Stricture again! UGH - ThinnerTimes

AlabamaChick · 08-17-2006, 09:49 PM

Well, I went to see my surgeon again today because I could not wait until my appt. at the end of the month for follow-up of my ulcer and stricture (which I had dilated 4 wks ago) because of throwing up every day and not getting but about 10 ozs of water in a day, two cups of milk with protein mix, and NO food whatsoever every day. I can't live this way much longer. I have been eating absolutely nothing. It's not even worth trying just to hurt like my chest is going to explode and then end up coughing and choking to death until I throw up because it's hung. (and I am talking just pureed food or even liquids) He sent me to have a barium swallow today (costs over $700 total paid up front), which came back as I expected, and was normal. So, I have another stricture.

My surgeon had scheduled a return appt. for Tuesday next week and then would set up the EGD after that, but after I had my test completed today and found out that everything was normal by the radiologist that performed my test, I went back to my surgeon's office and talked with the receptionist and told her I was not paying ANOTHER $75 to come back to the office on Tuesday just for him to tell me it was normal and then I have to spend another $3500 to have an EGD done next week, not to mention every day I have to wait for it to be done is just a little more torture on top of it all considering I have not had solid food since my surgery 10 wks ago. So, I finally got the call after I got home that I will be going for my EGD on Monday at 11:30 a.m. THANK GOD! I can't wait to be able to swallow and not hurt, even if it only lasts a couple of weeks again.

The up side to this all is I had lost 3.5 pounds this past week!

Duckie · 08-17-2006, 11:24 PM

{{{{{{{{{{Trina}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Dyann · 08-18-2006, 04:54 AM

I couldn't imagine waiting another day. Considering you pay out of pocket and they don't need insurance approval, they should be jumping to perform it sooner. I am so sorry, but guarantee you that once you can eat real food, it gets so much better. You are a trooper.

Gina in NY · 08-18-2006, 05:07 AM

Okay Trina, you are an amazingly strong person, but this has got to stop! These strictures sound so awful!! It must be like living in torture - you know that is against the law!!

Once again, all my best to you. It will end - it has to - and our thoughts and prayers are with you until you can enjoy some real food again. Honestly, I'm so worried you're going to get dehydrated!!

Let us know how it goes!!

Cinerbelle · 08-18-2006, 06:40 AM

AWWW Trinia that just sucks! I can't believe how expensive it is. It would be nice if you paid once and they guaranteed it would be fixed or they would do the next dialations for free.

LyndasRoom · 08-18-2006, 07:13 AM

Trina,
I'm so sorry you're going thru this. Too bad they don't offer an extended warranty on our bodies and the surgery. It's been very expensive for you!

Zenomia · 08-18-2006, 07:20 AM

AWE Trina... I feel your pain, I do. And you know what, you can work with the hospital to reduce your charges for the proceedure. They don't make insurance pay that...why should you? And the stricture...beings you are paying for it...DEMAND that it be done ASAP! They never wait longer than a day before they stretch me out...they shouldn't make you wait either. Did they happen to say what it was strictured down to? I always watch the test and then have the radiologist measure it for me. (They tape a penny to your chest to get a more accurate measurement). Normal is around 15...if your anything less than 6...you should be in ASAP! If I were you, I would take a strong hand with your Surgeon and get these things done faster..Strictures aren't that big of a deal, but to put it off, even for a weekend can be dangerous. I had to be hospitalized three times because of dehydration...because of the stricture...and by the time you become physically symptomatic...it's usually too late and you've gone too far!! Be sure they give you a bag of Lactated Ringers before the stretch on Monday...that will help bring your hydration levels up, and give you some other needed nutrients. I will check my statements, but I am sure my charges for my stretches were no where near $3500. More like in the $900-1100 range depending on how much time was spent and if I was under a general or not. TAKE CARE OF YOU...If you need anything...PM ME!! My heart goes out to you...<<<HUGS>>>

ON A SIDE NOTE: For you and anyone else that thinks they might have a STRICTURE...PLEASE DON'T WAIT IT OUT. If you think it's possible...CALL YOUR DR AND GET IN ASAP!! They are easy to fix...but easier if you don't develope further complications from them!

If anyone needs further info on Strictures...just PM me. I have had 5..(working on 6)..and feel like a resident expert on it. (That and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express once!)

AlabamaChick · 08-18-2006, 08:43 AM

If I had not went back to my surgeon's office yesterday after my test and basically demanded they call for the results, they would have made me wait until my appt. on Tuesday to come back in and THEN have my EGD scheduled. BUT, I would not do that. I told them that EVERY DAY matters to me when I can't eat or drink. My surgeon even went as far to tell me if I feel like I am getting dehydrated before I come back to him because I can't get any liquids in for me to go to the local ER and request they give me fluids to get me through until I can get back to see him on Tuesday. I was thinking this was a littlle weird considering I am now being told to go the IV route for hydration even when my problem is not fixed just to prolong my situation a few more days instead of fixing my problem. It sorta seemed insane to me. The two surgeon's (they are in the same office and assist each other) that I see just act like it's not big deal because I have had no food to chew in 10 weeks and that I shouldn't be such a nervous wreck over this and a few days or weeks more will not hurt me if I have to do without. Thanks for the encouragement gang. It means alot to me. I'm happy I can come here to let out some of my frustration and anxiety. Zen, does it feel that your dilations are getting further and further apart at this point? I had my surgery two days after yours and I am hoping this dilation will do it for me, but I'm not betting my life on it, just wishful thinking probably.....

