Peptic Ulcer

Has anyone had a peptic ulcer following weight loss surgery?  I am 5 years post-op and  I know have one.  It was terrible, I started bleeding, was in ICU for 4 days and received 4 units of blood.  Thanks....
                                        Robin

Yep - I had one in February 2006, when I was about 8 months out.  I was hospitalized for 5 days and received 3 units of blood.  I was on a couple of different medications for the next three months to heal the ulcer.  Not a pleasant experience.

Pam

Thanks Pam....I am on 3 meds right now and have to be re-scoped next Friday to make sure I am healed.  I also have H-Pylori and need to be treated for that.  That's another story and the treatment is terrible from what I have heard.  Its 2 antibiotics and 1 acid blocker taken all at the same time twice a day and you also chew 2 peptobismols 6 times a day.  From what I have been told, the H-Pylori caused the Ulcer.  I know I was checked for that 5 years ago prior to my WLS so I must have picked it up after-wards.

Glad you are better and thanks for your reply back.

                             Robin

Hi Robin,

Yes - i've heard a lot about H-Pylori and ulcers, however, mine was not caused by that.  Mine was more of the "garden variety" type, probably caused by stress.  I had then and continue to have a lot of stress in my life.  But, then don't we all.  At least my ulcer never came back!  (knock on wood!)

I was wondering if you had any prior symptoms until the bleeding began?  I did not, except for extreme fatigue literally a few hours before the bleed started.  When I did begin bleeding, it was a hemmorage (sp.?) and by the time I got to the ER, I was pretty much out of it.

All the best to you in your recovery process.

Pam

Good Morning Pam,

I had no symptoms at all.  Two weeks prior I had a hernia repair and was recovery from that.  I woke up that morning throwing up and pooping blood.  Called my surgeon thinking it was related to the hernia surgery.  He told me to take over the counter acid blockers and I just took one.  I got up to go to the bathroom and passed out.  Luckily, I was staying with my parents will I was recovering and my mom found me.

911 was called and they took me to the ER where I work and that was the end of me.  I was out of it like you were but I remember someone asking me my weight and I was proud to tell them.  For years I lied about that but now...I can say it with joy.

I am better now, still recovering from the hernia procedure (my 2nd one in 15 months) and I go back to work in 2 weeks

Thanks for your reply and continued good health.
                      Robin

WOW!  As you found out, ulcers are nothing to play around with.  I was surprised to read that when you called your hernia surgeon, you were told to simply take an anti-acid.  Poopng blood is definately something that needs to be investigated immediately and is certainly  unlikely to be related to anything to do with acid reflux or things of that nature. 

Gee, I hope he (or she) did a better job on your surgery that the advice given when you called about what was happening!

Anyway, I am sure you are still quite tired.  Hopefully, in two weeks you will be able to deal with work again.  However, I am sure you have been told that the fatigue can last for a few months.

Best of luck! 

Pam

Thanks Pam and best of luck to you too.
                     Robin