Question:
6 Years Post-Op and having VERY painful gas pocket.
A few weeks ago, I had SEVERE back pain and after multiple doctor visits and chiropractor appointments it was discovered that I had a HUGE gas pocket. I missed work over gas! Anyone else ever have that? What is causing it? I thought gas pockets were something caused by surgery. Any thoughts? — Kath442 (posted on June 13, 2007)
June 13, 2007
Hi Kathy,
I will be 8 yrs out in December and yes I have this sometimes. I discovered
what it was because the pain was so severe it sent me to the ER. I know
what you are going through. Unfortunately there does not seem to be a magic
fix. As far as the cause I was told that could vary. Gas x has helped
relieve it for me in the past and a couple years ago my primary dr. gave me
a prescription, but I dont remember the name. Maybe your dr can prescribe
something? It did help at the time.
Hope this helps,
Donna
— ~Donna~ V.
June 13, 2007
sorry i hit the wrong button, they determined that i had a plug of
....well.....crap lodged at the site where they rewired the bowels and
intestines and all that stuff. they put me on clear liquids for a couple
of days and then more dense liquids for a day after that. also they stated
that i had a lot of extra bowel and that was creating the cramping that i
get with all this "air" such a polite way to put it...LOL good
luck!
— peggster
June 14, 2007
It's been years since I posted on this wonderful site. Nice to be back! I
had my surgery in August 2003 with fantastic results. Unfortunately, after
years of complication-free living, I ended up in emergency surgery last
week for a bowel obstruction/hernia repair. I had experienced moderate to
severe abdominal pain from trapped gas over the years on and off, but
unlike my past experiences (when the pain quickly abated), the pain this
time around didn't resolve on its own. I experienced severe stomach pains
and burning pains in my lower back, bad enough I felt compelled to go the
ER. They treated my pain with morphine and then sent me home. And hour
after I got into bed, around 1:00 in the morning, I began to vomit (which
as you know is a lot more like dry heaving after gastric bypass). I was
violently nauseous for the next 16 hours straight. I returned to the ER
and after several agonizing hours and four different pharmaceutical
attempts to relieve my nausea, I was finally taken for a CAT scan, where my
problem was at last discovered. The portion of my intestine leading away
from my "old stomach" had become herniated and thereby
obstructed. My intestine had fallen into the space beneath it created when
the surgeon pulled the intestine away from the web of capillaries below
during the original bypass. The herniation obstructed the flow of stomach
acid and gases (and whatever else the old stomach sends packing) from
escaping. As a result my old stomach and the intestine leading away from
it swelled enormously, a very dangerous situation that can lead to a
rupture. Still I languished for a week in the hospital before finally
calling my surgeon. He instructed me to remove my IV and speed to his
office (an hour and forty-five minutes away) for emergency surgery. He
told me that the obstruction should have been repaired IMMEDIATELY and that
I was in "catastrophic danger." While it is incredibly dangerous
to leave an obstructed bowel to resolve itself, the actual surgery to
resolve the obstruction was simple and is nothing at all to fear. I had
surgery on Thursday morning and was discharged Friday afternoon, with a
stomach my surgeon said would be better than new. Just to be safe, after
my marathon adventures in agony last week, I really, really recommend that
you contact your surgeon and ask have a thorough check-up to make sure the
pipes are all working correctly, especially after so many years. The
x-rays in the ER showed nothing. Neither did the Upper GI a few days
later. It was the CAT scan that did the trick. According to my surgeon,
only 4% of gastric bypass patients experience a herniated bowel. So the
odds are very much in your favor. But better safe than sorry. Take care!
— jenpatalano
September 14, 2007
Hi there, Iam also almost 6 years post op with a great result, however
again I also developed this pain that sent me and had me admitted 5 times
over the last 2 years. I have had every test known to man and no one can
seem to find out what is wrong. when this gas hits my stomach swells bad
and ther only thing that helps is hydration via iv and morphine in the
hospital for 3-4 days. Does anyone have any thing that may help.. I did
this to be healthy and this is breaking my spirits.
— swtnsxy0219
Click Here to Return