Has anyone had an ulcer?

I've been having problems eating and drinking for a week now and my reglan for acid reflux isn't helping.  Someone mentioned I might have formed an ulcer.  Got an appt w/ Dr. W, but couldn't make it because of the kiddos.  Has anyone had problems like this before?  I'm 7 weeks out and don't know what to think.  I'm wondering if I irritated my pouch and should go back on a liquid diet.  Are there any medicines to make ulcers or stomach irritations better?   Diana

Diana, What kind of problems are you having? Sounds like you should probably reschedule with Dr. Walton. It's not good to let these things go especially after gastric surgery. Could cause bigger problems for you in the future. Just my two cents, LOL

I'm so sorry you're having problems!  I would call my patient advocate ASAP!  I don't think you should be having these problems.  Keep us posted!  Kim

Diana: I am the Queen of the Ulcer thank you.  Seriously, you need to make the appointment - if you need me to corral the kids - let me know but make the appointment.   It is not good at this stage to not be able to eat or drink - you can get dehydrated really quickly and that is NOT good for a WLS patient. I've been on Prevacid since the first ulcer almost 18 months ago - stopped for awhile and lo and behold the 2nd ulcer - so don't screw around with it.   Let me know what I can do to help girl!!

Hey Ruth, how do they test for ulcers anyways?  How long did you have yours before you knew what it was?  Thanks a bunch!  Diana

Diana: It is hard to distinguish (for me anyways) the difference between the stricture and the ulcer.  Had'em both the first time out - about 3-4 weeks after my RNY.  Basically I could no longer drink or eat - got stuck quick and fast and went downhill from there. I can't really remember there being any pain associated with it, but alas, I was not as well versed in the ways of WLS at that point either!!  I think I was one of the "early" complications that Drs W & B got to play with.   I had to have 3 EGD's over the course of about 2 months and then I was able to get back on course.  I think I was on mushies for almost 4-5 months start and stop start and stop, yada yada.  I lost ALOT of weight quick because of the issues. The ulcer last fall (Sept seems to be MY month for some reason) I had ABSOLUTELY no symptoms until the day I landed in the ER here in Midwest City.  I had actually been at FBH all day for a Womens Symposium and just didn't feel 100% - little did I know that I had internal bleeding going on!  I ended up passing out in the middle of the night, mom called the ambulance (after I insisted on calling FBH first) and then 4 days in Midwest Regional after 2 EGD's while I was there.  I had been on pain pills for a while over the summer for my herniated/compressed disc that I had surgery on about a month earlier, but we had been really careful about the pain med treatments, so we don't know WHAT is causing them for me. Anyway, if they suspect anything they will either do an upper GI or and EGD - I would say the latter probably - to figure out what is going on.  They may go conservative and back peddle on your diet and put you on Prevacid to see if that resolves things first.  It just depends. Again - get in to see Doc so they can access the situation.  Document exactly what you are getting in right now and don't be surprised if they want to do some bloodwork or reverse your diet.  The whole process will be to get you well and ensure you can get your nourishment in!! Hang in there!!  And remember, I am the COMPLICATION QUEEN.  I have complications so YOU don't have to!!  LMAO!!

I feel like I'm being a baby about the whole thing.  What are symptoms of an ulcer?  I feel an uncomfortable burn most of the time day and night and it just feels super uncomfortable to eat and drink.  My gurgling from my stomach is worse, and I have that whole acidic feeling in my mouth like when I forget to take my acid reflux meds.  That's why I can't decide if it's an ulcer or just irritation like Jessica warned could happen.  I don't have outright pain, just a really uncomfortble feeling.  I still force myself to drink, even though I don't like it so I won't get dehydrated.    I'm just eating less, which Dr. W wanted me to do anyways.  So, Rita and Ruth, do you have any more 2 cents?  I just hate to take out time to go to see Dr. W if it's nothing, ya know?  but I also would hate for it to be something serious and not to have gone. 

Diana, please try to see your surgeon or PCP. Reglan isn't a proton pump inhibitor, so if you have an acid type problem, possibly a proton pump inhibitor could be added (like Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, etc.).

Reglan is used to increase the contractions in your stomach and increase your gastric emptying time to help with gastric reflux. It should not be taken for any longer than prescribed, or in larger amounts than prescribed by your physician.

Proton pump inhibitors have a different mechanism of action and may help...but see either your surgeon or PCP first, please. I wish you the very best and to feel better quickly!

Thanks for the advice.  I guess I was kind of hoping I could just take more reglan and fix the problem w/out going to the doctors.  I can see that won't work.  This is an impossibly busy week for me, but I guess that's when stuff that can go bad always does, right?  It does make me feel better to know there are medicines out there that may control it.  I hate feeling like this. 

I have taken aciphex for years and it works great. I have also taken Prilosec  with the same results. Nexium is great for actually healing ulcers and erosions. I used to do digestive research for a Gastric Dr a few years ago and have tried 5 of the top along with a few others....(Basically I was a human experiment for years). I got headaches with 3 of them and finally found my favorite and take it.....When I have real bad problems, I will take two a day instead of the one usually called for. This is the maximum dose per day. Still....don't do that without a Dr's ok either. That is just for informational purposes. Popping any type meds after a surgery with out the Doc's ok would be a no no in my book. It's not like treating a headache. You sound like me in not wanting to bother anyone with little things but the way I see this...nothing is little for awhile. Do as the professionals on here are saying.....Call the office and let them know what is going on.....I do hope you feel better soon. Sherry