Stuck Syndrome?

Lately, I have been having a problem with most food that I am eating. I had heard about Stuck Syndrome on the main message board. I don't know if I'm eating too fast or if I'm not chewing enough, but I have this sensation that the food just won't go down. I know it's not eating too much. Last night I had two bites of yakisoba noodles and ended up throwing up! Anyone else having this problem? Kathleen

Hey Kathleen I understand what you are saying.. I seem to have the same thing going on.. I still cant take hamburger meat..Think that it is to dry going down or something.. And I do both the eating too fast and not chewing enough. Some days seem worse than others.. If I start off the day having troubles getting food down, I have that problem all day long ..My safe food is applesause.. If all else fails. It will go down.. Isn't this fun.. I'd still do it in a heartbeat.. GerrAnn 244/215

Hi Kathleen, I'm here in Mexico, I had my surgery on 3/8/05. I'm leaving tomorrow, earlier today I read your post, so when Rosella came for me to get my tube and and 1/2 staples out, I asked her reguarding the stuck symdrome and explained to her how you felt. She said to drink grapefruit juice. It helps make your stmach work and delute what ever you have in there. But most important part is that you need to chew, chew and chew your food well and slowly. Hope this help, please let me know. I might need it in the near fture. Belkys 226/215/102

Belky's that was nice of you to ask Rosella regarding the stuck feeling. Eventhough I have not had the surgery yet, I have heard abotu the stuck feeling and how uncomfortable it can be. Kathleen please let me know if you tried the grapefruit juice and how if it helped? I am looking for all the tips I can get so that I can be prepared. Please keep me informed

Kathleen, After hearing about your pain I did a search through the message boards and found several remedies to help rid the stuck feeling: Hi Everyone! I've been in pain since about 2 hours after dinner yesterday (it's now 3 in the morning). I came to the message board and library to look for ideas. Had tried vomiting, moving around, going for a walk, massage, relaxation, sleeping, taking my nightly Prilosec, but nothing worked. I tried the "hot tea" trick I found here on the library - worked wonderfully! The poster had said it would either help things down or help things up. After sipping on it gingerly, I could feel things starting to move, started to burp a bit, etc. About 10 minutes later I vomited up part of my dinner (felt like it was really down there!) and now feel sooooo much better. This was my second experience with stuck food - I'm 5 months post and everythign else has been great, great great. I hope this helps at least one other person! =) Sarah - Sarah Collins Here is another trick I found: Person writes: i'm 9 months out now, but at 3 i had one blockage, my surgeon told me to drink club soda, wait 2 hours and call him back, in 15 minutes i felt it going out of my stomach and out of my body 15 minutes later.. I hope this helps guys... Let me know if it gets rid of that horrible feeling because if it does, then I will try it when it happens to me for the first time post op! Good Luck Ronda

Kathleen, You are at a prime place in your healing journey to have developed a stricture (narrowning of the stoma). I know lots of people have them at around this time. You really might go into the library function and do a quick search. Some people actually have such a hard time getting/keeping anything down that they end up dehydrated and hospitalized. Others can keep down liquids and that's it. I know Dr. Aguirre recommends going back to liquids for a period of time. Hope you are getting in protien shakes at least. I know Sandi M had some stricture problems and so did Latrisha N. You might want to check their profiles for any info. Sandi had to have a couple dialations I think. Anyway, please keep us up to date as to how you are doing. We'll keep thinking about you!!! Molly

Part of the problem might also be the types of foods you are eating. I used to love rice, pasta, noodles. Carb heaven! But even now, 16 months post-op I have a hard time digesting them and can't imagine eating them at four months out. At four months I think I did a lot of cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, chicken soup, etc. Try to avoid heavier foods and stick to things that go down easier. Might help, won't hurt.

You guys are so great! And Belkys, THANK YOU FOR ASKING ROSELLA!! I will try these suggestions. I only seem to have this problem during the evening meal so I will keep you all informed. I really do appreciate everyone's suggestions and research!

I came home from work and had a Ry-Krisp cracker with cheese. And, true to form, I get that stuck feeling. I sent my son to the grocery store for some grapefruit juice. I took a couple sips and thought I was gonna die! The stuck feeling got worse. I got the mouth sweats which normally happens when I'm going to throw up. So, I did. And the stuck feeling was gone. Maybe the acid in the grapefruit juice kills the stomach foam or something. (Can you tell I'm not a medical professional???) Kathleen

I'm glad it worked out for you, So that means it works. That's good to know incase it happens to me. Take care, Belkys 226/215/102