So I've never really been a huge eater. Honestly. I do admit to a sweet tooth, but my personal hell is being forced to sit down to chicken wings with ranch dressing and a coke. Genetics is also not on my side an both my brother and I are quite large people. I've got pictures of my great Aunt Fanny in the midst of the depression and if she's not a solid 350lbs... Anyway, with 30 years of fibromyalgia, I had myself banded in 2009 at 311lbs at my doctor's suggestion to see if I could get some of my weight off, and to try to prevent more weight from accumulating. My body did not take to the band well. Either I had zero restriction or I had total restriction and I could barely even drink water. Two solid years of tomato soup and beef broth as I was pushed to suck it up and "quit lying about what I could eat" by my band doctor. (no protein shakes for me as I'm allergic to them) Total weight loss in two years: 5lbs. Finally as half my hair was falling out and I was sick as a dog, I had no choice but to force them to empty out my band completely.

2011 I revised to an RNY by a doctor funded by the province (FYI the province isn't putting in bands anymore because of their dismal failure rate) and his words were "you can't fail to lose weight with an RNY". Well I did lose weight on the stupid pre-op diet. Now, I'm still allergic to the opti-fast so I did this insane version of an all-food diet that induces ketosis. I lost so much hair, I started walking into walls, and I may or may not have promised to foster a pink hippo, but it did the job for the surgery. After surgery though, no real weight loss ensued. Yes I followed the post-op diet, the nutrition plan, etc. I don't get as much exercise as I should, but when you're thinking of shopping for canes and collapsing on the floor when you get out of bed in the morning, it's a touch hard to meet that goal, but I'm doing my best. Again, the surgeon said I must not be telling the truth and I must be chowing down on high calorie foods or something because it's hard to eat around an RNY. They deemed me an RNY failure and I've been put in the provincial database as such (since the government paid for it, the government keeps stats on everybody).

A few weeks ago they decided to play with my fibromyalgia medications. They took me off a drug I've been on for the last 15 years. I lost 30lbs in 3 weeks. Yup, it's been the drugs all along. I lost my entire malabsorption window post-op, had to sit through years of disapproving lectures from doctors about my lying and cheating on my eating, and got the stink eye from my other WLS friends because they all agreed with the doctors that I could't get with the program and stick with the rules. Worst thing is that now I really do need canes and it's getting so hard to walk as my joints might as well be welded metal, and while I could have exercised away the weight in 2011, I'm not sure I can now. That makes me cry. The vindication makes me laugh. Sadly it's not continuing to come off that fast, but at least after 4 years, the stall is broken.

Oy. Amitripyline is the devil. So are gabapentin & Lyrica. I gained 35 lbs on Lyrica. Hated it. I totally understand where you're coming from and I hate that you're going through this!

I'm currently on Cymbalta, Flexeril, methotrexate and Humira, in addition to several others. I'd love to be off all of them, but mainly Cymbalta. The withdrawals were excruciating! I don't think it's really helping me, I'm just to scared to try to get off of it again. ????

We underwent these procedures to better our health and out quality of life, but all these damn meds are standing in the way of that happening.

Sending good thoughts to all of you!

I just got prescription for Gabapentin and now you got me wondering. I just started it last night and will just have to watch and see what happens. It was given to me for Peripheral Neuropathy, I have numbness down my leg from a bad back. Wish me luck.

Edited January 24, 201511 yr by catdaddy

I was taking it for 5 days when I had my reaction. I am hypersensitive to most meds so if there is a chance of a side effect I tend to be in that small percentage who gets them. The doctor said it typically takes 5 days for a medication to be fully be in your system. If you are taking a med and you make it past those 5 days, you will likely be okay.

I was prescribed gabapentin for small fiber neuropathy. Since i wasn't able to take it, my rheumatologist put me on Alpha Lipoic acid - it has made a world of difference with no side effects! You can get it at your vitamin shop or places like Whole Foods.

I was prescribed gabapentin for small fiber neuropathy. Since i wasn't able to take it, my rheumatologist put me on Alpha Lipoic acid - it has made a world of difference with no side effects! You can get it at your vitamin shop or places like Whole Foods.

I'll have to talk to my doctor about it. WebMD says it's used primarily for arms & legs. My neuralgia is on my face. There's also concern in patients with thyroid disease. I have a pitutitary adenoma.

That makes sense, my neuropathy is in my arms and legs. ????

Hey, it never hurts to ask!

You might be surprised how much less pain you have in your joints as you loose weight. Just be patient and keep on your weight loss journey. Loosing weight will definitely help with health issues.

Even with the hip replacements, I still have chronic back and leg pain. I've been on tons of painkillers but now with the new hips and 150 lb. weight loss, I'm on a cocktail of Cymbalta and Duexis...which is a combination med of an NSAID and Prilosec.

Too bad you can't take the chlorine. I take Water exercise classes and they have literally saved me. Those classes have done more for me than two years of physical therapy.

I am sorry that you have had so many challenges focus on one day at a time you can do this, never give up. Good luck my friend .

@@onikenbai I'm so glad to hear you finally figured it out! I agree with previous poster who said you don't sound like the giving up type. Keep on fighting, and you'll make progress. Better late than never! Good luck!

Laugh. It won't wreck your mascara.

You can't change what has already happened. You're losing weight now, and that is what counts going forward. The more you lose, the better off you will be in the future.

Sometimes we are the only ones who know we were telling the truth. It's a pretty universal thing, not just with overweight people and how much food they do or do not consume. I'm sure everyone could relate with a time when they were telling the truth and no one was buying it. It's frustrating. The important thing is that your condition is improving and will continue to do so.

This is a lesson we all need to learn. it isn't always wls causing problems. I have been sick since nov. 5th with fever, chills and sweats. none of the blood tests were saying anything concrete. my doctor said emotional. how can emotions cause fevers of 101 I asked. it can't. so we started with all the medicaitons I take. my blood sugar is back to normal after stopping glucaphage. yes a sugar lowering drug. stopped taking it and my blood sugar dropped. I am still sick, this morning my temp was 100. it makes exercising hard but I am keeping my weight stable, thank you band. your story reminds me not to give up and be resigned to feeling lousy. back to the doctor and ask for a specialist . your story is a great one. I am so glad for you.

Sometimes we are the only ones who know we were telling the truth. It's a pretty universal thing, not just with overweight people and how much food they do or do not consume. I'm sure everyone could relate with a time when they were telling the truth and no one was buying it. It's frustrating.

Amen.

i loved gabapentin, worked for my leg neuropathy , i don't take it now because the strain on my body is so lessened i don't need it right now. I love that it didn't affect my other health issues and let me be awake while fighting the pain.

I am so proud of you for never giving up!