Really Sore Throat

[Leenerbups]

Hi everyone, wishing all here good health and success.
I hope you can help me with this.

I went through a extremely stressful few months where I also began to overeat and also eat very fast. I've been banded 2 1/2 years and my restriction has not been great. I've lost 35 lbs in that time and not because of the band. My last (and 3rd in 2 years) was last month. Before that it was about 9 months.

I can eat anything and I'm usually hungry all the time. I've noticed I'm getting more acid reflux and my throat is getting irritated. Today I ate 4 pieces of toast. Yup, I can eat it like that... and a few hours later my throat became really, really sore, and feels like it's getting even more so. I also have a dull "swollen" pain feeling in my chest..

I need some help here. :-/

[BrendaC]

Hi Leenerbups, I'm sure some well experienced folks will chime in soon. I have only been banded 4 months. Have you kept your doc appointments and gotten your recommended fills? It's different for everyone. You may think you can eat the 4 pieces of toast but the pain in the chest says otherwise. That is a classic pain of haven overeaten. If you are not eating slowly you will overeat and cause this pain. Don't know much about a dilated pouch but as much as you say you are eating I don't see how your pouch can stand it. My doc said we can out-eat any of the wls's. I'm sorry for the stressful time you have gone through and it sounds as though you beat yourself up pretty good during it. Have you had a doc appointment lately? Do you have one soon? If not please go see him or her and be frank about what is going on. Your band can still work for you but you need to be working with your band too. Maybe some visits with your doc's dietician or pshch would help you get back on track. I pray you don't give up now because you've come this far! So you messed up, we all do if we are honest with one another. And voicing your concern here was a good beginning at getting control back. But, I do believe your next step should be with your doctor. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing and what you have decided to do. Reflux is no fun and I hope you get that cared for very soon. Hugs, best wishes and be seeing you around.

[Leenerbups]

Hi Brenda,

I have not really kept up with my surgeons. They are about 80 miles away and the office is way too busy. It takes a while to get through or get in for adjustments, etc. They are the best LapBand surgeons in NJ and did an excellent job of the surgery, but I don't have the kind of support I had hoped for due to distance and the busy office.

Not sure what to do or who to go to and I'm nervous as to the damage I may have caused. I have total confidence in them as surgeons but wondering if I should go to someone closer. I'm not even sure how surgeons would work that out.

[BrendaC]

Not keeping up appointments with your surgeon is a sure bet for failure. No fills no restrictions it's as simple as that. I hate to come over strong or sound mean but without follow up you pretty much wasted you time having the surgery. Call the office tell them it is too far to travel and ask for a referral near you. If they are the best they will sit you up with someone they trust and if no one is available. GET AN APPOINTMENT AND GO, it will be woth it. A fill every month for 3 or 4 months and you will be feeling satisfied and losing weight.The choice is all yours of course. You can find great support and encouragement right here but none of us can do what your doctor can do for you. Will you promise to call for the referral neraby? AND if there is no one will you promise to get an appointment? It's already been 2 and 1/2 years; appointments can not take that long to get! :-) Now I will come down off my soap box. The lecture is now officially over. Sorry, I just hate to see folks not reap the benefits of the band.

[Leenerbups]

Hi Brenda,
No problem. I know you mean well. :-) The problem is Medicare changed their policy about a month after my surgery and would not pay for my fills at the hospital my surgeons do them out of and I was pretty much left to blow about on my own in that regard. I wanted them, but could not get them. $600+ out of pocket I can't afford. I really did try, and I don't exaggerate about how busy the office is. I'd have to call and call and then yell just to get someone to call me back.

I'm looking for someone closer. Anyway, I don't mean to sound like I am defending myself but in a way I have to acknowledge the lack of aftercare I got and not from my own choice.

ANywhoo, now what to do about this soreness and such.. ANyone have any advice as to what my next steps should be?

[Leenerbups]

p.s. I woke up today with a white tongue and something funky going on in my sinus. I'm thinking it may be thrush because I use an inhaler and the other night it hit the back of my throat.

[kristina]

Leener-i agree with Brenda! u need to see a doc..any doc for your discomfort...and to make sure it isnt anything serious with the band. if your band docs office is hard to get into..find another one. they cant be that great if you cant even get in to see someone without yelling. thats absurd. find one closer. as soon as you can. take care of yourself! you are worth it.

[Dr.A]

p.s. I woke up today with a white tongue and something funky going on in my sinus. I'm thinking it may be thrush because I use an inhaler and the other night it hit the back of my throat.

