3months after 2stage oestop/gastrectomy - husband experiencing bad upper chest pain which works its way round to his back - is this normal?

[bmwhatchback]

[yorkshirerose]

Hi

I sometimes get chest pains, and my doctor says it is acid reflux. But I am told a lot of people who have this surgery often end up having their gall bladder removed, so worth talking to your doctor about it. No pain is normal

Best wishes

Edwina

[bmwhatchback in reply to yorkshirerose]

many thanks for your reply - it all helps

[phil]

Its eary days and you will get all sorts of pain after such a big operation.A lot of nerves in your back and chest have been effected and these take time to heal.Don,t worry to much you will slowly improve.

Regards

Phil

[bmwhatchback in reply to phil]

husband tends to forget what a major operation he has had - thankyou for taking time to reply Lyn J

[SteveJ]

Hi BM

I agree with both Edwina and Phil it is early days for you and as Phil says lots of nerves are effected, part of my sternum still feels numb after 6 years. But also as Edwina says it is best to mention it to your doctor, at least it gives you peace of mind.

Kind Regards

Steve

[bmwhatchback in reply to SteveJ]

many thanks for your comments - BM

[racy]

Hi BM,

Is the pain in the "shark bite area". If so it's probably the severed nerve endings trying to mend. The pain hubby is having is normal after this severe type of op and can last for some time. At least we're still here.

Best wishes.

[Hidden]

The surgeons are quite knowledgeable about these pain effects after the surgery. Sometimes the pain gets felt in an entirely different part of the body from where the problem is occurring. Nerves do take a good many months to recover sometimes.

If it is reflux, then it is worth finding out whether it is acid reflux or bile reflux (tastes absolutely foul). PPI medication like omeprazole works against acid reflux but not bile, which is alkali, not acid. Gaviscon works differently, and will give a few hours respite for both. If you have had the whole of your stomach removed, your body will not be producing stomach acid as such.

Bad pains are not 'normal' in the sense that you simply have to put up with them. I do suggest that you ask your specialist nurse and get an appointment to sort it out. That is what they are there for. They do not want you to be in pain at this stage.