[christyblue]

what does it mean when ya folic acid levels are too high?
huggs
christy

[DocSanae]

Folic acid is a kind of vitamin that is essential in controling certain kinds of anemia.
Patients who've had stomach operations--not just WLS, but gasterectomy (removal of stomach, complete or partial) -- are prone to certain kinds anemia because it is through the stomach tnat you absorb these vitamins.
So, folic acid deficiency is a big issue with WLS/gasterectomy patients, and in daily clinical practice, that is what we are most concerned about.

I've looked up some standard med books if there's any reports about excess of folic acid, but while deficiency problems are listed, I am yet to find reference to excess, so just now I have no answer about the pros and cons of folic acid excess. I'll try to check around a bit more.

If you are taking medication to prevent anemia, it may be that the amount is more than you need. Anything that concerns your medication, the thing to do is go back to your doctor and ask about it. Never change the dosage by your own judgment, unless you have been instructed by your doctor, what and when to do so.
Or, if you have been taking supplements whether on your own or by suggestion, check what they include, and ask your doctor's advice and opinion.

I hope this helps.

[christyblue]

thanx for your help my doc has already decreased my vits from 2 chewables a day to 1 regular one a day and said to stop b12 for now...they are waitin for the rest of my labs to come in
huggs
christy

maybe i just absorb too well?

[CraigT]

Sanae,

Thx for just being here kiddo.

[DocSanae]

Buddies, thanks to y'all, that's what friends are for, after all.

I'm a friend who also happended to be a doc, and that is what I'm around for, so keep those questions coming, whether here, or stupid questions, or anywhere for the matter. I'll answer the best I can, try to translate medical jargon you might have gotten from your respective docs, into words you can relate to, though, as with everything, you will have to go back to your own doctor for the final answer/decision.

Anywho, christie, so, how has your lab data turned out? I hope, fine. And, if you absorb well, I figure it ain't that bad in this case, since you're able to absorb the nutrients essential to your body.

[christyblue]

well the lab work all turned out fine except the high folic acid...that was all.
i do have another question tho bout my dad....he is in end stage renal failure with neuropothy and heart enlarged(former diabetic)has been on dialysis for almost 10 years....well yesterday he said it didn't clean his blood like it's supposed to.thats bad.he is on it 3 days a week almost 4 or 5 hors each...he also has"jerks"(muscle spasms i think) that have gotten much worse.and has had 4 anuerisms(sp)missing 1 leg,1 eye.ect ect anyways....when the dialysis stops cleanin the blood effectivly...what does that mean for him....no need to sugar coat it for me we have been dealing with this for years and know he is on borrowed time...just a lil insight though would help,
huggs
christy

[DocSanae]

This is very sad to hear.

When the dialysis is no longer effective, it means that the waste your body produces, and leaves through your kidneys/urine, is going to steadily build up and and interfere with the normal physio-chemical processes. The spasms could get worse, and your dad will be unable to get rid of the extra flluid as well, which means that he will be edematous, and that will strain his heart. Is he having any difficulty breathing? Does he tell you that he is more comfortable sitting up, rather than lying down? If that's the case, then he already could be in the middle stage of heart failure. Your Dad's doctors may instruct him to limit his liquid intake, though I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. There's a possibility of other things being strictly limited, such as salt and protein.
Quite honestly, I do not think it is going to be easy for him, which means that it is going to be very difficult for all of you.
My prayers that if his "borrowed time", as you say, is coming to an end, then, it be with the least pain and suffering as is possible.

[christyblue]

well so far he can breath...he can't sit up for long periods because last year he broke his hip and it never healed despite the plate and it basically crumbled...he has a very high potassium problem at times.once the dialysis starts working less will it me a long horrid rd? i only ask this because i have watched this man go from a 6'4 400 pound mountain to a 215 pound bag of jello.he suffers a lot.he is now complaining of knots or lumps in his tummy area.i just hate to watch him suffer and me not understand what is happening
thanx
christy

[DocSanae]

In terms of time, that is a difficult question to answer. I do not think it will be really long, and probably, he will not be lucid once he starts going really downhill. Also, the less his dialysis is effective, the more the chance for heart attacks and brain strokes go up, and with his condition, the chances are higher than normal that it could be a fatal event. Even if it is not fatal, such events also can affect his consciousness. With his condition, it may be a blessing that his consciousness level is compromised, because in that case, he will not be feeling the pain and discomfort as much as it would seem like, from the outside. In such cases, in moments of lucidity, he may speak of pain and other things, but when his consciousness level is down, be assured that his pain level is down, too, no matter how it may seem from the outside.

I can understand your concern about how much your Dad may have to suffer.
Right now, my father, who will be 85 come January, is fighting a losing battle with prostate cancer, which had been well controlled for nearly 20 years, but it started slowly spreading in his bones about a year ago, and the way his PSA is going up, I am not sure if he will be with us around this time next year. If he still is, I am going to count myself lucky, and I shall be grateful for every extra day, so long as his ADL--active daily life-- and his QOL--quality of life-- is intact. He keeps telling me, he doesn't want a miserable end, tied up to his bed and unable to walk or move, so I stay in contact with his urologist, asking him to choose the course of treatment that will best comply with his wishes. If and when the question of whether prolonging his life, but reducing the quality, or maintaining the quality at the expense of his longevity, should arise, my mother, brother and I are in agreement to choose the latter. Many of my friends have already lost at least one parent, some both, since I'm in the age bracket where there constantly is some friend who is taking care of an ailing, and failing parent. The choices we make are each our own, but I know whatever information there is, no matter how distressing it may seem, actually is a great help in understanding, and steering the course for the best of the patient.

If your Dad's doctor is willing to spare the time, I suggest you take the time to have a long and candid talk about your father's present condition and the most likely course. I think that will help you steer your own and your Dad's course through the difficult waters you are facing right now.

I know you've just come through a difficult time with your mother, and your trouble with your father to top it off is a really big load to carry, but I am sure you have the strength in you to come through, you can trust in your faith that you have been given the power to.

My prayers are with you and your family.

Sanae

[christyblue]

thank you very much for the insight...my dad is only 55 yrs old.it did him good to see my mom today.thanx for taking the time to go into this with me i appreciate it a lot
huggs
christy