Pica patient, status post gastric bypass, improves with change in medication regimen

The causes and origins of pica remain unknown and are the source of speculation and heated debate. Bariatric surgery patients are increasingly being observed in eating disorders treatment programs. Often associated with pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, early development and mental retardation, pica has only recently been noted in post bariatric surgery patients, all of whom presented with pagophagia (eating of ice). Although there is literature detailing the presence of bezoars in gastric bypass patients, the association of pica, bezoars and abnormal eating behavior after bariatric surgery is still not understood completely. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with pica who underwent bariatric surgery due to a specific bezoar causing obstruction, followed by a treatment plan aimed at curbing the impulses. The patient was diagnosed to have a cardboard and paper bezoar causing gastric obstruction, which was removed endoscopically. After incomplete improvement of pica symptoms with treatment including ziprasidone, lorazepam and behavioral therapy, Saphris (asenapine) was introduced resulting in significant and complete resolution.