Heartburn Sensations after Nissen Surgery Part 1 of 2

Things like bread may always be a challenge for you (anything that is doughy). Just make sure you take really small bites and a sip of water or even better hot tea after each bite. It really does help to move it along. I even have pain if I take too big a swallow of water or soda is the worse which I rarely touch any way with my tummy the way it is. I only have to stay over one night if all goes as planned. I take Gaviscon break through formula in stead of malox. It works alot better for me. I may just bring it and take it when they aren't looking so I don't have to even bother them about it. I am asking for a heating pad and my flector patches for my back. I think I will ask for my muscle relaxor too for my back. I injured it in a moped accident in november 2007. I have a bunch of questions for my doctor all typed up. I'm still working on the power of attorney thing. Well better get to bed so I can be ready for my big day tomorrow. Barb

 

You really have to eat very small amounts for quite a while. And you will always have to make sure you don't over eat. I found that out tonight when I was really over stressed and ate a few bites too much. I still don't feel good and I ate hours ago. I had my surgery 9 years ago. I got really stressed out because my doc sprang a little surprize on me last minute. The very last thing he told me today is "your not going to like me for this" and then he proceeded to tell me that he likes his patients cleaned out because it makes the intestines smaller so they aren't in the way and also if it was cut accidently that there wouldn't be a bunch of stuff seeping into my system. Yuck! So I get to be on a liquid diet the day before and then at 1pm on Wednesday I get to drink half a bottle of magnesium citrate and then the other half at 3pm. I freaked when he said that because I knew my boss would be mad and I told him so. He said that she could be mad at him, but I had to leave at 1pm and drink that stuff because he wanted me cleaned out before my surgery and my surgery is the first one of the day at 7:30. That's if he doesn't get called away for an emergency surgery. I will pray that doesn't happen as I don't want to be siting around waiting for hours. He assured me it wouldn't be hours though. When I got home I called my boss to tell her and she told me not to worry and that I needed to relax and take it easy. She said I have done more than my fair share of getting things done ahead of time. I knew I couldn't stress about it all weekend or I'd tear my stomach up. I used to do that a lot when I was younger and ended up sick with my stomach and UC because of it. I guess I have gotten smart in my old age. Lol. Barb 

Well I didn't do so great this weekend. I hardly got any sleep since last Thurs. I think it started with being stressed about my appointments on Friday. Then I worked the over night at my part time job Fri & Sat. and couldn't sleep. Then to top it off I was craving chocolate because it is that time of the month so I gave in. Well that didn't help my tummy on top of every thing else. What a stupid thing to do. At least I didn't over eat again though. Your stomach will get used to more food after about a year or so but you will still have to be careful. Stop as soon as you feel full. Don't even take one more bite       or you will pay for it for the rest of the day and night.        It's just not worth it! I wouldn't worry about your wrap because those things are pretty strong. Mine is still good going on nine years. Well I have to get to bed. Barb

It does really take some getting used to with eating so much less than your used to eating. Try eating more often instead. I found that helps me out with the stomach problem and weight loss too. I'm glad to hear the asthma is better. That's no fun to deal with either.

Well I still haven't gotten much sleep. I had a nap this afternoon in between drinking the nasty magnesium citrate. It says it has a pleasant lemony flavor. There is nothing pleasant about it. It gave me heart burn too. Yuck. I know I won't be sleeping tonight with all the bloating and pain from drinking that stuff. I hope it works to clean me out, so far it isn't working so great. I just want to get this surgery over and done with. I have to go get the rest of the laundry done and make sure I have every thing packed for the hospital. Talk to you when I get home.

