Question:
Yesterday after a gastroscopy the doctor diagnosed a 5 millimeter ulcer at the top of

my pouch. I am almost six months post op and have had awful pain and nausea. The dr. prescribed Protonix. Has anyone dealt with this problem? Does anyone know what food may be tolerable? BTW, I have lost almost 75 pounds, the hard way.    — Mary N. (posted on May 28, 2002)

May 28, 2002
Hi Mary, I am almost 5 months Lap RNY and had pain and I couldn't eat or drink without pain. I had a endoscope and they found I have a grasic ulcer. I am on carafate 4x a day and protonix once a day. They say not to eat spicy foods,alcohol, caffine, fatty foods,half and half, some veggies such as broccoli,asparagas,antthing that may give you gas. Good luck and your doing great!!
   — Bonnie S.

May 28, 2002
Hi Mary, I am 4.5 months out, lost 50 pounds, am at a plateau (which is okay because I know it's a normal thing to happen) and have 2 ulcers (and I've never had an ulcer in my life before surgery). One is at an incision site, the other is at the site where I was reconnected, so there's a chance the ulcer could "burn" a hole back into my "old" stomach and my surgery would have to be done over again. However, there are options before it goes that far. First of all, if your symptoms don't begin to subside within a couple of weeks, call your doctor!! Ask if you can take Tums, etc. while on Protonix (some surgeons okay it, some don't). I see my surgeon every month at this point. I have had 2 upper endoscopies. They were treating me with 40 mg./Prilosec twice per day. That wasn't working after a month, so they switched me to Protonix once per day. I just started that. They will check me in another month. If my symptoms lessen, they will keep me on that and follow up with another endoscopy. If my symptoms don't get better, they will perform the upper endoscopy right away and we'll take it from there. There is a sort of "super glue" on the market that can be used to "force" the ulcers to heal. That's another route my doctor will look at if my symptoms don't clear up or the ulcers bleed. Please, Mary, if you are concerned at all, call your doctor and make him or her listen (if you feel he/she isn't listening). And remember, you can always go to your primary care physician for help. Lots of times I can't tolerate food when my symptoms (vomiting, nauseau, burning pain in my throat/esophagus) are active. I seem to be able to tolerate Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast (I use Lactaid Milk) as well as the little 4 or 6 pack of toasted peanut butter crackers. Watermelon doesn't hurt going down. Of course water is good, too. I sometimes will tolerate chicken, but the rest of the meats aren't tolerated at this time. My best to you. Please let us know how you progress.
   — Esse