I started having reflux a couple of months ago. Had a barium test-everything good, had an endoscopy-everything good. Started taking nexium, everything seemed good. Starting last Thursday lots of reflux, some burning in my throat, I've never had this before, and the old tell tale-pain in the sternum. Anybody have any suggestions. Have the bed raised haven't been eating weird and have reduced my coffee. Maybe eliminate the coffee. I just don't get it. What is going on? I thought that the band stopped reflux not start it.

I had quiet a bit of acid reflux before surgery, and my band has eliminated it. I haven't had any acid reflux since my surgery over 2 months ago. I would speak to your doctor and see what your options are. I feel for you, it can be very painful and annoying.

Seppi indeed talk to your doc. I had to eliminate coffee also. I tried all the meds before surgery. No acid reflux after surgery until I tried to drink coffee again. Had to take prilosec for a few days. Of course quit the coffee again and now no more problems.

M

Thank you for the quick responses. God I really hope that the Dr. can give me a different med and I can can have 1 cup of coffe. I feel like I have had to give up so many things that I love (food) I will start crying if I have to give up coffee too. will try no coffee tomorrow, I feel sorry for those who will have to deal with me in the morning. Any thought as as to why reflux would start so suddenly?

It may take more than one day off of the coffee for you to feel improvement. Sorry.

I'm in the same boat you are, and have been watching your posts on chest pain and reflux. In my case the Nexium has helped with the chest pressure but I still get an occasional twinging pain at my esophogus. Good luck - tell me how stopping the coffee works for you.

I find Nexium is not as helpful for me as Protonix is. Perhaps switching? And yes, no matter what I take, coffee will make the acid break through no matter what.

Seppi (and Donna),

Reflux is the big bad wolf of bandsters! YUCK!

Ive often had reflux since banding. The ONLY thing that works for me is OTC Prilosec - Nexium seemed to make is worst. From what my pharmacist told me, these drugs do basically the same thing. Some work for some, and some work for others. Kinda like advil and naproxin - both anti-inflammotory drugs, but work differently in different people. ??

Dont just stick with the Nexium and think this is it! Let your doc know - they (or talk to your pharmacist) may recommend something else.

And one other thing, I *absolutely* can NOT have anything in my band when I go to bed. Sometimes this means a forced pb is necessary.

Good luck.

((I just remembered Best_Me (Kathy's) aloe vera juice! You can find it at Walmart. This may help as well))

For me, I've had to use Prevacid, Nexium never worked for me. Talk to your doctor about switching your meds, this may help but you may need a unfill.

Hi

Some people,like me,just have to live with the heartburn and reflux....coffee will make it worse...and then there is the thing of eating to much....not what you think is to much though...

Again,the only thing that really seems to make the reflux less is cutting food to well,really only half a cup per meal....and half a cup is nothing.....having lived with this for longer than a year and having tried absolutely everything this is the only thing that really help

One other thing that contradicts everything they say about the band...when I have bad reflux and heartburn...I cannot drink Water...it absolutely makes it a lot worse....then I tend to drink very little,eat very littl until it feels better again...

Please try this and see..it took me a long time to take the advice of eating even less and not drinking water when refluxing....and I do regret not doing it earlier....I use to say,but I am eating hardly anything...well,now I eat less...and it works....

Hey desertmom,

Thanks for your advice, I know I didn't ask the question but I didn't know not to drink Water when refluxing. Anyway, I am still learning as well and it's been over a year for me. I guess we learn the hard way, I no I have with somethings.

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

hi

Not everyone have the same experience with the water...it took me a year to figure out that the water makes it way worse....so...might work for some,might make no difference in others...I'm also still learning...

Well, so far I survived the day as well as all others that came into contact with me. I didn't have any coffee and I also didn't have any pain. I feel kind of stupid not figuring this out before. Hopefully it will continue to improve. I do have one question, will I be able to drink coffee when my esophagus (sp?) heals? If so how will I know when it's OK?

On another note, I don't have problems with water, for some reason cantaloupe seems to aggravate me, figures right? Ice Cream and stuff like that is fine, no problems. Thanks for everyones help, just when I thought I was the only one dying you guys gave some great advise!

Seppi I have been unable to go back to coffee drinking. After one or two cups it starts all over. So I have given up on coffee. However I have substituted Carnation No Added Sugar Hot chocolate Mix in its place. Makes me feel good to have a hot mug to sip on.

Myra

OK thought I had this figured out, I am getting a little pissed. No coffee and this afternoon that familiar ache in my chest.Not incapacitating but painful. I am suppose to get a fill in about 2 weeks but I don't want to do it if I am still having problems. I was unfilled in the beginning of March. By some miracle I have lost a couple of pounds. Actually I think that I was overfilled in January, and perhaps have some irritation from that. I would think that it would be gone by now. This is really frustrating.

Seppi, I still have my *3* cups of morning coffee - daily. Im not giving up my coffee

Some nights I have reflux, some I dont. For me - it depends on what i eat for supper (or very late in the evening). I avoid anything tomato based in the afternoon - and also alcohol. These 2 things cause me to have reflux - Along with other things, but these come to mind.

Also, about the water... sometimes Ill drink a glass of milk at night and it HELPS - SOMETIMES! The thickness of the milk seems to wash any undigested food through.

I love me some coffee too Paula. It's been the hardest to give up.

My first real job was working in a coffee - tea store that grinded blends from all over the world for the rich and famous on 3rd ave in NYC.

Due to my Irish mom, I grew up on tea. Even in our bottles. It was called "babba and tea". A mily sweet weak tea and it was the highlight of our day.

Then I went to work in this place inNYC and had my first introduction to great coffee.

I love the smell of it, the taste and the buzz, but man does it rip through my innards.