So they think I might have a stricture

[Daisee68 2,493]

Not been doing well last few days. Started Monday night when I ate a small amount of peanuts and perhaps didn't chew as well as I should have. Vomited and vomited. Not a good night. Went to work Tuesday and tried to stick with liquids including Protein shake, but Protein Shake would not stay down after only a few ounces. Got worse Tuesday evening so I went to ER Wednesday (yesterday). Of course before I went I vomited again so by the time I got there and had nothing on my stomach, I felt fine. Kept me all day. Gave me a bag of IV fluids but nothing on my stomach other than the contrast dye for the CT scan (which stayed down fine but it was following some nausea med in the IV). Nothing on CT so they sent me home. Small sips all morning then tried just the liquid from Chicfila chicken noodle Soup (no solid food - I swear). Unfortuantely vomiting started again. So here I am Thursday evening with no sustainable Protein or Vitamins and very little fluids for 3 days. Pretty frustrated. They want me to go either back to ER and get scoped tomorrow by GI dr (surgeon not available). Alternatively, my surgeon's partner can do the EGD tomorrow but not sure Cigna can approve it that quickly.

I know I am not dying and frankly I am grateful that perhaps they will find an actual cause for why I haven't progressed with solids as much as I thought I should. Here's hoping that they can dilate the stricture.

UPDATE: Feeling better for now. Seem to have gotten rid of all that was in my stomach / esophagus so I feel better. I am going to keep drinking tiny amounts and dr office will try to get Cigna to approve EGD on emergency basis tomorrow morning and get EGD tomorrow afternoon. I feel better now that I have a plan.

Sorry for all the rambling. Just needed to talk it out with my supportive Bariatric friends!

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am so sorry you are having such a tough time! My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I certainly hope they get to the bottom of why you are struggling so bad. That has to be miserable.

Hope you get answers tomorrow. I will be thinking about you!

[Daisee68 2,493]

​Thanks @@Djmohr! At least I feel like we are finally getting somewhere with it all!

[aelovelady 243]

That is awful!! I really hope they find a cause and can fix it soon! Keep us posted!

[Faithoftheheart 42]

I am so sorry it's strange how fast things change and so suddenly. I am only two weeks post op and I had to call the office today because I am having horrible chest pain when I ate my Breakfast just a small bit of scrambled egg teeny tiny the second bite was awful waited till the pain stopped then took another bite swallowed and instant pain in my chest a horrible stuck feeling that would not go away.. I stopped and put the eggs away repulsed. Waited 30 mins and took a drink instant pain when I swallowed the Water even felt stuck.. I have been having a textbook recovery but I know something isn't right. Called the surgeon and he suspects a stricture. No shakes or anything today. How many weeks post op are you? Hang on there I know it sucks but it won't last forever that's what I keep saying..

[Daisee68 2,493]

Thanks all. Up early a bit anxious to hear that for sure it can be done today but thankfully not sick right now and was able to hold down tiny sips of Water last night so I know I'm not dehydrated. Can't have anything this morning though since there should be procedure today. @@Faithoftheheart I am 12 weeks post-op. Your symptoms sound very familiar. Appreciate the prayers. Will keep you posted.

[Faithoftheheart 42]

Hang in there this morning.. Post an update when your feeling better sending out ((healing vibes))

[Daisee68 2,493]

Procedure went really well. Very fast. Maybe 15 minutes. I have a very tight stricture. Like maybe a pin hole size space for food to get through. She was able to widen it a little but only to about smaller than a dime. She is referring me to a GI Dr who will have to repeat the procedure likely more than once. liquids for the next week and then if I'm lucky pureed. GI Dr likely won't repeat for 4 to 6 weeks. I am very happy with the outcome though. It is so comforting to know it was not all in my head!! I have done liquids before. I know I can do it again. At least I can have Protein Shakes now albeit very very small sips. She said I will likely lose weight much faster than expected! LOL! Not the way I want to do it but hey at least it will come off and at least I will (eventually) feel much better!!

PS thanks for the prayers and good thoughts!

Procedure went really well. Very fast. Maybe 15 minutes. I have a very tight stricture. Like maybe a pin hole size space for food to get through. She was able to widen it a little but only to about smaller than a dime. She is referring me to a GI Dr who will have to repeat the procedure likely more than once. Liquids for the next week and then if I'm lucky pureed. GI Dr likely won't repeat for 4 to 6 weeks. I am very happy with the outcome though. It is so comforting to know it was not all in my head!! I have done liquids before. I know I can do it again. At least I can have Protein shakes now albeit very very small sips. She said I will likely lose weight much faster than expected! LOL! Not the way I want to do it but hey at least it will come off and at least I will (eventually) feel much better!!

PS thanks for the prayers and good thoughts!

[readyforthislifechange 82]

Oh my I am sorry to hear that and glad you are doing better. Do they know if there is a cause for strictures? And it sounds like this is something you won't really know you have until you're attempting to eat solids again or?

[Faithoftheheart 42]

Well I bet it is a relief to know what's going on and have a plan of action.. That's a small stricture. Get better soon!

[Daisee68 2,493]

I understood the cause to be scar tissue. Common though it doesn't happen in everyone. I will know more after seeing the GI Dr. Not quite sure when that will be or how I will know if I can move on to pureeds. Still a bit confused about that but I do know Dr was worried enough to recommend liquid vitamins if I could find them so I don't thi K it will be a wait and see. My guess is I will see the GI Dr relatively quick with a copy of the pictures from the scope so he can determine a plan of action. It is apparently a GI Dr that my surgeon works with / refers to / has faith in so it appears he does this often enough that he will know what to do next.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I got a call from the GI Dr and have scheduled another EGD/dilation for tomorrow at 9 am. I'm a little anxious since it is so soon after the last one (6 days) but I questioned and they said it was fine. I guess getting it done sooner rather than later is best so I can eventually get back to (or maybe really start to) eating more normally. I'm starting to worry about how to even start over but I will deal with that when I get there. I know I can always come here for great encouragement and tips.

[Dream4tc 192]

Oh so sorry you are going through that!!! You can always try http://www.patchmd.com/MultiVitamin-Plus-Topical-Patch.html

[catwoman7 11,210]

Oh my I am sorry to hear that and glad you are doing better. Do they know if there is a cause for strictures? And it sounds like this is something you won't really know you have until you're attempting to eat solids again or?

they're caused by overgrown scar tissue. They're pretty easy to fix (I've had two). They usually happen early in the process - like within the first 2 or 3 months after surgery...so usually while people are still on soft food. If they get big enough, even drinking Water will set off the symptoms - acid reflux, vomiting, etc. You'll definitely know something isn't right, even if you don't know it's a stricture. I recognize the symptoms now...

Edited September 2, 2015 by catwoman7

[Daisee68 2,493]

@@catwoman7 - You mean it can happen again? How far apart? Did you have the first one dilated more than once and it just grew back? Ugh I really hope not! I will be anxious to find out what they say to tomorrow! And so very ready to have food again. Did you have to stick with liquids after each dilation for a long time?