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From: Debbie
Date: 04/26/01
Time: 14:56:40
Hi Folks:
I'm almost at the 3 month mark. What a "long strange trip it's been !"
First off, hello to Thistle and EAP. Your comments always give me encouragement. Thistle, it sounds like you're well on your way, I'm glad your last Dr. appt. went good.
My final appt is next week. I had a slight set-back on Easter. I had reflux, I was so upset and depressed. However, I really think I over-did it on the food (had some wine too). The reflux (chest pain) was definately there but not as bad as before surgery and it didn't last as long either. Also had reflux at the end of last week for three days in a row and now nothing. I have come to the conclusion that this surgery generally improves your condition, but you still have to expect some bad days too, when those days come it's like why in the hell did I go through this?? But then when you actually get hungry again and not have reflux symptoms, it is so worth it. Looking back now, I really was fortunate with not having too much pain after surgery, I survived post op on Liquid Advil. I refused the heavy duty stuff, I hate having that "doped up" feeling, and the groginess I hate as well.
I was one of those people that have alot of "gas/bloatiness" post op. I was even having the Big "D" too, and was really upset about that. But that subsided too, thank goodness. I think we just have to be careful how fast we eat, and what we eat, and our stress levels too. I know for a fact that stress effects my system, always has, always will. Also, for us females, I believe 110% that our hormones and monthly cycle effect our symptoms too. I would be curious if any Doctor did a study on that. Just curious.
I'd like to also add that I did not go into this surgery lightly. I contemplated it for three months after going through all those darn tests which I thought were evasive. I had 4 different Dr. opinions. 3 were Yes, and 1 said to wait it out (a GI doctor). I had the Barretts diagnosis and that was my No. 1 concern. I know I will always have to continue to get scoped every 2 years to make sure that the cells don't change to cancer. I know that I did the best thing going ahead with the surgery for what my condition was at that time.
One thing I think the surgeons should tell you post op is to possibly expect the left shoulder pain from the gas. It seems that alot of people are posting regarding this syndrome. I went to the ER 3 days after surgery because I didn't know what it was and was very concerned it might be something with my heart. My left shoulder pain lasted a good 2 weeks. It subsided but then would return if I overdid it while eating, I know it sounds strange, but think of all the changes your body goes through during the surgery, they totally re-vamp the digestive process. I was told that when your diaphragm is irritated from the gas, it actually presses on the nerve that runs up to your left shoulder, and hence that is the pain you're feeling ("referred pain" as they call it). It hurts like all hell, but mine did go away after a good two weeks.
I'm able to eat pretty much everything, even had spaghetti sauce last night with no reflux. This bothered me from weeks 4-8. Sometimes dairy products still bother me (gas), but the nausea and the horseness and the chest pains have gone away. (On good days) I was lucky to be able to eat solid food after 4 weeks. I didn't have any problems swallowing or spasms after week 4. Before that week however, I did, and it is expected. That much they did tell me.
I don't know what else to say except that I will continue to post on my progress, I don't check this site every single day, but when I do, I can certainly empathize with people who are in the early stages of surgery as well as those who haven't even had one single test yet. The meds are in my opinion a temporary bandaid if you will. My LES valve did not work at all I found out, so all the medicine in the world could not have helped me. It took the edge off, but did not kill those chest pains. That was my biggest problem - the chest pains, they are real and they are scary. Again, I feel for all those who post about that on this site.
To recap, I do not have any regrets having the surgery at this point. Realize that you will feel better BUT, expect bad days. And if you're female, you may have a slower recovery. It seems as if the males that go through is have an easier time than us girls, I'm not sure why, it's just a theory.
Good Luck to all and Stay Healthy and Take Care of Yourselves!!
Debbie