Leenerbups,
It's been a while!! Please go see a doc right away!!! call them and tell them it is an emergency...the answering service should put you through one of the docs right away!! TODAY!! You need to make sure the band is ok and if it is strictly the band!! Have you been short of breath? What inhaler do you use? Is it a rescue inhaler like ventolin? or another? If ventolin it should not givr you thrush... and none will in just one day. If you can,t get your doc on the phone today and then see him tomorrow...Go to an urgent care clinic where they will take medicare or to anoter MD that will see you latest by tomorrow!!
For now, go on all liquids... clear liquids today no sugary stuff, and a couple of pro†ein drinks. stay on liquids until you see a doc in case it is a stretched pouch or a slipped bamd...hope not!!!! My biggest concern is to check for erosion at some point... Go call the doc now!!!

Good luck!

[Leenerbups]

Thank you for your kindness and concern. I just called and spoke with one of the new doctors on staff. That was pretty awesome. I guess things are changing. :-) He said it sounds like I have oral thrush and to go to a clinic today , but I'm also going on Tuesday to have them evaluate my band.

[Dr.A]

Thank you for your kindness and concern. I just called and spoke with one of the new doctors on staff. That was pretty awesome. I guess things are changing. :-) He said it sounds like I have oral thrush and to go to a clinic today , but I'm also going on Tuesday to have them evaluate my band.

I am so glad you talked to a doc and you will be seeing them. The oral thrush can be caused by steroid type inhalers... you need to rinse you mouth everytime after use. Also you need a spacer or aerochamber to use with each of your inhalers, unless of course it is Advair or Spiriva... keep us posted!

[kristina]

so glad to hear it!!!! keep us updated please! :)

[Leenerbups]

Back from a walk i clinic and they saw no infection to my thraot. So we will have to see why it's so sore on Tuesday. Perhaps reflux?

[BrendaC]

So glad to hear you are being seen on Tues. Keep us posted.

[Leenerbups]

I'm wondering if it's esophagealitis? My throat feels like it's on fire all the way down to the band.

[DeerCreek-125]

Good Luck, we will be thinking of you.

[Leenerbups]

Back with an update.

Okay, I have to make some decisions here and not sure what to do.
It's reflux. I feel it and it's coming up my throat at night. It seems my band only likes to get fills in small increments. Something hard to do when the doc is 100 miles from me.

I've been on fluids since yesterday and my throat feels better but I can still feel the burning in my lower esophagus, where the band is. And I'm taking Prilosec, Maloxx and Pepcid.

I'm also NOT seeing a doctor this week, the nurse told me they are not in until Monday. SHe was actually very hard with me, very impatient and frankly, a crappy bedside manner. Telling me in a impatient voice ;"We can't keep filling and unfilling you like this".
I was like "Huh?" This is only my 3rd fill in 2 1/2 years and the first time this has happened to me.

There is a doctor not far from me, but does not have the skill and reputation as my surgeons do.

Not sure what to do. Advice?

[Dr.A]

Back with an update.

Okay, I have to make some decisions here and not sure what to do.
It's reflux. I feel it and it's coming up my throat at night. It seems my band only likes to get fills in small increments. Something hard to do when the doc is 100 miles from me.

I've been on fluids since yesterday and my throat feels better but I can still feel the burning in my lower esophagus, where the band is. And I'm taking Prilosec, Maloxx and Pepcid.

I'm also NOT seeing a doctor this week, the nurse told me they are not in until Monday. SHe was actually very hard with me, very impatient and frankly, a crappy bedside manner. Telling me in a impatient voice ;"We can't keep filling and unfilling you like this".
I was like "Huh?" This is only my 3rd fill in 2 1/2 years and the first time this has happened to me.

There is a doctor not far from me, but does not have the skill and reputation as my surgeons do.

Not sure what to do. Advice?

Obviously these doctors should not have the reputation they do!!! I would go to the doc who can see me and treat me with respect. Your health is very important... from what you are saying you need to see a doc right away... go to the one who will see you right away and stay with them... you need at least a look via fluoroscopy to make sure things are right with the band... as it is you a re taking too many meds for reflux, and the true problem is not being looked at...

[kristina]

this is a no brainer for me...the ones that treat you badly- leave. the ones that are nearby and can get you in right away- go. good luck, and please let us know how the wonderful new docs office is for you. you deserve to be treated with respect!!!

[lyndele]

Hi, chiming in, here: It sounds to me as though you are really wanting/needing some changes - in both your health care providers and the way that your band is (not) working for you... it's good that you came here and asked for help.