Zenomia · 08-18-2006, 09:04 AM

Trina ~ Yes, and no. The first three were all 7-10 days apart...like clockwork. The last two were getting longer out. Now this last one was the 1st of September so this is the longest I have gone to date. I am glad to hear that you fought to get yourself in sooner than later. Strictures, though the low end of complications, can still be dangerous...specially in the summer with heat as a contributing factor to dehydration. My Dr. treats it like a non-issue too, but I think that is just to my face to keep me from freaking out...which I don't do. I usually end up hearing him tell whomever on the phone that he has a patient that MUST be seen ASAP for a stricture, while to me...it's, "we'll get you in when we can." LOL!! Whatever. I am at a dissadvantage to others because I had a stricture leaving the hospital...I have never been 'normal' when it comes to post op, so learning when the strictures were there was really tough. You know what it's like...now if you just knew how stictured up you were...you would have a basis for comparison...so if it happens again...you will know how bad it is based on your symptoms. At this point, I can tell where I am (as far as how open the stricture is) just by what I am eating and how it goes down. Like now...I know I was stretched to a 15 on the 1st. I would say right at this moment, I am down to between 9 & 7. Nothing to freak out about yet, but something to keep an eye on. The last 4 times I had the sulfate test....I was either spot on or 1mm off.

Oh...do a PINCH test...that tells you how bad your dehydration is. Pinch the skin on your hand, lift and hold for 5 seconds. If it goes back to position right away..you fine. The time it takes for it to go back to normal will tell you how badly you are dehydrated. (home check...not conclusive..only a pee test is conclusive) But this gives you a guideline... It took over 5 hrs. for my skin to return to normal when I was hospitalized the first time. And 2 hrs. the second. (currently it pops right back into it's original shape) Hope that helps!! If you need IV fluids...get them... I felt worlds better after the fluids. Dehydration has weird symptoms...as long as your aware of them...you will know if you need to get the IV. PM me if need be.

Disappearing Diva · 08-18-2006, 06:27 PM

OMG!! Reading this,..UGH!! I can FEEL your pain!! The BOTH of yous!! I too,..feel liek an expert on strictures,..I just had my 10th scope done two weeks ago. I am from Canada,..so I don not however PAY for my scope,..I simply cannot BELIEVE at the costs!! that is SOO crazy!! As if You don't already have enough on your plate without worrying abotu MONEY!! UGH!! I sure hate the medical systems at times!!
I just wanted to add,..that I am takign a pump inhibitor,..called LOSEC and it actually completly stops the production of acid from forming in your old stomach,..which can actually back up your pipes in to the pouch. The acid can be so destructive,..it can casue a stricture almost on contact. I however was not only forming strctures at the anastomosis, but at the esophagus as well. My surgeon in alberta,..adn ALL the docs out here in Manitoba HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. Yep,..gotta love being the ginnie pig!! Anyway,..as soon as I started on the Losec,..the strictures completly stopped in the esophagus, and now it is takign my longer and longer to close off at the anastomosis. At first I would close completly -2mm, and woudl be hospitilaized on IV fluids. After abotu 5 scopes,..it started spacing themselves out at 2 weeks, then 3 weeks, the 4 weeks,..and then 8 weeks. Time will only tell. they say as long as you are needing the scopes further and further apart, you are improving. Surgery is a TOTAL last resort,..but I know they had discussed re-doign the surgery with a different portion on intestine,..and just cross their fingers hopign that section would not be as "smart" and over heal to form the stricture. I however have three little ones,..so another surgery was NOT an option for me. On a much brigter note,..I do thank the strictures for my very small list of agreeable foods that REALLY helped me slim down quickly. For the first four motnhs of my post op life,..all I ate was protein shakes, chicken broth, sugar free ice pops, and yogurt, cottage cheese when I could tolerate them and NOT choke. My secret. I LICKED chips, and woud eat WHATEVER I wanted,..only I woudl chew it all up untill it was liquid in my mouth,..then spit it out. I got the taste of whatever it was, yet didn't need to swallow it,..as I knew the torture that would cause. It grossed the heck outta so many peo[ple if I TOLD them what I did,..but I became VERY sneaky abotu it, and most peopel just assumed I was sipping coffe,..not spitting out my food!! Ok,..maybe this isn't THE BEST ADVICE , but trust me,...I feel your pain,..and untill you have really been here,..and haven't been able to eat and start on SEMI SOFT food untill your 4 months out,..you'll find the oddest ways to satify your cravigns, and mental needs to actually chew again!!