Spent the night in the ER - Tests were inconclusive
Hey folks,
So I had my first jaunt to the ER post-op. Decided it was better to play it safe than sorry. It started out the day before Easter. I had a lot of pressure in my upper abdomen, but chalked it up to gas or possibly constipation. The next day, the symptoms hadn't improved even though I'd tried GasX and Colace. By 2pm on Sunday I was doubled over in tears from so much pain. It was by far some of the worst pain I've ever felt. Even worse than immediately post-op. It was directly under my sleeve area, but above my belly button and ran horizontally across my belly. I felt like I was being impaled, like I was literally having my guts ripped apart. I was worried it could be an obstruction, so off to the hospital I went. My diet earlier in the day had been a thinly sliced piece of deli turkey with some muenster cheese and ranch dressing before church. I didn't eat anything after because of the pain.
I've been in Louisiana visiting family, so I had to educate the docs/nurses on the DS procedure. They did an EKG, CT with contrast, bloodwork, and in/out cath. Everything came back normal. He said there were no leaks or abcesses, no signs of impaction/constipation or gas, and not a stricture. They kept me there overnight on a bag of fluids and gave me a couple doses of Demerol and Zofran to help with the pain and nausea. They basically said they had no idea what was causing the problem. Glad it wasn't something bad, though. The contractions went away, thankfully, but I am incredibly sore in my gut from the pain.
A friend of mine who had RNY said it could be the nerves in the gut still waking up and overreacting with spasms. Seems likely. I haven't been able to eat much since.
I'm flying back to NYC on Thursday and seeing my surgeon that afternoon. I got the CT scan on CD just in case they wanted to look it over.
Just curious if this has happened to anyone else or if anyone had any insight.
So I had my first jaunt to the ER post-op. Decided it was better to play it safe than sorry. It started out the day before Easter. I had a lot of pressure in my upper abdomen, but chalked it up to gas or possibly constipation. The next day, the symptoms hadn't improved even though I'd tried GasX and Colace. By 2pm on Sunday I was doubled over in tears from so much pain. It was by far some of the worst pain I've ever felt. Even worse than immediately post-op. It was directly under my sleeve area, but above my belly button and ran horizontally across my belly. I felt like I was being impaled, like I was literally having my guts ripped apart. I was worried it could be an obstruction, so off to the hospital I went. My diet earlier in the day had been a thinly sliced piece of deli turkey with some muenster cheese and ranch dressing before church. I didn't eat anything after because of the pain.
I've been in Louisiana visiting family, so I had to educate the docs/nurses on the DS procedure. They did an EKG, CT with contrast, bloodwork, and in/out cath. Everything came back normal. He said there were no leaks or abcesses, no signs of impaction/constipation or gas, and not a stricture. They kept me there overnight on a bag of fluids and gave me a couple doses of Demerol and Zofran to help with the pain and nausea. They basically said they had no idea what was causing the problem. Glad it wasn't something bad, though. The contractions went away, thankfully, but I am incredibly sore in my gut from the pain.
A friend of mine who had RNY said it could be the nerves in the gut still waking up and overreacting with spasms. Seems likely. I haven't been able to eat much since.
I'm flying back to NYC on Thursday and seeing my surgeon that afternoon. I got the CT scan on CD just in case they wanted to look it over.
Just curious if this has happened to anyone else or if anyone had any insight.
5'10", HW: 326/SW: 280/CW: 181/Goal: 165
Melody,
What about a gas bubble? Didn't you have your surgery done LAP? I've heard a number of people that had LAP complain of severe pain in different areas that turned out to be left over gas from the LAP procedure.
(edit) Also since you did fly, the reduced atmospheric pressure in the aircraft cabin could have contributed to a bubble getting loose.
Haven't had anything like that myself.
Kerry
What about a gas bubble? Didn't you have your surgery done LAP? I've heard a number of people that had LAP complain of severe pain in different areas that turned out to be left over gas from the LAP procedure.
(edit) Also since you did fly, the reduced atmospheric pressure in the aircraft cabin could have contributed to a bubble getting loose.
Haven't had anything like that myself.
Kerry
Are you on any zantac or like meds? I was having a similar problem it would put me to the floor the feeling that my stomach was being torn in two and it was a burning ripping feeling, I also thought that it was constipation or gas, I went to the doctor and he put me on zantac. I have not had any other episodes since then. You may want to talk to your doctor about trying that. Good luck and hope you figure it out soon.
Alicia
Alicia
I had an RNY and about 10 days later I had the worst pain in my life, it ran horizontally across my gut and I thought I was going to die.
Turned out to be gas. You have no idea how much I respect gas and muscles, they should have their own religion.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Turned out to be gas. You have no idea how much I respect gas and muscles, they should have their own religion.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
SW 358/CW 201/Goal - anything below 160
Angel to TEAZ (Michelle) 
I hope it never happens again!! hugs, Felicia 
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