6yrs banded-chest pain

Hi All,

Its been many years since I've been to OH but I'm in need of some advice/input.  Last Sunday I experienced a sharp pain in my chest.  I suspect its band related because I've been to the ER twice and EKGs are normal and I have no other symptoms of heart problems...vitals all great etc. I was originally banded 12/06/06 in NE.  I moved to FL 3yrs ago and have had a terrible time finding a lapband DR that would take me, if they did it would cost $400 out of pocket, which I just don't have.  I have, however, made an appt with my Dr that installed the lapband since I will be visiting NE on vacation.  With all that said I have 10 more days to wait until I find out whats going on and this is driving me to anxiety/panic attacks.  Has any vet had this issue before? It feels like short sharp pinching pains, shortly after I hear/feel a lot of gurling noises like I did after my band surgery. The nurse that scheduled my appt tried to reassure me that if I was not throwing up and not having problems getting food down then I will most likely be o****il the appointment.  I have read up a bit on this and wonder if it could be gas related?? Anyone else experience this? I have limited myself to very soft food and liquids until I know for sure.  Sorry for the long post, but any input is welcome.

Thanks,

Annette

 

Sounds like esophageal spasms to me.  It DOES feel like a heart attack.  Big mega sharp pains.  An unfill will resolve it many times if that is what it is.

I've had my band since 1/07.  Once and awhile I get discomfort, but not sharp pain. For "me" its usually after I ate and probably a little too much. I get up and walk around and wear loose clothes for awhile. Glad you are seeing your Dr and did the ER thing to rule out the heart.  Maybe your band Dr could get you a referral to a Dr near you in Florida. A lot of Dr's will take you on with a note and records. Good luck and let us know how you did!

Could it be gallbladder? My pain always started in the chest. In fact my last attack sent me to the er I thought I was having a heart attack. They treated me as it was heart related and everything was ok and I was told to follow up with my Dr. Thankfully he sent me for an ultrasound and it turned out I had large mobile stones. In 2 weeks my gallbladder was out and I feel great. I had been having these attacks for about 5 months and thought it was just gas since my heart was always ok. Not to say its what is going on wth you. Good luck keep us posted.

Thank you everyone for your replies, you've eased my mind tremendously!  My only hope is that nothing gets worse or more damaged until I see my doctor.  I've thought of gall bladder as well, but ruled it out due to the location....hmmm, seems I was wrong on that one lol.  So glad my Dr also does gall bladder removals if that is the case.  Hoping and praying everything is fixable with nothing serious.

Thank you again!

I've had chest pains before with my old band and it was a hernia/pouch dilation, an Upper Gi helps, but often times does not show if something is wrong.

if you are having pain, try to go on liquids for a week and see if that calm things down,  if the pain persist, it may require surgery.

Good luck

I've had a dialated pouch before and it does feel similar to that, but I was able to get to my DR immediately for an unfill  4hrs later the same day.  This could be the same instance, I've just never had to wait 2 weeks before getting to my DR before, so I'm not sure if i would have kept getting the sharp pains.  Its entirely frustrating and very scarey. Each time it happens I panic, which of course doesn't make it easier to deal with lol. I'm extremely grateful for places like this forum that provide comfort in times like these.

If you still have saline in your band I would remove some, you may not have to get all the saline out, actually getting it emptied made my symptoms worse. Also taking some type of PPi for acid, helps also, like Protonix helps heal any type of inflammation for about 30 days.

But with pouch dilation removing pressure off the pouch helps in most cases and don't require surgery, just eating lightly for about 1 month and removing some saline helps and often times pouch dilation can be managed without surgery, just removing saline and going on a soft diet for a bit, but you always have to be diligent about your portion sizes WHEN FILLED tightly, but not so much when you the band is pretty loose.

Wishing you good luck with it.

I ended up in the ER for the same reason.  I thought I was having a heart attack too.    I was told by the dr and a few nurses that they have had a lot of band people with this problem.    They did do all the tests and it ended up being  severe spasms that hur like hell.  I was given liquid morfine and had to stay in the ER about 3 1/2 hours.

My band I hope to have taken out the end of September.  (I don't want to wreck my summer)

 

Good luck to you!

You many have a better summer if you don't wait.  Just a thought.