Email to Dr Byrne

Well, Just because I am lazy, don't feel well and wanted to try to explain what the heck is going on, I am just going to copy and paste the letter I wrote to Dr Byrne. Love you guys, Thanks, Deb Well, we are at a loss. My MRCP did not show anything, a little dilatation at 9mm-10mm for the common bile duct. The pancreatic duct is nondialated, no gallstones seen. "There is a 4mm cyst on the right renal interpolar region, otherwise normal. The spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands were within normal signal. No abnormal fluid collections. Visualized bowel is nondilated and appears grossly normal. Lower thorax is imaged incidentally, no pleural effusions are seen. The IVC is also patent and the s;enic, superior mesenteric, portal and hepatic veins are patent." Taken from the MRCP findings report. The only thing they found was a fatty infiltration in the right hepatic lobe, mild common bile duct and intrahepatic biliary duct dilatation. So, Dr Lee, the ERCP specialist said he could go back in and take another look, but he thinks it is probably a low probability that there is any blockage or stricture. He really thought it to be a risk for pancreatitis vs. the probability of there being something. He is going to do an EGD just to make sure no ulcer, but they did one in Oct, and he said he really doubted there was a chance for an ulcer too. He basically told me to get a 2nd opinion, which is what Dr Nguyen told me to do and also today my primary care doc told me to find another gastric bypass surgeon to get a 2nd opinion. It is just frustrating to be in this much freaking pain and to be severely nauseated 24/7, its unending, and all the CT scans with contrast ,and the MRCP and blood work for LFT's and CBC, and Met panels are coming back normal. I am just at a loss. I don't know what to do. Do I now just say, okay, I will be nauseated and sick for the rest of my life?? I can't imagine something coming on this sudden in the end of Januaray, and like it was in October, and for there to be nothing there. I am holding around 144-145lbs and trying to maintain protein, as I cannot eat much or I am very sick. I suppose I am asking you for help, and ideas, and I have no clue about other doctors here, and if not, I would rather just fly home and see you and see what you would do if I were there. It seems like we have done everything other than surgery again, but they are not wanting to do that because they don't see the point of doing it. I actually broke down in tears today with Dr Lee, because I am in so much pain, and I was actually happy that he could see me in pain, so I am just lost for options.

I am sorry you are going through all that. And I know it can be extremely frustration when all the test are negative or within normal ranges. I hope you hear soon from Dr B and that he has some suggestions for your Dr's out in CA. Good luck and keep us posted. Julie

Sounds a lot like what I have been dealing with. They have not been able to find anything wrong with me either. Hope you have better luck finding out what the problem is.

SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU'RE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS ... HOPE IT GETS BETTER FOR YOU ... QUICKLY!!!! HAVE YOU GONE BACK TO DR BYRNE? GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk

Deb, I'm going through the same thing. It started all of a sudden about 2 weeks ago. I had an endoscopy done on feb 7th and they said my hook-up had closed up so they dilated it. I felt so much better afterwards and was able to eat and drink with absolutely no pain for a week and 3 days. Then I was scheduled to have a second endoscopy done on feb 21st but the Sunday before I started to have severe pains in my stomach (not where the pouch is) it feels like severe gas that wont pass or constipation to the highest degree. I had the endoscopy done and they said it looked normal and the stricture was open. I had an appointment scheduled to see dr. b the following Monday to see if I could go back to work but over the weekend before my appointment the pain continued to get worse. I took several rounds of gas-x then had my husband buy me a laxative. I called the emergency after hours # but they couldn't even figure out what type of doctor to connect me to so I decided not to go to the emergency room. I started throwing up everything I tried to get down and whatever water or juice did make it down sat on top of the pain in my stomach and made it even worse. I saw Dr.B this past Monday and told him what was going on. He immediately told me I had to be admitted to the hospital and that he thought I had a blockage somewhere near or behind the colon or something like that and he actually scheduled me for surgery the next day. He sent me to have a swallow test and x-ray done in the main hospital and of course I did and threw up the barium right after. I went back to Rutledge tower to see him and he brought in another dr (Dr.Baker) to review the swallow test results, they both agreed that everything looked perfectly normal and that I may just be one of the 5% of gastric bypass patients who throw up for no reason at all. He put me on a really expensive medication (it was $50 for half the prescription) called Zofran and told me to take that with the reglan and pepcid 4 times a day to try to stop the vomiting, the other dr asked dr.b if he thought I may have a hernia but he pressed on my stomach where it hurt (yes that hurt like @#$&) then said there is not much more he can do about the pain there. He said the good news is that this does not last forever that it may last a few months. He told me that if after 2-3 days of taking this new med, I'm still unable to hold food down then he will absolutely have to insert a TPN (feeding tube). I am so bummed out right now cause the pain is still there and now on top of it I have to try to force food in which makes it even more painful or I'll have my life further interrupted by a darn feeding tube!!! Well, today is thursday and wouldn't you know as of yesterday the expensive anti-nausea medicine is now making me want to throw up. WHY DOES THIS CRAP HAVE FLAVOR IN IT? When it dissolves on my tongue it has a vanilla like flavor that makes me want to... well you get the picture. I am forcing myself to drink and sip broth from soup cause I just don't want a feeding tube. The pain is a little less severe but is still here. I hope you find some answers soon hun. I truly know what you are going through and this stuff is hard! I was not ready for all these complications. I'm 43 lbs down but what a price I've paid to get there. Take care and let me know what you find out. Robin

Oh Robin! I am so sorry you are having such trouble! I hope everything improves QUICKLY. I'll be thinking about you too! (((hugs)))) Kathy

Hi, hon! Now I know a little more of the story. I wish there was more I could do for you... And if there is, you know just to ask! In the meantime, you're in my heart & my prayers...

I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. Keep on top of those doctors until you get an answer. i will be thinking about you! Kathy