Written by Melinda
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Last week I visited a new PCP who did LOTS of labwork, at my request. I shared with him my fear that I have a thiamine deficiency, but I couldn’t get a physician to check my B1 levels. Equally concerning me was my neuropathy, which the neurologist, gastric surgeon AND this PCP all agree is present. At least we agree on something! I called to get my lab results yesterday and… NORMAL. All the labs came back normal. That’s great, I should be able to just forget about any vitamin deficiencies and live my life stress free now. So why can’t I? Because the neuropathy is not going away. I must resign myself to the fact that it is probably permanent since I’ve had it for over 2 1/2 years.
So I decided, unofficially… I’m a hypochondriac. Evidently. Why else would I be preoccupied with deficiencies and worrying myself that I may develop a complication that might be life threatening? Unh… perhaps because I HAVE to. I’ve heard too many horror stories of people who ignored warning signs and ended up losing their life. Or, ended up in wheel chairs. Or had horrible neuropathy spread all through their limbs/extremities. And… other stuff which I can’t seem to recall at the moment due to my horrible memory (perhaps another sign of my hypochondrosis?).
While trying to find a graphic for this post, I happened upon a quiz called “Are You A Hypochondriac?” And, so I took the quiz. I am 36% Hypochondriac. In all fairness, I think I have a right to be “self aware” or concerned about possible problems as a result of my gastric bypass. So, let’s just go over the questions where I answered YES and I can let you decide.
- You tend to learn many of the symptoms associated with rare afflictions.
Rebuttal: I use Google to search out gastric related health issues because I feel that I have something or else, why do I have neuropathy? And, what caused it? And, why didn’t a doctor do something about it? And, even though I may appear to be a healthy individual, free from liver/kidney function problems, there are conditions that are caused from the gastric bypass that doctors do not associate with healthy people (such as beri beri).
- Even when the doctor gives you a clean bill of health, you worry about being seriously ill.
Rebuttal: Many doctors don’t know how to treat weight loss surgery RNY patients. Even at the admission of a gastric surgeon, they don’t understand enough of the hormonal and phsyiological problems associated with the RNY and much research still needs to be done. The doctors MISSED the neuropathy. Maybe they will miss something else. I have to be my own advocate.
- You tend to get bad headaches.
OK yes perhaps I do have stress that is unnecessary. I’ll give ya that one.
- You get preoccupied with having a major illness, often for weeks at a time.
Rebuttal: I’ve been preoccupied with the thiamine deficiency for oh… let’s see… over 2 1/2 yrs. I wonder why my foot used to drop on the ground really hard, and why I couldn’t feel as much on the right side. Why is my right leg tingly and numb? Why last year did the outer side of my left leg go dead and numb feeling, and still there is no normal sensations there?
- You tend to feel tired.
Heck, who don’t in this day and age? But… I’ll give ya that one too.
- You take at least five pills a day (including vitamins, supplements, and prescriptions).
Rebuttal: this isn’t a fair question! EVERY RNY patient has to answer yes to this one! 1.multivitamin (3 times a day), 2. iron (1 time a day), calcium (3-6 times a day depending on what strength & brand), sublingual B12 (1 time a day). My gosh just to live, I’ve got to take at least 8 pills a day, 7 days a week! NOT to mention the extra B Complexes and Dry Vitamin D’s just to get my levels up! This is an unfair question.
- You get stomach aches more than most people.
Rebuttal: one bite too many. ‘Nuff said.
- You take vitamins and eat special health food compulsively.
Rebuttal: If I want to continue living! Unfair question once again.
So 36%. The way I see it, there are only 2 or 3 questions that REALLY apply. Either way… whether I had/have deficiencies or suffer from hypochondrosis, I’ve got to learn to live with the neuropathy.
