Pyloric Stenosis and long term effects

My 18 year old daughter had ps surgery at 2 weeks. You're describing her symptoms exactly. She has bad nausea and acid reflux and has trouble with bowels. I thought she had ulcers or worse but I'm realizing there is a connection to the ps surgery. 

Hey Natasha141, my name is Jason. I had the surgery when I was 2 weeks old and only had a 30% chance of survival. I am now 21 years old. No matter how much I eat, I can't seem to gain any weight. The only weight I gain is from muscle by lifting weights. I get occasional nausea and sometimes severe burning or itching which feels to be beneath my scar. Still hoping that gaining weight will become easier later on but for now weight lifting and eating a high carb and protein diet seems to do the trick

Hello to everyone, 

I am so glad I found this thread. I am 21 years old and all my life my phrase has been "I feel like throwing up." Reading this thread now makes so much more sense as to why I have never been able to gain weight even though I eat so much fast food and why I am still very picky with my food. My doctors never paid much attention when I would tell them I was operated with PS as a baby. 

My question to all those that are older, I am now having sharp stomach pains after eating and have gone to the doctor but dont know what it is. I see that most of you have been diagnosed with IBS or have acid reflux. What are you to take away the nausea and the stomach pains? 

I'm 32 had PS surgery as an infant but no obvious problems growing up. Around age 15 apple juice began causing an extreme painfully "cold" (not sure cold is affective description but not a burn)feeling in my arms, legs and chest, followed by excessive salvia, sweating, untill I'd vomit white foam and large bits of last meal. Then id be totally fine. Over time soft drinks did the same , and as an adult mixed drinks caused this to instantly occur. Empty stomach or lack of substance, made this instant as well. I have not drank dark soda in over ten years. Never seen a doctor but manage by removing all juice and soda (except clear ones and then slow and small amounts) from diet. Also bread or crackers would sometime stop pain and vomit if eaten immediately but if not eaten fast enough would be painfull when forced to vomit up. NO FOOD causes this EVER, no dairy or scar problems. Always been thin and usually feel overly full after meal but never associated with PS. Began research because now at 32 having radom, sudden and without warning trouble swallowing liquid as well as food. This is painful in upper chest throat area untill passes lasting thirty secs at most and only few times a month. Can anyone relate or associate with PS affects. Always otherwise healthy.

Thank you Natasha141 I have been thinking there's something else wrong with me but the doctors could never quite figure out what it was. I had the PS surgery when I was 2 weeks old and was already so sick and starved that I couldn't even cry anymore, I suffered major weight loss. I am now 18 and I have all of the same symptoms as you but every time I talk to the doctor they say it's normal for a teenager to have issues like that but I know they're wrong.

Anyways I was wondering does anyone else feel major pressure on their heart and lungs ever?

And I get dizzy and pass out very frequently, anyone else?

So far I've been reading the opposite...most are having trouble putting weight on

Hi, I had two ps ops. All my life I've had weight gain issues. 

I've always thought it was just me, but then I found a Facebook page on ps... Discovered that weight gain is a possibility, as is my never feeling full til I'm at the nauseous level of stuffed, that my life long acid reflux is probably linked to ps (cause or effect?) and my increasing bowel sensitivities are also likely to be linked.

I have spoken to many, and while it's anecdotal, everyone who's had ps, has some sort of gastric complication, yet the overwhelming medical opinion is that ps has no side effects.

I am 48 also had ps operation at the 3 month mark. I didn't start putting on weight until I was 18 but had no problems after that. I am wondering after reading all those with ibs issues if the op does mess with your metabolism.

I think sometimes the op because it widens the passage, although post-mortems have shown that after a few months the pylorus looks almost normal with the scar of the slit and spread muscle ring hardly visible. The main suspect is the high gastrin (hormone) and gastric acidity which together are known to be the mechanical cause (backed by genes and / or other causes like antibiotics, smoking, feeding issues etc). The op hobbles the muscle long enough for the system to regain its function, but the acid levels remain, which is why PSers have higher rates of IBS, reflux, gastric ulcers and stomach cancer.

Wow thanks for this info! You posted a year ago so I don't know if you've gone for the corrective surgery but hope all is well!

I am 52 and also had PS and surger back in 1965.  I have been having very bad acid reflux the last 2 years, especially at night.  I prop myself up with pillows and sleep practically sitting up.  Now, during the day I am getting acid reflux throughout the day.  I know eat crackers every 3 hours to stop the acid as it is so uncomfortable when it reaches my throat.  Ugh!

Katie, I get this occasionally (age 71!) and yes reflux into the throat is unpleasant! I find getting up for a while and drinking water to wash down the reflux works for me, it also dilutes the acid for a while. Don't eat if weight is an issue! It could be that your lower esophageal ring muscle is losing strength (age) or failing in some other way (through scarring, say). Probably little to do with your PS history except that high acid continues to characterise many of us regardless of the surgery. There could be other things pressuring your stomach when lying down, e g adhesions, overweight.

It would be sensible to get good medical advice even though diagnosis may involve some tests and trying medication, and if all else fails, surgery to tighten up the ring muscle at the upper end of your stomach.

Best wishes.