Swallowing Complications 6 months out

[KateBruin 344]

I’ve posted about my complications before but things have developed so I thought I’d reach out again. Around 4 months developed difficulty eating except a few safe foods, then eventually developed difficulty with liquids. I vomit at least once a day.

My vagus nerve test was good so the surgeon didn’t cut it. I have delayed emptying at 55% but don’t meet clinical criteria for gastroparesis, which is 50% or less. My next tests are an endoscopy for GERD damage, and esophageal motility/manometry test, including a tube in my nose down my esophagus for 24 hrs to measure acid pH. Fun huh?

Anyone been in my shoes? It’s unbearable and I’m borderline convinced it’s psychological.

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Oh sweetie, so sorry for all these issues. Whatever happens, stop doubting your pain is real. Maybe your stomach just needs medication and rest. Have they tested you for h pylori bacteria? Or tried different meds?

I wish you the best and wosh you more patience and resolution soon. Counseling or meditation therapy wouldn't hurt at this point.

[James Marusek 5,244]

The first thing that came to mind is that you might have a stricture. This is fairly common after bariatric surgery. The normal solution to correct this problem is to have a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This process will allow them to observe the obstruction and correct it with a ballon dilation at the same time. So since you are scheduled to have an endoscopy, you will soon know if this is the cause of your problem. https://renewbariatrics.com/gastric-sleeve-ulcers-stricture/

[But since you have posted about your problem before and I do not recall your posts, there may be other issues at play. So perhaps you have already had an endoscopy in the past.]

[jess9395 5,450]

You’ve gotten some great advice, only one thought to add... if you think it might be psychological (we do have a very strong mind-body connection) have you tried anti anxiety medication? It’s come a LONG WAY since the Valium days.

[jess9395 5,450]

Just went back and read your other posts... sounds like they’ve ruled out a stricture?

There are meds that speed gastric motility as well.

Swallowing csn definitely be a symptom of GERD damage as can the intolerance and vomiting, but not usually motility.

Swallowing difficulties and intolerances and vomiting can definitely be anxiety symptoms too. Perhaps the motility issues you have could even have triggered the anxiety and the follow up symptoms, so it can get complicated when some are physical symptoms (motility) and others could be psychological symptoms triggered by anxiety about the initial symptoms.

Do think about taking a multi modal approach and including counseling, meditation and anxiety medication. The anxiety meds don’t interfere with the GI tract typically but make sure you confirm that with any doctors and with the specific anxiety Med you consider (if you do).

[mylighthouse 782]

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, no fun I know.

I am having trouble with nausea, vomiting, pain (like a rock sitting in chest), loss of appetite. I'm 15 months post sleeve.

Was in hospital for fews days due to dehydration, etc and they did an endoscopy. No stricture but they did say esophigitis, several erosions and GERD.

Still unable to get any dense foods down , follow up with surgeon and gastro next week.

You might have something similar going on. Your endoscopy will determine that. If they find any of those things, then they may want to go up on your ppi dosage. Also, GERD symptoms can sometimes be relieved by eliminating or limiting certain foods/drinks.

Request an anti-nausea med such as Zofran/ondansetron, it should help out...you don't want to get dehydrated.

I hope they get ya better soon.

[KateBruin 344]

Ruled out stricture, and gastroparesis even though I almost qualify. 55% of food remaining at 90 min and 50% is the cutoff for GP. Also ruled out a vagus nerve injury, which quasi bums me out because no suing my surgeon! (Kidding, kind of [emoji12])

Next month I get an esophageal manometry, another endoscopy, and I have to wear a nasal to stomach/esophageal sphincter tube for 24 hours. Tests pH and esophagus muscles.

I’ve read stories about people having some real issues then develop psychological fears of food and liquids. I’m examining physical causes then I’ll start on psychological. I do already take klonopin.