good news/bad news, pouch troubles

Since Easter, I have had pain while eating, fullness, stomach distended, gurgling while eating. I thought at first it was major indigestion from over doing it easter Sunday, but it has Hung on all week. Wednesday and Thursday I basically had to stick to slider foods only. Anything solid, and one bite hurt and I felt over full. I usually take a chewable pepcid when I feel a grouchy pouch, but it wasn't helping. I went to the drug store last night and took s omeprizole and today I feel a little better. I am worried now that maybe I have an ulcer.

Do I continue how I'm going and see what happens for another few days, or do I break down and call my doctor? Do I call my pcp, or surgeon?

My insurance changed the first of the year and it really sucks, so of course I am hesitant to have a lot of expensive tests done. Can we treat a possible ulcer ourselves?

Thanks for your advice!

I would double check with your bariatric surgeon.  It's been a couple of days, and the remedies that you can do at home don't seem to be working.  Since you think you may have an ulcer, you should get it checked out.  They are nothing to fool around with.

Good Luck!

Highly acidic food items can cause issues, at times ulcers, even a year out.  Fruit juices, tomato juice, highly seasoned foods, hot sauce, peppers, etc. can cause your pouch issues.  I always keep papaya enzyme handy and eat 4-5 of them when my gut is upset. It seems to work 99% of the time for my wife and myself, even at several years post op.  If you notice dark stools compared to normal, this might be a sign of an ulcer.  Bright red stool all of a sudden with pain, means you should call your surgeon or go to the ER.  One of my support group members did everything right. No smoking, no alcohol, at all the proper foods, etc. Then last summer, he had a habit of eating a lot of cold citrus fruits and drinking a gallon or two of grapefruit Crystal Lite.  He was getting ready for a support group, and he had a pain in his gut. We sat down for a #2, and noted red blood in the toilet.  He called his surgeon, and was told to get to the ER immediately.  Subsequent tests indicated a bleeding ulcer, one that was caught in time where only a couple of days hospitalization and oral meds quelled the bleeding. DAVE

I called my surgeon's office and was told to take two prilosec's a day instead of just one and see if I continue to get better.  I have to get the one I can "break open" and sprinkle in applesauce or yogurt.  If I don't feel better by next week, then I will have to get a scope.  Let's home for the best!!!!