GERD/Reflux

[Unhappysleever 39]

I have today reached my 5 month anniversary and have found as the months go by my reflux gets better, as per my doctor i am no longer on reflux meds, i have the odd bout of heartburn and the feeling like something is stuck in my throat - can anybody tell me if they had bad reflux after surgery but it has eased off as the months go by? Never suffered this prior.......

[BKLYNgal87 503]

I never had reflux pre-op. I suffer from it every day post op, and my 1 year surgiversary was two days ago. So for some people it doesn't go away so quickly. Continuing to take a daily PPI is probably in your best interest now. As would be continuing to follow the high protein/low carb/small meals diet strictly. I've just found when I eat less crap my reflux is better. It's probably anecdotal but can't hurt!

[mysleeveid13 100]

I just searched this topic because I'm having horrible heartburn! It feels like there is a huge knot in my throat. I'm taking 2 priolosec, carafate, and gaviscon daily and it's very seldom that it feels like it's not there. I think I'm going to ask my surgeon if I should go see a specialist. I'm 8 weeks out. Is there anything you two are taking that seems to help?

[Unhappysleever 39]

I am taking gaviscon when I really need it, but I no longer take PPI's they were making my symptons worse. The only additional thing I take is slippery elm, it's a powder which you mix with a little Water and apple juice - it's a healthy alternative which helps to coat the throat and esphoegus. I am told this will most likely take between 6-12 mths to correct I have already been 5 mths.....

[mysleeveid13 100]

Ok where did you get it and how did you find out about it? My surgeon prescribed Protonix and I just started it today. He said he wants to do an EGD (scope down the throat) to see what's going on. Have any of you had to do that?

[Unhappysleever 39]

You may find that the protonix may help you. I have had a scope done due to narrowing of my esophagus (from the reflux), it is a painless procedure which only takes about 15 mins, they knock you out so you don't feel anything - slippery elm is from health food shops.

[mysleeveid13 100]

Thank you.

[Sh3iz 36]

I'm 3 weeks out today and having horrible reflux! I will probably be putting a call in to my doctor tomorrow!

[mysleeveid13 100]

Having the scope on Friday. Here's hoping it's just reflux and it goes away.

[rome 156]

I'm on Zantac prescribed twice a day for a month. I have found in the last week or so that the reflux rears its head in the evening. Reminds me to take the second pill lol! Milk coats and so I find myself drinking it in the evening. Hope it settles down or I can find something that works a little longer.

[mysleeveid13 100]

Good luck to all of you. Mine starts as soon as I take my first sip of drink or bite of food and it's really bad when I lay down to go to bed. Feels like a lump of fire in my throat. Sorry for all of you dealing with it, too.

[Unhappysleever 39]

@mysleeveid23 - i have the lump in my throat about 10 mins after i get out of bed and most days have it all day. I have never suffered with it when i go to bed however a neat trick i was told to do is raise the head of your bed. Sounds weird but i think it works. I have 2 bricks under mine!!! Give it a try you have nothing to lose....

[mysleeveid13 100]

Good news is they didn't find anything wrong when they did my endoscope. So I'm very thankful for that. I asked what size he thought my tummy was and he said about 1/4 a cup! So crazy. It was all pretty fascinating. He told me to take the protonix in the morning and take the two priolosec before bed. Tonight it hurts so bad that I only ate after my procedure this morning and haven't eaten again since. I even took the carafate on top of the other two to see if it would help. But.....still thankful it wasn't something worse. I've read some pretty rough stories about complications so I'll take this over the others.

[Bob2013 326]

I was the opposite. Before surgery I had severe Gerd/Acid Re-flux.

And even worse than constant heartburn, If I ate anything within 4 or so hours of going to bed I would be woken up aspirating on stomach acid.. It was terrible.

Since surgery, its gone. 6 months and not one bout of heartburn.

I really think the hiatal hernia repair done at the same time as the sleeve contributed.

[WorldTraveler 79]

I think I set mine off with acidic diet (tomatoes crushed)...I've taken 3 PPIs today with no relief. A sip of Water sets it off and it's in between my chest and burning through my back. HATE THIS!!! Tried Fage fat free yogurt (thought dairy might coat it) but no, it's still bad. I can feel it in my jaw occasionally.

I had a lot of work stress today as well (which probably didn't help). Am barely able to eat or drink today.

I only had this on occasion pre-op, now it's a daily struggle and I also had a hiatal hernia repair. I hope to God this gets better. I see people are mixing PPIs with Gaviscon...does it work?