Looks like I am going to be losing my band

Well folks, I am here to report that things have taken an ugly and unexpected turn for me. It looks like my band friend is coming out, which makes me oh so sad. My nighttime reflux issues have become severe. I had an EGD done on July 30^th and was put on Dexilant for acid reflux. This worked for about 5 weeks and then I began having the reflux waking me at night again, plus everything tightened up despite having an empty band and vomiting started. I have been on a vicious cycle of vomiting, reflux, vomiting, etc. I have gotten to the point where I don’t eat, despite being hungry. I have lost 10 lbs in the past several weeks. I had an appointment scheduled with the gastroenterologist for next week and finally, yesterday, after crying hysterically about my plight (I am getting very depressed and hopeless) I called and got them to squeeze me in on an emergency appointment. She now feels that instead, I have a motility issue that is likely caused by the band and started me on Reglan, which is a drug I really do not want to take, however, I am desperate. I was able to take two doses yesterday, but still had my nighttime issues. I have placed an order form a New Zealand pharmacy for Motilium, which is recommended over Reglan and has far fewer side effects, but it is nmot available in the States. Gastroenterologist said start on the Reglan first until this one comes in and then switch. I am at the point where I sleep nearly sitting up and even then, I am up several times during the night. I am going to add in Omeprazole in the evening to see if that helps too. I called my lap band clinic, True Results and have an appointment to see the surgeon on Tuesday to discuss my options, but as far as I am concerned now, I just want to have a removal. I can’t live like this. I know I sound like such a Debbie Downer and I have purposefully kind of stayed away from posting because of this, but I need a lot of support right now. My constant crying and inability to function (due to lack of sleep) is affecting my family too.

Sounds like your band has slipped already, especially if you are having regurgitative reflux at night on an empty band, this sounds like it's getting urgent.

I know some surgeons will not remove the band until you can't get liquids down on an empty band, I agree this is no way to live and I would WANT my band out immediately. I agree about Reglan my band surgeon will not allow this on his patients. Sending prayers your way.

Thank you Naomi, it is a lot to deal with. I'm pretty sure it has slipped as well. It looked fine when the EGD was done, but I would not be surprised if it has slipped since then. Guess we will find out on Tuesday when we see the surgeon. Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.

Judy

Do you have the reflux even on a clear liquid diet? You may want to just only sip broth and clear liquids until you can get in to see your surgeon, I know this sux, but this may give you some temporary relief and, and try to apply a heat pad to your chest and drink liquid Tylenol to help with swelling. Either way, it sounds like your band is heading south regardless of how you try to deal with this.

Regurgitative reflux is the most dangerous thing for any lap bander, if anyone experience this right after a fill adjustment, they need to remove saline IMMEDIATELY, or if this starts to happen saline must be removed right away, but typically if this starts to happen after you've exhausted unfills, this is an indication that the band is slipping or has already slipped.

If you've already had an EGD they probably would have told you, if you have a hernia, hernia's can also mimic lap band problems and reflux issues, also I've seen people that lap bands that was just too small for their anatomy, your problems can be a variety of issues, if you are having these issues on an empty band, but slippage is usually the number one issue when folks continue to have vomiting and regurgitative reflux on an empty band. I hope you can get this resolved soon.

I'm so sorry to hear this Hope. I have some motility issues myself and the symptoms you have may not be from a slip at all.  According to my surgeon, some of us just have weak esophagus, but sometimes the pressure from the band may cause the weakness.  Talk to Jean M.  She had a similar experience. 

You're in my prayers.  Please keep us posted.

Lisa O.

I guess lap band symptoms can be very strange, but everyone that I've known over the years that had night time regurgitation had band slippage especially when the band was empty, or was too tight. My band almost slipped over 6 years ago, but I removed saline before damage was done -- I had the same regurtitative reflux issues with stuff coming up when lying down (which was horrible).

Regardless whether it's band slippage or esophagus motility issues, she needs to be seen right away and if it were me, I would get the band removed, if all these issues can't be resolved with unfilling the band/soft diet and medications.

You and I are having similar issues, for sure.  I'm pretty positive I don't have a slip, but know that I have slow motility and scar tissue built up under my band.  My grandmother had achalasia, so it might be a hereditary situation.  I am still hopeful that I can keep my band for a while, at least.  

Hope the new Meds work so you can get some rest!

First off, I can't tell you how sorry I am that you are going though this, been in the boat and know how much it stinks. I just hope you get some relief soon, that nigh time reflux can be so hard b/c it does not just hurt, it also effects your whole life because you lose so much sleep.

If I am being honest, I think I would suffer for a bit while I waited on the Motilium rather then taking the Reglan, it is SUCH a scary drug. I took Motilium for almost two years while nursing my son after a doctor suggested that I take Reglan (just a quick google search was enough to put me off it in a hurry).

Hope,

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Reglan is the devil, good for you for question its use.

Does your clinic do anything besides bands?  If not, you need to go to another source that can give you a more thorough answer than just remove the band.  Even if they do more than the band, you probably should get a second opinion so your mind is thoroughly at ease.

If I can be of any help, please let me know.

I am so sorry to hear you are having problems. It truely saddens me to see folks who love their bands end up with problems. It is so exausting when you are miserable and can't sleep too. I pray they will take care of this promptly so it doesn't cause any more damage. Just do your best to take it easy and baby yourself as much as you can.