I gained 80# in 21 months while on steroids & being sedentary (from my CIDP.) So far, I have been able to take off over 50# of it, 25 in 2005, & 27# this year, just by watching what I eat. I am still disabled but I do go to water aerobis twice a week, & can walk with AFOs. I use Weight Watchers for a few months of the year (counting points, the whole bit,) then just watch my portions & know what is in the food I am eating. It is not easy, but it can be done. But I would never have been a candidate for gastric bypass anyways, as at my highest, I was 216#, now I weigh about 163# at 5’6″; I can live with that for now…

If I were in your shoes, knowing what I know now, I would definitely not have gastric bypass in any way shape or form! I had gastric bypass in June, 2006 (at 301 lbs 5ft 8inches). Just like a previous respondent remarked – surgery went fine, but had complications soon after I got home. Couldn’t eat, nausea, vomiting, developed gastric ulcers, metallic taste to everything (which I now know was the first symptom of GBS), weaknesses, etc. I was diagnosed with GBS on 8/18/06. I am unable to walk and have limited use of my hands. I had the IVG treatment, but have made no progress towards walking, even with a walker. I am wheelchair bound. Yes, I have lost 100 pounds – a lot of it atrophied muscle. The weight has come off too much too quick. I have lost my hair from the gastric bypass surgery. My neurologist now believes that the gastric bypass surgery caused the GBS. Researchers are finding more and more evidence of the connection. I know it is not fun to be obese, but I’d rather still be 301 pounds and gaining than watching my life go down the drain. In 2 months I will be homeless, as in living on the streets. My disability from work expires then and I am not able to return to my job as a special education teacher. I will lose my apartment and my insurance. The state of Maryland, where I live, doesn’t appear to offer any services to me, I am still waiting to hear from SSD about my application, and I don’t have any family that can help. My husband of 20 years is disabled and receives SSD. He will be able to go live with his mother in Delaware when we lose the apartment, but because of my wheelchair and the size of her house, I will have to rely on the local homeless shelters. I am scared, worried, frustrated, and mad at myself. I know in my heart that GBS would never have happened to me if I hadn’t been so vain and had to have gastric bypass surgery. No being obese isn’t fun, but it beats sitting in a wheelchair freezing in the February freeze any day of the week!! Think about it – your CIPD could get worse after the gastric bypass surgery. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth risk. If only I could have the chance to relive June 7, 2006, I would not have been on the operating table.

Karen

I have been trying to get gastric bypass for 2.5 years now. Between my insurance not covering it and my CIDP doctor saying I would not be a candidate for it until my CIDP goes into remission I have gotten very depressed and upset about my weight. Now as of Jan 07 my insurance will cover it but I don’t know if it an option at this point due to my above mentioned Doctor’s remark. I do plan to discuss this with all my doctors and see what the risks are because I need to lose 130 pounds minimum and I, too, am tired of the obese thing. I can’t exercise due to CIDP and I take steroids so trying to lose weight is not much of an option. I was wondering if anyone in the forum has had gastric bypass even while being treated for CIDP and how things have gone for them.
Jan B
Diagnosed CIDP Jan 2006