I need help because I think Im going crazy

[txflea 63]

I had a friend who went to the same Dr as I did, and was banded in 2010, and she found out recently that her band has slipped and has to be removed. She had not been seeing her Dr in over 2 years, so no maintenance etc.

I have had my band now since June 6th of last year and when she told me what happened I FREAKED. My stress level went through the roof. I had been sick with the winter crud so I had been coughing and with the holidays I had been over eating, but not to the point of vomiting, just to the point of ugh I feel miserable. Finding out about her made me stop and reevaluate everything, my eating, my habits etc. I had slacked off over the Holidays and was not being my best as before.

Also, my Dr had moved away so I had to get an appointment with the Dr he recommended. And with the weather and holidays I had to cancel 2 appointments so the last time I saw my Dr was in November, I saw my new Dr yesterday. So 2 months of no supervision. I had been feeling fine up till my friend told me about her band slipping (about a week ago) and I had woken up with heartburn. I figured it was from what I had eaten the night before. But of course my mind went to ""OMG MY BAND HAS SLIPPED''''

Luckily I had my first appointment with my new Dr yesterday, we did an upper GI and several x-rays and according to the Dr and the x-ray Dr everything looked absolutely great. No slipping, nothing. Everything was wonderful.

Up to this point there has been no pain while eating, etc but I slowed way down on what I was eating, went back to the smooshie stage and have been having 2 shakes a day, so I figured I have shrank my stoma back down and all..

I am also getting ready to go out of town tomorrow for the weekend to Comic Con in New Orleans and I also get to meet an actor I really really like (VIP package)

So could all this just be stress that is making me have these symptoms? When I talked to the Dr and told him about the belching he said that was a good thing, he asked if I have been vomiting and I have not (I have only vomited once this entire time, and it was because I over indulged) He also didn't do a fill because he said he didn't think there was a reason to, I have been losing steadily at a slow pace.

ok now to the real question.

Can STRESS make your band feel tighter and give you these symptoms?

I am belching, never really did that before

I am having back pain, last time I had this pain was when I first got the band put on back in June, and it lasted for 4 weeks. (gas and bloating)

I can still eat, but I get slight back pain when I do.

I am so stressed out I have had 2 panic attacks in the past week.

I know the brain can be your worst enemy at times, am I going nuts?

Edited February 6, 2014 by txflea

[2muchfun 8,927]

Yes, stress can cause your stomach lining to swell which makes the stoma smaller.

Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you need to see a counselor? Your over-reaction seems a little over blown? I read on this forum nearly every day about someone whose band has slipped and I don't freak out or run to the doctor. Good luck.

[dsimms 5]

You do seem stressed from your post. After your appointment it sounds like all is well with your band. Go and enjoy your getaway and be careful what you eat. Have fun and relax!

[lisacaron 5,075]

It's not a bad thing to run to the doctor if you have concerns especially since you had not seen one in a while. Now that you know you don't have an issue, take a nice deep breath and get back on the bandwagon. By that I mean start eating band friendly foods, and following your doctors advice.

Everyone is different, what your friend went through does not mean that will be your experience. If you need guidance on nutrition give your nut a call and schedule some time to sit down and discuss what your eating vs. what you should be eating.

Don't eat to the max. capacity of your band or your stomach. Look for the soft stops and stop. After a while you will get used to it and you will find your not hungry. You can always eat more food later if you are hungry, think of it like that and when you hit a soft stop...stop eating and see how you feel in a bit. You may just find your good and you don't need to eat anymore.

If your very stressed out, it never hurts to talk to reach out and talk to someone. I know when I am stressed I don't want to eat anything at all.

[kll724 3,055]

CALM down! I agree with tmf! Stress can cause you to have pain. I am not saying it is imagned, but it could be. It was good that the new doctor did the tests he did to help you calm some. Your friend, obviously, did it to her self, she should have been seeing her doctor at least 1 or 2x a year. You are doing good, and how exciting going on vacation. Just take care or yourself! Best wishes, Karen..aka.kll724

Edited February 6, 2014 by kll724

[ADJL 685]

Yes. Stress can tighten the band. Mine also tightens when I exercise and first thing in the morning...I'm glad you are back seeing a doctor. Sounds like you need to spend the next couple of months getting to know your band again. I'm glad everything is ok.

[txflea 63]

Yes, stress can cause your stomach lining to swell which makes the stoma smaller.

Don't take this the wrong way, but maybe you need to see a counselor? Your over-reaction seems a little over blown? I read on this forum nearly every day about someone whose band has slipped and I don't freak out or run to the doctor. Good luck.

HAHA no I didnt take it the wrong way, and I think you are right. I am going to see a counselor when I get back. I really think its all the stress I am under thats making me freak out and have ''anxiety pains and gas'' (thats now what I am calling it.)

Thank you all, and have a good point LapBandAnna, I do need to get to know my band again.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the comments.

[2muchfun 8,927]

.

HAHA no I didnt take it the wrong way, and I think you are right. I am going to see a counselor when I get back. I really think its all the stress I am under thats making me freak out and have ''anxiety pains and gas'' (thats now what I am calling it.)

Thank you all, and have a good point LapBandAnna, I do need to get to know my band again.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the comments.

Whew! I almost went back 3 times and erased my post thinking I was being too harsh. Sometimes my online filter takes a siesta

[txflea 63]

Whew! I almost went back 3 times and erased my post thinking I was being too harsh. Sometimes my online filter takes a siesta

.

HAHA no I didnt take it the wrong way, and I think you are right. I am going to see a counselor when I get back. I really think its all the stress I am under thats making me freak out and have ''anxiety pains and gas'' (thats now what I am calling it.)

Thank you all, and have a good point LapBandAnna, I do need to get to know my band again.

Thanks guys I really appreciate the comments.

Haha No trust me I was honestly wondering if I should check myself into a nuthut..haha

I never blow things out of proportion like I have done this time. I wasnt even nervous the day before my surgery, heck not even as they were taking me into the OR room, no nerves, no anxiety, none. Yet this sent me over the edge.

I think its the stress of this trip (I will be driving and its almost an 8 hour drive), the stress of not seeing the Dr sooner, the stress of knowing I have not been eating as I should because I slacked over the holidays, the stress from worrying about my friend, stress over who is going to pick up my grandson instead of him having to ride the bus (which he never has and he is in pre-k) and just stress period. lol

I have had several panic attacks just in this past few days leading up to this trip and the Dr's visit yesterday.

I have anxiety meds but all they do is make me sleep, but I'm thinking maybe that would be a good thing..lol

Sometime it just takes someones honesty and a fresh pair of eyes to see how crazy you are getting.

[txflea 63]

UPDATE!!

I went in to see the Dr. with the problems I was having, he sent me for bloodwork and ultrasound and we found out I have gallstones! But I dont have a gallbladder (not since 1994, had it removed)

So thats where all the pain is stemming from! I am not going crazy after all!!

I am waiting to hear back from the Dr who is going to go in and bust the stones out, so just waiting on the surgery date, then I can get a fill and get right back on track! (still on track but I have hit a plateau)