As someone who would have to worry about expensive fill costs if I didn't have insurance, I can surely appreciate your situation. $600 seems like a CRAZY amount of money, though, for a very simple procedure. My doc charges an office visit for my fills (~$120 to my insurance company and my $30 co-pay). $150 for a fill seems a lot more reasonable and manageable.

If you find any docs locally who are willing to do the fills for you, do go ahead and let them know your financial situation. Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will give you a price break for cash payments. I wouldn't just ask the receptionist, however; they're probably not authorized to make exceptions to cost... maybe write letters to the area docs?

In any case, this is important to you - and after all that you went through to get the band, it's worth taking these final steps to make the band work for you. It sounds as though you were essentially abandoned after the surgery - and that's not something that should happen to lap-band patients. We need lots of follow-up attention to make sure that the band is working correctly. The installation of the band is really the smallest part of the entire process!

Good luck to you - please let us know how it goes from now on.

[Leenerbups]

Hello my new online friends. :) It really is a comfort to me to be able to come in here and get some support, especially after that call with the office nurse in which I got none. Still waiting on a call back from this new place.

I do feel like I was abandoned. Here is my story:

Back in June of 2007 I posted on another board looking for a fill doctor because a year and a half after my surgery I had only gotten 2 fills. 4 months later , a year ago this month I was desperate I still had not gotten a fill. Seems Morristown hospital is not a "Center of Excellence" so Medicare won't pay for the fills. I asked the staff at my surgeon's what will they do if Medicare won't cover them? How will you take care of me? And she hesitated and said she would call back when they get an answer.

2 months later and I still had not heard back.So there I am with a band that is doing nothing for me. I was banded in March of 05 and had 2 fills.

I think that is awful.

I went for my 2 year check up in April and the radiology doctor could not believe how open I was, he said it was like a normal stomach and asked me why i don't have fills, and it just made me sad to think I went through this surgery and now...nothing. I'm still unfilled 2 years later due to my doctor's hospital not taking my insurance for fills, and the staff has not worked anything out for me in regards to the doctor's fees to get fills.

Last month I pitched a fit and they gave me a fill. Guess what? I'm being billed OVER $600 for it and now having this terrible reflux problem and can't see anyone until next week.

I'm just worried about the damage the reflux is doing. My sinuses are bad now from it and although my throat is no longer sore. My lower esophagus BURNS and pulsates with inflammation.

And I'd love to lose the weight. I'd love for this band to work. I mean when you think about it, we had SURGERY to get our health under control. This for me was about living life and my health. It really depresses me what my journey has been with this sometimes.

[kristina]

well it sounds like you are on the right track to me. you are taking steps to take control of your health, your band and your medical care. i wish you nothing but the best, and i cant wait to see how this pans out. keep coming here for support..thats what were here for.

[itsfinallytimeforme]

This makes no sense to me that medicaire wont cover the fills as this is how the lapband works.

Now to the problem at hand, the reflux and the soreness could mean something serious like a slipped band or errosion.

Get yourself to the Dr asap, they need to check you out!!!!!

Second of all its time for some tough love!!! You cannot eat like you did before, four pieces of toast is not a good idea. God knows we have all been down this road making mistakes with our bands but please remember your worth taking control!!!! Make that appointment with your surgeon TODAY!!! You dont need a fill you need to check out this problem as soon as you can!!!

Take care

Jo Ann

[Stitchy]

Leener, where are you located? Maybe someone on the board can help you find a doc closer to you?

[redgrldj]

what about trying..... http://fillcentersusa.com/ see if they have a location near you...

[Leenerbups]

Hi all, just to update all of you, I have an appointment at the original doc tomorrow (100 miles away) to do an unfill or check things out.

There is a doctor only 10 minutes away from me in Barnegat NJ, but after a week of calling, I still cannot get anyone on the phone to schedule an appointment, so that is pretty ridiculous too.

Things seem to be getting better though, but still...

[susieq]

How did your appointment go today??? Hope you got the answers you are looking for.

[kristina]

im w/ susie..how'd it go?

[Leenerbups]

Hi everyone. Thanks for caring! :-)
Well, all was well with the band and it was my stomach swelling and being irritable, producing reflux. After a few more days of liquids and Prevacid, it felt much better, sore throat was gone.
Saw the doctor again 2 weeks ago and he actually said I needed more fill. He gave me a bit more and all seems fine now.
Thanks so much for all your help.