Worried

[Monkfan 1]

I've been banded for 4 yrs now. Only lost 40 lbs and been staying at the same weight... but I've had a few health problems lately (I'm 70) and have had to see numerous specialists, PT, dental etc. I'm all out of co pays... so I haven't gone in to my weight loss center for a few months. But now suddenly I'm getting a burning stomach after eating and at bedtime. I am taking Pepcid, but why am I getting this now and is it connected to the band?

My health problem has been with my hip, making it impossible to do my walking or exercise... the doctor thinks it's bursitis and the PT therapist thinks it's a muscle spasm... either way it's painful and expensive.

[2muchfun 8,928]

You must have Medicare right? Don't they cover office visits? Your symptoms could be anything from GERD to a slip or dilation. I'd recommend seeing your bariatric doctor very soon.

[Monkfan 1]

Medicare doesn't pay for much, I have supplementary to cover what it doesn't but my co pays are $40 each time. That's every visit to the orthopedic and $15 for each PT session. Plus I had a dental problem that cost $600. I suppose, if you think it could be a slip... I could forgo the next ortho appt. and go to my bariatric center... but if it was a slip wouldn't there be other symptoms?

[Monkfan 1]

Symptoms of a Band Slip

1. Severe heartburn or reflux (GERD)
2. Pain when eating solid food (dysphagia)
3. Vomiting with solid foods
4. Night cough
5. Chest pain or pressure

I only have burning stomach. It isn't heartburn or reflux... I had those before the surgery and they fixed it. My actual stomach (beneath my breast) burns like it's on fire. Pepcid does help.

[2muchfun 8,928]

It doesn't have to be all the symptoms but if it's something you had before the band that's a different story. I got nothing. Never had any problems with my band.

[Monkfan 1]

Yes, I'll wait two more days... if it doesn't stop I'll make an appt. You see it all started when I took 2 Alleve for my hip pain.... that's when it started but I haven't taken a thing since and it's still burning. However, there is a chance it could be something to do with the band because when I eat I can feel the food backing right up my pipes. Never had that feeling before. Of course I stop eating. Doesn't happen every meal though... last night I think I overate as my husband made a chicken and rice dish that was so good I just kept eating. No back up. Tonight I tried to heat some up and have it again and I could only eat half. When I swallow it feels like some is still there... like it has backed up and needs time to go down. Sort of like a clogged sink.

I do a lot of pbing because I'm an A type person and tend to eat too fast when I'm not thinking about eating slow. Then I end up in the bathroom.

[2muchfun 8,928]

How long have you been taking Aleve?

[Monkfan 1]

Not regularly. I hardly ever take anything like aspirin or Tylenol because I bruise from it... but the pain was just so bad Saturday.

[2muchfun 8,928]

OK, Tylenol is OK(but it hardly works) but Nsaids like aspirin, ibuprofen and Aleve can cause stomach ulcers and for banded people those ulcers will occur right at the stoma site. These ulcers can cause band erosion which is extremely dangerous.

[Monkfan 1]

Oh my gosh and no one ever told me that. Thank goodness I don't take any of those things but I have been taking Aleve on and off for this dumb hip problem. You'd think they would have told me that.

It's the strangest ailment. It only hurts when I try to walk after sitting. Then once I get going I'm OK. but if I try to walk my usual mile... I suffer the next day.

[terrydumont46 1,954]

I didn't even have heartburn at first but my band had slipped already. my ears, nose and throat doctor found the redness from reflux. but soon after I began refluxing in the worse way and chest pain I thought was my heart. I was taking nitro to get rid of the chest pain. sliming and pb'ing became a daily thing. it is the worse to go where our bands can take us. I wish I would have listen closer to what my body was telling me. I wouldn't be in the mess I am. but I have followed my doctor's directions to the t. and now am eating small meals of regular food. I am very hopeful for a positive outcome. I love my band and thought I was being very compliant. so suggestion now that you have indigestion please report to your doctor. not normal. and request a barium swallow.

[Monkfan 1]

Very good advice, but again money is a factor. I had one swallow test already... $60. and I was fine. I was PBing so much. So I want to be a bit surer that it is band related. So far tonight I haven't had the burning. I skipped the Decaf coffee usually have after supper. If it isn't better by Monday... I will go. For sure. I'll let you all know. You are all so kind to take the time to advise me.

[terrydumont46 1,954]

I was just diagnosed with bursitis of the shoulder. man is it painful. my doctor told me rest and ice packs. so that's what I did. went home told everyone to take a hike and layed in my recliner took Vicodin and had a ice pack on it all day. took a Jacuzzi that night and than cooled down the shoulder again with a ice pack while laying in bed eating a sugar free popsicle . when I woke up the following morning my pain level was down to a 2. the day before I was crying with pain. wish you lots of luck.

[Monkfan 1]

Debbie, I've had mine since just before Easter. It won't go away. At first I thought I needed a hip replacement but xrays showed they were fine. I don't think bursitis lasts this long but it has sure screwed up my weight loss because I can't get exercise, but still eat 3 x a day. I try to share meals... like make a big Breakfast ( eggs, etc.) eat half and eat the other half for lunch.

Anyway... I try to walk in small doses but if I over do.... suffer next day.

PT made it worse. I quit... I spent 75 dollars on 5 visits and they made it worse. Maybe I should have kept going but money... again. This health care thing is killing us. My husband has some health problems too and it really adds up. So I want to be SURE or pretty sure when I go for tests or xrays that I really need them.

It started in the hip but now is more in the buttocks. (Pain in the arse). Sometimes it shoots down to my calf. The doctor said sometimes it will affect the sciatica as well.

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

Thanks for letting me know because I have PAIN if I sit or stand for to long and my right shoulder and arm will never be the same , I guess I could have looked up what bursitis was Lol just not thinking to much right now because of all my Doctor's appointments and paper work.