Severe Upper Back Pain

[LizzieBorden 3]

Ive been banded since 12/07. I woke up this past Saturday and thought I was having a heart attack. I had a terrible pain in the middle of my chest. After I sat up for a while I realized the pain was really coming from my upper back and was being caused by my band. I can eat and drink but not without pain. It isn't getting "stuck" but I have this horrible squeezing pain across my upper back into my shoulders a little while after I eat. Part of it is that horrible left should pain a lot of banded people deal with.

I have an appointment Thursday with my surgeon for an unfill. I have a feeling it may be a dialated pouch or something along those lines. I have been over filled in the past so I know what that feels like. Anyone else have a similar experience?

[elcee 3,341]

What makes you sure it is your band. You thought you were having a heart attack and you could have been. You should get that checked out ASAP.

[LizzieBorden 3]

What makes you sure it is your band. You thought you were having a heart attack and you could have been. You should get that checked out ASAP.

Like I said in my post, once I sat up I could tell it was NOT coming from my chest. I've been banded long enough to at least have an idea of when my band is causing a problem.

Thanks for your response.

[elcee 3,341]

That's good but heart attack pain is not always felt in the chest. It can cause pain in the back, arms, shoulders, neck, jaw..........................

There are numerous instances of people that think they are suffering from indigestion as they have suffered with it for years and it then turns out to be a heart problem instead.At least you are going to see your specialist so hopefully everything will be good.

[Majacw 2]

Lizzie B* Did you ever find out what it was? I am having the EXACT same issues and I agree...it IS band related, I'm not sure how but I know it is. I had my gallbladder removed and thought it was related to that but the chest/pain did not go away when the rest of my aches and pains left (w/ the gbladder). IF I am having a heart attack I think as often as it happens I should be dead by now. I have had all the tests and am to see a new Dr on Monday. I'd love to hear what you found out or have been told. Thanks!

[kshallow 9]

These are the exact symptoms I've experienced when there has been swelling. All three times, a slight unfill has immediately relieved the symptoms.

[LizzieBorden 3]

Lizzie B* Did you ever find out what it was? I am having the EXACT same issues and I agree...it IS band related, I'm not sure how but I know it is. I had my gallbladder removed and thought it was related to that but the chest/pain did not go away when the rest of my aches and pains left (w/ the gbladder). IF I am having a heart attack I think as often as it happens I should be dead by now. I have had all the tests and am to see a new Dr on Monday. I'd love to hear what you found out or have been told. Thanks!

Majacw, I went and had a complete unfill and an xray right off. Nothing showed up. My doctor scheduled me for a barium swallow. In the meantime, I still had some restriction with the complete unfill and was still having pain. I also developed heartburn-burning in my lower stomach, no reflux. Went for the barium, no problems showed up there either. Next I went for an EGD (endoscopy). My surgeon does the procedure himself. He found no erosion.

I'm stil having the same problems and no matter what anyone else believes, I still think there is some issue related to my band. I've read over and over how things were missed or did not show up on tests and problems ended up being band related. For now I guess I will just wait and see what happens. I can eat fine, managed to lose 10+lbs since I began having issues.

Hopefully down the road it won't end with some emergency situation. Other than exploratory surgery I don't know any other steps my surgeon could have taken.

Please let us know how your appointment goes. I hope they can straighten things out for you without putting you through too much!

[Majacw 2]

Lizzie B* I know you like myself am tired of all these test. For me, no amt of liquid removed or put in changes the pain. I had a stress test (no signs of a heart attack,lol) and the one w/ the sm amt of radiation given today. They asked me to come back after I'd gone home because they could not see my heart in the second set of photos. There was bile blocking my hearts view (they told me w/out a gallbladder my body found a new route to get rid of it and or it could just be the way my body is). So I have to wait until my Dr. gets the results and we go from there. I'd kill for some pain meds until they figure out what this pain is but my Dr. does not want me addicted so I am pretty much praying for a pain free meal each day.....no luck! I am glad to hear of your weight loss though! I just wish you could do it pain free! I will keep you posted and please do the same! Good luck!

[xavier 153]

I have had this too and yes I had a work up which ruled out a heart attack. Anyway in the end I believe it to be one of two things.

1. Esophageal spasm related to throwing up. I am very careful but once in a while I have overeaten and had to yak and I wonder if that caused it.

2. Maybe an extreme version of heartburn because it seemed to get better when I sat up (it always occurred during my sleep) and better still with a Pepcid AC even tho I am already on daily Protonix and I thought I was well-controlled!

Good luck to all!

[ElliMAMA 1]

I had a similar episode a month or so ago that lasted on and off for nearly two weeks. It was MISERABLE. Did a bunch of research and came to the conclusion it was my gallbladder. Was checked out by my office, fluroscopy and band was fine. they said it sounded like my gallbladder also. My uncle had his GB taken out so I called him to ask about my symptoms and he said sounded like a gallbladder attack exactly. It can't always be diagnosed with ultrasound...or at all. My symptoms really fit with a GB attack, precisely. I also found out that the hormonal birth control implant I had put in a few months ago after having my daughter is correlated to GB problems. I'd try the GB diet and see if it helps. No processed food, google gallbladder attack and check out the diet.

[lindaday 0]

just wondering if anyone is still having this problem at this point Im going through the same thing had all the tests unfilled since Nov of 11 just had gb out still having pain tightness not sure what to do at this point any help with this would be great thank you so much

[bigjim6278 0]

I have also been suffering from severe upper mid back pain that gets so intense that it radiates through the chest. I have been banded for almost ten years. No adjustments had been made for 2 years when the problem started six months ago. I had the heart tests run and x rays.including lower go.looking for diverticulitus. They did find pockets associated with diverticulitus and assumed the answer was found but after a round of antibiodics the problem was still there so out of desperation I took 4 CC out of my band and three days later the pain was gone. Three weeks later I refilled 3 CC. Thaw problem reoccured although with less intensity. It appears to be band associated although no one can say.why.

[MrT 0]

Hey Guys. Specificaly looked for a forum to see if anyone has simallar symtoms. I have been banded for 3 years, doing good, but lately have been suffering mid to high back pains that resonate through to my chest area or in line with my band... Back pains real bad when in a seated position only. Fine when laying down or standing. Had x-rays etc and nothing comes up. Physiotherapist is confused with location of the pain, yet massaging area does help. Pain sometimes to intense it cuts my breathing. Even had my lungs x-rayed just in case. All started since last top up six months ago and is getting worse. Have yet to seee my surgeon about this. Will make an appointment this week. Do these symptoms sound familliar to anyone???

[SamiB 0]

Please have a scope done... I have a very similar story (please feel free to read it) I had to have my bans removed due to erosion, I never had the red or swollen port area, not even tender... The only way they'll find it is through endioscope if its your band. I do agree its very similar to gall bladder. Good luck and I wish you the best. (the back pain was horendious and got to where it was hurting none stop, right between the shoulder blades)

[texas-bandette 9]

I was banded a few weeks ago and am going through a lot with my back. A ct scan revealed a protrusion in my back, but that location and where my pain is dont match up.

Banded 7/5/2012