Barb

Hi Denise, I came home yesterday afternoon. Hey has any one ever had a numb lip after surgery? Mine has been numb since Thursday after my surgery. The only thing they could come up with was that was where my breathing tube was for the 2 hour surgery. No one had ever had that happen before. My doctor told me if I had any other neurological symptoms to tell them right away. I've had 3 other surgeries before and never had this problem. The surgery went well and my doctor was able to do the laperscopic assist and leave my ovaries in. When he saw me before surgery I told him I was worried about the pain after. When I woke up after I did end up crying the pain was so bad. The nurse asked what was wrong and i told her my stomach hurt really bad. She gave me something really strong that took care of it very quickly. I don't even remember them bringing me to my room. They gave me IV stuff that's like ibuprofen and then vicadin in between. It worked pretty well until I ate yesterday morning and the pain got so bad I got dizzy when I got up to go the the bathroom. I had taken a vicadin an hour before and didn't think I could have any thing else so I layed there in pain until my doctor came in and he scolded me for not asking for something else. He ordered the oxycodone and that really helped. I have never had a doctor that was so compassonate, caring and understanding. He sure has a wonderful bed side manor. The hospital was really nice too. I was on the maternity floor so I was in one of the really nice birthing rooms. They only had 2 babies up there at the time and one other surgical. It was so nice an quiet. I would sleep for 2 hours and a time and then change my position adn go back to sleep. This afternoon I started with the diarrhea. I took all the stuff they gave me and told me to take. I think the laxative was one thing too much on top of the stool softner, grapes, fiber chews and prune juice. Tonight I had pain so bad as the gas and stool passed through my system that I was crying and hypervetalating. I don't remember pain that bad after my nissan or my gall bladder. That was as bad as having a baby. I do not normaly cry from pain. Welll i better get to bed as I took my pain pill and am falling asleep at my computer. Barb

When I had my wrap done and my gall bladder taken out I do not remember pain so bad that I cryed. He said they pump it full of air to lift the stomach walls up so they can move the bladder to one side and the intestine to the other side with out cutting me open. My heart doc was dead set against hormone replacement therapy because of my heart, so this was the best option for me. My lip is still just as numb today. I have a bump on the inside of my mouth where my lip is numb and it looks like it is swollen now on that side. They were right on my pain in the recovery room because as soon as I woke up and started crying they gave something really strong that sent me back to lala land. It was my own fault that I suffered that night and the next morning because I thought I had to wait until it was time to get another dose of meds. I also didn't think it would really help with the gas pain. It really does though. I had my surgery at 7:50am and they had me up walking the hall at 7pm, 10pm, 4am and a few more times. I was told to get up and walk around the house to help with the gas. It does really help. I think I should have taken the stool softner that was prescribed for me to take 2x a day but I was stupid and skipped it this am because I was afraid of more diarrhea and pain. I'm sure I'll pay for this sometime during the night or tomorrow. I am going to call tomorrow to ask why there is so much pain still when I have to go. I was only told the first time would really hurt. I will also ask about my swollen lip that is still numb. I took a shower tonight and is that ever a draining ordeal. I took a pill shortly before so that didn't help either. I hate how tired the oxycodone makes me feel, but because of my stomach it's either that or hydrocodone and the latter wasn't working. I sleep for at least an hour after taking the med. Speaking of sleep I better get to bed so I can get up and call the doctors office. Barb

I'm glad my doc listened to me about giving me something my stomach would tolerate. He didn't give me very many though. I will probably have to call and ask for more. I think they can give me hydrocodone instead of the Oxycodone this time around though. I was doing pretty good today until I lifted my leg up so my hubby could put my sock on for me as I can't bend. He is in a wheel chair him self and wasn't strong enough to lift my leg for me. I never thought about that causing problems but ever since then my groin hurts on the one side. I sure hope I didn't cause another problem.

I found out going down the stairs can really help with the gas too. They kept telling me I might have shoulder or chest pain from the gas, but all mine is in my tummy area. I took all my meds today including the pain pills and stool softner. I only took one of the laxative pills and that seemed to be the right balance for me. The pain with this surgery has been far worse. I never cryed after any of my other surgeries. I'm going to go put some heat on the pain in my groin and if it's not better by tomorrow I will have to call the doctors office I guess. Thanks for all your advice and encouragement. Barb

Denise,

I was interested to read your comment about the 6-day antibiotic and resulting GI troubles.

I was on an antibiotic for about a week in February and had a bad allergic reaction to it. During that time, and now suddenly about a month later, my reflux symptoms have gotten out of control. I wonder if there's a connection in my case too. I'll have to ask at my next appointment.

percycat

Hi Barb,
I also do nasal washings, and have done them for probably 15 to 20 years. They were recommended by my asthma doctor, and have been amazingly effective. I just use warm salt water, pour it into my hand, and sniff deeply it up my nose. It definitely keeps away the sinus infections.

