Need Advice - Anyone Else?

I am 18 months out and doing well. I just need advice on an issue I have been experiencing for the past week to week and a half. I have had extreme pains like stomach or gas cramps. I am not constipated and do not have diarehea, thing in that aspect are normal. I have been feeling sick to my stomach and then periodically I get these pains. Stop you dead in your tracks make you want to cry pains. I dont know what the problem could be. My only other thought is that I had been having trouble with my back and the doctor put me on vicadin. At first I thought possibly this was irratiating my system and therefore causing the pains. Now its to the point that I no longer need the vicadin for my back, but the cramps/pain is so intense I have taken them a couple of times for that. So...................... any thoughts or ideas? Becky

Becky, What area of your stomach is the pain in? MaryLyn

Could be an internal hernia.... Cindy

Becky, Are you taking your vitamins? The reason I ask is because, at about 18 months post-op, I was having strange pains in my waist area on the left side and they would be so strong that I would sometimes have to stop what I was doing. My doctor did many tests, sent me to several specialists, had ultrasounds done and no one could figure it out. Around that same time, I realized that I hadn't been taking my vitamins so I began taking them regularly again. The pains went away and never returned except for another time when I got off my vitamin regimen for a month or so - then the same pains returned. I immediately started back on vitamins and have been pain free ever since! I can't explain it but I know it works. I'm 3.5 years post op now. I hope you find your culprit! p.s. vicodin also gave me stomach cramps a couple of times if I took them on an empty stomach. Best of luck! Paula

Becky: I wake up overnight periodically with intense cramping pain. I usually have to get up and walk around until it's gone. I think it's some kind of an intestinal spasm related to our WLS. It usually passes after a short time. Sometimes if it's intense enough, I'm actually sore afterwards. It's almost as if the intestines get kinked up. I have alot of adhesions, don't know if this could be a cause for this type of pain? It scared me alot at first, but I find if I try to stay calm, breath slowly and walk around, it passes. Have you talked to your surgeon about it? I did tell mine about it, and he didn't seem terribly concerned about it, just said it was a spasm?? Wish I could be more help, but wanted you to know you're not alone! I would talk to your Dr, to be safe!! I basically am just learning to live with the occasional pains. DeeAnn

Becky, I'm 3 years out and have had similar problems. At first my doc thought it was my because of my gal bladder but after having it removed I still ran into the same type of pain.... I also find that when I'm off my vitamins or eat any thing really greasy it's far worse. It's much better now but when I wander off my "plan" I go right back stomach pains. I would keep careful track of what you're eating and see if you can find any pattern.

Becky, please don't hesitate to contact your dr. Read my profile and the messageboard back from early July. I had the same thing and it was an internal hernia. Went through all the tests which came back normal. Not saying that this is your problem, but I almost waited too long (so my dr said), Please get it checked out. May God bless you. Georgina

I'd suggest you talk to your surgeon today. A co-worker had wls 18 months ago who had similar pains. When he finally went ot the emergency room he was told he was within hours of being dead. His intestines had wrapped around each other and herniated. I haven't talked to him personally so I don't know all the details. He is doing fine after having surgery to repair the problem. I'm sure many things could be causing your pains. It could be as simple as an ulcer that can be treated with medication. It could also be your gall bladder, but pain is an indicator that we need to see a doctor sooner rather than later. My guess would be gall bladder but I'm not a doctor. Best of luck!

Becky, I had pain like that, I think we traced it to an excessive amount of artificial sweetener. It can cause a lot of gas to build up in your system, and thus the pain. Try cutting back on that. Mine was in the form of Crystal Lite, and once I cut back to only one glass a day, I was better. Good Luck. -L.