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Anyone else have Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS)?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Aug 10, 2023 | Replies (130)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed about 3 yrs ago with SMAS. The team at the hospital, in Austin, Tx, had never seen a case, had only read about it and pretty much said they weren't exactly sure what to do. They said the fatty tissue that holds up the artery to the duodeum was gone so nothing was supporting it up and the circulation was being cut off like a water hose. I had lost so much weight, they thought if they could fatten me up, that the fatty tissie that holds up the artery would come back. After days with suction tube in stomach, IV diet and the vommiting under control, they released me saying i would probably need sugery some day.
I've had small bouts and discomfort since then nothing big until last night. There is a certain pain right where the ribs meet that ive had off and on my whole life that i now associate with smas and it is almost unbearable right now along with the vommiting, just like 3 yrs ago.
Do these flare-ups of pain and vommiting eventually pass like last time?
Im up to my neck in hospital bill collections and my credit is screwed, but i know my health is more important. I've never reached out to others with this syndrome before and i'm just looking for some advice from others that can relate. Thanks, Amanda
Replies to "I was diagnosed about 3 yrs ago with SMAS. The team at the hospital, in Austin,..."
Hi Sue.
I was just diagnosed and live in Madison, near the American Center. Can you tell me who your daughters Doctor or team were? I am not sure to see general surgery, GI or vascular. I want to work with someone familiar with this illness. Thanks, Tricia
Hello @tford0722, and Welcome to Connect.
I'm sorry about your diagnosis, but want to assure you that you've joined a wonderful community to find some answers and support. I'm sure @smfjf101 will return and give you the details you need.
I also wanted to mention that Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as the best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital in the nation for 2016-2017 by U.S. News & World Report. Here's a complete listing of all the Gastroenterology & GI physicians:
http://mayocl.in/2iWMn6e
Click on this link to learn more about the Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: http://mayocl.in/2i3qYIS
In the meantime, I hope @sbraudrick13, @malaki, @hamiltl80, @tracys, @katiesmom, @ch246cf10, can provide more insight for you.
@tford0722, what symptoms are you experiencing? How are you coping with them?
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Hello Amanda,<br />
I'm sorry you are suffering again with symptoms from SMA. My 19 year old daughter had surgery for this. I took her to an ER due to weird uncontrollable vomiting when she stood up. she was admitted and they diagnosed her with SMA. They scheduled laparoscopic surgery for her. She was in hospital for 1 day and it fixed the problem. I don't know why they wait with some people for so long to surgically fix this. She feels much better and no more vomiting. There were some doctors not agreeing on treatment. One said to put in feeding tube one said to do surgery right away. She was of normal weight, so feeding tube seemed like it would not help in the long run. The surgery was done at the American Center which is part of UW Health in Madison WI. No more issues with SMA. I hope you can get some good treatment for the SMA syndrome. I was so pleased with the way my daughters problem was handled and fixed.<br />
<br />
Sue<br />