Question:
Has anyone had chest pain after eating so severe you must vomit to releive it?

Hi everyone, I need some advice. I am 6 weeks post-op, RNY. Within the last few weeks since starting solid food as directed by my surgeon, about once or twice a week, I have episodes of what my family physician and I believe to be an esophageal spasm. This causes me to have severe chest pain that is only releived by forcing myself to vomit. Once I vomit, I feel better, however, I will not be able to eat anything or drink even water until several hours after having an episode. If I take Zantac daily, it helps but does not releive it completely. I contacted my surgeon and his nurse doesnt know what it could be because I am not vomiting everytime after I eat, only occasionaly so she says it is most likely not a stricture. I have started Nexium as of today to see if this will help releive it. When I feel like this, it is not associated with one type of food. I have been told it could be dangerous to be vomiting this way, and I understand that, however, if I dont I am in excrutiating pain. Does anyone have previous experience with this type of thing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!    — Emily N. (posted on October 7, 2002)

October 7, 2002
I experience severe chest pain that feels like I am having a heart attack. But it's my way of dumping when ever I eat fat like, bacon, chicken skin, or some fried foods. It scared me so bad the first time it happened. It would come and go for 4-6 hours and I just had to let it take its course. I never feel like I need to vomit though. But I do have to ride it out and cannot eat or drink anything until it passes. Now I just stay away from the foods that do it to me. I havent heard of anyone so far that gets this chest pain when dumping. I don't know if this could be your problem or not. You say its not food related that you know of. Are you sure? Maybe you are eating too much or too fast.
   — Karla K.

October 7, 2002
Emily, I experienced the same thing as soon as I ventured out to the solid foods, I think after weeks of liquids, I had no clue how big or should I say small my new tummy was, of course my eyes were always so much bigger, I always got the pain when I had reached beyond being full (it's not a nice feeling) I know allot of people that actually have dealt with the pain, just to lie back and take a nap, but not me I'd rather vomit get it done and over with then have the awfull pain. The espisodes lasted for about 2 months post op, I finally, just started using smaller plates and just taking my time eating, waiting for my new tummy to respond. I'm now almost 4 1'2 months post op and rarely ever get that feeling, I think I've finally learned where to cut it off at... Hope this helps, good luck and God bless Post op 4 1/2 months down 85 pounds
   — tannedtigress

October 7, 2002
This is exactly how I would describe what happens to me when I eat too much or don't chew my food well enough. It happened more often the first few months post op because I was still getting used to having such a small stomach.
   — A. S.

October 7, 2002
SLOW DOWN, I get that same feeling when I either eat too fast or bites that are too big.
   — Linda A.

October 7, 2002
DITTO! Same thing happens to me if I eat too big of a bite, dont chew well enough or eat too much. I also noticed that if I am upset or stressed out about something right befor or while I am eating I get the same thing! :0) nothing to worry about just slow down and chew well.
   — Sassy M.

October 7, 2002
Emily, a common occurence as an early post-op learning how to tolerate solids. I had several of these episodes, all from different foods, or because I ate too fast. The pain lasted for hours and I could not vomit, so your at least able to relieve the pain. The others are right-slow down your eating-smaller bites, chew more thoroughly, ensure all your meats are very moist, and take a minute or two between bites. The minute you feel full, STOP. By 3 months or so, you'll be much better. At 8 months post-op, I don't have to eat slow anymore, or to chew to a pulp. And I thoroughly recognize when I 've eaten enough and know better than to take that extra bite. You will learn in time.
   — Cindy R.

October 7, 2002
I also have had that pain that I think is my response to dumping....when I eat something with a little too much sugar and/or fat, I think I am having a heart attack within 30-45 minutes and it lasts a couple of hours.
   — jonathan G.

March 11, 2003
ME TOO!!! I also have the same problem. My surgeon wanted to scope and see if it was a stricture but I did not want to go through another procedure so soon. Just 10 weeks post op...I have recently found that if I eat less and chew more, I do not usually have the problem. But that is really hard when the food is so good!!! I do notice that if I eat too much it almost always happens, no matter what I eat and that the only way I get relief is to force myself to vomit. I was doing this 4-5 times a day or MORE until I tried to not eat so much. 1 1/2 -2 oz. is about all I can comfortably take of solids. And meat, chicken,beef & tuna, is OUT! I can't eat it no matter how hard I chew! Good luck to you!!
   — kim C.