Re: Questions for gastro

[Guest guest]

>

> However, constipation and all-over abdominal pain has

> remained. Went to gastroenterologist in July. Put me

> on Miralax once a day. Didn't really help - still only

> having bowel movement every 2 or 3 days. Upped it to

> twice a day. Still only every other day or so. Now he

> wants me to do it twice a day and take two tablespoons

> of Benefiber. If still doesn't help within a week or

> so, wants me to get colonoscopy.

>

*****Many people sware by Benefiber, but I've had severe

constipation, and I finally found that taking a couple of stool

softeners every day solved the problem for me. Just a thought.

> Now that I've given you a synopsis, let me share with

> you some things he said. First of all, he did mention

> that his experience with gastric bypass patients has

> been the opposite of constipation. Also, when I

> mentioned that an excess of sugar sometimes produces

> results (unfortunately, I'm one who can handle sugar

> just fine) he said he's really not sure why that

> happens to gastric bypass patients - why refined sugar

> causes dumping.

*****Explain to him that dumping is cause when sugar is " dumped " into

the intestine very quickly.

I also mentioned to him that I was a member of this online support

group and that different medical issues have been discussed, such as

staple line disruption and the like, and he said sld usually

> happens to people within the first year. I told him that folks in

this group are generally far out from that who have had it happen and

he said he doesn't know why.

>

*****This may or may not be true. I discovered my SLD at about 6

months out. But, many post-ops are unaware of it or go unchecked for

a number of years until they start gaining weight or have certain

symptoms return, such as acid reflux.

> I asked if the pain in my pouch area and constipation

> issues could be something wrong with my pouch. He said

> he doesn't think so as constipation can cause pain

> throughout the abdominal area.

*****It could be any number of things. I had been having pain, and

after probably ruling out gallbladder and ulcer, my doctor thinks

it's gastritis. Since being on Prilosec, so far, so good.

I've also mentioned to him (as well as my PCP in the past) that I

believe I have a hernia (center of my ab, along the incision line)

that tends to hurt sometimes and bulge after eating, especially if I

eat too much. Neither one seemed concerned about this or addressed

the issue of a potential hernia.

>

*****I've never had a hernia, but it's nothing to sneeze at. Bottom

line, get another opinion.

I appreciate the fact that he admits when he doesn't know something,

and this is a chance to teach another doctor, but he has, obviously,

not dealt with enough gastric bypass patients to see the variety of

symptoms we display. Make a few phone calls, and " interview " a few

new gastro docs over the phone. Go with your gut on who seems to be

the most knowledgeable AND is WLS-friendly.

Good luck,

in NJ

[Guest guest]

How much water are you drinking? Up it to at least three liters and see

if that doesn't help. If three liters sounds like an I'll-drown level,

it will DEFINITELY help.

Have you tried sugar-free Fiber Choice tablets? Benefiber didn't work

for me, but FC did and does.

Have you been scoped? With 1.5 years of pain, I'd be insisting on it.

Here's a scientific explanation of dumping that might be helpful to your

doctor: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic589.htm

I would also seek a second opinion from another doctor about the

possible hernia, if it were me.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Z

Open RNY 09/17/01

310/126/145 (goal was 160)

Then/lowest/now

Http://www.ziobro.us/index.html

Questions for gastro

Hello, folks.

Please give me your insight on the following situation.

I've had constipation/weird abdominal pain issues since my surgery 1 1/2

years ago. Ended up getting gallbladder taken out 6 months after

surgery. That helped with some of the pain on my left side.

However, constipation and all-over abdominal pain has remained. Went to

gastroenterologist in July. Put me on Miralax once a day. Didn't really

help - still only having bowel movement every 2 or 3 days. Upped it to

twice a day. Still only every other day or so. Now he wants me to do it

twice a day and take two tablespoons of Benefiber. If still doesn't help

within a week or so, wants me to get colonoscopy.

Now that I've given you a synopsis, let me share with you some things he

said. First of all, he did mention that his experience with gastric

bypass patients has been the opposite of constipation. Also, when I

mentioned that an excess of sugar sometimes produces results

(unfortunately, I'm one who can handle sugar just fine) he said he's

really not sure why that happens to gastric bypass patients - why

refined sugar causes dumping. I also mentioned to him that I was a

member of this online support group and that different medical issues

have been discussed, such as staple line disruption and the like, and he

said sld usually happens to people within the first year. I told him

that folks in this group are generally far out from that who have had it

happen and he said he doesn't know why.

I asked if the pain in my pouch area and constipation issues could be

something wrong with my pouch. He said he doesn't think so as

constipation can cause pain throughout the abdominal area. I've also

mentioned to him (as well as my PCP in the past) that I believe I have a

hernia (center of my ab, along the incision

line) that tends to hurt sometimes and bulge after eating, especially if

I eat too much. Neither one seemed concerned about this or addressed the

issue of a potential hernia.

I'm rambling now, but I'm hoping you get a feel for what I'm dealing

with. I want to ensure I'm informing the gastro as much as I can about

things brought up in this group and asking him the right questions, but

I'm not sure that I am.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

=====

Cincinnati

Open RNY 12/17/01

Pre-op 335

Current 167

[Guest guest]

:

As for the constipation that you are experiencing, ask your doctor about

a prescription called Zelnorm. Usally taken 6 mg twice a day. I work for

gastroenterologists and they have asked me a bunch of times about how I

handle the diarrhea all the time. Told them that I don't have that and

the " plumbing " is just fine. They were quite shocked. I have the same

problem if I eat too many sugars or carbs, sends me right to the

bathroom too.

As for the hernia, speak with your PCP and tell him that you want a

specific appointment to address this issue. Maybe even ask him if he

wants you to come in without eating, let him look at you and then go out

and get something to eat and come back to show him what you're talking

about. Sometimes with these guys, seeing is believing. I had to do that

with the glucose tolerance tests with both my pregnancies because I

couldn't drink that gack they give you without getting sick. Went in,

took my blood sugar, went out to eat and came back and hour and a half

later and was done. Give it a shot.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Regina