YankeesFan

Hi all -- I've been having reflux, vomiting issues as well over the past few weeks. I was at 2.5 and doing fine. Then I flew on a plane and that seemed to trigger something. Plus there was stress, change in weather, time of the month, pretty much anything, and then wham! I couldn't keep anything solid down, which gradually progressed to not keeping anything down -- day or night. I woke up gagging several times last week (thanksgiving was a joy) and was unable to chew gum. I resorted to eating ice chips just to hydrate. Today, I went to the dr. who did a complete unfilled with a follow up (and esophogram) scheduled for next week. I've never been so excited to eat a sandwich in my life! Although I love the fact that I'm down over 6 lbs in a week, the discomfort and embarrassment (my sister thinks I'm bulimic) isn't worth it. In the interim, any suggestions on staying on track without the help of the band? I won't be surprised if I go up a bit owing to the extreme way I lost the lbs recently, but I'd very much like to keep it to a minimum (if not actually continue to lose). Dawn

I find varying the exercise really helps -- if you don't do strength training -- start doing so (twice a week is key). Or add another cardio workout to your routine, or extend your current cardio workout by 5-10 minutes. It always amazes me how little things can make a big difference.

Hey fellow sinus sufferers! I totally find that post nasal drip really limits what I can eat in the AM. I take Allegra-D morning and night, plus Rhinacort AQ when the allergies are really bad. Generally that does the trick. But on those wicked bad allergy/sinus days, I have to start w/ginger, licorice or peppermint tea to kinda flush out the system from the pnd from the previous night (I know, really appetizing). Who knew that all these things would be so causally related?

Hi all If you take antidepressants, have you had problems w/reflux and/or vomiting (not PBing) that seem to be correlated w/ when you take your antidepressants? I'd love to provide my doctors with an sense of how often this occurs -- or if it just happens to a very lucky few. Thanks!

Hi -- So I went to multiple doctors, got .5 taken out of my band, lowered my Zoloft intake (which seemed to be connected) and made sure I took the pills w/yogurt, and now am taking Xifaxan, an antibiotic, for a couple of weeks. My gastroenterologist thinks I may have excessive bacteria growth in my stomach owing to the band tightening and in combination with the Zoloft, it was causing extreme reflux and vomiting everytime I took the Zoloft. So far, so good. The doctors all seem flummoxed. Again, anyone else that takes an antidepressant (specifically Zoloft) have these problems? I think there's a connection here worthy of investigation, but I'd need to show my doctors that I'm not the only one experiencing it.

I had been having the same symptoms, but my Dr. and I think it's actually triggered by taking Zoloft. If you're on an antidepressant, one of the possible side effects is gastrointestinal issues (reflux, vomiting, etc). Zoloft and Cymbalta are the worst offenders, though I understand the other antidepressants can also cause this problem. If you're taking an antidepressent, see if your reflux/pain/vomiting follows shortly after you take your meds. If it does, bring it up with your doctor. I'm now eating yogurt with my zoloft and it has toned down the reflux significantly. However, I'm getting off the Zoloft as soon as my dr. gets back into town.

Plus anything that's been re-heated.

<p>any deep fried foods, white meat of chicken, beef (unless it's in some sort of sauce), cinnamon rolls, and most bread. Scrambled eggs can give me problems if I eat them too quickly. And fiberous veggies/fruits.</p>

I experience additional tightness when I fly. I also get it when there's a storm coming. So between my band and my sinuses, I'm a human barometer : )

I totally agree with you, and I've already followed her over to NYU. Facilities are not as nice, but I'm not concerned about the decor.

I went to the Dr today and did the upper GI/barium swallow. Everything looks normal, but the reflux/vomitting continues. My Dr. removed .5 cc from my band to give my stomach a rest. And things seemed ok (drinking liquids, ate a few crackers -- missing crunchy things). Anyhow, I took my antidepressants, and almost immediately the intense reflux started. Weird. Anybody else have this situation? Thanks!

Hi all -- I've been banded for just over a year and recently hit my sweet spot -- or so I thought. I do PB about 2 times a week (usually because I didn't chew well enough or ate several bites too quickly in succession). But over the past couple of weeks, I've had a horrible burning sensation when I eat anything in the evenings -- I've had reflux since before the banding and hadn't had any issues with that until this past month. The frustrating part is ANYTHING can trigger it -- Water, tea, my normal medicine. The worst part is the vomiting, which seems to happen weekly. And not just pbing -- its the full-on wretching kind (sorry to be so graphic). Sometimes I can eat items (usually in the afternoon), but these days I'm scared to eat anything -- even the liquids. I have an upper GI scheduled for Tuesday (my annual appt.). I know only my doctor can really ascertain what's going on, but do y'all have any ideas? I'd hate to lose my band, but I really can't continue this way. Thanks!

Just thought I'd commiserate -- I was banded last May and am down about 50 lbs from my highest weight. I'm a consistent exerciser (3-4 times per week) and work out with a trainer. I know your frustration. I didn't get real restriction until 2 months ago. And over that time I've lost 8 lbs and FINALLY got below 200. With a significant amount of restriction, I don't have what I'd call "normal" eating habits, though it may be typical for those that have hit their sweet spot: 1) I can't eat Breakfast -- I can only drink it, and it takes me at least 1 hour to do so (no more eating on the run). 2) There are days that I can eat a very small bit of fruit and salad and there are days that I'm lucky to keep down cottage cheese (and I've yet to figure out why this is). 3) I've had two severe reflux episodes over the past two months. My point is this: even a year out, I'm still learning how to live and work with my band. I know that without the band, I would have continued my steady march upward. And 50 lbs means I'm down at about two sizes (I'm not really sure as I had stretched my size 18s out to kingdom come). Even though my weight's coming off s l o w l y, I don't have the fear that I'll gain it back. This time, my mind is making the journey with my body and I make sure I feel comfortable at each stop along the weightloss path. So don't give up hope. The band is working for you, and with additional fills, it will work even more efficiently. For now, enjoy the fact that you can exercise longer, can walk farther without being short of breath, have energy that you thought you'd never have. And remember -- every ounce down is going in the right direction -- and that's success any way you slice it.

I must admit, I've succumbed to the lure of diet cola -- though I drink far less than I used to and I drink it much more slowly. However, I have found it to be a contributor to some nasty reflux episodes (and this is true for anybody, not just those that have been banded). I've decided it's just not worth the risk.:nervous

Both, actually. I could go all day on one solid meal, but I get hunger pains (or dizzy), and I know I need to eat something -- even if it's a protein shake. I'd bet you have a couple more fills before you get to a point that you're not physically hungry. Head hunger is something else entirely.