Do not forget to take your Acid Reducer

Hey everyone -

I was doing great, was starting to feel human again..  Then on Monday afternoon I started to get a burning in my pouch.  It was really bad!   I talked to LoveforCats & she reminded me about taking my pepcid. OHH OOOPS, crap I had totally forgotten to take it.  I was so worried about my protein & fluid intake I totally spaced about the pepcid.

Well, I got to the point on Monday night that I was folded over in pain & was vomiting.  Kris (my husband) was like OK can I take you to the hospital now??    Anyways yeah, that ride to Fremont is LONG! when your in pain let me tell you.  At least every bump didn't hurt this time.  We made it to Fremont in like 46 minutes (I don't even want to know how fast we were going). 

The RN's rushed out got me in the car & ran me into the ED room.  The instantly started IV's & the Dr was in the room before I got there. I was so shocked how fast everyone was moving around me.   They did blood tests, x-ray, & scans, yeah drinking that yucky stuff while vomiting isn't fun!   What they figured out was the stomach acid had backed up in to my pouch and was burning the hell out of my incision.  When they make the incision in your stomach to make the pouch, there is an exposed part where the lining hasn't formed yet.  

I was down for the count yesterday slept all day & I mean I think I was up maybe a total of an hour all day.  Today I feel great!    

Moral of the story, don't be a dumb ass like me and forget to take your acid reducer.  Trust me I won't ever forget to take my pepcid ever again!!!!!!!!   

Once again I can not say enough nice and wonderful things about the Fremont Kaiser.  Everyone was so kind, sweet and had so much compassion with me.

Wow,

Lesson learned Im sure. I will make sure I keep this in mind as Im getting closer to surgery. My prayers are with you for a quick speedy recovery.

My surgeon has all patients take Pilosec script for 3 months post op. For most patients, this is usually good enough. I personally knew one patient who had issues without it at around a year out, and she said she will probably have to take it forever.  Doc said that happens once in a while. DAVE

Michelle, I am so sorry that you ended up in the ED, but it was right decision to make. Going to any other Kaiser may have been problematic. Lesson learned for me: Go to Fremont, if I am having problems.

Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

I had been told by someone else not to even bother to go to another ED.  My mom tried to pull off & go to Walnut Creek ED, but I kept insisting she go to Fremont.  I am glad she listened.  I wasn't at a point where it was life & death so I knew going to Fremont was the best.   They know what they are doing the ED Doc almost knew instantly what was going on, but wanted to be on the safe side and ordered all of the tests.

The only other ED that I would consider to going to, would be Kaiser Richmond, since they have a bariatric program.

Michelle~
What a scary and painful situation you went through. I'm so glad you are doing better. Thanks for the advice, something I will not forget. 7 days and counting for my turn!

~Hugs~
Marie

Michelle,

So glad you're doing well and that you thought fast and took care of yourself.

Don't feel alone, I took the liquid pain med on an empty stomach and feel faint on the floor!  Lesson learned and you can bet I never did that again!

Hugs,
Barb

I took that first dose of liquid pain med too fast and almost harfed it all up. That was a painful experience but it taught me not to swallow anything too fast again. Holy Cow!

Thanks for the reminder Michelle!! I just took mine because you reminded me.

Also, great tip about just going directly to Fremont. It is about 45 min from me too but sounds worth it! Hope you recover quickly!

Cindy