Question:
I am distraught now... please help....

The past three days I have been having a gnawing "hunger" type pain where my sternum (below middle of breasts) is. It feels like I am hungry and when I eat it goes away for 20 min. or so but then comes back. Sometimes it is sharp. I am only 1 month post op and had a hard time with this surgery. I have read through the library over and over and wonder if I have an ulcer or staple line disruption. I can't bare to go through another surgery after all I went through. What can this be?? I have not thrown up once and have never overeaten although I have drunk water a bit too fast. I need help.    — TP (posted on September 4, 2002)

September 4, 2002
I am transected by the way.
   — TP

September 4, 2002
Hi , I went thru the same thing. I know how scarey it feels.Anyway, the explaination is....... Your gastric juices are building up inside the disected portion of your stomach. I have had to take either, Prevacid 30mg everyday, or Protienex, or the burning empty sensation in my stomach will return. I have had to take it since my surgery on 1/18/02. Hope this helps.
   — Sherry S.

September 4, 2002
I had to take protonix for the first 6 months after surgery because of the gastric acid. Ask your doc for something. IT really does help.
   — Vicki L.

September 4, 2002
Have you been scoped? How does water taste? If you're transected, the chance of having SLD is so eensy tiny that it does not bear considering. It'd be a fistula, not a SLD. But back to the water....? And any nausea?
   — vitalady