Originally Posted by AlabamaChick

Carrie, the only way I can describe the feeling I have when I eat solids is that the inside of my pouch feels raw and sometimes it feels like it may be the esophagus at the bottom where it connects to my pouch also. It does not burn or have sharp pains (very much), but when it does it will double me over and some days when it does this it will last all day, just ease up some and then come back, sorta like a wave of it. It does never last longer than two days though when it's that uncomfortable. It really gets my nerves in a mess when it does this though because it's all I can do to hang onto my sanity and it shows at home with my family. So if I tell them I am having a hard time, they all sorta just back away and leave me to handle it til I feel better. Sometimes solids feel stuck, so that's why I prefer soft or mushed up food. My feelings though are mostly VERY uncomfortable feeling in my pouch or nausea. Just a sick, yucky feeling and absolutely HATE eating. I was that way last night after trying to eat some really juicy baked chicken, only about 2 ounces. I just felt gross and yucky and very nauseous. My pouch just ached like it hates food touching it. Coffee with tons of powdered milk is the best soothing thing in the world for me. It feels like velvet.....ahhhhhhh. lol Probably why I drink so much. I usually only try solids once a day though and that is at dinner time and it's ONLY because I need to force food in for my well being, otherwise I would not even eat then. I'd just have my coffee. I have noticed lately I do get shaky when I go for a while without much food and to even do things such as the latch on my necklace is a chore to hold my hands still. But it's a feeling of weakness when I shake, I think, from a lack of food. I do still throw up at least 2 to 3 times a week. I just do the best I can do every day. No day is easy, but I've gotten used to it just being my life now. I still worry when I get old if I will just starve myself to death because I won't have the will to force the food any longer. That REALLY bothers me. I have even told my kids when I get older, please don't let me starve, make protein smoothies and make me drink them. I feel bad when I tell them these things, but I want them to understood my fears about this and they are old enough to understand what I am going through. Carrie, I feel like your problem is something different. Your pain is TOO severe and it's become debilitating to you honey. Not to mention, you used to be fine after surgery and then all of a sudden this started. It's not like you had this problem from the first day you had surgery. So something has happened to make you have this pain and NO you shouldn't just have to live with what you have! I worry so much about you! I just wish there was something we could all do to take care of you so you would be well again. My heart breaks knowing you are going through so much.......and all I can say is I'm sorry and I love you g'friend.....but that's not enough to make you well.... I pray so hard you will get help soon Carrie!

BTW Van, mine was a 9 the last scope and he wouldn't stretch it anymore then.

Originally Posted by paige52

Carrie it's been a few days since you posted how you are feeling and I wondered....

I was talking to the bariatric coordinator at the support group I go to and she said she had the same problem as you and it turned out to be an internal hernia. Her symptoms sounded exactly like what you describe and they thought she had gallbladder issues as well but it would come and go, it went on for like 8 months and then finally her surgeon decided to just go in and do exploratory, found the internal and fixed her right up.

She said she had CT scans, HIDA thing, upper GI, scopes... you name it. I did some research on internal hernias after GBS and they occur in less than 2% of the people, out of 17 that presented with IH, only 9 showed up on any scans or tests and most were 4 months out with 3 presenting at 7 to 9 months post-op.

I've been able to eat the last week or so and drink but occasionally the pain flares up as does the nausea and vomiting.. she thinks that given all my other symptoms and the fact that I don't have a gallbladder, I might have an internal hernia as well. We talked it over with the local surgeon and he agreed, so I'm headed down to LA to see my original surgeon next week and do some tests.

Just wnated o let you know I'm thinking of you...

Just a thought, since the gallbladder things seems clear.

Originally Posted by Duckie

Originally Posted by CeeCee

Constant pain? We do more for our pets, for cryin' out loud!
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Carrie, I'm sending you some hugely warm, healing thoughts, positive vibes, and my bestest on-my-knees-type prayers! I think of you daily.

Originally Posted by shereeks

Hey Carrie

How you are feeling a little better today. Am thinking of you and wish I could offer some pearls of wisdom but I just haven't got any right now.

But know I'm thinking of you and praying that you'll be feeling better soon!

Originally Posted by LisaBoston

Jen, has she been able to read this post - look up to Paige's post on internal hernia.