Pain update....

For those that missed my first post re: the pain I was having - I was waking up with SEVERE pain in the stomach area that would last about 4-10 minutes. The sooner I could swallow water &/or a Rolaids chewable, the quicker it usually ended. Also had two back pain episodes as well. Talked to my PCP and he tried me on Protonix - made it a lot worse, so stopped. Saw my surgeon for my 3-year post-op visit. He's diagnosed me with an ulcer, caused most likely by my fixation of dark chocolate and decaf/nonfat mochas. I knew I wasn't allowed caffiene, I just didn't think there was enough in chocolate for it to matter. We'll see at any rate if that is the cause.

Treatment? NO CHOCOLATE of any kind for the next 6 weeks and 4 servings on an empty stomach of liguid Maalox. That should give the stomach a chance to heal. If that doesn't take care of it then I get to get scoped. Oh goody - not!

Is an ulcer caused by caffiene... for real?
i never knew that. .

Yep, that’s why alcohol (I didn’t know alcohol caused them – I just knew that it went straight to the brain/liver w/o being diluted by stomach acid. It’s why it’s so much easier to get drunk.), anti-inflammatories (why just Tylenol), and caffeinated drinks aren’t allowed post-op. I just never thought chocolate had that much caffeine, especially as I admitted to eating dark chocolate last year and his only comment was since I was doing great on my weight that was okay. So much for that thought – though I have a bad history of being one of those folks that if it’s not normal, then it’s me.

WOW.... I have stopped tylenol.. although I admit I take it occassionally.
but give up caffiene... I can't run on non-leaded... that is just crazy...
how much caffiene is in dark chocolate...
I knew alcohol caused ulcers and anti-inflam's but never new caffiene would..
Good to know.. though I am not giving it up.. I feel awful without it...
I hope you feel better soon..

Actually, Tylenol is what you're supposed to take instead of Motrin, Aleve, etc. Good luck with the coffee and I hope I feel better soon as well. :o)

Geez!  I can handle the alcohol  and the anti-inflamatories (except when I have pain ), but give up my coffee and chocolate?  That's just insanity!  

I hope it works for you Dawn, you heal quickly and have no more pain!

Michele

Wow, I didn't realize that caffeine could have that effect either! I have it occasionally (crystal light w/caffeine), but I wouldn't think that chocolate could contain that much~especially b/c you can't be eating that much chocolate!  Well, I hope that the treatment works and that you're feeling better soon!!!!!!!!!