Years later

[Erin Cribbs 0]

I had RNY in 2008. I went from 340 lbs to 157 at my smallest the I hovered around 175 after I started hitting the gym and gained some muscle. Physically, I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life I eat very nutritious I excercise, rarely touch sweets but yet as of late despite this lifestyle I've beg to gain weight recently ballooning to 205 lbs. it isn't going away. Thyroid has been checked its fine it's simply unexplained.

I'm also dealing with another problem for two years that has yet to be diagnosed. I have what I like to call episodes. Out of nowhere a pain will shoot through my back into my addomen. The pain is so intense I often black out when this occurs. I've been rushed to the ER 4 times from various places. I am lucky for the times it happens at home as my husband and daughter know what to do. I have been to a gastroenterologist who has done an upper GI, I have had a CT scan, ultrasounds blood work no one seems to want to find the cause they keep going back to gall stones in the bile duct this would be a fine theory except I haven't had a gallbladder for 15 years. All of the tests come back normal. Has anyone else had anything similar happen and they finally got a diagnosis?

[India928 81]

I have been told you can still get stones without a gall bladder. Sounds awful, im sorry to hear this. As for weight gaib...could it be related to health? I would try liquids for two days, see if it jump starts your loss/metabolism.

[James Marusek 5,244]

A quick web search links 24 Possible Causes of Abdominal Pain combined with Dizziness

http://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-pain-and-dizziness

You might want to go through this list and start striking them off and see what is left.

[Erin Cribbs 0]

I've been told about the gallstones thing but after 3 expensive scans that didn't find any, you'd think it would be time to move on.

[rte837 141]

My first RNY '03; revised '08; Wt regain was my fault clear and simple. Now, I've been vomitng over 1 yr intermittently. As always, went back to my surgeon. Many tests; 1 surgery; still vomiting; one more test and as always, he wants to read the actual study; He doesn't believe radiologists read the studies as he would. He's found the culprit now and more sx needed. My point; Go back to your surgeon. Bring CD's of all the xrays you've had. Let him see if he can help. Get med. records of the ER visits for your attacks as well. They do know more that GI Drs. and rads. and put all the info together in a way other Drs. probably wouldn't. Could be a torsion causing pain; or a volvulus that resolves itself; or an internal hernia. I'd be so interested to see if original surgeon could shed some light. Keep us updated. And if he can't help, consider another bariatric surgeon consult. Where do you live, BTW?

Good luck!!

[carmar23 10]

Where on your back/abdomen is it? (Ie, upper, lower, left, right)

[Veronica_mm 87]

Yes keep us updated please

[Erin Cribbs 0]

I'm having a a CT scan tomorrow early.

My surgeon has gone MIA and the center I had surgery at closed unfortunately then there's the issue of insurance as mine no longer pays for bariatric.

The pain starts on my sides toward the back. This is the warning shot that I need to Get somewhere I can dry heave in private, pull over, etc.

15 minutes later I double over while dry heaving I sweat profusely and can't breathe. It hurts so bad I often pass out. For those who haven't wittnessed this they freak out and call an ambulance. By the time they get there check my vitals and give me oxygen, I'm fine a little tired and thirsty but otherwise ok. The longest episode lasted 3 hours average episode is 45 minutes

[katybelle7 65]

I went thru those symptoms about two years after gallbladder removed. Had ERCP. Symptoms disappeared. Stone going thru duct caused the problem, gone before it showed on CT.

2 -3 years later same problem, stone going thru duct blocked duct, causing "sludge" to back up (their medical term, not mine), causing pancreatitis. Had another ERCP to widen main duct even more to let sludge pass thru and any more strange stones left behind. Don't know if I'm still forming stones, but no more problems after second ERCP. Very few of us continue to form stones, but a few of us evidently do.

Hope you find answers soon. I remember the pain.. Initially thought it was a heart attack it was so intense! Best of luck. Be sure to share your findings!

[carmar23 10]

Yes, I was going to say it sounds like it could be pancreatitis

[Erin Cribbs 0]

Official Diagnosis Hiatal Hernia and Ulcer with Constipation

[rte837 141]

It feels so good to at least have an answer, doesn't it? Now you can get better!! Good for you!

[ccdomaika 12]

Research Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

[Amylou 206]

Diverticulitus?

[SAD HATTER 122]

This is going to sound strange, but my daughter has these episodes. She will have intense pain in the abdomen, and then uncontrollable vomiting, and the pain is so bad she's basically comatose or knocked out after.

She vomited from the day she was born, and at the age of 2, they diagnosed her with CVS. Cyclic vomiting syndrome. It will not show up in scans or bloodwork. It is basically a Migraine and spasm of the abdomen, that forces vomiting. Once the episode is over, you feel much better. Stress can trigger an episode, as well as certain foods, allergies, periods. My daughter cycled through like a clock. Hers were not so much outside triggers, as they were just on a cycle.

We found a gastro that was familiar with CVS, and he prescribed cyproheptadine. Your episodes sound very similar to hers, and it is worth asking a gastro about CVS. Some will tell you it doesn't exist. But it indeed does. It can be debilitating. My daughter finally grew out of it, but I have adult friends in the CVSA support group that were triggered late in life and struggle a lot now.