Acid Reflux

[MissKatie 12]

I am two months out and have recently started having horrible acid reflux, especially when I sleep. I have woken up at night occasionally because of it hurting so bad. Anyone else experience that? What do you take for it? Right now, I've just had to eat some tums to help it.

[aprilcarrie 6]

i had surgery october 10th and the reflux has been horrible i take zantac otc in the morning and sometimes around dinner and then tums or pepto bismol when it gets really bad, ice Water seems to help alot too...hope you feel better soon!

[gmanbat 5,889]

I am 10 months out and have acid reflux attacks. I haven't been able to pin down the exact cause but I get it on an empty stomach, after too much coffee, and in times of high stress. I take Prilosec and Pepsid type products and lots of Tums. I also take Gasx in case gas is the problem. Sometimes just eating something helps. My doc told me this may come with the sleeve.

I am also interested to know what sleevers do during sudden severe attacks. I had planned on trying Pepto Bismol and Maloxx.

[lollyfidy1965 402]

I'm 5 months out and take liquid Zantac twice daily, and a Prevacid Solutab once daily. Don't suffer with it. Call your surgeon and get some meds...and take them religiously. You'll be happy you did!!

[gmanbat 5,889]

I'm 5 months out and take liquid Zantac twice daily, and a Prevacid Solutab once daily. Don't suffer with it. Call your surgeon and get some meds...and take them religiously. You'll be happy you did!!

Thanks! I will try them.

These are preventative measures, right? What would you do if they failed and you had an attack? Tums, Pepto, etc.?

[delta_girl 931]

I take a Prilosec every morning and a Protonix every evening. I spoke to my doctor about it and he said it was ok to take a PPI 2x daily. I guess some of our stomachs produce more acid.

Also the stomach acid attacks may be related to your gallbladder. Rapid weight loss results in gall stones. You may be having gall bladder attacks.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I am 10 months out and have acid reflux attacks. I haven't been able to pin down the exact cause but I get it on an empty stomach' date=' after too much coffee, and in times of high stress. I take Prilosec and Pepsid type products and lots of Tums. I also take Gasx in case gas is the problem. Sometimes just eating something helps. My doc told me this may come with the sleeve.

I am also interested to know what sleevers do during sudden severe attacks. I had planned on trying Pepto Bismol and Maloxx.[/quote']

Be careful with the amount of antacids you use. They may give you some temporary relief, but the way antacids work is by neutralizing the acids in the stomach, hence creating a less acidic stomach environment. This will actually trigger your stomach to produce more acid, making your heartburn worse. Tums are ok for occasional use, when your heartburn caused by a trigger food. But regular use of these antacids is counterproductive. You might need to change PPI medications as your body may have adapted to your current perscription.

[gmanbat 5,889]

I take a Prilosec every morning and a Protonix every evening. I spoke to my doctor about it and he said it was ok to take a PPI 2x daily. I guess some of our stomachs produce more acid.

Also the stomach acid attacks may be related to your gallbladder. Rapid weight loss results in gall stones. You may be having gall bladder attacks.

I was under he impression that Prilosec type meds are not supposed to be taken indefinitely. I guess they are better than a deteriorated interior.

My gall bladder was removed before my sleeving.

[gmanbat 5,889]

Be careful with the amount of antacids you use. They may give you some temporary relief, but the way antacids work is by neutralizing the acids in the stomach, hence creating a less acidic stomach environment. This will actually trigger your stomach to produce more acid, making your heartburn worse. Tums are ok for occasional use, when your heartburn caused by a trigger food. But regular use of these antacids is counterproductive. You might need to change PPI medications as your body may have adapted to your current perscription.

How about rotating between Zantac, Prilosec, Previcid, etc. Do you think that would help?

[Mommy sleeve 16]

I am not sure who said it but absolutely call the doctor. Prescriptions are so much better for you and stronger. You can't risk prolonged heartburn as it causes erosion in your esophagus. I have been on Prevacid prescription for 10 years and take it every morning on an empty stomach. Will likely take it for the rest of my life. You have to take extra Calcium when on it long term but you have to do that anyhow with the sleeve so just call, it has really no side effects and the pain is gone for good.

[MissKatie 12]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm just not sure what to take or how much. Or if should crush the pill or open it if It's a capsule. I think my doctor mentioned something about not taking controlled release medicines. Some of the stuff I have seen for acid reflux says "24 hour relief" so It's controlled release, right? I guess I'll just have to call him and ask more specific questions.

[lollyfidy1965 402]

I am not sure who said it but absolutely call the doctor. Prescriptions are so much better for you and stronger. You can't risk prolonged heartburn as it causes erosion in your esophagus. I have been on Prevacid prescription for 10 years and take it every morning on an empty stomach. Will likely take it for the rest of my life. You have to take extra Calcium when on it long term but you have to do that anyhow with the sleeve so just call, it has really no side effects and the pain is gone for good.

I agree re calling the dr for prescriptions. Both of mine (liquid Zantac and Prevacid solutab) are prescription. I wouldn't take anything....even Tums...without clearing it with my surgeon first. Call me crazy, but I love my sleeve, and don't want to do anything to jeopardize its well-being!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

I had acid reflex for the first time last night, almost 4.5 months out. It was a strange feeling where it felt like a simmering volcano in the middle of the night. It did not make it up my throat so could not "taste it", but I could feel quite a bit down low. I took 3 tums and the feeling did not go away immediately. It got me thinking about whether I forgot to take my morning prilosec or not. I convinced myself I took it because I am very consistent about taking it daily. Regardless, I really hope this is not the start of nightly acid trips.

[takroom 192]

Sudden attacks, I take Maalox. Sometimes, I will take Pepcid or Zantac if it's not severe.

[gmanbat 5,889]

I had acid reflex for the first time last night, almost 4.5 months out. It was a strange feeling where it felt like a simmering volcano in the middle of the night. It did not make it up my throat so could not "taste it", but I could feel quite a bit down low. I took 3 tums and the feeling did not go away immediately. It got me thinking about whether I forgot to take my morning prilosec or not. I convinced myself I took it because I am very consistent about taking it daily. Regardless, I really hope this is not the start of nightly acid trips.

That's about what mine are like. They seem to be related to lack of food more than what I've eaten. Sometimes I just eat something and they go away.

I have been attacked in the middle of the day too, though. It's a mighty intense pain, beyond pre-surgery heartburn. My relatives are distressed by the pain in my face which I unsuccessfully try to hide.Those big attacks are hard to put down. It seems they are gas related but I can't be sure. When it finally stops I feel like writing an inspirational song out of gratitude. :wub:

I am going to try and double up on the Prilosec type things.