Really bad pain reflux

[Lovemylpband]

I was to tight so they brought me down. I have been on liquids since Tuesday. Reflux pain went away. I had some soft foods today. Did fine. Had jellos rice pudding around 8 tonight. Felt fine went to bed and now I have the worst burning feeling in my throat I have ever had in my life! Had some liquid pepdo (to tired to worry about the spelling) and threw if up! WT-!

Any ideas? I feel so bad I could almost go to the - -

[~Shelly~]

If you're feeling this badly I'd call the surgeon. This is what they are there for. I'm sorry I have nothing more to offer - here are some *HUGS*

[Phesty]

I'm sorry that you're having these difficulties. I'd say call the doc as soon as you can and in the meantime, go back to straight liquids to try to help the swelling go down. Has your doc said you can take Pepcid or another acid reducer? If so, maybe that would help.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

[sassy46545]

Diane,
My guess is that you're still too tight or the stomach acids (in the acid reflux) has irritated your "stoma" area and you're swollen. Try to keep getting liquids down, and even if you have to dilute some Mylanta with small amount of water to sip on it. sleep upright in a recliner chair or prop up your head with pillows until you can see your surgeon for another unfill or you get relief. Avoid chocolate based protein drinks as chocolate sometimes irritates an already acid stomach.

I went through this last year and ignored it long enough that when it finally got dealt with it was with a COMPLETE unfill. It started again late February and I dealt with it much faster but still deal with acid reflux to some extent. My latest self treatment is to go on a primarily bland diet.

Remember that the band magnifies any stomach upsets that we have. Heartburn etc isn't just "simple heartburn" anymore.

Best wishes in dealing with this, stay hydrated!

Tracy

[rose815]

Diane,
Tracy said it all. This happened to me too a year ago. I had to have a complete unfill from being too tight. CALL YOUR SURGEON!!!
Take Care,
Rose

[PhotoNut]

Sassy, you always give such excellent advice. :thumb:

Dianne, how ya feeling? Did everything get resolved?

[sassy46545]

Dianne,
Let us know what happened if you can. I got ahold of my doctor Friday and convinced him to see me immediately so I've just had my 3rd complete unfill in the last six months. I've decided to simply try to work without any fill in my band for awhile and see what happens. It will be more difficult to make my goal quickly..but I can't stand the constant heartburn and feeling sick.

A complete unfill is nothing to fear, it brings nearly immediate relief and a way to return to healthy intake with good food choices and I can rest again at night instead of having to doze upright in a chair.

I'm not sure why my body has not tolerated a fill for the last six months. In fact I've been struggling with being too tight for nearly a year. I had a x ray in late January and everything was as it should be according to my surgeon. Oh well, such is life with the band for some people.

Tracy

[Lovemylpband]

Hi,
Thanks for all the advice! I'm doing better although I do still feel burning in my throat a little bit but nothing to where it was thank goodness.
I have been in constant contact with my Dr.s office. So I'm staying with the bland diet and I'm sticking to bland diet. I do have an appointment on Friday morning so hopefully I'll be in great shape by then! I can at least sleep at night which is good!
I'm actually afraid of alot of foods right now! Never thought I'd say that!
Tracy I was deflated for pretty much a full year. It sucked! I gained around 30-40 pounds! 1.6-5 is where I did my best weight loss. That is where I am now so I really hope I can stay here!
Thanks

[Texasgal]

Dianne, I am just 9 days out from getting banded and don't have any answers but we are all pulling for you. You have friends here that will hold you hand and try and comfort..lots of good advice and sound reasoning. Hang in there...good to hear you are at least able to sleep better now. Hugs...take care

[Lovemylpband]

Thanks!
Well I'm back to not sleeping tonight and dry heaves and horrible burning. I had more soft foods yesterday ruN I had in 2 weeks! This really stinks.
I just sent the nurse an email asking to get in sooner than Friday. I really think it's time for more deflation!
I feel like crying tonight and I really hope I didn't do anything to hurt myself.
Sorry for the complaining. I wish I didn't.

[sassy46545]

Dianne,
It sounds like to me you need immediate deflation. Don't let the Nurse deter you from that. It takes only a moment to take fluid out of a band and brings such immediate relief. They can fit you in between other patients! Emphasize that you are vomiting, dry heaves etc...they are all trained to know that the convulsive stomach action is dangerous for the lapband because it can cause the band to slip.

You're going to feel SOOOO good when the extra fluid is out!

I truly understand what you're going through and sympathize!

Tracy

[Jill]

Here's what I learned about nighttime reflux:

Give your body at least 3 hours of NOT eating before you lay down to sleep. If I lay down earlier than that, I get the burning.
Also, if you feel it start, prop yourself up on some big pillows. Don't lay flat. That just makes it worse.
I still occasionally get it now, if I try to lay down too soon after eating, so try to avoid that. If you're only having it at night, these two tips might be enough to soothe.

[Lovemylpband]

Thanks!
I got more taken out and I do feel better. Last night and tonight I have women up around 4 am with slight burning but nothing like the last 3 weeks.
I'm going to give it until Monday and see what happens.
I stopped eating by 7 went to bed at 10:30. I did take some medicine around 8. I'm going to try to take it in the late afternoon today and see if that makes a difference.
Thanks for all your helpful advice.

[oursolidrock]

Did this ever get better Dianne?

[Lovemylpband]

Yippie YES! Finially! Thanks so much for asking!
I went to my Dr's office and he took more saline out but not all thank goodness! I also stopped taking my bedtime meds so close to bedtime and I now take them last in the afternoon or at dinner time.
Yesterday was the first day I ate non soft foods. I had a 1/3 of a hamburger and it was fine and I was satisfied! I'm so excited! Today for lunch a had a tiny bit of chicken and was good.
So I guess tonight is the real test since I'm now eating real food again.
I wish I had thought about taking the meds earlier sooner, but oh well you live and learn. Oh the other thing I'm not doing is eating past 7:00pm.

[MoOrLess]

I'm glad to hear things are improving Dianne...

[oursolidrock]

Dianne, I am so glad this has gotten better for you!! You were a trooper during this trial! I hope that the night time went good to last night! Good luck.

[Maggie63]

Hi Dianne-

I have had bad reflux, burning, and throwing up for almost 2 years now. I got a complete unfil about 6 months ago and it went away...but i gained 15 lbs!!! It has started again so my doc suggests that we take my band out completely and replace it with another one.

Has your burning subsided or are you still having problems?

Thanks!!

[Lovemylpband]

Oh Maggie thats aweful! I'm so sorry to hear that.
Mine has gone away 99.8%!
I'm eating earlier and less spicy has helped. I won't even drink red wine now cause that still bothers me. The medication has also helped a lot.
You might want to try to buy some liquid aloe and drin that. You can get it at the health food store. It has no taste, just like water. I've even kept it in the car with me and had some swigs during the day.
Let me know how your doing.