So, some may have seen some threads where I was complaining that it hurt really bad to swallow. I am 15 days out now and get about 20oz of water a day. I just got back from my surgeon and he is 95% sure I've developed an ulcer where my esophagus meets the pouch. (I am not a smoker) He put me on Carafate 4 times a day and asked me to resume Percocet. It really really hurts to swallow. Even spit hurts to swallow. They are doing an endoscopy Monday to ensure it's not a stricture, but nothing ever comes back up or gets stuck... it just burns like the fires of hell, lol, which is a massive deterrent to swallowing. They also put me back on liquids. I was on soft foods.

Anyone else here get an ulcer? How long does it take to heal? It's really painful and really inhibiting my fluid intake. My everything intake, really. They don't want to put me on IV fluids yet though because my electrolytes are fine. Hopefully this Carafate soothes things!

Mouse, I do not have an ulcer but i am really sorry to hear you are going through all this. I am one week and one day post op today. Keep us posted on how you are doing. It will get better and before you know it you will be back on track!

I have literally only taken one dose of Carafate and can already feel a difference. It immediately coated my esophagus and I am drinking my first protein shake in over a week with minimal pain. Holy crap. I could cry. lol. He said it would help first dose, but I rightfully was skeptical.

1 minute ago, mousecat88 said:

I have literally only taken one dose of Carafate and can already feel a difference. It immediately coated my esophagus and I am drinking my first Protein Shake in over a week with minimal pain. Holy crap. I could cry. lol. He said it would help first dose, but I rightfully was skeptical.

That is great news to hear! Now on to better days! I am really glad this is helping you and i hope you are healed in a jiffy!

Get well soon!

37 minutes ago, mousecat88 said:

I have literally only taken one dose of Carafate and can already feel a difference. It immediately coated my esophagus and I am drinking my first Protein Shake in over a week with minimal pain. Holy crap. I could cry. lol. He said it would help first dose, but I rightfully was skeptical.

OMG so glad you got relief! I was literally cringing the entire time I was reading your first post. A true Gastric Warrior!

OMG so glad you got relief! I was literally cringing the entire time I was reading your first post. A true Gastric Warrior!

I thought I was going crazy or overreacting to "normal" healing pain. I am glad I harassed the crap out of then, lol. They normally don't do followups with the surgeon themselves... just the bariatric nurses. But I was like SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE. lol.

I probably don't need the endoscopy but better safe than sorry. Plus, I've already hit my out of pocket max for the year so it'll be free.

Just now, mousecat88 said:

I thought I was going crazy or overreacting to "normal" healing pain. I am glad I harassed the crap out of then, lol. They normally don't do followups with the surgeon themselves... just the bariatric nurses. But I was like SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT HERE. lol.

That's the best thing you can do! It's your body and other folks have been chopping on it LOL If something doesn't seem OK, you certainly have the right to speak up about it ?

Just an update... the Carafate helps me swallow things for about 1 to 2 hours before it wears off. However, today I've started dry heaving and partially regurgitating all liquids except water. I knew ulcers were a risk, but they are rare. I rolled the dice and lost. Had I known, I would not have had this surgery. I really can't describe the pain and nausea. It is unlike anything. And constant, except for when I take the Carafate... but now I can't keep stuff down. I've read these can take months to heal... I hope that isn't the case with mine. Honestly, the weight loss is not worth this.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be negative. It is very hard to stay optimistic when you're suffering. I can't stand for more than 5 min at a time and I can't eat. I feel so much less healthy than I did preop. I'm tired of feeling sick, and I know I probably have months before this thing heals. It's daunting and scary.

Sister ?? Please please,let me know how things go with You! My ulcers are farther down, in my pouch near the stoma and the 3 on the back wall of the jejumen, you trumped? me with your esophageal-gastric ulcer although neither of Us Asked to be dealt into THIS GAME, but I understand as few others can. I wish they would give me a firm time for Friday, neither of the social service agencies I normally use work Black Friday nor does our local Transport/Taxi so I will have to ask Kay, my late hubby's 1st girlfriend, no nothing funny there, we had been friends before I ever found out they dated. Just one of those " Small World, isn't it? moments in life. But DO LET ME KNOW, OKAY??

You are not negative, you are just venting! And as soon as this is over you'll be back on your road to better health. When faced with a hurdle, I always tell myself "at least it isn't cancer" and it makes me feel better.

I had an ulcer about 2 weeks or so after surgery and had to go back in the hospital for four nights due to internal bleeding. No pain, though. Then 7 months later I had another one. Just stayed overnight one night for that one. It’s been almost 10 months now with no other ulcers thankfully! Hang in there!

12 hours ago, Savagegirl said:

I had an ulcer about 2 weeks or so after surgery and had to go back in the hospital for four nights due to internal bleeding. No pain, though. Then 7 months later I had another one. Just stayed overnight one night for that one. It’s been almost 10 months now with no other ulcers thankfully! Hang in there!

I am fortunate that mine isn't bleeding. The surgeon said it looks like it's already healing. But it is VERY painful. The Carafate helps a ton though. I hope this isn't recurrent! How did you know you had an ulcer with there being no pain? Blood coming out... of places? (lol, sorry).

Feeling a bit better today... not much pain at all with the Carafate helping. Having some... bathroom issues though. Not sure if related to the new medicine or the endoscopy or because I am now drinking more water. Quite gurgly in there. lol.

On 11/18/2018 at 3:36 PM, Frustr8 said:

Sister ?? Please please,let me know how things go with You! My ulcers are farther down, in my pouch near the stoma and the 3 on the back wall of the jejumen, you trumped? me with your esophageal-gastric ulcer although neither of Us Asked to be dealt into THIS GAME, but I understand as few others can. I wish they would give me a firm time for Friday, neither of the social service agencies I normally use work Black Friday nor does our local Transport/Taxi so I will have to ask Kay, my late hubby's 1st girlfriend, no nothing funny there, we had been friends before I ever found out they dated. Just one of those " Small World, isn't it? moments in life. But DO LET ME KNOW, OKAY??

Turned out not to be esophageal. We have matching ulcers! Right on the line between my stomach and my intestine. I only have one though... so you got me beat there! I can't imagine having FOUR!