15 Minutes a Day

Growing up I was taught to be independent and self-sufficient. I was also a chronic klutz who was always nursing a skinned knee or elbow, turned ankle, bruises just about anywhere, and the occasional broken bone or set of stitches. This taught me to get back up and keep trying. “Getting back on the horse” was not merely a metaphor in my family.

I have family members who live on farms and I loved to ride horses whenever I could. This means I occasionally got bucked or fell of the horse… literally. On top of everything, I also had a seizure disorder and never knew when grand mal seizures would strike. In spite of all this – in fact largely because of it – I was never fragile. Today my husband calls me a “force of nature” and has rarely seen anything able to sideline me. I don’t like being dependent on anyone and I don’t like not being able to trust that my body will act the way it’s supposed to!

I don’t normally use this space to bitch and whine, but today is going to be an exception…

I have seen two physicians (neurologist and an endocrinologist) and a physician assistant in my PCP’s office twice since December 9th. I now have to monitor my blood sugar level, take anti-seizure medication (which I haven’t had to do in 15 years), and get nutritional counseling. All of this has happened because I had gastric bypass surgery two years ago. Ever since that surgery my blood sugar goes wonky from time to time. When it went wonky on December 9th I passed out, concussed myself, and had a grand mal seizure.

Since my incident on December 9th I’m not allowed to drive (understandable and right, but still irritating!). I get brain splitting, exhausting headaches that are nearly as bad as migraines. I have dizzy spells almost daily that range from minor spinnies to nearly knocking me over and everything in between. The meds they gave me for the dizzy spells (Miclizine) works very well except for the fact that I turn into a total space cadet, cannot focus more than five minutes ahead, and just want to go to sleep. I decided today that I will NOT continue to use the Miclizine Rx. I’d rather have the dizzy spells!!!

I guess I’m just feeling frustrated today. I had the gastric bypass surgery to avoid the pitfalls of obesity. Namely Diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the side-affects of those healthcare issues. Instead, I have to deal with their exact opposites! Low blood sugar (opposed to high with Diabetes), lower blood pressure (it used to be 120/80 pretty regularly & was considered normal – now it averages 100/60 & is considered a bit on the low side). Also, instead of high cholesterol I’m having issues with nutritional deficiencies.

I did TONS of research prior to having my surgery. Heck, I did TONS of research before I’d ever even contacted my surgeon. The process to get a surgery date required that I went through medical testing, psychological evaluation, and that I lose 30lbs to show my commitment. I knew there were possible side effects and issues, but nobody – not my support group, surgeon, or any of my research – said anything about re-exciting my seizure disorder which I thought I had “grown out of” as my neurologists always predicted I would.

Nobody ever said that low blood sugar could be a problem. The worst side effects I heard about were vomiting and diarrhea and becoming a picky eater. I didn’t have those issues. I still don’t. The worst I’ve experienced before now was a bad reaction to spaghetti – which I love. However, I don’t love it enough to want to try eating it and feeling like I have to throw it up, so I avoid it.

Would I do the surgery again? I don’t know at this point. Yes, I like being thinner and feeling like I can climb mountains (which I’ve done since surgery). However, I’m feeling a bit low right now and having rare second thoughts. I trust (most of) my physicians and will work with them to overcome this. My surgeon and I are going to have a serious discussion about the warnings he gives patients in the future. I would just warn anyone considering weight loss surgery (WLS) to know all of the possible side effects and be sure you are willing to deal with them. WLS isn’t a magic bullet. I knew this going in and I still know this. Has it made my life better? Yes! Has it caused unforeseen side effects? Yes! Was it worth what I went through to have it and recover from it? Today, I’m not sure. Tomorrow I might have a different opinion.

Your thoughts or advice?

Image Credits:

Angel image was retrieved on January 12, 2010 from Soda Head using Google Images.

Stress Reduction Kit was retrieved on January 12, 2010 from A Round World Through Square Glasses: Pessimistic Views From An Optimistic Person using Google Images.