can't seem to eat without distress today......help!

[libaba 4]

I'm 5.5 weeks post op. Just started on "normal" foods last Wednesday, and had been doing pretty well. I've never thrown up or had diarrea post-op at all. I had one cup of Decaf coffee this morning, and then half a cup of reg caff coffee (and have done this a few times before). Then I made pc of whole wheat toast w/peanut butter and one Morningstar Farm sausage patty. I could barely get through half of each and it was so caught in my throat.......felt like it was going to come up, but ultimately didn't. I had to drink some crystal light to try and get it down and it took a while for it to stop feeling like I was going to throw up. Then a couple of hours later I figured I would try one of my Atkins shakes which I normally drink every morning for Breakfast, and it went down fine, but about 20 minutes later my stomach started to cramp up and i had to run to the bathroom and it ALL came out and more. I've repeatedly been to the bathroom several more times and had to lay down on my stomach to calm it down. I seem to have a lot more heartburn than usual too. I've never been on a PPI. I just don't know what's going on and I'm hungry but afraid to eat anything else. I drank a little bit more crystal light a while ago and had go running back to the bathroom again. Has anyone else experienced this? What should I do?

[NJMOMof2 17]

I am almost 9 weeks out and there is no way I could get that much food down....and I haven't tried toast yet. Did you take tiny bites and eat slow?? Paying attention to your body signals is very hard to learn. I don't know if in the past you have gotten that much food down but be sure to take a bite, chew, think, chew, then take another bite. Unless it's Cereal, I can only get down about 3/4 cup of food.

Good Luck and feel better...this sure is a learning experience!

[libaba 4]

I only got down 1/2 pc of wheat toast and 1/2 of a veggie sausage patty! That is nowhere near 3/4 cup of food. Yesterday morning I had about 3/4 of a scrambled egg, veggie sausage patty and pc of wheat toast............with no problems. So I don't understand what's different today.

[NJMOMof2 17]

I am hoping that the toast didn't get stuck somewhere. I have heard that happening. Call your doctor tomorrow and see if you can get an upper GI, I have heard on threads that pieces of food get stuck in the esophagus and it feels terrible. Good Luck

[brazcan 37]

That seem like a lot of food. The bread in particular can "grow" really big in your stomach.

[Tiffykins 673]

It sounds like a combination of foods binding together, and the bread with Peanut Butter could be the culprit. Usually esophageal spasms occur if we swallow too fast, or eat something without chewing well enough. However, I will say that restriction, especially this early out, can and does vary from week to week. At 5.5 weeks, I was still on mushies, and barely able to consume 1/2 cup of super mushy food, I can't imagine putting that much food into my body that early out. But, everyone is different, and you know your body best. Remember, your stomach nerves have been severed, and even though you ate all the food the day before, you might not feel residual swelling.

It sounds like too that the crystal light might have caused the food to run through faster. All of the symptoms you are describing are pretty classic of putting stuff in there either too fast, or your body didn't accept those foods today. Plus, you're right at the stage when acid seems to become a more noticeable issue. I had the same thing happen with acid around the same time. I went on Prilosec 20mg once daily, and everything was resolved.

I would recommend to go back to at least mushies if not full liquids for at least a day, allow your stomach to rest, and your gi tract get back to normal. Yogurts, and mushed bananas will help. Try warm liquids as they seem to soothe as well.

[libaba 4]

I was just waiting for you to jump in there Tiffykins! I have a feeling it might be the stomach acid issue as well. I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow and ask him about it. I have chewed down 2 Tums in the last hour or so because I felt the acid gurgling up. It has seemed to help for the moment. I will definitely try to slow down my taking in of the normal food and revert back to some softs for a few days. I was so happy to finally be at the stage where my Dr said it was ok to eat normal foods, and he actually did not want me to do any more liquids (like Protein shakes). He wants me to try to get all of my protein from 3 meals a day - no Snacks. I don't see how that is possible with the limited quantities we can take in.

[Tiffykins 673]

I was just waiting for you to jump in there Tiffykins! I have a feeling it might be the stomach acid issue as well. I'm going to call my doctor tomorrow and ask him about it. I have chewed down 2 Tums in the last hour or so because I felt the acid gurgling up. It has seemed to help for the moment. I will definitely try to slow down my taking in of the normal food and revert back to some softs for a few days. I was so happy to finally be at the stage where my Dr said it was ok to eat normal foods, and he actually did not want me to do any more liquids (like Protein shakes). He wants me to try to get all of my Protein from 3 meals a day - no Snacks. I don't see how that is possible with the limited quantities we can take in.

