Stuck? Warning signs?

[futureformerfattie 26]

Tonight I either ate too fast or too much. I'm still on mushies but have the ok to begin to add solids as I tolerate them. I had some refried Beans, salsa and under a tablespoon of shredded chicken. I haven't been getting my little soft-stop burp that has been my signal to stop eating. Afterwards I had some terrible shoulder pain that has since subsided.

I'm miserable. It's been a couple of hours since I ate or drank anything. I'm nauseated, burping constantly and have wicked heartburn. I have a pain in my chest (not a sharp pain that I usually hear about with getting stuck, more like the type of pain that comes with severe heartburn) I can't even lie down to go to sleep. Too burpy and uncomfortable.

If you're going to be sick/pb, how soon after you eat does this occur?

I don't really feel as if there could be food stuck, because I'm not feeling any sharp pains or sliming.

How long can food sit in your pouch before passing one way or another?

How soon do you know if you're stuck? Is it immediate or does it come with time as food passes?

Does anyone feel that heartburn is amplified 10x with the band?

Edited May 6, 2014 by futureformerfattie

[2muchfun 8,927]

Sounds like you've irritated your vagus nerve. Someone else had similar symptoms just a couple days ago. Do a search for vagus nerve and you should be able to find it.

Stuck episodes last only about 1 hour at the most. food stuck in your pouch is subjected to stomach acids and will break down quickly.

[terrydumont46 1,954]

if I get stuck I know right away there is a problem. I drink Water when I am uncomfortable while eating and I know I am stuck. the water will either push the item through or the water will dislodge the item so you can spit it up. now I am not suggesting to drink water with meals. I am on the side of no water with or after eating for awhile. if I do I will pb. I only use this as a way to dislodge a stuck item. I agree that it might be a irritated vagus nerve or a esophagus spasm. try some warm tea. your pouch is still part of the whole digestive system. it should empty 20-30 min's. you need to call your doctor. let him know what is going on if you are still having problems tomorrow. but either way call him so you can get on medications to help with the reflux and indigestion. hope all is okay and you feel better soon.

[kll724 3,055]

My stuck episodes happen right away,too. And if I am going to pb, it is usually pretty immediate. My son, who also has lapband, can get stuck and pb either right away or hours later. All bodies are different. I hope that by now, you have found comfort. Warm coke,(I know we aren't supposed to drink soda), or warm Water, can help your stuck go down.

[SandyM 1,956]

Mine sometimes happen 10 or 15 minutes later, but I can feel it coming on. Yours does sound more like irritation. If go back to liquids for a day if it were me

[futureformerfattie 26]

Thanks everyone. I'll definitely be doing liquids today. I do not want a repeat of last night's episode. Vagus nerve pain is no joke. It lasted about 4 hours before I was able to get comfortable.

I suppose, in the event that it does happen again, there's nothing that can be done to relieve the pain? I had horrible shoulder pain for nearly two weeks after surgery, I thought I was over this part.

[Mikee57 699]

my stuck events happen right away and usually I can't keep it down more than 15 minutes...drinking only aggravates my incidents...so if you don't feel better soon I suggest you contact your doctors office. sorry you are feeling so uncomfortable right now, hope you get to feeling better soon...let us know what happens okay?

[steph2012 252]

Me too, I know food is stuck almost immediately, within minutes for sure. When stuck, drinking always makes matters worse for me, never better.

You definitely irritated your vagus nerve. That can last for hours & is very unpleasant. The best was to avoid it is to chew, chew, chew & don't overeat. You'll get use to it!

You are doing the right thing, liquids/soft foods for a day or two is the best recourse after something like this.

[missybear 86]

I've been suffering from heartburn about 12 months after I got the lapband and am at my goal weight. I find it's worse of a night.

I've been prescribed somac to avoid the reflux, but only take it on occasion if I'm having a flair up. Alternatives to prescription meds I've found include having a blanket under the head of the mattress to slightly tilt the upper part of my body up works a treat. Keeping some chewable antacids close by also helps. Avoid eating well before bed. I've also found deep breathing, focusing on a deep breath far down into my belly, well below the stomach and band can also help relieve some pain.

food wise Items like chocolate, citrus and chilli also make me feel worse. They don't feature too highly on the list of foods I like to eat anymore.