Ulcer? (Rant and questions)

Ok, let me start by saying I HAVE a doctor appointment made. I AM consulting my doc on this one.  I don't have a bariactric doctor, my surgen retired, so I'm seeing the doc that Tri-Care is sending me to.

That said: I'm having discomfort in my stomach area. Sort of like a burning pain, more extreme discomfort. I've noticed that I'm a bit gassier then usual. Food either makes it (the discomfort) temporarly worde or better. I HAVE been under stress, I quit smoking a week and a half ago- I just finished my term paper for a difficult class, and my Grandmother has not been doing well(I adore her so that's been worrying me). .  SO, I talked to my mom, I checked Web MD and everything points to ulcer. But how do ulcers even work in a RNY patient like myself? Would it be in the disconnected piece of stomach (and if it is how do they treat it?) or would it be in the pouch area?  Humm...

Anyone had an ulcer here? Or "tummy" discomfort (2 years out) that turned out to be something else?  Any info ya'll can toss my way would comfort me while I wait my week.  I'm not vomiting bile or blood.. and I'm more scared of emergency rooms then willing to sit in one unless I'm REALLY in pain..

what do ya'll think? help? please?

I have the same type of pains in my stomach area also. They are extremely uncomfortable at times. I have told my surgeon and he said that it could be heartburn type pain (which is unusual for RNY patients) or scar tissue that is cauing me discomfort. Tylenol does not work. Sometimes taking a antacid seems to calm it down a we bit. I am going to bring it back up when I go for my 3 year check up. I have suffered for over a year with it and I am totally tired of dealing with the daily pain. I will be curious to see what answers you get.
Cath

Cath, I'll let you know what answers I get after Friday. Here's hoping your problems subside.
`Amber

Thanks... I will be looking for it.

MacArthurBug:

Sorry you are having trouble, but congratulations on your amazing weight loss!

My RNY surgeon cautions me at every visit not to take aspirin as it can cause ulcers. Tylenol doesn't work well, and I've tried aspirin even though I shouldn't.

Please let us know what your doctor says as I also have abdominal problems. Since we can't have sparkling drinks or alka seltzer I take an antacid occasionally which seems to help. I find that yogurt helps or even milk helps.

I believe, though, that any discomfort is worth the weight loss and being healthier.
Hugs,
Rudie

Hi Gals,

I have heard of several gastric patients having/getting what they are calling internal hernias.  We think that my husband has one.  He has had Upper GI, Colonoscopy, CT. and everything comes back fine.  Now they want to do a laparoscopy so they can see from the from the outside (hope that make sense). Upper GI, and Colonoscopy they can only see on the inside.  Anyway when you see your doctor next time ask him about it.  Also I have severe head aches and my doctor perscribes me Ultram, it works very well for all kinds of different pains.  Tylenol doesn't even phase the pain for me.  

Best of Luck,  Hope you'll all feel better soon

Denise 

Denise,

To tell the truth, I'm almost hoping it's a hernia.  ANY sort of hernia will help me get cleared for plastic surgery later down the road. How sad is that?  That I want my pain to be something potentially damaging. 

I'd really rather it just be gas or somesuch, because I'm going in with a laundry list of sub-problems I'm hoping to find some relief on also.  (Back pain, knee pain, my low blood pressure, etc.) OBviously the tummy is number one, but if we can get that cleared up...

Rudie,
You're absolutly right. There's yet to be a something that makes me regret my choices. Sure, we all have bad days, but my bad days now are still better then my bad days when I was SuMO. Thanks for the kind words. I don't take pain killers of ANY kind unless I'm in a lot of pain, then if I do it's either naproxin (when I have bad monthly cramps) or tylonal (after a over enthusiastic workout).

Thanks for the feedback.  

I am going through the SAME thing right now.  My surgeon is afraid I have an ulcer and is sending me for a test where they put a tube down my throat to take a look.  He is treating me with carafate which coats my stomach and pepcid.  Let me know what you doctor told you!

Holly

My doc is gonna start me on prilosec, if it dosn't do anything for the pain after a few weeks then we'll be doing the barium test to see if I have any leaks. She thinks it's either an ulcer or serious acid.  So- prilosec first.  Thanks for the feedback everyone!