The Calcium carbonate in Tums can cause you some rebound reflux when it starts to wear off so don't be alarmed if the reflux episode is worse in a couple of hours. For some reason, it seems that Gaviscon helps much more until you can get on a true PPI.

I know it's frustrating to have to stay on mushies, but my surgeon shares the same philosophy about getting off shakes ASAP. The only way I could hit protein goals was eat 4 meals a days with each meal consisting of 15gr of protein per meal. That's why I stuck with mushies for so long. I couldn't get in enough meat without having it mushed up or adding some "food lube" to it. But, I never relied on shakes so getting in the protein from food was priority, and if that meant lingering in the mushy/soft foods for 2-3 months, I was willing to do it. If you like seafood, I recommend some soft shrimp, scallops, or tilapia. Scallops are actually my favorite, easy to digest seafood product. I'm not a fan of shrimp, but it chews down to literally mush and has good protein counts. Do you like poached eggs? I found those easier to eat than scrambled. 1 poached egg, with 2 wedges of laughing cow cheese is right at 14gr of protein so I ate that A LOT LOL. Of course, tuna/chicken/egg salad were staples in my diet. I mixed it with nonfat plain greek yogurt and sprinkled the dry ranch or italian dressing in to keep carbs low, and increase protein counts. 3oz of my chicken salad typically gave me about 25gr of protein so it really made it much easier to hit my protein goals. I know you want so badly to be on normal foods, but your body is still going through all kinds of cattywhompus changes. Every week will get better and better, I promise

[libaba 4]

Tiffykins, I called my doctor this morning and asked about the PPI. Typically if I have a question I just talk to one of the office staff. They are normally very helpful. However, their opinion of these forums is not good. She said that I did not need a PPI. I guess it is not a standard part of their program. I still think that it may be an acid reflux problem too........not to mention I have definitely read on here that the PPI helps with hunger issues too. She just chalked it up to me possibly going back to normal foods too quickly and stepping back and taking it a little more slowly....also as you suggested. Can I just try an OTC PPI like Prilosec?

[Tiffykins 673]

Tiffykins, I called my doctor this morning and asked about the PPI. Typically if I have a question I just talk to one of the office staff. They are normally very helpful. However, their opinion of these forums is not good. She said that I did not need a PPI. I guess it is not a standard part of their program. I still think that it may be an acid reflux problem too........not to mention I have definitely read on here that the PPI helps with hunger issues too. She just chalked it up to me possibly going back to normal foods too quickly and stepping back and taking it a little more slowly....also as you suggested. Can I just try an OTC PPI like Prilosec?

I'll preface this statement with this : I am not a trained, educated medical professional. BUT, I would not go without a PPI especially if you are having acid reflux symptoms. If you choose to take Prilosec, take it on an empty stomach, wait 1 hour before eating, and it can take 4-14 days for it to fully kick in.

My surgeon doesn't put his patients on a PPI either as a standard protocol. But, when I started having issues, I demanded it.

Barrett's esophagus is NOT worth not taking the PPI, nor is the gnawing hunger pangs that came right after eating.

Funny how she chalked up it to going to the next food stage too soon, but that's their program, right? I know that sounds snarky, but I really do hate when office staff does not fully take into account what their patients are experiencing. Just because it's not their standard procedure, it doesn't mean that it might help you by taking something.

I can tell you most surgeons don't like online forums. They really want you to be "their" patient, and not seek advice from anyone other than them. I do understand to an extent, honestly, I do. However, I am an individual, and my patient aftercare should be individualized based on my needs/goals. Plus, they don't like being questioned about their "protocol". My theory is "Yes, they are trained, educated, experienced surgeons, but they are not GODS, and it's my body and my future health therefore I need to take the reigns when it comes to my aftercare."

[libaba 4]

I know you're not a medical professional, but I trust your opinion. I'm gonna go buy some Prilosec and give it a try! Thanks!

[Tiffykins 673]

I know you're not a medical professional, but I trust your opinion. I'm gonna go buy some Prilosec and give it a try! Thanks!

I promise I wasn't trying to be snarky, but I don't want anyone to jump on me for giving advice. It's that internet forum thing, and it's just a way to protect myself.

I hope it works for ya, and you get some relief