Self Pay=Self Help -- HELP!

[YellowRose 21]

Okay... I NEED HELP!!

I am taking one Prevacid in the morning 7am, and one Prevacid in the evening, 7pm.

It does not seem to be working. Sometimes I cannot take a deep breath because the pain is there. At night, my chest will really hurt sometimes. I started trying to take GasX and Tums inbetween times, and maybe it helps a little.

I am TRYING to find a doctor who can help me get this lined out but that is proving VERY difficult.

WHAT ARE YOU TAKING? How often?

[thinoneday 445]

Where in texas are you? I'm in San Antonio and the great physician who did my surgery takes patients who went to mexico. Let me know and I'll give you his name and contact information ok. Thanks

[YellowRose 21]

I'm in Houston. You think it wouldn't be hard to find one, but so far no positive responses.

[YellowRose 21]

Dr. Wilkenfeld - Conroe TX says "NO" to follow-up for self-pay Mexico patients. His nurse suggested I just go to the ER.

[Foxbins 625]

Try another PPI; sometimes another works when one doesn't, even thought they are all chemically related. You can try Prilosec (generic is omeprazole) or Protonix (generic is pantoprazole). You might also try adding an H2 blocker like Tagamet, Pepcid, or Zantac if you're at the max dose of PPI and still have acid.

[thinoneday 445]

I'm in Houston. You think it wouldn't be hard to find one, but so far no positive responses.

Try over here, Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos with NE Baptist hospital. At the orientation he said that he and his staff take care of those who went to Mexico. His # is 210-651-0303. Good luck!

[YellowRose 21]

I called Dr. Cavazos office. They want a $2,000 program fee to see me. I don't have it. Going to keep looking.

[sarsar 824]

Can you go to your PCP? My PCP has seen me for any issues that I have had and will continue to do so in the future. She is very supportive. Also, my doctors from Mexico are very supportive and are willing to talk to her about any questions she may have.

[YellowRose 21]

I have 102 degrees fever and I feel bad. I'm going to my PCP in the morning. I dread it because I don't want a lecture about "surgery in Mexico".

The way I feel it will make me cry.

[Tiffykins 672]

I wouldn't wait, I'd go to the ER.

If you're febrile, and having that type of pain, there could be something more serious going on.

As for the PPI, I took Prilosec 20mg once daily. First thing in the morning, wait 1 hour before eating as it's written in the packaging, and never had any further issues.

The Tums/Rolaids are full of Calcium carbonate which can cause rebound reflux when you take a PPI. Gaviscon is a good in between, but I would caution you taking anything other than Clear liquids orally at this point if you are febrile and have pain.

If they start lecturing you about surgery in Mexico, point blank stand up for yourself and your decision, and say "That is NOT an issue at this point, MY ISSUE now is that I am exhibiting these symptoms, fix it!" They will more than likely send you out for labs, and a contrast study on your sleeve. If you go to the ER, they can rule out the most dangerous complication of a leak. The longer you wait, the worse the recovery will be, and the greater chance for infection if there is something wrong with your sleeve.

[YellowRose 21]

No pain. Just fever and achy like flu.

Thanks for the advice. I'm waiting for hubby to get home from work. Yep time to get it checked.

[SeattleSue 25]

Yellow Rose,

I'm praying that you are well and this is just simply the flu or something. Hope to hear all is well.

Susan

[KellyL 173]

The problems with unable to take a deep breath and the fever is very concerning, I would go to the ER if I were you. I have never had gas or acid that caused those symptoms. Take care of yourself and update us please!

[sarsar 824]

Thinking of you....please update when you get a chance. I hope you went to the ER. A fever is something that needs to get checked asap.

[YellowRose 21]

I'm SO relieved!!! I have pneumonia!

I was worried about leaks etc.

People at the ER have been so nice. Absolutely no scolding or ANYTHING about surgery except to say that my incisions are healing very nicely.

So glad I went .... And so relieved.