Question:
What could be causing this pain?
It has been almost three years since my gastric bypass surgery and I have lost 170 lbs. and never had a problem. I had hernia repair (3 hernias) and an abdominoplasty on Nov.30...that was quite an ordeal! On February 3rd, I started having the worst pain of my life, it hurt so bad that I really couldn't tell where it was originating from, the pain is from just below my breasts all the way down my stomach and going all the way around my back (I don't have a gallbladder), my pcp didn't know what the problem was but he checked me for pancreatitis which I didn't have and told me to see my bypass surgeon..well, I started feeling better and never went to see him. Then this past Thursday it all started again..the worst pain imaginable, I wound up at the emergency room and they did a chest x-ray, an x-ray of my abdomen, bloodwork and a urinalysis...all came back fine, so they also recommend that I see the surgeon which I am going to do this week. I can't eat, everytime I eat anything the pain starts again, even mashed potatoes which I tried last night. What could be wrong???? — Brenda V. (posted on February 28, 2005)
February 28, 2005
Brenda,
I'm not a Dr or Nurse so take this for what it's worth. A member of our
local support group had the same type pain several months after WLS and
come to find out she had 8 abscesses in her abdomin where the skin did not
adhear back to the abdominal wall and allowed fluid to build up and
actually decay the skin above. It was very unpleasant and she had to be
reoperated on to repair it. I would talk to whichever surgeon did the
hernia repair and abdominmoplasti and have them do a CT scan to check for
abscesses. Hope that helps.
Sherry
— wealthgvr
February 28, 2005
I went thru something similar, was afraid to eat for awhile. The pain
usually started 30 minutes to an hour after eating, would last anywhere
from an hour to 4-5 hours but always went away without intervention. This
time it didn't so I went in the hospital as an emergency admission and was
diagnosed with pancreatitus. Turns out it was not........was most likely a
partial obstruction of the intestine. My gastric bypass surgeon said NEVER
EAT NUTS (that was my favorite snack!!!) because they will sit in your
system and cause a partial or full obstruction. I have avoided nuts and
have not had any more problems but h said other things could cause it as
well. Your problem could be lots of different things but I believe mine
was obstruction. The pain was almost unbearable and pain killers did not
even make a dent in it. I was still having what I thought was normal bowel
function so couldn't imagine that I could have a blockage. I've been told
that's pretty common for RNY patients in the section of the intestine that
is attached to the new stomach. Hope you find an answer soon.
— scbabe
February 28, 2005
Is it possible that you could need an acid-inhibitor like prilosec? I had
similar pain and it was very frustrating to me that all the tests came back
negative as well. The pain was soooo bad, I ended up in the ER. I decided
to try prilosec and lo and behold, it worked. My doc finally said it is
probably an ulcer and will send me for an upper GI. Definately see the
doc, but that might be a possibility because it also got worse when I ate.
Good luck!!
— emilyfink
February 28, 2005
I had agonizing pain last July - after a zillion tests - all
negative..turns out I have IBS...www.helpforibs.com - That site has been a
lifesaver for me. I take meds now for IBS..90% better now - That pain went
to my stomach and straight through to my back. Just a FYI..hope you find
an answer soon.
— Lisa J.
February 28, 2005
I am not a doc, but it sounds like chronic pancreatitis to me (I had the
acute version). There are quite a few causes which have been discussed
recently. I would ask the doc to do a CT Scan of the abdomen. The pancreas
is in a funky little place, and can be tricky to see, esp. with the
doubtless scar tissue and adhesions that can result from previous abdominal
surgery. Good luck to you, and feel better!
— kultgirl
February 28, 2005
Since you don't have a gallbladder, you may have billiary stenosis. It is
pain caused by a stone passing through the open ducts and causing spasms.
It can be caused by surgery. See you gastroenterologist.
— Janet G.
March 1, 2005
I am going through the same thing only mine is more frequent I had a ct
done and was told that i was constipated to clean myself out so i did i
still had the pain so my gastro dr did an upper endescope he did find
gastic ulcers and did a biopsy i dont know if that is the cause of the pain
i see him this week for it but im still hurting and hope to find an answer
soon....i know that ulcers are common among wls patients so u might want to
check into that...
— Deanna Wise
March 2, 2005
Brenda -- I had similar problems, read my profile. While no one could
seem to find the problem, it got progressively worse until I finally had
enough and went to my Gastro Doc for help. After many tests, it was found
that my stomach was not emptying the way it should. To make a long story
short -- my stoma had closed up making the passage of food and even
liquids so slow that I was miserable - would get the symptoms of overeating
with extreme pain for hours -- just like you indicated. The Gastro Doc
did an EGD and used the scope with a balloon and stretched the opening.
Had to have the procedure done twice, but very successful. No longer have
IBS or any other symptoms. Life is finally great.
Only thing I can stress is please don't settle -- make sure you make some
doc listen to you and do something. I did not find my surgeon very
helpful, they said it was not a symptom of the surgery (ha! ha!) and was
out of their expertise.
Wishing you much luck. E-mail me if you want to talk.
Brenda
— Brenda D.
March 3, 2005
Have you had an endoscopy to look into the pouch to search for ulcers? At
about 2 years post-op I had a pouch ulcer and experienced severe take your
breath away pouch pain whenever I ate. Nexium worked.
— Cindy R.
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