Hospitalized with extreme nuasia

My name is Ian Heard and my wife Shyla is the one who had surgery. She had laproscopic surgery on Nov. 9th this year at Portland Adventist in Portland, OR. dony by Dr. Thomas Eubanks. She did awesome for three weeks and then began to complain of pain in her chest and nausia. She called the office and told the staff of what was going on and they kept telling her to just keep trying. When they finally brought her up, (we live a 4 hr drive from Dr. Eubanks) they discovered a stricture that had completely closed off. The doc said it was the worst he had ever seen. He strethed her and then she went back a week later to have it stretched again, to 1.8 cm. Her nuasia never subsided and on Tuesday the 21st she was told to drive immediatly to Portland and check into Providence Portland. Today is Christmas day and my wife is still in the hospital and is still dry heaving all night and day. The doc removed a suture from her throat and stretched her again, this time to 2.0 cm. He said this is the first time he has ever had to readmitt a patient for nuasia. he said that if the suture thing didn't work that, and these are his words, "I'm at a complete loss." Shy was doing awesome for three weeks and now is hospitalized. Our kids, our family and myself are at our wits end. We want her back and Dr. Eubanks seems to not know what to do. Have any of you been through similar experiences? If so, what did you so? Please help me understand. I am trying to be the positive supportive husband, but I am so frustrated, worried, mad, sad, angry, and everthing else. I know that doesn't help Shy. I just want to talk to someone who understands. It's Christmas, and my family is hurting. Our mom, wife, daughter is getting worse daily, not better. Please help if you can. Thankyou, Ian J Heard

This post brought tears to my eyes. I had a different procedure the DS so I don't have to deal with the stricture you discussed but I too was just rehospitalized for 8 days due to pain in my chest and nausea. During my stay (at a horrible hospital) and after an upper GI (where I couldn't keep the barium down) and 2 CT scans they advised me I have an abscess which is a collection of infected fluid right under my diaphram and now I have this huge drain hanging out of me but I am out of the hospital. I go back to my actual surgeon on Wednesday of next week but until then they have me on rounds of Phenergen and antibiotics. The Phenergen helps some with the nausea but sometimes I still end up with the dry heaves. I can't imagine what your family is going thru - I will keep you in my prayers. *hugs* Elizabeth

Hi Ian, I am so sorry to hear about what you and your wife are going through. A woman in my support group had this problem and had to be dilated 6 times. She is now doing well so don't give up hope. I had other complications but am now fine as well ( and would do it all over again). I hope things improve very soon. DD

Ian, I , had open RNY on 11/23/04. At my 3 week check up I told my doctor I was having trouble with "gagging" very easily and he told me "I don't care about that unless you are vomiting". The very next day the vomitting began. So badly that I started to become dehydrated. Thursday morning I continued with it so called my surgeon immediately. He told me I would need to see a gastro doctor to be stretched. I waited all day for that office to tell me they couldn't get me in until Monday. By Friday morning my blood pressure was 98/50 due to dehydration so I went to the ER at the hospital where I had surgery (2 hours from my home) and was admitted, and started on an IV drip. The next day they did the endoscopy and did not stretch me. The doctor said I have an ulcer and other than that my bypass is clear. He also told me that my body is just trying to get used to having a smaller stomach. The dry heaves continued in the hospital even though he started me on new meds. I was discharged on Monday mostly due to my claim of you aren't doing anything for me here that I can't do at home. I am taking all of my meds as told and am vomitting and dry heaving worse than ever. By Monday I am sure I will be back at the ER if no doctors can get me in to see me, and of course my surgeon is now on vacation. His partner (I called late Friday night) said that I still might need to be stretched, that some people just need a larger opening. Now I am angry wondering why didn't they just do that at the hospital???? NOw I have to go back to that place?????? I'm feeling all the same emotions you are. I pray everyday that it will get better, but I'm afraid God has bigger things to take care of right now. I'm so angry that I have to go be far from my family again for something they could have done the first time around. I'm miserable feeling so bad and I am emotionally numb. I wish I never would have had this surgery, I feel as though it is the worst decision I ever made and I hate myself for doing it. It was just plain stupid. , I can't eat anything, I can barely drink and I just keep taking meds and sleeping because I am exhausted from all I am going through. Unfortunately I do not have words of encouragement for you. I can only let you know that I am going through the same thing as your wife. I pray both of us will be up and on our feet and doing well soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Best of luck and keep us updated on how she is doing. Dawn

