Holy Heartburn!

[blackanese25 160]

So im a little bit upset, ive never had heartburn in my life! And when i went in for the sleeve the doc said they repaired a hiatal hernia.. stating that is what was causing my excessive burping and HEARTBURN. ... I told them, well thats odd cuz ive never had heartburn.. and to be honest i like to burp cuz it helps me to expell trapped gas. whats the problem...

I woke up at 6am this morning and my esophagus was on fire.. WTH?!?!?!?!? i now know what heartburn feels like.. and on top of that since my surgery ive felt like randomly when i lay down i almost want to start spitting up acid creeping up my esophagus.

WHAT GIVES!!!!!!!!!

I mean i know they said that with this surgery you may get heartburn, but hell if it wasn't broken to begin with why fix it.. NOW I have the issues.. THIS SUCKS! AND BURNS LIKE THE FREAKING DEVIL!

ok now that ive just ranted, i have to say i still love my sleeve but damn, this heartburn thing is gonna drive me nuts..

ANY SUGGESTIONS TO KEEP IT AT BAY?

[Lauraann 11]

I have always had reflux and was on Omperazole since 2006. After I had the sleeve, I was miserable could not sleep at night, had to sit in reclincer, I too thought my stomach and esophagus was on fire. The dr switched me too Prevacid and now it is wonderful no problems.

Check with your dr and see if they can get you on a ppi. You will feel so much better. And if that one does not work, have them try another brand.

Good luck, I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

Laura

[smallgirlsxthree 23]

I have heartburn so bad and I have forever, so I feel your pain! You need to get on a medicine from your dr to help control it, but until then you can take Mylanta or chew Tums (I get the smoothies ones-tastes and feels better). They will both help at least lessen your symptoms. I was in major pain for a while after my sleeve because my stomach wasn't emptying out very fast due to swelling, so everything was just sitting there and feeling like it was frying my chest! Try to stay upright for a while after you eat/drink and let your stomach empty out before you lay down too, that might help. Good luck!!

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Many Docs prescribe omeprazole for at least 6 months after surgery. It worked for me, and I did go off later without problems.

[Who's That Girl 5]

Wow! I too have had acid reflux since 2004-2005 and was told after my endoscopy last week that I may not be a candidate for the band or sleeve. From what Ive been told and what i've read, acid reflux worsens in some (not all) after the sleeve. I know what it feels like to have this crap linger for what feels like days. They've upped my dosage of Omeprazole (??) and hope to know this week from doctor whether I can or can't. I'll be bummed out if it's a no go because i don't even want to consider gastric bypass. May have to keep doing it old school and I see what that has gotten over the years. You're sleeved so hang in there and hopefully it gets better.

:aureola:

[ocean_ophelia 31]

I've never had reflux either and just started feeling it yesterday. My dr told me that long-term the sleeve does not CAUSE heartburn, but it can make it worse if you've had it before. Hopefully for people like you and me it will go away after a few months. My doctor told I only had to be on the Omprazole for six weeks, but it might be longer. I'm super bummed about it too, but I knew it was a possibility before going in.

[Dooter 1,457]

Be glad you got the hernia fixed! I have one, and it's nothing but trouble. I'm getting over an upper respiratory virus, and I've been coughing my brains out. Guess what that does to the hernia? Nothing good, i tell ya. I can't wait for that part. Oh JOY! to have that fixed.

These people are right take the reflux meds. Prilosec does it for me. (I'm still pre-op, but have a pretty bad reflux to begin with.) If one medication does not work, try another. I've tried many before I found the one that worked for me. Some will make you run to the bathroom, and some won't. Take SOMEthing though.

[Mrs.Newme 21]

I think I recall you talking about this on another thread. Best thing I have found is to not lie flat, and make sure you sit all the way up when eating. Also, I have found SF mints to help the burn.

Good luck.

[twoboysandagirl 109]

I only had heart burn an handful of times in my life (while prego). I do not have a hernia and didnt have one repaired during surgery...nonetheless, now I have acid reflux. Prilosec didnt work for me (i was sent home with it for first 4 weeks). I now take nexium 2xs a day. The feeling of choking would wake me up at night I had to sit up and wait for it to pass...horrible feeling. I agree you should ask for a script!

[SKCUNNINGHAM 298]

I took Famotadine (Pepcid) morning and evening, and Prilosec in the evening. Now, at 10 months out, I only take Famotadine in the morning, and usually don't take anything in the evening - unless I have had spicy food during the day.

I hope you find out what works for you. It should calm down in a few months.

[blackanese25 160]

thank you for all your replys...

whats funny is i never even knew i had an issue until i had the sleeve and they told me they fixed the hernia, it never bothered me before, and i never had reflux or excess acid before . ... so i guess its just really odd to me.

they gave me pantoprazole before leaving the hospital said its supposed to reduce acid in the stomach...which in turn helps with the hunger feeling.. and since surgery i think i only had one other time where i felt heart burn but nothing like i did this morning.. and i took 2 tums and about an hour later took 2 more.. then i finally took some pepcid that i had from a while back. Once that kicked in it finally helped.. I still have no idea what caused it because i hadn't eatten anything withing about 5 hours cuz i was at work so i know it wasn't from food, but lately its almost as if there is soooo much acid in my tummy that its just working its way back up my throat..

I guess ill take your advice and sleep sitting up lol... poop. lol.

@ ocean... yea i knew it was a possiblity i guess i just really didn't think I WOULD have to deal with it you know.. lol wishful thinking i guess. figured if i never dealt with it before why would it start now.. but hopefully it goes away.

[Mrs.Newme 21]

I dont have to sleep completely sitting up, but elevated on an extra pillow helps. Another thing that seems to help me is my last snack of the day is now a soft string cheese. Sounds weird, but it keeps the acids at bay also.

I am a tummy sleeper, so even with that, I have to have a extra pillow to prop me up.

Good luck. I know the sensation of acid sucks. Seriously...try a sf mint. It does soothe.