food seems like my enemy right now

Gosh food used to be my friend, but right now it only seems like my enemy. I ate a crab cake for dinner only the inside about 2 oz. and i made it last about 45 minutes, because i take breaks because after a bit or two i feel pain (a little pain) well about 5 minutes after i finished i am feeling tremendous pain and it feels like a vice between my chest. it has lasted for about an hour now, i am trying to be patient, well within the last half hour i have been burping a lot. I tried some liquids but that is hurting too. I just had a bit of the foamies, and i kind of hope the pain will go away without throwing up, but the last time i was in this intense pain, I did finally throw up after 4 hours and then i felt better. (that was the last time i ate scrambled eggs) and now I guess this is the last time i will eat crab. At least for a while, there is many other things to try. I am still having a hard time with foods that are not moist, it is very frustrating. I am trying not to be too scared to try foods because it is such a learning process. i am down around 35 pounds, but I believe if i get more protein in and more liquids i can do much better. Hope you all are feeling better and better everyday. xoxo Sheryl

Sheryl, I know it can be frustrating... but the important thing to remember is to listen to your body. When you feel pain stop. Maybe you shouldn't be eating two ounces. Just because others can does not mean you can. I am out a little longer than you and can eat a 1/2 ounce crab cake. Just one. My friend is 3 weeks longer out than me and can eat a 2 ounce crab cake from Trader Joes. We do what our bodies tell us to... Good Luck, Tonya

The problem is the word CRAB has all the same letters as CARB. Could be the problem. Feeling better yet? Faith

Thanks laughter is a healer!!!!!!!!!! It is the next morning and I am feeling better!

Just because you throw up one time on food doesn't mean you can NEVER tolerate it. I threw up the first time I had scrambled eggs post-op, but now I am able to eat them just fine. It's scary to try things again, but our bodies are weird. It'll reject something one time and the next time accept it. Go figure. Yep, that chest pain thing - throwing up is the only solution I have found to work for me. I don't like being in pain for hours on end. When food is ready to come up, I don't hold it down. I let it come up. I know these little things like this will pass with time (that's what people tell me), but the first few months are tender. Hang in there!! Hugs, Trisha P.S. Congrats on 35 lbs lost! Yay!!

That sounds a lot like my symptoms, just before I found out I had a stricture forming. For me it kept getting worse and worse until one weekend I couldn't hold anything down. If these symptoms continue, contact your doctor. Don't wait as long as I did!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck, Billie

Hi Sheryl - I'm a little concerned that you may have the start of a stricture! You sound like your symptons were like mine and only got worse to the point of not being able to keep anything down. I had surgery on 3/30 and have had 3 endoscopies since. I have to have another on june 13th. Don't assume it is the food if it continues. Check with your surgeon. It could be a stricture. Good luck and take care. Sue

Thanks so much! something weird is going on my date say 1 of 1995 and so do many of the replies. Actually i had a great day with food today, I couldn't imagine eating smaller bites and slower from one bite to the next... but may be that is what has been happening, i only threw up once since my surgery on 3.28.05 and then had the foamies 2x, the last time i had went to the surgeon he wasn't concerned about the stricture, but i will start keeping a journal and I will go back to the surgeon soon. Thanks again xoxo Sheryl

I'm going to echo Suzy and Billie above me--I had very similiar symptoms and sure enough, I too had a stricture. Listen to your body and if it gets to the point where you can hold anything down, go to your doctor. There is no need to be miserable. I too get the chest pain. Per my doctor, I was either taking too big of bites or eating too fast. Obviously you are taking your time with it, so maybe try smaller bits--I found using baby utensils have helped me out a lot. Keep your head up and when it hurts--stop. Put the food back on the shelf for 2 weeks and try it again. Make sure you are able to get enough liquid in though--dehydration ontop of everything is NOT FUN (I know this by experience!) I'm sorry you aren't feeling too hot, but I hope it's a little bit better. If you keep getting this same thing-contact your doc for sure! I'm thinking of ya!!! --Courtney

Congrats on being down 35 pounds- that is awesome! I think with food it is going to be trial and error for a very long time. I hope you dont feel that way after every meal you eat. If you do, I would get it checked out. I hope you are feeling better and hang in there. Bonnie