Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Crazy cramps?



Recommended Posts

Hi. New to this site and forum.

I had RNY GSB on October 20, 2016. For four weeks I had ongoing cramps on my left side that moved around. One was the pain from the muscle incision someone else wrote about. That resolved. But at four weeks I still had this almost constant sharp pain on the left just under my rib cage. It felt/feels like I suddenly ran and got an ache in my side multiplied by 50.

Nothing showed on the scan. My surgeon suspected adhesions or scar tissue to be at the root of it. So two weeks ago, I went under again for an "exploratory" and for her to remove scar tissue. There was scar tissue that she did remove but not as much as she thought would be there.

I do feel better (2 weeks later) but I still get these sudden cramp attacks and can't figure out what causes them. At least they stay in one place: left side under my rib cage.

It can happen when I eat (nothing in particular), or drink, or be walking. Ice packs and/or drinking hot tea helps as does sitting and stretching out on a recliner but it takes a while. They can last up to an hour or more.

Anyone else experience this or have any knowledge what is causing this? And any suggestions to prevent or treat?

Thanks in advance!

(Pictures coming soon)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi....For those that read, thank you.

Thought I would give you all an update and maybe this will help someone else.

Through trial and error, I narrowed this issue down to a couple of things:

1. Drinking.

First, although I wasn't using a straw, I was drinking hot fluids with a "sip top" cover. And I realized, I may have been gulping air when trying to get Fluid through the small opening! Now I just keep the top on to keep the beverage hot (and prevent spills from my mischievous cats who like to run fast and knock things over - lol). But when I sip, I remove the top. This has made a huge difference.

Second, although for the most part I mastered the eating techniques (more in a minute), I believe I may be drinking fluids too quickly. This is because a) I'm not drinking enough or consistently throughout the day so when I drink fluids, I'm so thirsty, I go too quickly (old habits die hard, what can I say?) Also, the eating guidelines are pretty clear. But drinking guidelines I've seen are "sip like you would a hot drink". Guess what? I typically liked my beverages ice cold and even when hot, they were typically very warm. As in hot tea, I would add an ice cube so I could drink it.

Bottom line on fluids for me: Small sips through an open top cup, swish in my mouth, wait at least 30 seconds (like food) before taking another sip.

I haven't figure out yet why I get this pain randomly when sitting or walking. For now, I've accepted it may still be my body healing and relearning to digest food and But if I figure it out, I'll update again.

Regardless of whether you read, reply, post, I'm so grateful to have found this site. Reading others' experiences has been helpful and inspiring to me. You also makes me feel like I am in great company and remind me to laugh at myself now and then - even if laughing still hurts my tummy (but less than it did one week post-op).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm having same cramps. Calling doc tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I sipped my Water today, had no side pain at all. I guess gulping is not good. . Doc orders did say, sip Water. Lol

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • jparadigm

      Happy Wednesday!
       
      I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far! 
      It's been a bit of a struggle this last week...I'm hungry ALL the time.
      · 1 reply
      1. BlondePatriotInCDA

        Have a great Wednesday too! Sorry you're hungry all the time, I'm pretty much the same..and I'm sick of eating the same food all the time.

    • ChunkCat

      Well, tomorrow I go in for an impromptu hiatal hernia repair after ending up in the ER over the weekend because I couldn't get food down and water was moving at a trickle... I've been having these symptoms on and off for a few weeks but Sunday was the worst by far and came with chest pain and trouble breathing. The ER PA thinks it is just esophagitis and that the surgeon and radiologist are wrong. But the bariatric surgeon swears it is a hernia, possibly a sliding one based on my symptoms. So he fit me into his schedule this week to repair it! I hope he's right and this sorts it out. He's going to do a scope afterwards to be sure there is nothing wrong with the esophagus. Here's hoping it all goes well!!
      · 2 replies
      1. AmberFL

        omgsh!! Hope all goes well!! Keeping you in my thoughts!

      2. gracesmommy2

        Hope you’re doing well!

    • jparadigm

      Hello lovlies!
      Today is a beautiful day in west Michigan! I hope you all have a beautiful Tuesday and rest of your week!! 🤗
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Having gall bladder surgery in a few days and I so hope the recovery is easier than the one from the modified DS! I could use a bit of luck/pep talk for a change. I'm starting to be able to walk around without experiencing dizziness, but it would be great if the random pain in my chest and abdomen would go away!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Dawn 1974

      4/4/2024 - new patient orientation. Wt 313
      4/5/2024 - got all my lab work done.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×