Kellymoos, how are you feeling?

Alexandra · May 12, 2005

You recently recounted an experience with aspiration pneumonia. Did that clear up with the treatment? And didn't you get an unfill to help with the reflux? Love an update, bandsister!

I'm asking because last night I had a choking bout of reflux--note to self: do NOT eat pizza!!--and this morning I felt like CRAP. Fever, aches and pains, no appetite, and the runs to boot. It hurts a tiny bit to take a deep breath, but really only a little. I'd noticed the aches and pains starting up yesterday afternoon, before the reflux, so I'm wondering if I just had the bad luck to get the flu or something coincidentally.

So how are you, and can you tell me if you had any of the same symptoms I'm having? I came home early from work today and slept for almost 4 hours, waking up feeling better but still wonky. Do I need to call a doctor? Thanks!!

kellymoos · May 12, 2005

I felt like I had the flu the next morning when I woke up. They gave me a shot at the Dr and I was cleared up in 2 days. I did hurt to take a deep breathe for a couple of days. I would not think that with the flu it would hurt to take a deep breath...keep me updated and good luck!

paula · May 13, 2005

I'd noticed the aches and pains starting up yesterday afternoon, before the reflux,

Alex, so sory to hear you are feeling ill. But I just had a "bug" and had these same symptoms. I had NO appetite and MAJOR restriction = wonderful ! This thing lasted about 4 days - ugh! Whats funny is that I didnt have any nighttime reflux symptoms - maybe from my tummy being so empty? Did you have the reflux agian lastight?

Fever, aches and pains, no appetite, and the runs to boot

Coke icee's saved my life!

Alexandra · May 13, 2005

I feel MUCH better today, thanks! I slept for about 6 hours during the day yesterday, and then all night long last night. My father used to say that if it's possible to sleep so much that's a clear indication your body is fighting off something. So I'm sure it wasn't just the reflux. Now I'm wondering if being sick perhaps caused or exacerbated the reflux? Everything is connected.

I'd really like to know more about aspiration pneumonia. It sure sounds serious, but I wonder if it's possible to have "a touch" of it? Is it something that can happen due to a single episode of reflux and then clear up by itself? If that's the case then it might be what I had.

Yet another form of negative reinforcement from the band. I hope this will cure me permanently of thinking I can eat more just because I have no PB reflex now. I honestly think that over time our bodies get used to the increased pressure on the esophagus and the nerves there get numb and stop reacting. But there are still negative effects of overeating or eating too late, and I have to remember that!!

pati-o · May 13, 2005

Aspiration Pneumonia is Nasty stuff! It happens when you inhale something that came from your stomach. The stomach acid is horrible on lung tissue, and it's one of the most nasty forms of pneumonia you can develop. This is the reason that people are told not to eat or drink before surgery, because eating gets the stomach acid production started and when a patient is lying flat on the operating table and is not awake they can burp/vomit up whatever is in their stomachs and inhale it into their lungs. (ALL patients put under general anesthesia are put to sleep and have breathing tubes inserted into their tracheas which does not guarantee that a person still couldn't aspirate, it just keeps their airway open and delivers breaths and oxygen).

It can also happen with eating.

Older people that have difficulty swallowing because of esophageal strictures or strokes are more likely to aspirate then a young healthy person. I don't know what role a band could play in aspirating. Id imagine that if someone had bad reflux or was too tight, they could aspirate during their sleep.

I'm no expert- even though I have worked in surgery for 3 years and a critical care unit for 9 yrs before that, so I've seen LOTS of aspiration pneumonia- and it sure is nasty icky stuff!

Alexandra · May 13, 2005

Thanks, Pati-o! A lot of bandsters report reflux when they're too tight, but I'm also seeing long-term bandsters reporting reflux even when we're not feeling too tight. I know the very first time I had it I was already scheduled for a fill because I'd felt a lack of restriction.

Do you know if it's possible to perhaps inhale a little Fluid and NOT get aspiration pneumonia? Is it the stomach acid in the Fluid or the fluid itself that causes the illness? This is the second time I've had what I thought was an actual illness following close on the heels of an incident of nighttime reflux. Not a coincidence, I'm sure, but what causes the other? The first time I actually did have strep throat, and that's not caused by reflux. And that didn't go away by itself, of course.

If people inhaling food while they're eating can cause it, presumably there's no stomach acid in that material. So is it any foreign matter that can cause the illness?