Blood in vomit 6 months post op - ANYONE?

[cloud9 29]

Received overwhelming, horrible, horrible bad news 4 days ago. Very stressed, not sleeping well, and MAJOR trouble with upset stomach, vomiting and nor for past couple of days I have black stools. Today there was bright red blood in my vomit (8 oz Water and last retch brought up about 2 or 3 oz of blood). Have been really on just Isopure, soft foods, lots of fluids since stomach upset/vomiting started. I don't smoke, drink or take ibuprofen or tylenol.

Called surgeon today...... he upped my dosage of RX prilosec from 20MG twice daily to 40MG twice daily......and said to stay on soft foods, drink plenty of fluids for a few days. He said the black stools are from bleeding in my stomach. He said, "no need to get excited about it and not going to scope me"..... told me to go to ER if I continue to vomit blood and they can get a blood count. He said it sounds like an ulcer on my suture line due to the emotional stress. he said will just have to watch it.

I am in pain too...my stomach hurts - sharp jabbing pain since today's vomit containing the blood.

Anyone else run into this? Thoughts? Please share.

[awold0 246]

Received overwhelming, horrible, horrible bad news 4 days ago. Very stressed, not sleeping well, and MAJOR trouble with upset stomach, vomiting and nor for past couple of days I have black stools. Today there was bright red blood in my vomit (8 oz Water and last retch brought up about 2 or 3 oz of blood). Have been really on just Isopure, soft foods, lots of fluids since stomach upset/vomiting started. I don't smoke, drink or take ibuprofen or tylenol.

Called surgeon today...... he upped my dosage of RX prilosec from 20MG twice daily to 40MG twice daily......and said to stay on soft foods, drink plenty of fluids for a few days. He said the black stools are from bleeding in my stomach. He said, "no need to get excited about it and not going to scope me"..... told me to go to ER if I continue to vomit blood and they can get a blood count. He said it sounds like an ulcer on my suture line due to the emotional stress. he said will just have to watch it.

I am in pain too...my stomach hurts - sharp jabbing pain since today's vomit containing the blood.

Anyone else run into this? Thoughts? Please share.

I am so sorry you are having this. Does not sound fun. I hear in your writing you maybe having thoughts of doubt. I hope someone can chime in that may have had this before. I know we are all different but if it was me I would also call my primary doc. I would think they could give you something to help the pain. Keep us posted and hope it goes away soon.

[Wags 549]

Oh my goodness! This sounds horrible! I would not wait! I would go to the ER and have them do the scope. I think it is CRAZY that your doctor has this wait and see attitude with this pain you're in, the blood, etc. Please go and please keep is posted!!

[NORCALRN 60]

This sounds awful and scary for you. It is my understanding that fresh blood will be bright red; older blood, likely to be seen in stool will be black and tarry -like. Do you have a home blood pressure machine? If not, see if someone can get one for you. They are around $30. Take your BP lying down write it down; sit up - wait 2 minutes and take it again; stand for 2 minutes and take it for the last time. If there are significant changes with you BP and heart rate- maybe contact an advice nurse or your doctor's office. I highly doubt that increasing anything that reduces acid will make an impact on your symptoms. Blood in vomit or in a BM - unless you have a hard stool or hemmroids, is not ok! Please follow up -go with your instinct and head to to the ER - if it happens one more time. in the meantime, get up slowly and sit a bit before getting out of bed. NO falling!!

Hang in there...you are the one that knows what is normal for your own body.

Trish

[Sassy Pants1 186]

I have no personal experience to offer, but you do he my empathy and concern. I will be sending tons of good juju your way.

[Kindle 8,667]

If he thinks it's an ulcer, why isn't he prescribing something like sucralfate to help it heal? I agree with the other posters that you should consult with someone else ASAP. Even if it is "just" an ulcer, it can perforate and then you are in real trouble.

[Dragonsmate 107]

I am a provider buy not YOUR provider, however, anytime someone is having black stools and blood in their emesis (vomit) I advise go to the ER. One of the main reasons is to check a CBC (complete blood count) and your vital signs (esp heart rate and blood pressure) because the amount of blood passed can be deceiving compared to what you actually see. Please consider it.

[Dragonsmate 107]

Just checking in with you Cloud9--you ok?

[millergirl314 168]

Get better soon :-(

[NMJG 1,266]

Well, I'm almost 7 months out and have something similar going on. It started maybe 3 weeks ago with incredible pain that ran from my stomach through to my back. Went to the ER, they did a CT scan, which showed stomach inflammation. Talked to my bariatric doctor's office about it and they recommended liquid diet for a few days. The ER doc gave me a prescription for Zofran, which helped a lot. I don't have a gallbladder, so we know that isn't it.

