Question:
PROBLEMS LONG TERM POST OP ULCERS & PANCREATITIS FEEL TERRIBLE PLEASE HELP!!

I am about 20 months post-op lap RNY & this has been nothing but a nightmare for the longest time!! I've been in & out of the ER/Hospital/Drs offices I can't tell you how many times. People are starting to think I'm nuts & I'm starting to believe them!! I feel so horrible most of the time & have missed so much work I can't stand it! I've been fighting this marginal ulcer for I can't tell you how long. It's making me nauseated all the time!! Then the other day I ended up in the ER with a sharp pain on my left side they did blood work on me & my amylase # was 132 & told me I had pancreatitis gave me some pain meds & sent me home & told me to follow up with my PCP. I went to my PCP & he did more blood work on me the next day & apparently my amylase # went down some but was still on the high normal side. He said that calling it pancreatitis is just an excuse because my amylase # of 132 is marginal high. He also said that I would be fine & just kind of blew me off & told me to take Tylenol over the counter??? I still feel like crap & have pain & am nauseated!! Could my RNY surgery have caused this to happen? My PCP also told me to call my surgeon which I did & they told me to make an appt & come see them next week. I've been on so much pain meds lately because I've had so much abd. pain & my family is concerned about it which I understand! Also I have had my gallbladder out so that rules that out! What can I do?? I feel hopeless & really want to feel good again! Has anyone experienced this? Will this ever end? Any adivse would be greatly appreciated!!    — Allison T. (posted on February 5, 2004)

February 5, 2004
I'm so sorry you're feeling awful - getting blown off is totally unacceptable medical care. Any chance you can see the surgeon tomorrow? I'd sure call again and tell them you are REALLY in pain - this has gone on way too long! If you need to, go to ER again - be your own advocate! I obviously don't have a diagnosis for you but I'm sure there is an answer and I'm sure you'll feel better. The squeakly wheel cliche is unfortunately sometimes all too true in getting good medical care (I'm a nurse and I've worked in a hospital for a zillion years - people try really hard but it's a far too busy medical system right now and sometimes being a little bit of a pain in the butt is what you need to be.) Best of luck and a big (non-painful) hug to you - please let us know what happens.
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 5, 2004
Hi Allison: I have had a similar problem. Extreme pain on my left side...my pcp thought I was nuts also, but the pain was very real. Mine would only get REALLY bad in the middle of the night. I had some nausea with it. Suddenly, after about 3 months of all this horrible pain, it just went away as quickly as it came. Don't know what it was but I feel for you. I would get up in the middle of the night and take 2-3 darvocet and could hardly function the next day because of the pain meds. Good luck to you....Take control of your medical decisions with your Dr. I had to throw a complete fit just to get pain meds...
   — Joi G.

February 5, 2004
It's nice to know maybe I am not crazy. I am a May 03 model. Down 135 pounds. I also have been to the emergency room with intense left and middle abdomen pain, vomiting and very high bloodpressure. My bloodpressure is normal, even low as a norm. I have had gall bladder sonograms, blood test. They can't find anything. Pain killer relieve the pain, liquid diets for a week afterward. Then I am OK. I am begining to think I am crazy also. But then, I am not going to get out of bed in the middle of the night when it is below zero, to go to the emergency room. The pain is horrible. Otherwise, I am great. Cheryl
   — cheryl N.

February 5, 2004
I recently had some pain similar to this, but mine was from an ulcer and severe gastritis. Most of my pain was on my lower left side at my waistline. It felt like the worst gas pain imaginable, and it never let up. The doc gave me a prescription for Ultram for my pain, started me on Protonix for the ulcer, and had me take Carafate 4 times a day. Every day the pain eased a little more. It has taken me about a month to completely get over it. Honestly, I am not sure if the pain I was having was from the gastritis or from something else. It felt like it was intestinal. My doc did tell me that gastritis should not be causing pain in THAT area. I have heard of people having pain like yours that was caused by adhesions. Hope you get some relief soon.
   — J H.

February 6, 2004
I would get a second opinion from a endochrinologist and a gastroentrologist.
   — kultgirl

February 6, 2004
I'm 15 months out and had a lot of pain and problems keeping anything down. this went on for sometime with Carafate helping. I was unable to get enough protein and was really upset by the loss of muscle. I am better now and only occasionally have the problem. It was almost totally from a marginal ulcer and that I reacted to some of the medications that were suppose to fix me. I'm still glad I had the surgery but it was rough for quite some time.
   — Sandi O.