Difference between gas and a stuck pill?

Help! For the past 2 days, I've felt an uncomfortable pressure from my throat to my chest. It sort of feels like something is stuck, but I don't know what that would be other than my pills (which I cut) since I'm still on all liquids. I've been burping occasionally too (very unusual, forceful burps), and I've had lots of gas pains "farther south" as well since the day of surgery. Could a pill actually be stuck for a couple days? Is it more likely to be gas? I've been taking about 6 Gas-X a day as well as 8-10 Tums. Could either of those be making this worse instead of better? What can I do for some relief? I was awake for most of the night last night from the discomfort, and my clinic obviously isn't open over the weekend.  

If the pain is so bad you can't sleep, I think you should call your surgeon - they should have 24 hour a day coverage via a service, and someone can call you back. You can ask if they can advise on whether you can wait it out or need to go to an emergency room.  If your surgeon doesn't have weekend coverage for patients, does your insurance include a dial a nurse service?  I have Aetna and I can call to speak to an RN at anytime.  Just something to check. 

Thanks, I don't know if it's that bad yet, so I was trying to hold off until my follow-up on Tuesday. It's a little better now. I'm thinking it's probably gas, but then the question is why I've been so damn gassy for 2 weeks!

Maybe heartburn?  Do you take a PPI?

I took Prilosec twice a day before surgery but was switched to Pepcid (20mg twice a day, a pretty hefty dose) by my doc for after surgery. It maybe does feel a little like heartburn, but my GERD didn't even cause heartburn pre-op, just nausea. Can that cause lots of gas throughout the entire system too? My mom thinks I may have developed an intolerance to artificial sweeteners, but if I can't have those or sugar, my options are even more limited on the all-liquid stage.  

hmmm, lots of people do have trouble with sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.  I know heartburn is supposed to go away for people after RNY, but not for everyone. Not for me.  I guess you will find out soon when you get to your regular diet and can eat clean.....protein and veggies and see if it clears up.  Then it might be the artificial sweeteners.  

Ulcer?  Not to try to scare you. 

If a pill gets stuck - i can't get anything down, water, etc. 

Thanks, I'm pretty sure now it wasn't a stuck pill. I doubt it's an ulcer either since I just had an EGD in March that was normal except for some erosion from GERD (that's when I decided to go with RNY instead of VSG).

I think I'm just gassy -- out both ends (sorry, TMI)! Artificial sweeteners seem like another possible culprit, so I'm trying to switch from Crystal Light to tea (I've never been a tea drinker). I also started taking Tums again a few days ago and wonder if that may be causing problems instead of helping them. I'm going to try stopping them again to see what happens.

Do you know if it's normal to still have issues with gas 2 weeks out from surgery that could still just be after-effects of the surgery itself?

I Still have gas problems almost 2 years out. I get the worst stomach aches from gas. I have even gone to the ER a couple of times because I was sure it was something serious! Lol. My poor hubby.... But I've learned that if I lie down on my side it helps to release gas and I feel better. Weird. Everyone is different and learns what works for their body. And I know what foods cause more gas for me and to avoid. Tums etc...don't work for me. Good Luck!

Ella

Gas from surgery feels different than gas from food.  

Take it easy next couple of days since you are seeing a doc on Tuesday, hopefully he can help you. 

Again - don't want to scare you- But because you did not have in ulcer in March, it does not mean you can't have one now. 

Sometimes incision of the pouch heal slower, creating very sensitive spot - area inside  the pouch...

Good luck. Btw when i get ulcers/pouch irritation, anything acidic (including crystal light) would hurt ...