Augmentin was the antibiotic that put me into the hospital. My family doc and I have a little running joke, when he's always suggesting Augmentin as my antibiotic. I can NEVER take it. I actually am allergic to sulfa.

I wonder if I could take a z-pac. I think I have taken that in the past. Good thought.

Well, you made it to the bathroom. That Lamaze breathing definitely comes in hand lots of times. Sorry it was so painful. This too will pass.
Hang in there. You're on the road to recovery. Take the pain meds, and try to rest as much as possible. It's a tough recovery, but you'll get through it.
I'm thinking of you!
Denise

Percycat,
Antibiotics (except Amoxicillin) always have made my reflux MUCH, MUCH worse--actually making it almost impossible to eat. My recovery after antibiotic gastritis and gerd is much worse than the recovery I've had after a Nissen surgery. Go figure!
Hope your reflux improves!

Hi Barb,
It would have definitely helped of they'd prepared you properly for what to expect after surgery. The prednosone might be just the ticket. I actually think it helped me post nissen--calming down my wrap and making it easier to swallow early on. I was on long term, which definitely caused some other problems, though. I'm actually thinking of asking my asthma doc if I might take a short burst to try to get rid of these post infection asthma problems I'm still having. I don't really want to put more of it in my system, but if it would clear up my lungs, it would be a blessing. Especially before allergy season kicks in.

Thanks for the Ketek warning. I've started a list of antibiotic advice. Yours is the first one.
I go back to the surgeon today. By the way...his nurse also scared me when I called to report the "heartburn sensations"/the ability to burp--she made me feel that it wasn't normal, but when I talked to the surgeon, he said that both were within the normal range of experience, and not uncommon as the wrap was swollen and not working properly. The burping is very individual, and not uncommon. Why doesn't he tell his nurse.

Good luck with your pain today! Feel better, relax, and surrender into the recovery. If you aren't fighting it, you'll have a better experience. It is what it is. You will get through it. Try to think positive thoughts.
I'm off to get ready for school. Feels good to be back in the classroom!
Take care, rest, and recover!
Denise

Hi Barb,
Just a a quick note now, because I've got to get ready for school...I'll write more later.
I'm so glad that you felt well enough to take a nice long walk. Walking gets the gas moving, and is very therapeutic emotionally as well! A nap after it is all good.

I talked to my allergy/asthma, and he didn't offer prednosone as an option. I didn't push it. They're worried that I've got adrenal insufficiency because of all the steroids I've taken (including inhaled ones),and I think they're trying to avoid it if possible. He suggested postural drainaged...where my husband hits my back to help me cough things up. If feels like i'm going backwards.

It's because my allergies kicked in today. My sinuses are FILLED and that triggers my lungs.

I know what you mean about nurses not being on the same page as docs. My surgeon's nurse always seemed incredulous about my symptoms, making me feel like there was something wrong, but the surgeon assured me that the symptoms were normal parts of the recovery. Go figure.

Anyway, got to run for now. Have a good day. Talk to you later.
Denise

Hi Barb,
My stomach is getting better. I'm still taking protonix 40mg twice a day--just like I did before surgery, and I know that it's unusual. I'm also taking carafate, so as my surgeon said, I'm "acid free". I expect when I see my family doc the next time, he'll reduce me to one protonix...he tried to do that before, but the prednosone was eating up my stomach, and I got really bad, so he bumped it up.

I asked him if he had many patients with stomachs that were reactive as mine, and he informed me that I have the most reactive/sensitive stomach in his practice. That's a distinction I could do without.

I do nasal washings, and have done them for years. I do them differently, though. I put salt and warm water in a container, shake it up, then pour it into my hand and sniff it up nose. I totally agree. I would never stop. It works wonders. I too did it in the hospital. I never go without it. Normally I do it morning and night, but when I'm having problems/allergies, I do it even more. I tell my friends about it, but most of them are afraid of sniffing water into their noses. Oh well, their loss. It works like a charm.

I went for my last post op visit with my surgeon. Things are going well, and he released me. I'll go to my GI doc next month--he wanted to see me after my surgeon released me.

Although I know you're still in pain, it seems like you're doing better. Hopefully you'll continue to improve each day!
Take care and I'll check in tomorrow. I'm beat after my first week back to school. This weekend I have to do report cards--I haven't even started!
Have a restful night.
Denise