Last night I started getting uncomfortable, like really uncomfortable after I "ate" some tomato Soup. By bedtime, the discomfort had turned into pain. The pain is in the middle of my chest and comes in waves - like contractions. I finally got to sleep and when I woke up I was uncomfortable again. Fast forward to lunch - I was trying to eat my mushed up chicken and my laughing cow cheese, but every time I swallowed I was hit with that pain in the center of my chest. I gave up eating and the spasms continued on for a couple hours. I should add that drinking Water does not cause me pain.

The same damn thing happened when I tried to eat dinner. What gives? The pain radiates down my arms, up my neck, to my face and even my ears!

For reference:

Surgery - 4/10 (with hiatal hernia repair)

Medications - Levsin 2 every four hours

Protonix 2x's a day

GasX strips as needed

Should I go back to full liquids for a bit?

I'm still pre op so i have no idea but this would definitely be something i'd call my doctor about. You shouldn't be in PAIN.

Sounds like gall bladder pains. Call the Dr. for sure.

I asked my doc abt similar sounding pains and he said it was esophageal spasms. They hurt a lot. Don't go by what I say though, ask your doc.

I would call the doc as well....it may not be your gall bladder, could be that your ppi is not working well enough for you. tomatoes are highly acidic, and you could have agrivated your tummy with it, and it hasnt forgiven you yet sorry you are having this pain......but I had this happen too, the spasams and the pain all the way up until 2 months post op....the happy thing is that it does go away when you are further out....but you cant be to careful...call the doc, that is what they are there for. hope you feel better soon....until you talk to the doc I would try eating room temp bland food, and make sure to take the ppi's religiously.....good luck, and well wishes!

I asked my doc but similar sounding pains and he said it was esophageal spasms. They hurt a lot. Don't go by what I say though, ask your doc.

I also had these. My doc said they were esophageal spasms also. I woke up from my surgery screaming "I'm having a heart attack." He knew what it was right away. They gave me dilaudid and Valium. He said the pain mimics a heart attack and is just as bad. Mine was further exasperated by some of my pre-op meds. The Valium is to stop the spasms and the dilaudid to calm you down until it does. You def need to check in with your doc though, because even though it is most likely this, it could also be your gallbladder or heart too. Best wishes!

Thanks for the responses, guys. I went to the Dr. yesterday morning and he sent me to the hospital to be admitted. The good news is no leak and no abscess. The bad news isn't terrible, just irritating - literally! It appears that my stomach and esophagus have quite a bit of acid erosion from some bad reflux. He started me on some fluids and some carafate. I tried to eat some yogurt this morning and was in severe pain immediately, which means I get to stay another night. I was able to drink some chicken broth and eat a popsicle so it looks like Clear Liquids for a bit. Fine with me - I don't want to hurt. Thank God I am one of the lucky ones and haven't experience physical hunger since surgery because I think I would be a mess.

I don't really consider this a complication of surgery, because I firmly believe that it would have happened at some point with as often as I was having heartburn.

Thanks again - you guys are terrific! *raises cup of ice chips*

Oh my goodness. My Dr ordered pre-op Upper GI and Endoscopy just to specifically look at those things because this surgery can irritate any existing issues with the esophogus and stomach. I am so sorry that this is happening to you.

Clear liquids for a while it sounds, I am 4-days post-op and have another 11 days of clear liquids to look forward to.

Best wishes for a fast recovery.

Feel better. Sorry you've been suffering.