Tummy symptoms

[snowkitten 371]

Warning, this is a little long.

I want to start by saying that I am already working with drs so im not trying to get you all to diagnose me. I’ve come here because lets face it, many dr’s are clueless and/or too busy to really care. I learned a long time ago that if I wanted to get anywhere with my medical I needed to do my own research first.

I’m 3 ½ months out. Immediately after surgery was awesome, no hunger at all, had to force myself to eat/drink etc.. Had some nausea and discomfort in my stomach but nothing too bad.

About 3 weeks later that all changed and hunger hit with full force (I also had some burning sensations in my tummy). At the suggestion of this site, I bought some over the counter acid reducer and told my surgeon. He advanced me to soft foods a week early but things continued.

3 weeks ago I had intermittent nausea/vomiting/dizziness that lasted about 2 weeks. A few other people around the office had the same symptoms so I chalked it up to a stomach flu.

At my 3 mo apt I told my surgeon that i was still having an acidy tummy so he told me to take twice the dose of the over the counter medication. This never worked.

Then last week my stomach nausea came back along with stomach discomfort when I ate. Then I got stomach pains that went to my back. I went in to see my pcp who gave me a ppi, and ordered an ultrasound (im also having an un-related EGD that is now dual purpouse) to check my gallbladder.

So been on the PPI for 4 days now and I feel a lot like I did my first 3 weeks post op. Im no longer hungry, Im nauseous with smells and eating. I have to force myself to eat and get in my fluids (due to discomfort and lack of wanting) and I have the discomfort when eating or drinking (not like the pain from acid but more like the irritation pain).

So my question is what the heck am I feeling now?

Do you think it’s a

A). The PPI is doing its job and im back to feeling how I SHOULD post op?

. Ive gotten the stomach flu again (my mom now has it)

C). Symptoms of gallbladder disease

All opinions and experiences welcome

[BitterSweet* 835]

My very first impression is gallbladder disease, combined with needing a prescription strength (not an OTC) PPI, that you need to take first thing upon waking on an empty stomach. The acid is there even when the symptoms are not present, so my suggestion is to take the PPI as a routine, scheduled medication instead of using it when symptoms arise.

The concensus I've seen from the hundreds and hundreds of posts that I've read all lean towards taking a scheduled PPI the first months after surgery.

Btw, I'm glad to hear you're doing ok in general and I love that you explained the part about not seeking to be diagnosed. We're here to provide feedback of our experiences and hopefully everyone here is intellligent enough to understand that. Hopefully. I agree with you that doing a little bit of research is always wise. It keeps you informed in general and even if your 'self diagnosis' is off, you've started a great conversation with your doctor that will benefit you. Good luck and keep us posted!

[snowkitten 371]

Thanks for your response bittersweet! I did start a prescription strength ppl (omeprozole). That's what was so weird. I no longer have the knawing hunger pains. BUT I had discomfort pain everytime I ate or drank. The past couple days have been better so I'm thinking I had a stomach bug.... again. I have had intermittent right to back pain still tho so I'm thinking you may be right with the gallbladded. I'm hoping not tho!