After that I went back on PPI's for acid for 2 weeks and it was fine. Last week it hit me again, and then again yesterday. I am pretty sure it is an ulcer, although I don't know why it didn't show up on the CT scan. I probably should do a scope. For the moment I am self treating with a longer term on Prilosec (8 weeks instead of 2), and using Ranitidine and Mylanta in the short term untilthe Prilosec kicks in. I've also altered my diet to avoid acid and high fat foods until I'm better.

I did not have the black stools or bloody vomit, though.

I am sending good thoughts your way. Let us know what happens.

[cloud9 29]

Just checking in with you Cloud9--you ok?

I went in to get checked out. rough week. 2 days of IV fluids (and something called "banana bags" fluids infused with Vitamins, etc..) My BP was bottoming out by time got to hospital. I just could not take in/hold fluids. It is an ulcer but no perforation. CBC results did not point to a whole lot of bleeding going on. Low on sodium and potassium and some other things that got me in hosp for fluids.

** I HAVE A NEW DOCTOR ** I am home now. New doctor added carafate which makes all the difference in the world for me - and am on liquids/gatorade mostly. Going very easy on the stomach for a while. liquids/soft foods. FU with Doc next week. No vomiting since Sunday, no black stools either. If I vomit blood again or get extreme pain I will definitely not come on message board...I will go to ER instead (duh).

I have had a couple of rough experiences with my new stomach in 6 months since surgery ......but would have this surgery again - no regrets whatsoever.

Thank you to everyone for the support.

[cloud9 29]

Received overwhelming, horrible, horrible bad news 4 days ago. Very stressed, not sleeping well, and MAJOR trouble with upset stomach, vomiting and nor for past couple of days I have black stools. Today there was bright red blood in my vomit (8 oz Water and last retch brought up about 2 or 3 oz of blood). Have been really on just Isopure, soft foods, lots of fluids since stomach upset/vomiting started. I don't smoke, drink or take ibuprofen or tylenol.

Called surgeon today...... he upped my dosage of RX prilosec from 20MG twice daily to 40MG twice daily......and said to stay on soft foods, drink plenty of fluids for a few days. He said the black stools are from bleeding in my stomach. He said, "no need to get excited about it and not going to scope me"..... told me to go to ER if I continue to vomit blood and they can get a blood count. He said it sounds like an ulcer on my suture line due to the emotional stress. he said will just have to watch it.

I am in pain too...my stomach hurts - sharp jabbing pain since today's vomit containing the blood.

Anyone else run into this? Thoughts? Please share.

I am so sorry you are having this. Does not sound fun. I hear in your writing you maybe having thoughts of doubt. I hope someone can chime in that may have had this before. I know we are all different but if it was me I would also call my primary doc. I would think they could give you something to help the pain. Keep us posted and hope it goes away soon.

Thank you awold0 Doing better now after getting new doctor, checked out, some much needed fluids, new meds, etc... taking it easy on tummy and will get this ulcer healed up. Thank you for your kind words.

[cloud9 29]

Oh my goodness! This sounds horrible! I would not wait! I would go to the ER and have them do the scope. I think it is CRAZY that your doctor has this wait and see attitude with this pain you're in, the blood, etc. Please go and please keep is posted!!

Thank you Wags. I ended up not waiting. I went in. Long week. Got a new doctor, new meds (huge improvement), lots of IV fluids, taking it easy on stomach so ulcer can heal. ruled out perforation. Feeling much better now. Thank you again for your kind words.

[cloud9 29]

This sounds awful and scary for you. It is my understanding that fresh blood will be bright red; older blood, likely to be seen in stool will be black and tarry -like. Do you have a home blood pressure machine? If not, see if someone can get one for you. They are around $30. Take your BP lying down write it down; sit up - wait 2 minutes and take it again; stand for 2 minutes and take it for the last time. If there are significant changes with you BP and heart rate- maybe contact an advice nurse or your doctor's office. I highly doubt that increasing anything that reduces acid will make an impact on your symptoms. Blood in vomit or in a BM - unless you have a hard stool or hemmroids, is not ok! Please follow up -go with your instinct and head to to the ER - if it happens one more time. in the meantime, get up slowly and sit a bit before getting out of bed. NO falling!!

Hang in there...you are the one that knows what is normal for your own body.

Trish

Thank you Trish I went in to be seen. I feel stupid having not done that immediately. At any rate...it is ulcer (I got checked out for perforation). got a new doctor, new meds, lots of IV fluids and man do I feel better. less pain, fluids, fluids. BP was in the basement by time I got to hospital. Thank you for the great advise on blood pressure machine - I did purchase one. Appreciate your sharing and kind words.

[cloud9 29]

I have no personal experience to offer, but you do he my empathy and concern. I will be sending tons of good juju your way.

Thanks for sending the juju my way Sassy Pants1!!!