In your opinion, unfill necessary?

LapBandFan · January 22, 2005

I am new to posting, so please forgive the length of this post...

my allergies are giving me a fit with lots of drainage, but only at night causing the cough and leading to spit up and throw up. Long story short, I was taking Claritin-D but noticed when I would have throw up even hours after taking it, the pill would come up and still be whole and intact, making me think it wsa not going anywhere especialy not through the pouch. So I got worried and called my nurse. I have talked to my Band Doctor's nurses all week, she said to use guiafenicin and my regular Claritin together and if I am still doing these things come Monday, they are bringing me in for an unfill. Well I only have 1 cc total in my band now and don't have any throwing up during the day or with regular solid food so I don't see the need for an unfill. I am freaked out about this and don't want an unfill for fear I will start gaining weight back. The nurse says it is to let the mucus pass through and that he might not fill back again for 2 months! Would you suggest I refuse an unfill at this time. As I was under the impression you only needed an unfill if you ar too tight with all foods etc, with regular meals, during the day too, but as you see my problem is only occuring at night. I sit up and sleep in the recliner with some relief but it still happens with excessive coughing. Any suggestions before Monday are appreciated!

Worried about an unfill....:cry

Brenda

365-(227-current)-150 (yes, I dream big when I dream...)

kimalicious · January 22, 2005

I would not go for the unfill. I have the mucus problem too. My fill doctor recommended using Alavert-D in the disolvable tablets. They disolve on your tongue. They have helped me tremendously. You have to get rid of the problem causing the mucus before you worry about an unfill. I would talk to your doctor about liquid forms and disolvable forms of medications you can use to help you out. This is just a suggestion before you go for an unfill. Everyone has that crap worse when they lay down, lap band or not. I would ask you doc about this rather than the unfill.

LapBandFan · January 22, 2005

Kim, I was wondering if the Alavert oral dissolving pills did you much good with the mucus? I would think the D form of the drug would be better for this but I have searched online and only find the oral-dissolving kind in Regular Alavert not in alavert D.

Please tell me where you found Alavert D in oral dissolving pill form.

Thanks for the suggestions.

leatha_g · January 22, 2005

Kim's suggestion is a good one, however, everyone must know that this terrible mucous/sinus infection can and does sometimes have an effect on the band. I've known more than one person who did have to have an unfill at least temporarily. The one thing you absolutely DO NOT want is aspiration pneumonia which you very well can get from aspirating in the day/or day for that matter. It is very common amongst bandsters irregardless of the precipitating cause. It is better to have a small unfill than it is to have months and months of recovery from this nasty pneumonia. Please do what is best for your overall health, not just your weight loss. I hope you are able to do it without an unfill, too.

New Hope · January 22, 2005

Brenda, you've done amazing w/your weight loss! How long have you been banded and what are you currently filled to? Just a 0.2cc (smidgen) of an unfill will give you relief and will not cause you to eat more. Please be careful. I know you've worked too hard to risk losing your band now.

LapBandFan · January 22, 2005

Marie, I have been banded since Feb 2004, almost one year soon! WOO HOO! I have a current fill of only 1 cc total. We went with more back in the summer but it was too tight had acid reflux and did an unfill and now back to 1 cc and no more acid reflux.

Thanks for your advice. I guess If I can talk the doc into not releasing all of it I will feel safer. Yes, I love my band and don't want to chance losing it.

Keep me in your prayers.

Rebeccalee · January 22, 2005

I would do everything possible to decrease that mucous. I have allergies too and they are a real pain. Is this a seasonal cycle for you? If it is, how long does it usually last this time of year? I'd try lots of tea with lemon and lots of Water and a new allergy medication. Then, go with the tiny unfill if you have to.

Congratulations on your great weight loss, too. And remember, you have room to gain back a few pounds if you have to have an unfill. It will come off later. You know how to do it.

athykay · January 22, 2005

Brenda,

Just this last week the doctor had to remove .4 cc from my band. I have the allergy problem too and I also have had a cold for a couple of weeks. I take Claritin for my allergies. But with the cold I had a lot of the drainage thing going on. I was at 1cc and on the 12th he put in .7 well let me tell you. I thought I was going to die. By Thursday I was pbing on anything and everything. Water, the drainage, I had the reflux stuff going on it was awful. I tried to ride it out but by Monday with no sleep and not being able to keep anything down I called the doctor. I went in to get a unfill but no luck he couldn't hit the port. The flori tech wasn't in so I had to wait until Tuesday. He then removed the .4 cc and oh my gosh what a relief, I really think that I would have had the aspiration pneumonia I could feel it coming on. I still have my good restriction but it made the world of difference. I did loose 6 pounds in the process but not a good way to loose. So maybe it might be a good idea for you. I think Leatha is right on. You don't want to end up very sick. Trust me I really think I would have been worse had I had to wait much longer. I am going to be checking out the Alavert D it is worth a try.

Best of luck to you,

Kathy

La_madam · January 22, 2005

I was told by my Doc that anytime you have the reflux and or mucous at night, you need an unfill..maybe not a complete unfill but a partial unfill. As little as .2 cc's can make the biggest difference to get those pills through and eliminate the mucous at night. Maybe ask for a partial unfill for the time being

blossom · January 22, 2005

This won't give you immediate relief, but I just wanted to let you know that I had terrible allergies (you name it, I was allergic to it!) all my life. I have been taking allergy shots (immunotherapy) for over 3 years now and the difference is amazing. Yes, I still have some allergy symptoms, but they are nothing like they used to be. I have a couple of more years of shots to go, and I will happily take them!!!

LapBandFan · January 24, 2005

Thanks for all your advice. Blossom, I have wondered about allergy shots if they would do any good. I am so over this PBing and coughing and vomiting at night. I feel weak and shaky the next day as I am apparently not keeping enough down for nutrition sake. I am supposed to go tomorrow (Tues 1/24) for the unfill. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for your support. Love this board.

kimalicious · January 24, 2005

I double checked my Alavert and it does not have the D on it. It has still helped me. I asked my doc because the Mucinex is what I used to take but is a huge pill. She told me take the Alavert because it would keep the mucus from starting rather than breaking it up. Just an idea. Do listen to you band though because Leatha is right a small unfill could do the trick also while keeping you tight...