Taking steps backwards...?

I wanted to know if anyone has taken steps backwards in their recovery from the Nissen procedure? I seemed to have done excellent in my recovery besides having the common issues of swallowing the first two weeks..then after day 14 I was able to eat much better and without pain. My gastritis wasn't bothering me those two weeks and then kicked in ...and now on day 22 I am having problems swallowing food once again..well chewed food that I didn't have trouble with a few days  ago. It feels like my wrap is swollen again and I'm not sure why. I know I am still healing but I figured once the swelling goes down that it doesn't go back up? I can feel it everytime I swallow something, passing through my wrap and my gastritis is flaring. I have been eating somewhat bland food (no spices, nothing acidic) and taking my liquid carafate. I'm also very weak and tired lately, I am wondering if this has happened to anyone else..almost like the surgery finally caught up to me.

 

Hi bittersweet,

I can't remember...can you take PPI's? Are you taking any now?

If you can take them, I'd suggest you do. People like us, with reactive stomachs, are more likely to need them--especially during the healing process.

Think about it...your wrap is made out of your stomach, so if your stomach is reacting to something, so is your wrap. They just took part of that reactive stomach of yours and wrapped it around your esophagus.

Although I don't get heartburn since my surgery, I continue with 150mg Ranitidine morning and night, and 40mg Protonix before dinner. Why? A dual purpose. Since I have asthma, it's proactive, just in case there is a bit of silent reflux that might make it out...it makes it less likely that it will set off my lungs. If I didn't have asthma, I wouldn't take it for that.

The second thing that I take the Protonix for is just what you're experiencing. I have a very reactive stomach, and acid is one of the things that can get it going (for example, if I take an antibiotic, I could get things flared up...or certain foods).

Here's a link regarding healing gastritis:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastritis/DS00488/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

So although it would be lovely to be medication free, I take a bit...do I need it? who knows. If I get into a reactive stomach issue, though, I up the Protonix to twice a day...or if I'm taking an antibiotic I do the same.

People who are prone to gastritis have a little quirk...at times it's helpful to take a PPI just to help the stomach calm down.

I took 40mg AM and PM while it was healing. It was to protect my very sensitive stomach and wrap while I was healing.

As I said...your wrap is part of your stomach. When you irritate your wrap, your stomach will be irritated, and visa versa.

Hope you feel better soon! Take it easy with what you eat until things settle down. No rough stuff...smooth and creamy...non acidic, no spice, no fried, etc.

Good luck! Hope you feel better soon! You WILL feel better...hang in there!
Denise

Post Edited (dencha) : 5/31/2011 4:15:43 PM (GMT-6)