Something's Not Right

mom2mygirlz920 · February 5, 2006

I was banded last year in May. i suck at this, lol. I haven't lost anything in forever. I do the things I am not supposed to do. Soda, NSAIDS......I feel like a self-sabotager. BUT that is not my problem, at least not right now. My chest hurts. Right in the center where my band is. I can eat fine and keep things down. I know it has something to do with the band, I just dont know what. My shoulders hurt and it hurts when I breathe hard or lay down suddenly. Anyone have a clue? Dont get me wrong, I am not on here whining that I am in this predictament. I just want to know if I should be overly concerned. Do I need to call the dr? Is this a sign of something? Thanks for any ideas!

Anwyn · February 5, 2006

Robyn, it definitely sounds like a call to the doctor is in order. It may be band related and it may not, but it sure sounds uncomfortable! Good luck in getting to the root of your problem, and keep us posted.

princess_n_thep · February 5, 2006

I actually went to the emergency room last Monday because of chest pain over the sternum area and then upwards into the clavicle area. It was sort of a pressure/dull pain and sometimes burning. After the first two days, i even got mini burps that were somewhat painful then disappeared fast, but the pressure/burning remained. It wasn't so much painful but annoying as all get out. Deep breaths are "tight" and a bit sharp. Letting air all the way out is a bit sharp as well. I went to two different doctors (neither bariatric) and both said that it was a muscular strain over the sternum. I still disagree. I have never had heartburn so I don't know what it feels like. I definitely feel like it is "deeper" though. I don't know what acid reflux or heartburn feels like but I think I might be experiencing it. It seems to be going away now after a week, but I wish I knew for sure what it was for sure. I, too, thought it was band related.

The only thing that worries me is that sudden acid reflux symptoms can be a sign of slippage? or so I hear.

Dody · February 5, 2006

Because of the use of NSAIDS and caffeine you could be looking at a potential for an ulcer. It sounds like an upper GI could be in order. I imagine there is a very good reason they say no NSAIDS or pop, and I admit I'm going to have a very tough time following those rules too. I wish you lots of luck in finding out what the problem is. Thank God, ulcers are curable in virtually no time.

Alexandra · February 5, 2006

If taking a deep breath hurts it could indeed be a muscle strain, perhaps your diaphagm. It might also be an aftereffect of reflux, if you aspirated any material into your lungs. we all know that could lead to aspiration pneumonia, but I think it's happened to me with a similar kind of lingering effect without getting pneumonia. Jenna, that's probably what happened to you. It's like aspiration pneumonia is a disease that might follow aspiration, but even if you don't get the disease the physical fact of having aspirated material causes discomfort, from mild to severe.

Robyn, have you had any nighttime reflux? Even if it's very mild, you might be aspirating in your sleep. PARTICULARLY if it's very mild, you could be doing it and not knowing you are. And Jenna, sudden reflux could indeed be a sign of slippage but it isn't necessarily. I had an unfill this summer due to sudden and severe reflux which the doctors were fairly sure indicated slippage, but all was in order. Try to baby yourself with soft, soft foods and decrease the quantity you're eating, especially before bed. You may have to sleep in a reclining chair or on many pillows for a few nights. Be extremely gentle with your system, cut out caffeine as much as you can, things like that. You may need an unfill but try this first.

Good luck, both of you!

RHONDAKO · February 13, 2006

My Dr. told me to pay attention to how much I ate and that the pain in the shoulder area may be due to overeating. Any time there is trauma to the diamphram the pain is projected to the shoulder. I'm sure you all were told this as well. Good luck and hopefully this will be a quick fix for you.

Rhonda

HarleyNana · February 13, 2006

I get the pain in my left shoulder/left side of the neck all the time, (first few times I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke), but it's after I've eaten a salad or something gassy. I eat a couple of Tums and it's gone. I think we're much more susceptible to heartburn or indigestion with the band.

Robin Mac · February 13, 2006

What is NSAIDS?

I'llsucceed · February 13, 2006

I get the pain in my left shoulder/left side of the neck all the time, (first few times I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke), but it's after I've eaten a salad or something gassy. I eat a couple of Tums and it's gone. I think we're much more susceptible to heartburn or indigestion with the band.

This is me to a tee.

What is NSAIDS?

They are drugs containing ibprophren(spelling?) like Advil(I miss it) Alieve. I don't think asprin contains it but I was told not to take any.

Maybe someone else can answer better.

JulyBandster · February 14, 2006

I had lots of burping, pain that started in the right/middle of chest, gravitating to shoulder...........felt burning pain initially. Woke me in the middle of the night. I had 2 attacks before getting the band....went away for quite awhile, unless I ate a particularly fatty meal, or something that didn't agree. Turned out to be my gallbladder! I had the band placed July 12 this year, and had the gallbladder removed (by my band surgeon!) less than 2 months later!

An ultra sound could rule it out, if you still have your gall bladder, of course!

Good luck to you!

AmyK

the best me · February 14, 2006

NSAIDS=Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (Ibuprophen/Advil, Aleve, pretty sure aspirin in in there, too). Tylenol, especially liquid, is A-Okay.

I don't know if that's answered BETTER, necessarily? LOL but hope it helps.

LovelyLT · February 15, 2006

I'm so glad this thread was posted, I was just about to ask for help. I'm having the same problem with chest pains that started last night in my sleep and I thought for a moment I was having a heart attach. I go for a unfill tomorrow and hope that relieve some of my problem. thanks to everyone who answered this thread.