First let me start by saying I'm not a doctor, nor am I in the medical field. DO NOT SEND ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. I HAVE NO MEDICAL BASIC GROUND WHAT SO EVER. I came across this information while researching, and members of this board came to mind BECAUSE SO MANY OF YOU USING THIS MEDICATIONS. ASK YOUR DOCTOR. ASK YOUR DOCTOR, ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

AND AGAIN SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF THIS PERTAINS TO YOU IN ANYWAY.

LINKS:

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/topics/nexium/

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/topics/nexium/

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/bone-fracture-nexium-prilosec-heartburn-drugs-10461/

http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/bone-fracture-nexium-prilosec-heartburn-drugs-10461/

I HAVE NO MORE INFORMATION THAN WHAT I HAVE POSTED HERE. ASK YOUR DOCTOR!!!!!

LINKS:

http://www.aboutlaws.../topics/nexium/

http://www.aboutlaws.../topics/nexium/

http://www.aboutlaws...rn-drugs-10461/

http://www.aboutlaws...rn-drugs-10461/

I believe this is why we are advised to take1200 mgs of Calcium citrate every day. I have read 1700 is better....

while i respect that everyone has an opinion, but YOU ARE DOING PEOPLE A DISSERVICE WITH COMMENTS LIKE THIS

THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AS THAT EXTRA CALCIUM PILL YOU ARE RECOMMENDING WILL DO NOTHING FOR YOU AS NEXIUM BLOCKS ABSORPTION OF CALCIUM FROM WHAT I HAVE READ.

SEE LINK BELOW FDA HAS ISSUED A WARING ABOUT THIS!!!

http://www.aboutlaws...s-nexium-18474/

ARE YOU A DOCTOR??

PEOPLE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

I believe this is why we are advised to take1200 mgs of calcium citrate every day. I have read 1700 is better....

my understanding about both of these medicines that they were being asked to use the week before surgery, and not after. do I have my medicines mixed up?

I've been taking Prilosec OTC for over a year (over two, actually) and haven't fractured anything. I'm willing to take the 25% increased risk, me. It's better than having acid reflux every day.

My body, my choice.

your are very right...your body your choice... just simply want to inform.

I've been taking Prilosec OTC for over a year (over two, actually) and haven't fractured anything. I'm willing to take the 25% increased risk, me. It's better than having acid reflux every day.

My body, my choice.

AYD, I am in the medical field and am well aware of this side effect of PPI's. However, it only one of the many potential side effects, some of which are much worse than bone density. After the sleeve, we are susceptible to gastric acid more than before the surgery. Hopefully, I will not have to take a PPI forever, but I will take them long enough to give my new tummy a chance to adjust. There are people who have GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) even without sleeve surgery and have to take these medications to keep from eroding their GI system.

Practically every prescription and over-the-counter medication in the world has side effects that none of us want. However, because of these medications, we now consider 50 to 60 middle aged instead of 30 to 40 because we do not to succumb to even the most minor ailments that used to kill people too early.

Please don't scare people on this forum who don't have a deep medical knowledge and are already nervous about this life changing decision. Everyone deserves a chance to seek a better existence. K

It is my understanding that calcium needs an acidic environment to be absorbed by the body. When PPIs are used long term, it changes the acidic nature of the stomach and most calciums cannot be absorbed because of this. calcium citrate is recommended for those on PPIs because it has its own acidic base to promote absorption. I have read studies that say even this may not be enough to keep some calcium from being leached from the bones for the bodies use... but 1700 mgs of Calcium Citrate seems to show some promise of reducing the bone calcium loss. I certainly hope to get off the PPI after 6 months if possible. Around 30% of people with the sleeve have acid reflux problems, and this is certainly one of the side effects of the sleeve. Ill see if I can find that study to post here.

http://www.ptcommunity.com/ptjournal/fulltext/32/9/PTJ3209502.pdf

I was well aware of the possible side effects of PPI's before I began taking one. Both my doctor and I agreed that the benefits outweigh the risks and I had a Dexi-scan last year and will have another this year.

I also agree that VSG patients should ask their doctors--not only about PPIs, but about other issues related to the surgery's effect on their bodies. This is not a surgery to be entered into lightly. Also, the risk of fracture is not confined to VSG patients but also to chronic GERD and stomach ulcer patients or anyone who uses PPIs for an extended period. I hope you are posting on forums for those individuals as well since you feel the need to alert people to possible health risks of PPIs.

I for one, had reflux so bad that it caused ulcers in my esophagus. Do I understand that I am at higher risk for bone fractures, yes. But I also understood my risk for esophageal cancer if I didn't take it. As with any other drug, each patient has to find a balance between the good and the bad and how it pertains to their own circumstance. In my opinion, the fact that we are all on this forum, sharing our questions, ideas and research, leads me to think that we aren't walking into any of this blindly.

Yes, Calcium citrate can be absorbed due to the fact that it has its own acidic base as feedyoureye stated.

And I agree with Maddie, long-term reflux can lead to esophageal cancer, also known as Barrett's syndrome or Barrett's esophagus. Quite scary.

You keep saying...'ask your doctor, ask your doctor'....almost every doctor who performs VSG suggests using a PPI. So there is no need to ask your doctor unless your particular surgeon did not suggest it. My surgeon told me to use the PPI for 3 months, then longer if needed. I have been easing myself off of Nexium for the last couple weeks, not because I am terrified of the side effects, but because it's one less thing to remember to take.