Severe Reflux?

[It's all new 453]

I am 7.5 months out and over the last month have been experiencing worsening reflux. It is really bad. I take Prevacid three times per day. (It is usually meant to be taken once daily). At night when I lie down to go to sleep I prop myself up on several pillows, but the reflux is so bad I still choke on it - literally wake myself up gagging on acid.

I am getting in to the surgeon tomorrow after finally deciding to call - they said come in right away.

But has this happened to anyone else? Is it a sign of anything in particular? Are there solutions?

[It's all new 453]

Well, in case someone checks this thread down the line it turns out to be a mild stricture.

[TheNewSusie 471]

Sorry about your stricture Mary. I take two omeprazole daily and I would have horrible reflux if I didn't. Now I'm worried about a stricture being 5 almost 6 months out. .... ;/

[clk 3,519]

*****Ah, I missed your post about the stricture! I'm so sorry to hear this, and I hope you can get some relief shortly. I'll leave the following for anyone else that might stumble upon this thread, too, because while it's important to make sure it's not a larger issue, in many cases a simple change of meds can provide the answer. Swift healing and good luck to you!

~CLK*****

Talk to your surgeon but I'd change your PPI. I had a problem with Prevacid not working well enough, and I'm not the only one that has posted about it in the past. A large number of people report issues with Prevacid, and I'm willing to bet that if you try a different PPI you'll feel some relief.

If possible, try omeprazole (Prilosec) as it seems to work far better for many people.

The acid issue can also be aggravated by stress or other changes. My acid problems resolved between 4-6 months post op, but in times of stress I can require a PPI again for a few weeks. And now that I'm pregnant I'm on a daily dose again and expect to be until after delivery. So don't feel that simply because you're still experiencing a problem that you'll be doomed to pills forever. It isn't unheard of for it to come in cycles or return for brief periods of time. And I have no doubt that if I had remained on Prevacid my issues would hav persisted far longer, because it wasn't controlling the acid satisfactorily in the first place.

I think the easiest solution is to pop down to your local superstore and buy a 14 day pack of the generic Prilosec. Give it a try for a few days (instead of the Prevacid, not in addition to it) and see if you feel any improvement. If you don't have any relief after a week of a new med, get in to your doc for some testing to be sure there isn't a larger issue.

Good luck,

~Cheri

[It's all new 453]

Sorry about your stricture Mary. I take two omeprazole daily and I would have horrible reflux if I didn't. Now I'm worried about a stricture being 5 almost 6 months out. .... ;/

The doc said even before the barium swallow that because I have tried just about every PPI as well as Prevacid three times per day and get no relief it is a mechanical issue. He indicated that when no amount of PPIs or acid meds make a difference that it is usually something like a stricture. so, it seems to be mild and that counts for a lot.

[TheNewSusie 471]

The doc said even before the barium swallow that because I have tried just about every PPI as well as Prevacid three times per day and get no relief it is a mechanical issue. He indicated that when no amount of PPIs or acid meds make a difference that it is usually something like a stricture. so' date=' it seems to be mild and that counts for a lot.[/quote']

I really pray all goes well with you . My pcp took X-rays of my sleeve last month and td me all is well. Ill probably ask for a barium next month to be on the safe side. Thank u for the heads up Hun!