can't lay on my back at night

[S@ssen@ch 745]

In November or December I started having these weird feelings at night when I lay on my back. It's kind of a pressure just under my rib cage at the top of my abdomen. I don't have any reflux or heartburn or anything. It's just uncomfortable, enough pressure to wake me and make me move. I had a barium swallow 12/17 and my doc said everything looks O.K.

I have a 4cc band. Right now I'm at 1cc. I've been as tight as 2.5cc but had that taken out because I started having what my doctor though was esophageal spasms (turned out to be gall bladder attacks). I put that in because I don't think I'm too tight.

I try not to eat after 7 or 8 P.M. then right before bed have a glass of Water to "flush out" my pouch. This just puzzles me. Anyone else experience this or at least know what it is?

[Amanda 0]

This is how my symptoms began as well. Turns out it can be reflux even if you don't feel a burning sensation. Try Pepcid a couple of times a day, before lunch and before bed and see if that helps. But your band may be placed too high, and if your surgeon is like mine, he'll say the fluoro shows no problem. Good luck.

[the best me 6]

I agree, treat it as reflux and see if that helps. Prilosec works well, too. And Aloe Vera juice instead of Water to flush out the pouch. It's very healing.

[S@ssen@ch 745]

Kathy,

Where do I get the Aloe Vera juice. I don't think I've ever heard of it, let alone tasted it.

Also, when I took nexium for about a week or two the symptoms didn't get any better.

[the best me 6]

Kathy,

Where do I get the Aloe Vera juice. I don't think I've ever heard of it, let alone tasted it.

Also, when I took nexium for about a week or two the symptoms didn't get any better.

Hmmm, odd about the Nexium, that should have worked if it's reflux. Prevacid is prescription and some here have said it works better than OTC Prilosec. So maybe just trying another type of acid reducer will help? Worth a shot?

Aloe Vera juice can be found with the stomach meds (Tums, etc.) at both Wal Mart and Walgreens. It's in a large, gallon (I think) container, usually on the bottom shelf. It's about $10 a bottle, give or take a few. The taste isn't great, but it's not horrible either. I drink 3-4 ounces at bedtime most nights, especially if I have had anything stuck or PB'd.

Let us know how it goes.

[teresah150 0]

I am 2 weeks post op, and i feel the same thing, mine is a pulling feeling, im ok when i lay in bed, but i started laying in a tanning bed and the hard no give surface aggrivates it, I am thinking that it is my port hanging up on my rib cage, that is exactly how it feels, cause i can push downward on my skin and where the port is located and it goes away, it is weird, my skin is still tender where the port is at, i hope it is ok, my cut from the surgery is healed nicely, thats not the prob. Im wondering if yours is the same feeling.

[Amanda 0]

Teresah, This is indeed just the port pain. It should mostly go away in another couple of weeks, although some people get twinges for six months. Try putting a pillow against your body on that side for some support. It will keep the flesh from pulling so much.

[Wheetsin 714]

I'm a newbie bandster, so forgive me if this is stupid, but the description of the location sounds like where your port might be. Is it?

[teresah150 0]

Yes it is where my ort is at. I can feel the port thru my skin. It is weird how it only does it when im laying in the tanng bed, in my bed its ok, it just simply feels like it gets hung under my rib. Does anyone think that the port could possibly flip around, ex.. the bottom of the port facing upward?? gosh i hope not.

[Wheetsin 714]

Maybe try laying on the ground (hard surface) and see if it does the same thing. If it does, it will be a good indicator that it has to do with the port and the way it pushes against whatever it's pushing against when you're flat. When you lay in your bed, you're not truly flat.

[PhotoNut 7]

ddiedre - Where is your port? I get these same feelings of pressure at night and I believe (for me) that its the port. Perhaps the skin is pulling against it or something. My body is changing so much, I'm not surprised when I find that what used to be comfortable is now uncomfortable.

teresa - I also worried all the time that my port had flipped over. My surgeon assured me that it can't. I've seen the term "flipped port" used here but I believe it wasn't actually flipped over, or upside down, but rather a couple of stitches had come loose and that edge of the port was pressing up against the skin since it wasn't held down anymore. Wheetsin's right.. you'll fee the port more when you're on a hard surface. Mine also feels like it catches under my ribs if I've been slumping and sit up straight. Weird feeling, isn't it?

[S@ssen@ch 745]

My port is about half way between my rib cage and my belly button, on the left side of my abdomen. It is free of my rib cage. This is not a pulling sensation but more of a pressure that I feel in my stomach and sometimes in my chest.

It has gotten better as long as I don't eat 2-3 hours before I go to bed and I drink at least 8 oz before I go to sleep.