Stricture - Help!

[abbybeep 53]

I have posted a few times about this topic, but I'm still looking for some sort of similarity between someone else, because I am losing hope that I will ever ingest food again (I am not exaggerating).

Surgery on Monday, 8/6. By Friday, I can't keep any liquids down, so I go to surgeon's office. We find out through a barium swallow that I have a stricture. They think it is due to swelling so they send me home, hoping I can hydrate myself through the weekend.

Monday morning, I'm admitted to the hospital for dehydration. All weekend it was a constant pattern: 1 sip every 10 minutes, then 30ish minutes later, liquid would come up. No pain. Monday, I rested and hydrated, minimal Fluid loss, as I was not allowed to drink. Tuesday, rest and hydrate, no plan of attack by the surgeon. Wednesday, Upper GI/ Barium Swallow - indicates that there is still a stricture, same size.

Now, the surgeon says he is not sure what we should do because he believes it is too early to stretch it with a balloon because my stomach could rupture. I have been through hell here. They can't keep an IV in me, so I have to have a "pick line" through my arm and across my chest... I am trying so hard to stay positive, but I feel like I have no options. Can't go home without being able to keep liquids down (Currently 2 TBSP every hour), and it can take 3 months for the stomach heal...

SO??!! Anyone have anything like this? Any words of advice?

I'm getting zero nutrition. The past 10 days I have taken in NO calories of any kind. I'm worried I am losing weight too fast and in an unhealthy way. :/

[prettysleeved1 173]

I don't have any advice but I feel that if the surgeon is saying he doesn't know what to do, then he needs to call a colleague who is more advanced to see what can be done.

I hope you get better.

[lulugirl 20]

I have posted a few times about this topic, but I'm still looking for some sort of similarity between someone else, because I am losing hope that I will ever ingest food again (I am not exaggerating).

Surgery on Monday, 8/6. By Friday, I can't keep any liquids down, so I go to surgeon's office. We find out through a barium swallow that I have a stricture. They think it is due to swelling so they send me home, hoping I can hydrate myself through the weekend.

Monday morning, I'm admitted to the hospital for dehydration. All weekend it was a constant pattern: 1 sip every 10 minutes, then 30ish minutes later, liquid would come up. No pain. Monday, I rested and hydrated, minimal Fluid loss, as I was not allowed to drink. Tuesday, rest and hydrate, no plan of attack by the surgeon. Wednesday, Upper GI/ Barium Swallow - indicates that there is still a stricture, same size.

Now, the surgeon says he is not sure what we should do because he believes it is too early to stretch it with a balloon because my stomach could rupture. I have been through hell here. They can't keep an IV in me, so I have to have a "pick line" through my arm and across my chest... I am trying so hard to stay positive, but I feel like I have no options. Can't go home without being able to keep liquids down (Currently 2 TBSP every hour), and it can take 3 months for the stomach heal...

SO??!! Anyone have anything like this? Any words of advice?

I'm getting zero nutrition. The past 10 days I have taken in NO calories of any kind. I'm worried I am losing weight too fast and in an unhealthy way. :/

I am so sorry you are going thru this.. I was sleeved 7/9 & have also been hospitlized once for hydration & bacterial infection.. I was also tested for a stricture but was ok..

I just saw the Gi doc & now he wants to order more tests, he is concerned I may have a stricture in my stomach that wasnt seen on the upper Gi test.

I dont know what to do anymore....

I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers...

[abbybeep 53]

Lulugirl- I have been feeling so down and so upset over this whole thing. I mean, what else could go wrong!!?? But you know what? We are going to get better. Why? Because that's the only thing that can happen!! If you have been dealing with complications since July 9th- you can seriously deal with ANYTHING!

The woman next to me in the hospital is 88. She is "not all there" and she can't hear well. She has a bad gallbladder and needs to go to rehab to build strength before she can go back home, where she lives alone. Today, she dressed herself completely and she said to the nurse, "I know I can do anything I set my mind to!" She is such an inspiration. She told me, "God doesn't give you anything you can't handle, honey." and I'm not really the type who relies a lot on my faith, but I thought- damn! She is RIGHT! She is 88 and determined as anything I have seen and if she can go through all she is at 88 and to think of all the years she has lived... Well then you know what? I can get through it too- and SO CAN YOU!!

Good luck. You're not alone. Stay strong!

[Delta..Make it Happen 29]

abbybeep i will keep you in my prayers.....God is able to make you better...

im so sorry you are going thru this.....have your doctor find a doctor who can fix you....and then we leave the rest to God to handle

[arukind 2]

Have they done anything yet?? I sent you a message and I share a very similar story. I had surgery on 8/6 and had a stent placed 8/10 for a stricture. It did help although I am still nauseous and miserable (in part maybe from the stent), but SO much better then I was initially. They need to do something for you if they haven't yet.

So sorry you have to go through this.