Question:
Experiencing Low Back Pain, Nausea and Intestinal Pains--Is this Dumping???

Hi, I had the RNY on 3/30/10 and have been doing great. The last few days I have had 3 episodes of what I think has been dumping. Day 1: Had Creamed Spinach and a Protein shake--about an hour later had severe low back pain, stomach cramps and nausea--lasted about 15min Day 2: Had a Protein Shake, Bagel thin with low-fat cream cheese and a no sugar added ice cream bar--about an hour later had the same symptoms as above I upped my protein and fluid intake and have been OK for the past two days and then last night Day 3: Had a very small portion of eggplant parmesan--had a protein shake before. Felt fine and then 2 1/2 hours later had the low back pain, nausea and stomach pain for 15min I don't know if this is dumping. I realize on days 1 & 2 I wasn't eating correctly, but the past 3 days I've been really good--Having 50+ grams of protein each day and at least 60oz of water, so I'm not sure what's going on. Anyone else experience anything like this? I do have my gallbladder--Any help is appreciated :)    — TTitus780 (posted on June 24, 2010)

June 27, 2010
Teresa: If I were you I would definitely be checking in with my surgeon's office if these symptoms continue. Dumping is a coy term for runny, uncontrollable and sometimes explosive diarrhea which ultimately occurs when you eat something too high in sugar or something that passes through your pouch too quickly. Your symptoms sound more like intermittent, but severely painful gas pains, which in all honesty are completely "normal" -- particularly with the mass amounts of protein we need to consume. The additional vegetables (spinach) likely did not help. Protein though usually makes you have the urge to pass gas that often starts in your lower back and when expelled can be quite smelly. Also, dumping will usually occur quite quickly (45-60 minutes) after you eat the "wrong" item and again this does not appear to be your particular problem. I guess I should also ask -- are you constipated or are you moving your bowels on what you would consider a daily/normal basis? Again, check in with your surgeon's office if this continues, because it is obvious something is wrong in that you are not digesting the food(s) properly. Perhaps they will have a better answer for you?!? HTH, if even in some small way?!? Good luck with your future WL endeavors.
   — momeego