Hi folks,

Firstly, I must apologize for my absence over the past few months. I'd promised myself that I wouldn't be one of those people who reached my goals and abandoned the site. Unfortunately, life got in the way and for a bit, I did. That said, I definitely didn't forget you guys!! You've all been such a rock through this journey.

A few months ago, my hubby was diagnosed with MS, after a pretty big attack that left him unable to walk for a while. We don't have any family here, so juggling work, the kid and family life just became a bit much .. thus, I didn't really get online much.

I haven't had a fill since April, right after my breast reduction and tummy tuck, but I keep having to go back and get more saline taken out of the band, as I've found it getting tighter and tighter. I'll have some removed - it'll be fine for a few weeks, then BOOM - tight again. Over time though, I've also managed to put on a few kilos. Just what I needed after having half my stomach cut off LOL.

This past week, I spent most nights on the couch because reflux kept me up. It had me coughing like crazy and felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. So today I went off to the docs, figuring I just needed a bit more removed.

She decided that it'd be best if I went for a barium swallow, as I haven't had one since 1 day post op. It just trickled down slowly - still alot sitting in the pouch 5 minutes afterwards. The radiologist told me the band had slipped. I don't suppose it really hit me until I was back in the doctor's office though. Guess I figured she didn't know what she was talking about .. then I nearly burst into tears :/

So we did the usual - removed all the saline for two weeks and hope it will fix itself. If it doesn't, I suppose I'll go have it fixed. I love my band, even with all of its problems.

I know a slip isn't nearly as bad as an erotion, but it still hit me hard. Anyway, just wanted to report in .. guess I'm looking for some good thoughts sent this way if anyone has some extras to give out.

Hope everyone is doing well .. and congrats to all the newly banded people.

So sorry to hear of your slipped band. You've had some real stressors in your life come one right after the other. Do you have any close friends in your area that can help you when yoor schedule gets hectic? Maybe stay with your child for awhile when you need to tend to your husband? Will your boss give you any personal leave? Be kind to yourself too. YOU need a few moments for yourself, especially since you need to be the caregiver for others.

I'm sure some others here will have some much wiser suggestions for you. I really hope the best for you. Take care.

Terry

Hi Pavarthi - you have had a rough patch! Hope your comfort level has improved now your fill is out. Hope that hubby's MS has abated too - that's nasty.

PM or email me if you need a shoulder, coffee or a hand... ...I think I'm fairly local to you, and have a 5yo that likes to play with other kids...

I hope you're feeling better with the fill totally removed and this works to solve the problem. Best wishes for the health of both you and your husband.

Jess, what a handful you've been dealt! I'm so sorry about your husband and all you are facing.

Good luck with the unfill; here's hoping it resolves the slip and all is fine. :hug:

I'm so sorry to hear your news...MS is a long road, and you WILL need help. I hope you have some kind of support system "in person" to help with the kids and the errands.

I hope the fill removal will right the problem with the slipped band. Take it easy, and take care of yourself!

My goodness, you've had so much going on and now a slip too. I'm really sorry for everything and I'm sending best wishes your way that things start turning around for you soon! Please let us know how you're doing!

Wow, you have been dealt alot....sorry...I am sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

Awwww, my heart goes out to you. Hopefully this unfill will do the trick for you. Hope to see you posting more too, I wondered what happened to you.

Boy...you really have been handed some tough news! I hope that your hubby will respond to the medications that are available for MS and slow the progression. How is he handling the diagnosis? In regards to your band... I hope that it will be as simple as an unfill... keep us updated and hang in there!

Boy do I understand. My slip happened the same way and we finally did a barium swallow when I could get liquids down but didn't even dare to do solids or soft food. That happened in March, all Fluid removed and swallows every two weeks. Stayed on full liquids for about 3 weeks, the band did reposition itself but the pouch never went back to the correct size. This June he went in unbuckled the band, repositioned the stomach and to the correct size and then rebuckled the band. I also had a LBL at the same time since I was close to goal.

I will keep positive thoughts for you and the slip. You definitely have been under a lot of stress. I had none of the "reported symptoms" of a slip. I hardly ever PB'd and it had been months since I had, and I didn't overeat and watched portions carefully. I was surprised about the slip but did not want to lose the band..

It was a struggle being unfilled for over 6 months (he wouldn't refill until I was not swelling so severely after the LBL). I did gain some weight back and now trying to find my sweet spot to be on a losing streak again.

On the other side. I worked for the MS specialist at Stanford Hospital for 5 years. I definitely can relate to what you are going through as a caregiver. My doc's philosophy was that MS may keep you down 65 days or so a year but most patients are doing OK the rest of the time an that is a lot better than most diseases that really can effect your lifestyle 365 days a year. Also, it is really a head trip for a man to accept a diagnosis of MS, especially when he has been the major provider and has a family. But even if he has to take (or you give) injections on a daily, every other day, or weekly depending on the medication, hopefully this will help his everyday life. There is so much progress in the MS field currently. I don't know where you live but if you would like I would ask the neurologist I worked with if he knows any neurologists in your area that are MS specialists (I still see him monthly at our wine tasting group and also still see several of his patients and their families that have become friends). You can also PM me and I will help anyway I can. I can also help if you need resources. The MS Society will actually pay for somehow to help you if you and your children need a break. I think they will do it for 2 weeks a year. ALso, they will help fund air conditioners, walkers, scooters, or any other needa. My doctor used to write letters on a regular basis for patients to get a discount in the energy bills (it is a law that if heat/cold effects your quality of life that you can get a significant discount). We also wrote letters so insurances helped pay for many special needs. We wrote letter for tax reductions if patients had problems with carpeting (you should understand if your hubby had problems walking) and they need to change the flooring. So please, pick my brain if you need to. If you PM me, I can also give you my phone number if you just need someone to talk to.

Positive thoughts for you and your family and lots of HUGS.

Thank you everyone, for the thoughts and advice!! It means so much.

On the band side of things, I had a great night's sleep last night for the first time in a while. No reflux whatsoever.

My doctor didn't tell me to do liquids only for a few weeks. I'll call her back this morning and see if that's something I should be doing. Hope not, as I had a big ole taco salad last night LOL.

The hubby has taken the diagnoses pretty well, considering. He owns his own business and I work for him, so luckily, we've been able to take time off when needed. We have a great group of staff that really pick up the slack. He went through several (5) days of steroid treatment for the last attack. While he didn't see any immediate results from it, he's been working with a physiotherapist 4 times/week to regain his strength and stability. He's gone from having 35% strength in his left side to 85%, since June. Its been a long road, but we're getting there.

He hates needles, so is hesitant to go for the current medications, as they block around 35% of the attacks. So for the time being, he's going to wait for 6 months, then have another series of MRI's done to see if he's had any silent attacks (or visible ones even). If he has, then he'll talk to the neurologist about treatment. There's one in the US, that's new, but seems to be blocking around 80% of attacks. Its not available here yet, but he's talked to his neurologist about getting on that when it is.

Again, thank you all so much for your kind words!!

Sorry to hear you guys are having such a hard time. I hope things get better for you both soon.

Jess, tis good to see you back. All our prayers and good thoughts for you and yours.

Parvathi, I hate to see you having such stressful situations at the same time. That truly and totally sucks. I will be sending you and your DH both tons of positive thoughts. Keep us updated.

Jess, I'm so sorry to hear of you and your DH have been through so much. Hugs to both of you....Don't be a stranger, stay in touch.

That goes for you too Carol.