenge is learning to say " no " simply b/c I want to

and not b/c

> I'm too tired, too achy, etc.

>

> Does this mean fibro is all in my head? Well, in my view, yes

(kind of.) I'm

> a firm believer that body, mind and spirit cannot be seperated.

How we think

> about ourselves - how we love - or don't love - ourselves

influences how we

> feel in our physical bodies. As I'm learning to love myself and

heal from old

> wounds, I find my fibro is more easily managed. As I get sucked

into vortices

> of stress, I find my fibro worsens.

>

> I want to make sure to qualify the above my saying it is *my

opinion* -- it

> is what works for *me*. Take what you want and leave the rest.

>

> There are as many paths to healing as there are people on the

journey.

>

> Thanks for " listening " ,

>

> ---------------------------------

>

September 24, 2002

WELCOME TO THE GROUP !1 IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE .ENJOY, LEARN, & SHARE ANY

PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS....someone is bound to have been there-----done that

and offer whatever worked for them. Remembering , your final decision is

your doctors & the clinic team.......:) best wishes

LOVE & HUGS, grandmomBEV

New To List

Hi everyone,

I am new to this group, but not to CF. My 12 year old son has Cystic

Fibrosis, and touch wood, for now is healthy.

Last year Devon was hospitalized 3 times, and in April we

purchased " The Vest - Airway Clearance System " , from Advanced

Respiratory, and it has been awesome, truly a turnaround for him.

He was also placed on Pulmozyne in July of this year, which has given

him loads of energy, I'm not sure that it has had any noticable

medicinal effects for him, but he definately has more energy with it.

I look forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure you will all

be a wealth of information.

Tracey

PLEASE do not post religious emails to the list.

-------------------------------------------

The opinions and information exchanged on this list should

IN NO WAY

be construed as medical advice.

PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS.

--------------------------------------------------

February 24, 2003

Kathy,

You are taking the right step in trying different proteins. I will tell you

this, after surgery your taste completely changes. What you may not like now

you will and what you love now will make you gag post op. It is a strange but

true thing.

The proteins I like best are Problend 55 chocolate (It is not too sweet.),

and vanilla. I also love Proscore 100 chocolate. Try those. You can also

order samples from Vitalady.com. That is how I found what I like. I used soy

proteins at first because I tried whey pre-op and very soon post op and did

not care for them. After 4 months everything changed and I all of a sudden

loved the things I hated. Go figure!

Good luck!

Angie

Lap rny July 30, 2002 Dr. Glynn Strickland

247/161/135

86 pounds down!!

February 24, 2003

Kathy,

You are taking the right step in trying different proteins. I will tell you

this, after surgery your taste completely changes. What you may not like now

you will and what you love now will make you gag post op. It is a strange but

true thing.

The proteins I like best are Problend 55 chocolate (It is not too sweet.),

and vanilla. I also love Proscore 100 chocolate. Try those. You can also

order samples from Vitalady.com. That is how I found what I like. I used soy

proteins at first because I tried whey pre-op and very soon post op and did

not care for them. After 4 months everything changed and I all of a sudden

loved the things I hated. Go figure!

Good luck!

Angie

Lap rny July 30, 2002 Dr. Glynn Strickland

247/161/135

86 pounds down!!

February 24, 2003

Kathy,

You are taking the right step in trying different proteins. I will tell you

this, after surgery your taste completely changes. What you may not like now

you will and what you love now will make you gag post op. It is a strange but

true thing.

The proteins I like best are Problend 55 chocolate (It is not too sweet.),

and vanilla. I also love Proscore 100 chocolate. Try those. You can also

order samples from Vitalady.com. That is how I found what I like. I used soy

proteins at first because I tried whey pre-op and very soon post op and did

not care for them. After 4 months everything changed and I all of a sudden

loved the things I hated. Go figure!

Good luck!

Angie

Lap rny July 30, 2002 Dr. Glynn Strickland

247/161/135

86 pounds down!!

March 28, 2003

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Hash: SHA1

Lake City Boop wrote:

>

> I am very new to this group so please excuse my lack of knowledge.

Welcome.

> Can anyone recommend a site that has reliable information that is

> understandable for a non medical person?

The group web site has a links page;

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graves_support/links

Anything by, or editted by, Shomon is usually pretty reliable at

presenting credentials for the sources of information. She edits the

about.com thyroid pages.

http://thyroid.about.com/

as well as;

http://www.thyroid-info.com/

Some of 's pages are getting more commercialised, but I think this

is that even patient activists have to eat.

herself is now on Armour, a thyroid hormone replacement made from

dessicated pigs thyroid, having gone from synthroid, to combined

artificial T4 and T3 medications. Armour seems to be a clear preference

for some hypothyroid patients (and their cats!), and there is strong

scientific evidence for efficacy of combined T4+T3 replacements.

does devote quite a lot of space to treatments which I wouldn't

spend much effort investigating, but I've been wrong on some of the

alternative treatments before, and Pam B. here is still trying to

convince me I'm wrong on some of the others. Keep an open mind, but do

look for, and at, the evidence. (Pam seems to be doing better than me

BTW, this hasn't escaped my attention, but she isn't alone in that, and

I suspect she is better at sticking to her self imposed regime, even if

I think quite a lot of it is unnecessary).

Humbly I have some UK links;

http://www.wretched.demon.co.uk/UKthyroidlinks.html

Some of the NHS links are aimed at UK thyroid patients, but the disease

doesn't respect national boundaries. The " Prodigy " links are advice to

GP's in the UK, and aren't that heavy going (honest).

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March 28, 2003