Question:
chest pain after alcohol use

Since my RNY 8 years ago, I sometimes have chest pain when I drink alcohol. It is not a burning or reflux type pain, but a heavy aching pain across my whole chest. It only lasts a few minutes, but is very uncomfortable. I'm not a big drinker, but occasionally enjoy a couple of drinks. It doesn't happen everytime I drink and I have found no pattern of when it occurs in relation to the type of alcohol or amount. Does this happen to anyone else or does anyone have any ideas about what's going on?    — kristis (posted on August 14, 2009)

August 14, 2009
I recently read an article from our local paper that RNY recipients were more exposed to two health issues osteoporosis and if you began consuming alcohol...liver damage and failure. A girl locally proved that fact. After her RNY (about 6 months out) she found that drinking a very small am't of alcohol got her drunk but passed quickly. She ended up in the hospital and almost died of alcohol poisoning.....BUT her symptoms began with a pressing heaviness mid sternally. Now she drank the equivelent of small glass total over the weekend w/o the benefit of a diluent like soda or water etc.....BUT I would say stay away from alcohol and call your surgeon or family doctor to see if there are tests they can run on you to test your liver/heart. Will keep you close in prayer..... Karen
   — karensaporito

August 15, 2009
Am glad you wrote that. I thought it was just me. I have the exact same problem and it makes you feel like you are having a heart attack. I think it is caused by the dumpimg syndrome from the sugar in it because it happened to me one day again when I tried to eat a frozen lemonade at the races.
   — KatChampagne