Getting Stuck

I was so nervous yesterday....My wife calls me on the cell in tears. She has just finished eating and had gotten something stuck. She said it felt like someone was trying to rip her stomach out.
My question is .... Is there something that she could have done to make it feel any better or is it something that has to pass on its own??

Dave

It depends on what it is really.  But 99% of the time it will pass (I'm guessing, don't quote me).  The other 1% it will probably come back up.  There are some things that help me in that situation.  Very small sips of a carbonated beverage, or small sips of a hot beverage like coffee.  It's more common to experience being stuck when you are a new WLS patient.  Over time it becomes less of a problem.  You don't say if she is banded or RNY'd or whatever else.  Bands that are too tight can cause food to become obstructed.

Sorry, she is 1 year out of RNY, and this is the first time she has ever had any issues except dumping.

Dave

Hi Dave!!

I try a few sips of coke and if that doesn't work then I try to get it back up as the pain is too terrible to sit around and wait hours. Some people also do papaya extract pills.

Thanks Guys... I will pass it along to her and yes it was a long and painful night for her, I just felt helpless that i couldnt help her.

Thanks Again,
Dave

Oh man, been there and it is not fun.  I have found that chewable papaya enzyme tabs available at GNC and the like help in this situation.  Some folks do a tiny sip of regular coke, but I have found that drinking anything during one of these episodes makes things so much worse.  I hope she ended up getting relief.  Eventually, it ends up coming back up.  I have had food stuck bad twice with one episode lasting 6 hours.  My mistake was drinking and thinking that it was going to help.  It didn't.

For me, the best, quickest relief was always to position myself in front of the toilet, bend over, and if necessary, tickle the ol' punching bag to help coax the offending bits back out.  Gross?  Maybe.  But the relief is pretty much instant!

Hi - The PN team told us 3 years ago when I had my surgery if I got anything stuck to guzzle a half can of regular non-diet coke.  When I had anything stuck, that brought it right up & much relief with it! Just thought I'd share!
Hugs
Laura

I thought pop was a HUGE no no???

I'm sorry your wife had to endure this! I do not have that problem with my DS, so I cannot even relate.

I have heard of drinking regular Coke though as mentioned above and hear it recommended often to always keep a can or two of that on hand just in case.

Good luck to her & I hope she's feeling 100% better now!