Hi Sudzie, Katie G & board friends, can any of you help answer what may be wrong w/me - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Pastafigioli · 08-03-2002, 01:05 PM

Hi Sudzie,& Katie G, & board friends,
Friends, I'm worried, it's 4wks I'm
post-op now, & I sould be feeling better. I am stronger, as I am still having surgical discomfort pains. My main concern, is that it still hurts a lot in the sternum area (at the top of the stomach) & where the GB was removed, especially after eating. I wonder if some gravel or a stone could have been left in a duct or something, or could something be wrong w/my Les... Will, I ever feel better with this???????
Suds how are you & your Mom feeling these days?
How are you Katie, hope all is good with you two. What is your expertise on this situation for me.
Any input on this problem I'm going through from "anyone" in here is most welcomed & needed...please.
Sandy

Kamden · 08-04-2002, 12:52 PM

Sandy, I had my GB removed about 2 months ago. I don't have problems after eating any more, but did for awhile. If you cut out milk, milk products, animal fat and fried foods, you may find relief. I have read where alot of people have problems such as yours after the surgery. Also, just to let you know, some people, including me, have severe reactions to certain meds. after GB removal, and two meds. that I know of are codeine and morphine. I had a reaction so bad to taking one tylenol with codeine, I ended up back in the hospital { they thought I had a stone lodged somewhere also }. Another girl I talked to on another site thought she was having a heart attack after taking two tylenol with codeine, and was carted off to the hospital also. Apparently this only happens to some people after they no longer have a gallbladder. And many doctors don't recognize this, she was just lucky enough to be in a hospital where the nurse's dad had the same problem, and a few doctors knew of this, mine didn't recognize it and diagnosed me with gastritis, yet I had been fine for a month, then took the tylenol and ended up in severe pain within a half hour. Anyway, hope I have helped you some. Your diet may be too rich right now, because it takes your body awhile to get used to not having a GB, so I hope you get some relief this way. Good luck

Katie G · 08-05-2002, 06:53 AM

Hi, Sandy. I'm so sorry you're still feeling pain after 4 weeks out. Get back to your doctor! It's hard to know if it's a possible stone, but I do know that I felt the pain at the top of my stomach (or end of the esophagus) like yours due to my GERD - which seemed to get worse after my GB was removed. I had the GB out in '97, and during a routine endoscopy in 1999, the doc discovered Barrett's esophagus, which meant my GERD/reflux was worsening. Symptoms did not abate even after starting 40mg of Prilosec, and therefore, in 2001, I had surgery for the GERD.

I don't know if that's your problem as well, but it would be good to get back to your doc to have it checked out. As far as pain in the GB area, I have "phantom" pains there once in a great while, but nothing like you're describing. Maybe a stone is lodged in one of the ducts from the liver?

Anyway, see your doc and keep us posted on what you find out. I'm praying for you - you should be feeling pretty much back to normal by now. My IBS continues to be under control with Colestid, so I've got no complaints right now. I hope you feel better soon!

Katie G

Pastafigioli · 08-05-2002, 08:08 AM

To Kamden,
Thank you so much for your reply. I hope you read this post.
The only meds I'm on are Nexium, Librax, Atenolol (heart med) & Xanax. I very rarely ever take pain meds.
Another thing Dr's don't recognize is the diet they should advise to patients after GB surgery. After my surgery, my Primary, & Surgeon told me I had no restrictions as far as food is concerned, he said I could eat anything I wanted. I didn't, I am careful, I eat soft low fat, foods. Although, I will have a grilled or broiled chicken breast 1/2 of sandwich on toast w/a little mayo on it, b/c its so dry. But it seems that anything, will cause some me these symptoms mentioned in the above post. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.
You mentioned that, you did have problem w/eating for a while...was that before GB removal surgery, or after?? If it was after, would you please explain what your symptoms of discomforts were after eating?
I hope I hear from you again on this...thanks Sandy

Pastafigioli · 08-05-2002, 08:33 AM

Hi Katie G
I was so happy to hear from you, & also glad to hear you IBS is still under control ..thank God.
I have an apt w/my Gastro in 2 wks. I suppose, it will mean further tests for me, which I absolutely dread, as sometimes these tests are not accurate, & it takes forever to get these apts. Even if I did have a problem w/my LES, I've decided NO MORE SURGERIES FOR ME. I'll just live w/if & try to find a way around it...if I can.
Yeah, my Gastro thinks it also may be possible that I could be having reflux & esophageal spasms, & anxiety..guess they have to blame something. I have little faith in Dr's, but I'm at they're mercy now. He couldn't do any testing, when I last spoke to him, since I recently had the surgery.
I feel fine in the morning when I wake up, then soon after lunch time the pains begin, then subside just before bedtime. Think they could disipate on their own, or is that wishful thinking???
P.S. What a "Phantom" pains?
Thanks KG, hope to hear from you again too.