Hello Dawn. Right now I am downstairs at the hospital. Shyla is up attempting a shower with the nurse. Married 8 years and she still doesn't let me see her naked. Listen, DO NOT blame yourself for these complications, DO NOT hate yourself or regret your decision to have this surgery. As a husband to someone who feels EXACTLY the way you do right now, just let me tell you in plain english, that is BS. It's hard right now, believe me I know. Your family and friends love you and they are as frustrated as you are. No they don't feel ill like you do, but they are hurting. If they were to hear you say that you hate yourself for doing this it would hurt them deeply. No, I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. Shyla has told me that same thing several times here at the hospital, and it tears my heart from my chest. I want so badly for her not to feel this way. Not only physically, but emotioanlly. God allowed this to go through. Yes, I believe he allows the complications too. You've been told numerous times in your life that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. IT IS TRUE!! Your family is with you, God is with you, and now my family and I are with you. You made no mistake having this surgery, so stop feeling that way. We all love you and it WILL BE OK. That is a promise. Doctors are good. God is better. Don't give up hope. In a years time you will look back on this time and find yourself stronger physically and spiritually. No doubt. No regrets. It is hard, but there is strenght inside of you far beyond your wildest expectations. It's hard to find, but it is there. Dawn, be strong. We are all here for you and pray hard for your health. And your peace of mind. YOU WILL GET BETTER! So will Shyla. Thank you for responding, it's good to hear another voice that seems so close to Shy's. Your words are so like hers, and she's the greatest woman I know, so you must be a very worthy person indeed. I don't need to tell you that though, just look at your husband, your kids, your friends. Their faces will tell you what you mean in this world. Sincerely, your friend, Ian J Heard

Hi, I had the lap. rny, and am having the same problems that you are. The doctor did the egd and said there was no stricture ( stretched it a little anyway) but found ulcers in my new stomach -which I've never had before by the way. I, too, keep dehydrating and can not stand eating anymore. It feels like having the stomach flu everyday. When I eat, things just kinda bubble around in there. Yuck. I was just inpatient again this past weekend due to severe dehydration and am feeling much better hydrated today. The doctor put me on an anti-nausea drug-Reglan which is normally used for patients going through cancer treatment and have nausea from the chemo. The way they explained it to me is it helps the stomach to know to push the food down and out. The meds seem to be helping, but it's too soon to claim a victory here. I'm just so sick of being sick. The other thing I wanted to say is my doctor, who is actually a great surgeon, isn't quite sure what to do with me, either. I do believe that they (WLS doctors) are at a a loss here with these types of complications. This bothers me a lot. I wonder if this doesn't now qualify for gastro-intestinal follow-up? The surgery itself went well-all has been checked twice now and was successful. This aftercare has been a nighmare. Anyway, hope this helps. The only complaint I have about the Reglan is it causes muscle stiffness. My arms hurt, but at least I can get food and water down. Take Care, Genny

Hello Dawn, Shy and Ian, I'm 15 months post op and it hasn't been a great ride. I've had lots of problems, which is why I read this board. I wish I had all good answers for you but I don't, but I do want to send my prayers your directions. Sometimes it takes quite a bit to get this sorted out, but I pray it all will get sorted out for both of you quickly. I will pray for your quick healing so you can get back on the losing path. Hang in there. ((((HUGS))) Nut

This is Ian, I have an update. It is now Monday afternoon and a second doctor has come in to talk to us. Basically, neither he or Dr. Eubanks can find anything wrong. They both say that she is perfect physically. They say that this is "anticipatory nausia". Basically, her brain is getting mixed signals and is "expecting" to vomit so her body does it automatically for her. We got a nice 15 minute lecture on the differences between retching and vomitting. Both doctors agreed that she needs to see a psychiatrist and get some kind of anxiety/depression medicine. Tomorrow at 2:30 Shy has surgery again, this time to insert a feeding tube into her stomach remnant. Dr. Eubanks said she may have it for a month, maybe several months. Basically until she "decides" not to be sick anymore. Both docs made it clear that they feel there is no problem, only a psychological "hiccup". Is it true? Are they right? I don't know anymore. It's so hard to watch her go through all this. Especially when she hears them say it's basically just in her head. Maybe it is, I just don't know anymore. Thank you all for your prayers, and I hope that all works out OK with all of you. You have helped alot just being there. Thankyou, Ian

Dear Ian, I have to agree with the advice of getting a 2nd opinion. To tell her this is all in her head is absolutely ridiculous and this is coming from someone going through what she is going through. THe good thing about the feeding tube is that thankfully she will be geting nutrients and everything that she needs into her system. I'm sure your wife is very hurt at their accusations that this is all in her head. I am already on antidepressants, and I am going through the same thing, so what excuse are they going to give me tomorrow? I do go back to the doctor tomorrow. I am seeing my surgeons partner since mine is on vacation and he has already informed me that he will most likely being readmitting me. I'm not looking forward to this at all. I still have blood clots in my arm from my last 2 IV's, and I am a hard stick. It's just more time for them to use me as a pin cushion. Your family continues to be in mine, and my families prayers. I hope to God that someone can find out what is wrong with Shy and fix her. Lord watch over this family and give them all strength to make it through this trying time. Love and Hugs, Dawn

Ian, Just wanted to check in and see how your wife is doing? I had to go back into the hospital last week and just got in last night, this time I had pancreatitis. I hope things are getting better. Dawn Ward