Heartburn?

[Elisabethsew 50]

In reading the different forums, I noticed several people talking about heartburn so I decided to take a poll and see what it shows.

[MacMadame 81]

My situation isn't covered by any of the choices. I had no trouble with heartburn for the first 6-7 months. Now I have what I consider "pre-heartburn." Which is to say my throat is often sore or raw feeling, but there isn't that traditional burning sensation lower down.

I suspect I'm making more acid these days for some reason. The pain in my back that went away when my hiatal hernia was repaired is also back and the two things together concern me.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Maybe it's time for an esophagram to see what's going on?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I do but I had it before I was sleeved. It started after I was banded.

[MacMadame 81]

Maybe it's time for an esophagram to see what's going on?

I was going to ask about it at my next check-up (Which is in 4 days), but I'm reluctant to do anything that might lead to more surgery. I'm kind of surgeried out and it's not like it's having a big impact on my lifestyle. I barely notice it and the worst thing is that I can't get off the PPI.

[Elisabethsew 50]

As long as you take extra Calcium to minimize the loss from the acid blockers it's not too bad. I would still mention it to your MD.

[mshamo 0]

I take a Prilosec everyday, that keeps myheartburn in check. I also take a couple of Rolaids before I go to bed.

[Deanna_A 0]

I don't experience it often, as long as I remember the Prilosec. On the occasion it breaks through, I take a Zantac. It's actually better than it was pre-sleeve; I was taking 2 Zantac a day then. Dr. Aceves suggested that I get the RNY instead in order to get rid of the reflux, but I insisted on the sleeve -- I figured that since I was already taking meds for it, it wouldn't be a hardship to continue.

[ahchancey 0]

i take prevacid and zantac daily and nothing prevents it only helping after the fact.

[MacMadame 81]

Update: I am now weaning off the prilosec. We'll see what happens.

[Elisabethsew 50]

My dosage of nexium was 40 mg/day. Dr. Aceves uses 20 mg. I began having heartburn again around 2 weeks ago and it got real bad 3 days ago. I took the 20 mg but added my regular 40 mg dose and that did the trick. I am now using 40 mg day and have not had any heartburn in 2.5 days.

[Malaika 50]

My dosage of nexium was 40 mg/day. Dr. Aceves uses 20 mg. I began having heartburn again around 2 weeks ago and it got real bad 3 days ago. I took the 20 mg but added my regular 40 mg dose and that did the trick. I am now using 40 mg day and have not had any heartburn in 2.5 days.

That's fantastic Elisabeth. I had been able to control my GERD with diet and took the 40 mg Nexium and/or Zantac on an as needed basis. So far, I haven't had any heartburn since the surgery except 1 day when I drank the apple juice. I am taking the 20 mg Nexium as directed by Dr. A; however, I'm hoping that once I'm through the 3 months, I won't have to take it forever...my insurance doesn't cover it and it wasn't all that cheap in Mexico either.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Protonix went generic. That is what I take. It costs me $10. It's supposed to be as good as Nexium.

I don't get heartburn, but I take it with all the other junk I take in the morning. I don't know if I would get it if I didn't take that every morning.

I didn't know it does anything to Calcium. My dad had severe osterporosis. I worry about my Calcium intake.

[Elisabethsew 50]

Taking calcium citrate rather than Calcium CARBONATE when you're on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as nexium will not compromise the absorption of calcium. Everyone taking PPIs should take calcium supplements. If you take calcium carbonate, it should NOT be taken with the PPI; take one in the AM and the other in the PM.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Taking calcium citrate rather than Calcium CARBONATE when you're on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as nexium will not compromise the absorption of calcium. Everyone taking PPIs should take calcium supplements. If you take calcium carbonate, it should NOT be taken with the PPI; take one in the AM and the other in the PM.

I wasn't referring to PPIs and calcium but sleeves and calcium. Any sleeved person is going to produce less acid and therefore they should be taking Ca Citrate.