Question about pain.

Hey all.  On 7Nov12 I had the Lap-band Surgery.  Since then I've had almost daily nausea and to make matters worse, about 3 weeks ago that GI virus.  Lots of vomiting.  Even before that, the nausea lead to vomiting several times a week.  Part of the problem was an intolorance to the protein shakes, and I found if I ate something solid prior to the shake I did not vomit.  I carefully measure my solid food to about 1/2 cup.  

Fast forward to about two weeks ago when I first felt a very sharp poking pain in my back just to the left of the spine and slightly below the ribs.  Feels like something inside poking me in the back.  Hurts like hell!  Its so bad I even an taking tramodol or hydrocodone then it is worse.  

Since it is in the area of the kidneys, went to family Doc to rule out kidney stones or infection with blood and urine tests.  Came back negative.  She suggest at that I see the surgeon.  Thurs saw surgeon.  He checked me out and getting a CT scan on Monday.  I asked him what in the world could it be, and his response was wait to see that the CT results might be.  

Meanwhile, I'm drinking my Ensure which doesn't make me too nauseaus.  Between the nausea and the poking pain not much quality of life.  I've been searching what in the world might this be, if it could be something with the band..  With all the vomiting wonder if it came loose.  Any one might have any thought of what this might be?  What are the symptoms of band slippage and could vomiting have caused it? 

Thanks for yoru anticipated responses.

John

Hi John,

The referred left shoulder pain is extremely common with gastric banding. It can manifest in the front left shoulder area, the back left shoulder area, around the ribcage and diaphragmatic region... and I found no pain medication worked on it at all. It's referring the pain from the diaphragm up through the Phrenic nerve system, specifically, the Vagus nerve. The band's presence so near the diaphragm and that particular nerve is what usually causes that reaction.

Sometimes it goes away on its own and sometimes it gets much worse. I had my band removed in 2005 and I still get the referred pain from the damage to my diaphragm.  You probably won't be able to get a diagnosis through CT scan or any other type of test... they come to the conclusion by ruling everything else out.

Google --- "referred left shoulder pain + gastric banding." There is quite a lot of information about it that might be helpful.

Of course, it might not be the referred left shoulder pain... it could be a slip or adhesions, or something else entirely. But I bring up the left shoulder pain so you can at least ask your surgeon about it. Sometimes applying heat to the abdomen helps. I spent a lot of time with a heating pad across my ribcage area.

Hope you feel better and it's nothing serious. Good luck to you.

~Nic

Sorry John...what a miserable situation.  I think you're doing the right thing by getting tested.  If your band surgeon isn't able to get to the root of your troubles, consider seeing a gastroenterologist for an answer.  Since they aren't focused on the band, they will explore all causes for your trouble, including the band surgery itself.

Keep us posted!

Please have your dr do a scan of your gall bladder!  Sounds just like gall stone attacks!!  I suffered a long time till a dr did a scan!

Good luck to you!

Doc is doing what seems to me as a general scan of the abdomen and pelvis on the order with oral and IV contrast.  This dang pain is very specific and is isolated to almost a point.  Not near the shoulder.  If I could point which I did for him, pointed to that spot about 2inches lt of my spine and an inch below my rib cage.  No food now for 5 days, only liquid.  Not sure if it is meds for pain, or liquid diet, but easing a bit now.  

For anyone who had a band slip, did you have any sensation/ feeling during that time.  What did it feel like?  Do you know if any of these things can unhook or become unattached?  Is there a strap that hold them on?  Could that be poking me?

((((Hi!!!)))

I had a slip, but I had Reflux. I had absolutely NO PAIN, only reflux.

  I went on a FILL / UNFILL merry go round for months. PA should have been asking me more questions, not giving me a FILL whenever I thought I needed one. In part to relying on my Band to do  my work. I needed to pay attention to understanding that "satisfied" feeling. I also, had  for had a couple of bouts of seriously stuck issues (stuck episodes were MY FAULT). Dr. said, violent puking can lead to a SLIP.

Talk to nutritionist about using a Pea protien shake. Its vegan.

Keep us posted.

prayers,

prek3