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Absorption problems
I have had stomach surgeries in 1981 and 2012. After the 2012 surgery I began having shortness of breath and problems with iron storage. Since then I have developed more stomach issues, nausea and gagging and many neurological symptoms including visual problems and problems with neuropathy and total body numbness. My balance is very impaired and I had trouble walking this morning due to one side of my body feeling like it was asleep. I have been doing B12 self injections every other day since about May. I am terrified that I am not going to be able to live independently. I am single.
I am willing to go to Arizona Mayo if I can get a recommendation for a good gastroenterologist who knows how to deal with this and can help me. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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My doctor told me to drink a small amount of orange juice when taking my iron. She said it would absorb better.
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1 ReactionHello @sita
I am so sorry to hear of your absorption problems! Your concern is very understandable. Unfortunately, I'm not an expert on the doctors in Arizona, however, I'm sure that there is somebody on Connect who might be able to make a recommendation. You can always call the Arizona clinic and explain your problem, I'm sure that they will be able to direct you to the right doctors.
I have also had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for a rare malignancy called Neuroendocrine Tumors and I'm often concerned about absorption issues as my surgeries were all in the duodenal bulb. If you care to share more, could you explain where in your stomach you had the surgeries and the reason.
I look forward to hearing from you again and I hope you keep in touch and let me know how you are doing with your consult and the absorption issues.
Teresa
Hi Teresa
Thanks for responding. I had appendicitis in 1981 that was misdiagnosed and ruptured. Then I got peritonitis and spent a month in the hospital. After about 10 years, I developed scar tissue and the surgery in 2012 was to deal with that. It was in the small intestine. And they took about about a foot of intestine. I live in New Mexico and so I want to be sure that I can see an appropriate Mayo doctor. I also want to have contact before hand so that I can get tests done prior to the visit. As I am sure you know, Gastroenterological doctors do a million tests, many of which I have had over the years. I don’t want to travel to Arizona to find that I need to spend a week or more there doing more tests!
I am getting more desperate by the day and soon will be willing to do whatever, but will try to minimize financial output because this stuff has been and probably will be expensive! Sita
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1 Reaction@sita
Oh, my, you have had a lot of problems! I am glad that you will be going to Mayo. I feel that if you call the Arizona campus and talk with the GI department they will help you with what you will need, especially if you explain that you would prefer not to spend a lot of time and money while you are there.
I wish you well, please keep in touch. I'm looking forward to hearing how you are doing.
Teresa
Thanks so much for the support!
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1 ReactionI called Arizona Mayo and while the facility accepts Medicare with the patients paying 15% of the bill, Gastroenterology doesn’t accept Medicare from self-referred patients. They may or may not accept it with a physician’s referral.
Sita
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1 Reaction@sita I was not aware of that. Where do you live? Perhaps there is another GI specialist in your area?
Teresa
New Mexico. We have a doctor shortage here!
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1 Reaction@sita If I were you, I'd probably check other facilities in AZ. Is there a medical school in AZ? They would probably have some good GI docs. Other than that, you might consider Colorado. I'm not sure how far that would be for you. Keep in touch, maybe someone else will post about doctors in your area.
Teresa
Great ideas Teresa! Thanks. I will check other options.
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