I apologize if I am working with this forum incorrectly. I am new at it.

History: On and off before lap band, I've had discomfort from having way to much air and needing to belch all day long. Embarrassing. It never caused pain like I had this weekend. Walking and talking made me hurt in the neck/chest. Then Sunday it was constant. I went to the ER. The doctor said they definitely ruled out heart and diagnosed with inflammation/gastritis.

I had lap band 15 months ago. When I woke from surgery, my upper chest began to hurt badly, not as bad as this time, but much like it. I asked for tums, pepcid, anything, but the doctor told the nurse it would not help because it was gas from the surgery and a tiny swelling in the throat that would go away. From that first day on, it left me with an embarrassing loud TIGER GROWL. It feels like air that will come up most way, then turn and go back down. Uncomfortable, definitely not painful like what I am having now. I started with a moderate problem in Jan. My doctor had me on protonix that wasn't taking care of it. The pharmacist said Maalox is for gas. I discussed this with my primary. He replied "what does she know". My primary said to stop the Maalox, that it was blocking the protonix. I was reluctant because I felt it was helping, but did stop it as he advised. I slowly became worse. I eventually had to start pepcid occasionally, then Maalox, and a couple nights recently I took tums. Then came a full blown chest cramping pain. I was almost sweating from pain.

This weekend, my upper chest hurt/cramped from my thyroid down 6" - 7", and about 5"-6" across. At first I thought it was thyroid problems because of the cramping, and I have a 1" goiter going towards the inside. I was wondering: heart, or lap band and not belching, or a rip in my esophagus? Yesterday, the ER doctor ruled out heart and said inflammation to the lining from gastritis, and I need to discuss with my primary about seeing a GI specialist. And to take Maalox. Maalox was recalled recently, so I called and the ER doctor said to take gaviscon.

Today I discussed with my primary about seeing a GI specialist as the ER Dr. suggested. My primary said "what for", "the pain is from the lap band, why would you need to see a GI specialist?". I didn't know how to reply to this. He scheduled me for a UGI in 2 days. I am looking forward to it. He also gave a prescription of nexium granulars and told me how much and quickly it would help, so I was happy to get the script. The insurance would not pay until he called them for authorization, which my primary said he said he would not do. And said to stay on protonix 2 x a day.

Now the severe cramping and the ripping pain is gone, I am believing not heart. But I can't belch and have that part of the pain. I hurt and am not feeling healthy at the moment.

Does anyone know what is causing this pain and excess belching, and...not being able to belch? What can I do for it, and how can I make it not reoccur? Is my problem effecting my lap band, or is it the lap band effecting my problem? Either way, I hope someone knows what to do for the pain.

On to some good news: After lap-band I rarely have sugar drops. I've only had a hand full of bad ones, and was able to get control with glucose tabs and water. Lap band has given me my life back. I was stricken with severe blood sugar drops before it. Not a few, but hundreds a week. So many a day, I could not count. Most days they ran one after another. When my numbers were in the 60's and 50's, I was walking wobbly, not able to talk, fall, sometimes I could not get out of a chair, many times I struggled dearly just to think where my glucose tabs were (in my purse or by my computer) or where the sugar jar might be (although I keep the sugar jar in the same place all the time). I could not think straight. My numbers would drop to that point instantly. I wanted to be referred to an endroconologist. My primary would say - you need to eat when it happens. I would ask again later. He said they can't do anything for me that he can't do. So I asked to be referred anyway, and he would say no. Now I wonder...Aren't you so glad some doctors can do everything? Why do we need the others. Hum.

15 months ago, after my lap band surgery, someone within the hospital spoke with me. She explained that they had placed a special IV drip on me to help keep my numbers up. She also said I should be telling everyone that I am "brittle hyperactive hypoglycemia", so I would not get in a bind like I did there. I had never heard of brittle hyperactive hypoglycemia before. And talked more protein and less carbs, etc. She wasn't the first one to suggest that I speak to my doctor about seeing an endroconologist. I had begged my primary to send me, and even used the words I am begging you, but he said no. I again called the surrounding towns to see if they would take new patients, and again was told by all of them, I had to have a referral.

Does your insurance allow you to change your Primary Care Physician. I havent even had my lap band surgery yet, but my PCP is behind me on it. Either way, if she ever treated me in such a manner I would not put up with it. Your problems sound quite serious, like something may be torn?? I would get a new PCP, look for reviews of physicians that have experience with weight loss surgery patients. Word of mouth about physicians, is usually the best. My PCP has had 30 other patients who've had weight loss surgeries plus she's a very sympathetic doctor to begin with. So I trust her. Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking. Good luck finding help with your problem. Sounds painful and dangerous.

Suzanne

St. Louis

It's time to move on to a different PCP who cares about a patients health. How shallow of your current PCP and bad attitude. Patient's care is suppose to be his first responsibility.

Also, has anyone mentioned esophagitis? Try WeD app on iPhone or on the web! Not to be used for treatment, but will help guide you in a direction to share with your doctor. Good luck.

Suzee q

from St. Lou

Don't know how to delete this duplicate post!

Don't know how to delete this duplicate post!