What do I do?!?

[Diane]

I've had great restriction for the past 4 months. :nod: It was the perfect fill level for me. However, the past 2 weeks I have been slowly getting tighter & tighter until I can hardly drink!!! I know I'm dehydrated. I have a bad headache & my body just aches. Later in the day I can get liquids down, but not real food. Just mushies.

Here's my situation. Going to get an unfill is a 2 day travel to Mexico which would be very hard to do since I have 3 kids & a life. There is a lady here in AZ who will do unfills but she is only available on the 3rd Monday of the month. (3 weeks away!)

Should I tough this out?! If I were to go on liquids for 3-4 days, would it improve?! Warm drinks?! Cold drinks??! Is there some meds I can take that would stop the swelling?

Anyone been here before & had success with getting the swelling to go down without an unfill?!?!

I really don't want to get an unfill & mess up the great restriction I've had. :tongue1: But, I don't want to jeapordize my health.

[Loving-It]

If you are dehydrated and can hardly drink anything you need to get this taken care of asap. There must be someone who can help you, otherwise you could wind up in the hospital. :(

[503-250]

Try contacting the woman who does the local fill/unfill and let her know your condition, perhaps she will move up the schedule for you.

[Diane]

I should probably re-phrase myself. :)

I am not dehydrated enough to go in the hospital. I am able to get down about 3-4 cups of water a day. Before 12:00 I can't get anything down. It isn't enough & it makes me have a big headache. However, as of now I have been trying to eat mushies. I am consdering just drinking protein shakes, gatorade & anything that would help if it would make this swelling go away.

I can survive this way for awhile. :) But, if it isn't going to make my situation improve I will go get an unfill in a heartbeat.

[Kathy]

ALOE VERA JUICE! Now, you know I was going to recommend that as soon as you saw I posted here..LOL :nod: And go ahead with acid-reducers too. Can't hurt to chew a Pepcid AC once or twice a day. The less stomach acid you have the better at this point, IMO. And stick to liquids only, drink as much as you can. Too tight, stinks! doesn't it? Ugh.

I'd give that a few days but if you don't get any better, I'd for sure be doing what 503 said and calling that lady.

I have a theory, not a medical one, just gut, and from experience. I was sooo tight post-op, I didn't start getting better until I got IV fluids at 1 week. Alot led up to that, but my conclusion was that dehydration kept me from being able to heal. Once I got hydrated, the swelling went down and I was on the mend. You gotta get your fluids in. Keep us posted!

[paula]

Diane, get some warm broth down. Its loaded with sodium and should help reduce de-hydration problems.
Also - try laying down and relaxing after you drink.. physical relaxing helps relax the stoma (Ive tried it - it DOES work).


I remember when Kathy was dehydrated - getting fluids through an IV helped loosen her.. remember Kat?

[paula]

I just thought about something else..
try fruit (like peach or pear flavor) necter for nourishment. Fruit is one of the easiest thing for our tummy's to digest! Dont look at the calories or carb list - right now isnt the time to worry about that..

hang in there and keep us posted on how you are feeling.

[DonnaB]

I know we're not supposed to take non-steriodal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) on a regular basis, but my doctor said that every once in a while won't hurt. It sounds like this might be a time when an anti-inflammatory might be just what you need to help deal with the swelling.

I hate to think of you being miserable and unable to even drink. I guess my empathy springs from my recent overfill; I know how miserable it is.

Please keep us posted Diane. We need to know you're all right.

[DebbieChoos]

Diane - Kathy, Paula and Donna offer some great advise, I hope that you can get some relief soon. I do agree that the most important thing is to stay hydrated - becoming severely dehydrated could put you in the hospital. Is there anything going "around" in Arizona? We have an awful cold and stomach virus traveling throughout Florida - don't know if that could cause any of your symptoms.

So listen to the advice of your bandster sisters (and brothers!). 503 had a great point, if you feel comfortable with your unfill nurse, give her a shout, if she knows you are miserable and borderline dehydrated hopefully she'll see you asap.

Hate to see a fellow colon blow girl miserable!! Take care and hope that things get better, keep us posted.

Debbie

[Kathy]

I remember when Kathy was dehydrated - getting fluids through an IV helped loosen her.. remember Kat?
Yup. it's hard to get rid of swelling when your body isholding on to every lovin' drop of hydration it can get.

How are you doing, Diane?

[HeatherGurl]

Yes, Diane... how are you doing? I am worried about you!

[Diane]

Hi guys!! I'm doing pretty good. I got down some chicken noodle soup minus the noodles. It felt so good. I bought some gatorade & have been drinking A LOT of protein shakes. I actually sat down & rested yesterday. I let my house get trashed. But, it felt so good & I have to agree with you Paula - it works!!! I think I need to just sit & RELAX more often.

