dumping or something else? - ThinnerTimes

TeresaGrooms · 10-25-2005, 06:26 PM

I have been having problems with my stomach hurting since about my 4th week out, I am 12 weeks out now. This is a "tense" squeezing pain that I have pretty much daily all day long. I do have some nausea from time to time as well. I have emailed the nurse at my doctor office and she said she thinks I am dumping and perhaps lactose intolerate and this is causing my stomach pains and nausea. I really don't think so. I have had potatoes, pasta that would cause me to have a really rapid heart rate after eating, I believe that to be MY dumping symptoms. she is saying I am dumping on "light" yogurt which I take with lactaid, weight smart oatmeal, ,grilled chicken and protein drinks (isopure and EAS), pretty much my daily diet everyday. Has anyone else had "dumping" that lasted all day long and you even woke up with it after no food or drink for over 8 hours? I live in arkansas so this is not a doctor office most here would be familiar with. I do stay constipated (also another reason I don't think dumping) and have to take a lot of MOM to fix the constipation. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? I know I am still new to this, but this goes against every defination of what I have read dumping to be. My doctor at my last visit told me that my area of pain is not in anyplace he would suspect something serious going on like an ulcer or obstruction. His only advise was to give it a few more months, he thinks it will go away or to reverse the surgery, he has offered no other testing. I am on about my 8th day of my period and I do notice the nausea more when I am bleeding, perhaps that part is hormone related? Any ideas anyone? I'm feeling desperate these days!

Thanks
Teresa
open rny 7-29-05

Dara · 10-25-2005, 06:42 PM

Teresa:

Your symptoms sound like an ulcer to me. I would respectfully (but forcefully) request an endoscopy to check for an ulceration. I've never heard of dumping lasting all day. It is self-limiting and resolves after the food is processed.

As I've said many times before, you are your best health advocate. Use the power you wield to get what you want. If a request for an endoscopy doesn't go anywhere, then demand it. If that's not effective, then call your insurance carrier directly. Do whatever you must do to take care of your health. If you're like most of us, you had this surgery to extend (or, in some instances, save) your life. Don't give up now!

Good luck!

TeresaGrooms · 10-25-2005, 06:46 PM

Forgot to mention that I do take protonix everyday and my doc said that if it were an ulcer, the protonix would have taken care of it, so i guess he sees no need in doing a scope. I have no problems with food, nothing ever gets stuck and I know there has been times I took too little of a bit, kinda think my stoma is rather large. He said an ulcer would hurt a little to my right side, my pain seem to be mostly belly button and under.

Thanks everyone for listening!

Dara · 10-25-2005, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeresaGrooms

Forgot to mention that I do take protonix everyday and my doc said that if it were an ulcer, the protonix would have taken care of it, so i guess he sees no need in doing a scope. I have no problems with food, nothing ever gets stuck and I know there has been times I took too little of a bit, kinda think my stoma is rather large. He said an ulcer would hurt a little to my right side, my pain seem to be mostly belly button and under.

Thanks everyone for listening!

Teresa:

I also take Protonix because I have a history of GERD. However, I'm not absolutely sure it would prevent an ulcer. I know it inhibits the acid production, but I don't think an ulcer is out of the question. The only way the doctor (and you) will know for sure is to have an endoscopy. As far as where your pouch pain is...I think it's mostly midline.

But more disturbing to me is...I reread your first post and I noticed something I missed the first time I read it. I think it's bizarre that your surgeon jumped to offer to reverse your surgery. From what I know, reversal of the surgery is possible...but it is much more dangerous than the original surgery. I don't know any surgeons who would offer to reverse it just because of some nausea and pain. That throws up a red flag for me.

I still stand by my original suggestion. I think you should insist on an endoscopy or other diagnostic tests to help your surgeon (and you) determine the source of your pain. There is absolutely no reason why you should live in pain.

Just my two cents! Keep us posted!

HeatherT · 10-25-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeresaGrooms

Forgot to mention that I do take protonix everyday and my doc said that if it were an ulcer, the protonix would have taken care of it, so i guess he sees no need in doing a scope. I have no problems with food, nothing ever gets stuck and I know there has been times I took too little of a bit, kinda think my stoma is rather large. He said an ulcer would hurt a little to my right side, my pain seem to be mostly belly button and under.

Thanks everyone for listening!

it sounds to me like a hernia - my friend had one and it was low like that....GO TO THE DOCTOR _ what about your regular PCP?

Dara · 10-25-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100tolose

it sounds to me like a hernia - my friend had one and it was low like that....GO TO THE DOCTOR _ what about your regular PCP?

You're absolutely right...it could very well be a hernia. Something is obviously causing the pain. Investigate until you find the source. Make your physicians help you.

(I still say it would worry me that my surgeon offered to reverse the surgery at this point!)

TeresaGrooms · 10-25-2005, 08:06 PM

I was pretty shocked to hear him say that too, I think he just said that to scare me, I'm not sure. My aunt went with me, when we left his office I looked at her and asked her did he say that in an sarcastic way, she didn't think so, but who knows. I am not a drug seeker, worked in a hospital for 20 years and know how one acts, but I would swear I got the impression that he thought I might be one...hmmm...I never even got a refil on my meds, the only thing I have ever asked for was phenergan for my nausea.....

he did mention a possible internal hernia, but still did not lean towards that as a what he thought it was. I will give him his three month and pray he is right that I am just a slow healer and need to give it more time, but if it gets any worse, they will be hearing from me!

It's pain like these that I really miss my advil that I took way too much of on a regular basis!

Thanks again for your responses!