~4 yrs post nissen_pregnant_pain near diaphragm

[MAsmom]

I had the nissen fundo over 4 yrs ago. Have had one babe and expecting another. W the first pregancy in the last trimester, I had lots of pain just to my right of my sterum diaphragm level that radiated from the front of my body to the back. The only thing that relieved it was a bath or swimming. I was worried it was the wrap but I also thought it was the baby's breech position (it was immediatly gone after a c-section) but now I have it again before 6 months pregant and last night, after carrying a sleepy toddler way way too long in an airport terminal, I had a shooting pains, felt like something was tearing or pulling/snagging inside, at that same position if I tried to sit up from laying down. If I don't use my stomach muscles to sit up, it doesn't do this but if I do, it hurts.  I wonder if the wrap is getting pulled or torn somehow.  I have never seen a GI doc since the nissen since I've had very little complications/side effects (neither pregnacy had much vomitting/wreching and no labor w/ the first so I don't think I compromised it w/ either of those issues). I can make an appt but I am not sure there's much that could even be done since I won't want any drugs or procedure while preggo. Does this sound like a wrap problem or totatly something different/pregnancy related.

[MAsmom]

Glad I found my old post!  So that pain I had"sterum-diaphragm level that radiates from the front of my body to the back" is still here post second baby. It got better after ~ 10 months of agony (he was born at 42 weeks) but then I still get it now if I carry my kids too much or try to excerise. Thru the later part of the pg and now, I can physcically feel something soft, tube-like (almost like a thick vein or enlongated fat globule) just to the inside of my right ribcage-edge, just below the ziaphoid.
Talked to my primary care doc recently...she won't refer b/c she doesn't even know who to refer to or how we'd image it. If she sends me to a GI guy, sure they'll do an upper gi but I'm very sure this is OUT SIDE of the GI system in the surrounding soft tissue...now maybe it is also inside but the thing I can feel is obvisouly outside of that.  
What would you do? I dont want a redo but I also don't want to feel this pain..note, it is NOT heart burn at all...it is a muscle-skeletal thing.

[Katarina3276]

I too have the same issues since my Nissen five years ago.  It is just a normal issue due to the wrap that you will just have to live with.  You are having reflux again and yes the stomach is pulling up and stretching with the spasms and reflux, but dont worry unless you start having the pains with a high fever, then go immediately to the ER because it has riped and you will go septic.  I know, as they almost killed me after surgery with a hole in my stomach and the gastic contents leaking into my abdomen.  i spent an entire month in ICU/CCU and it was a miracle that I walked out of that hospital.  I too would not suggest anyone to have a Nissen.  It does not help, the reflux will come back and it is an unnecessary risk for just a year or so, not long, of stopping the symptoms.  Sorry to tell you there is nothing you can do except take some OTC or prescription Zantac/Aciphex or something like that to stop the reflux, but as long as you reflux you will have the pulling of your stomach with the stretching...Sigh!

[MAsmom]

The OB's are clueless and  PCP I've had are worse. One told me I was rediculous for having the procedure at all and that esophagus issues weren't genetic! (I wasn't pregnant at the time but having a bit of reflux and wanted a referral).  But I will try to see a GI doc / surgen to get his/her opinion.
I don't think its diet related..its muscle/tissue type feeling (like and internal pulling), less internal than heartburn or other Gerd symptoms and it goes away if I am in water (less gravity, I guess)

[selmaS]

Hi...I wish I had some input for u, but I am not one that has had this procedure and had to deal with a pregnancy to boot......hopefully there is another member that can share an experience they have had.

In the meantime I must say talk with ur GYN and GI dr and even ur PCP to see what they all feel is the best way to handle this issue.

Diet is always a good one to start with......I am sure there is a safe med that can be used.....

Good luck with ur pregnancy and ur gerd issues.

"selma"