Help for intestinal bypass disease

I have suffered with the intestinal bypass disease for 30 years and at times the arthritis was so bad I could not get out of bed by myself. I had the severe dermatitis outbreaks and have to be careful of sun exposure which makes it worse. The doctors in Houston contend my symptoms are from the overgrowth of bacteria that grows in the blind loop but they are unwilling to remove the blind loop because "you are not sick enough". At this point reversing the surgery is no longer an option, but I would love to have some relief from the arthritis pain and stiffness I experience on a daily basis.


This discussion is related to Jejunoileal (intestinal) bypass surgery.

[CalGal]

I know that the complication rate from this type of surgery was pretty high and because of that this form of surgery was discontinued quite awhile ago. Your symptoms are some of the more usual and painful. As a consequence from what I understand, the current recommendation for anyone who has undergone JIB, and still has the operation intact, is to strongly consider having it taken down and converted to one of the gastric restrictive procedures.

The docs saying that the symptoms are from the overgrowth in the blind loop is what many docs feel can and does happen, but it doesn't make it any the less miserable. And by the time you get 'sick enough,' that sick enough could mean major liver problems which is something no one should have to go through. I hope you'll consult with other docs.

[CalGal]

P.S. My understanding is that the arthritis does not respond to an conventional treatment. It's my understanding that some results have shown it may be due to circulating IgA immune complexes.

[RENIE5]

My husband had JIB 30 years ago and encountered various side effects from it. The most recent were diarrhea (difficulty controlling it with meds), reactive arthritis (pain management difficult due to malabsorption) and malnutrition (due to the above causes). His quality of life was impaired and his daily dealings with these problems was heart wrenching. We now wish that,many years ago, when the JIB was banned, that people who had undergone JIB would have been given the option to have reversal, before the problems become more severe. I am disappointed in the medical community for this. Too many people to continus suffering needlessly.  It is crucial to get a second opinion, however in our case, my husband could not survive the reversal, due to severe malnutrition and consequent infections.  God bless you!

[Bolo07]

Sounds like you have had a rough time since your bypass.  I had mine in 1977 and also developed arthritis in my spine but I don't know for sure if it was from the bypass or familial as it tends to run in my family.  The long term effects of this surgery are really coming into the forefront now......too late for some of us to reverse the surgery.  I would be glad to talk to you more if you want.  I can be reached at :***@****
Thanks,
Kathy

[Bolo07]

I see my addy didn't come through.  If you would like to talk to me, try ***@****.  Would love to hear from you.
Kathy

[Bolo07]

try small_intestinebypass_surgery ***@****
(use spelling exactly as listed....we know it is wrong!)