Question:
Please help me, I don't know what is wrong, I am hurting in my chest.

Hello, I am 10 weeks postop from open distal rny. Everything has been going great and I have lost 52 pounds. I have not had any feedback at all or any other complications. I haven't had any trouble tolerating any foods except too much sugar. I went to the dr. Friday for my check up and he said everything looked fine. Ironically, that night I got this pain in my chest, like an achey hunger type pain. I ate thinking it would go away, but it didn't. When I woke up Saturday morning it was hurting even worse, like in my chest where my pouch is, but on through to my back. I ate once more hoping it would help, but it didn't. It has not gotten any better, and I wake up all during the night hurting and have to twist and turn and reposition myself. At first I was scared that it might have something to do with my heart or lungs, but I don't think so because when I eat it feels like sharp pains in my chest. I would be lead to believe that maybe the opening to my pouch was constricted, but it doesn't only hurt when I eat, it hurts nonstop. This is not a severe pain, but significant. It even hurts to drink. I have thought of different things maybe an ulcer, a leakage, or an infection inside my pouch? Anyone had these or can give me some insight I would appreciate it, I don't know what to do. I live three hours from my Dr. and I hate to drive back if this will pass.    — Kelly P. (posted on September 10, 2000)

September 10, 2000
Kelly, Did they remove your gall bladder? This sounds like classic gall bladder pain to me... regardless, you should talk to your doctor right away and let him/her know of the pain.. good luck to you...
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 10, 2000
Kelly, I had the same kind of pain except that mine started much earlier that ten weeks. They thought mine was gall bladder related but a gall bladder ultrasound looked good. Dr. Aslam started me on Prevacid and the pain disappeared the first day. The worst part for me was not being able to drink water. Now I drink, drink, drink! Get to the doctor...he can help!! Best of luck.
   — Mary F.

September 10, 2000
I believe that wht you are having is gallbladder trouble. It isnt something that you should put off. You better check with your Dr. since WLS tends to bring it on. Good luck to you ! Beth
   — Beth S.

September 10, 2000
If you don't want to drive three hours go to the ER or your family Dr. take some thing along that some what explains the surgery you had so if the have any questions you can't answer they might find it there but don't ignore chest pain.
   — MARK N.

September 11, 2000
Don't try to guess what is wrong -- Too many things can go wrong too quickly to play roulette with guesses. It could be gall stones, it could be stoma stricture, it could be adhesions -- You just cannot know, and only your doctor can tell you for certain. Be safe; Even if you don't travel the 3 hour distance to see your surgeon, contact your doctor here and let him/her check you over. Good luck!
   — Michelle F.

August 13, 2001
I had the exact same thing happen. After 11 days of it I called my doctor and his on-call called me back. He felt (as I did before) that it was gastric reflux. My surgeon feels that gastric reflux is a thing of the past with the open RNY procedure. Anyway, he had me get Pepcid AC and that cured the problem. I would defineatly call your doctor though and discuss it with him/her before treating it myself.-Marie
   — Marie K.