I am still swollen this morning but I am sipping on water & it isn't gurgling in my throat!! So, I think it's working!!

I drink Aloe Vera Juice every morning & night. I stalk up on that when it goes on sale!! Thanks Kathy!!

I think I am swollen because I let myself get so dehydrated. There are some days when I am so busy that I forget to take drinks. By the time I remember, it's bed time.

When my body gets this way, I don't ever lose any weight. NONE!! My body holds on to everything because it thinks I'm starving. I've actually gained 2 lbs. Go figure!!

Hopefully I'll be back to eating "real" food in the next few days. I'll keep you all posted. :) :)

[Diane]

It's been 3 days & I had to report in...

I am eating normal food again!! :) I have taken pepcid every morning & some liquid tylenol to help with the swelling & I kept to liquids. I am feeling back to myself & doing good.

Now I know what to do when my band closes up on me.

[DonnaB]

It's been 3 days & I had to report in...

I am eating normal food again!! :) I have taken pepcid every morning & some liquid tylenol to help with the swelling & I kept to liquids. I am feeling back to myself & doing good.

Now I know what to do when my band closes up on me.

Hey Diane, I'm glad you're feeling better. A bandster told me a couple of days ago that Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory and does not help with swelling. I know Tylenol isn't an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflmmatory) and when I was so swollen post fill, Tylenol had no effect on me. Based on that, I think that bandster may be right.

Hopefully you'll never have to deal with the whole unexplained tightening thing again, but if you do, you might consider taking an NSAID. Most doctors that I've heard of agree that NSAIDs should not be taken on a regular basis, but that occasional use won't hurt you or your band.

Again, I'm glad you're feeling better. It sucks to be too tight.

[paula]

Thanks Diane for letting us know that things ARE better.. phew! You had us worried!

I can probably count on one hand when Ive become so swollen that I closed up. VERY scarey!
So glad you are out of the woods. :)

[Kathy]

Hey Diane, I'm glad you're feeling better. A bandster told me a couple of days ago that Tylenol is not an anti-inflammatory and does not help with swelling. I know Tylenol isn't an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflmmatory) and when I was so swollen post fill, Tylenol had no effect on me. Based on that, I think that bandster may be right.

Hopefully you'll never have to deal with the whole unexplained tightening thing again, but if you do, you might consider taking an NSAID. Most doctors that I've heard of agree that NSAIDs should not be taken on a regular basis, but that occasional use won't hurt you or your band.

Again, I'm glad you're feeling better. It sucks to be too tight.


I think I'll agree with the other bandster. Tylenol isn't an anti-inflammatory. Not to say it isn't helping you to feel better, Diane, but it may not be responsible for reducing band/stoma swelling. A typical NSAID is Advil or Motrin (same drug) and both are available in liquid form. PM me if you ever want help figuring out the dosage. I used to be a Pharmacy Tech (in another life) and I'm pretty good at converting the dosage from the kids formula to the adult...I just need the bottles, or the info from it. Anyhow, I agree that occasional use, particularly if the liquid is washed through the stoma really well, won't hurt your band unless you already have some type of ulcer issue. I'm not your doc, but I'd take liquid Advil if I needed it.

I'm so glad you are on the mend Diane. Be careful! Let the house go for a bit. It doesn't take long to get it up and running again, and the Relaxation is worth it! ((hugs))

[Diane]

So good to know about the NSAID's. I had no idea that Tylenol wasn't helping with the swelling. Next time this happens, I will make sure to try that & contact you Kathy about the dosage. :) It feels so good to eat again!!!

Now I'm off to a cruise where I am going to eat & eat until I'm sick!!! (At least that's what everyone tells me when they come back from a cruise!)

Thanks everyone!!

[Pegala]

Diane,
I am so sorry to hear you are not feeling well.
Have you called Dr Ortiz or Romero??? They probably have some advice for you also..
Did you get your fill there???
I am scheduled for my first fill with them on 11/11 and my biggest fear is that I will be too tight. I live in Florida and a trip to TJ is a major deal for me.
Please feel better soon and give them a call.. they are more than happy to talk to you on the phone unlike many doctors here in the US.
Another possibility,, Are there any hospitals in AZ that do banding?? I am sure if you go to the Emergency Room there they will be able to unfill you or at least find someone who can..
Good luck . Peggy

[Pegala]

Diane,
Glad you are feeling better... Guess I didn't read ALL the posts before I answered..
HAve fun on your cruise..