I was on Tums, switched to Pepcid because the stomach acid is just horrible. I need to take at least one a day. I don't know for how long will I need to take them. Does it get better or do we have to continue on taking them and aren't they bad for you??

Good question.....I'd love to know the answer to this.

If you need them, take them. Just make sure it is because of a need and not just because everyone else is doing it. Some stomach acid is needed for digestion. If a person takes too much of an antacid, the food does not digest properly, but lays in the stomach and digestive tract and begins to rot. This can cause nausea, vomiting, foul belching and flatulence and inflammatory reactions (joints, skin, muscles). Over time, it is possible you may not need the pills. Just watch for signs of over use. If you get to the point that you never experience ANY symptoms of reflux you might want to skip it for a day or two to see if you actually still need it. Best of luck!

If you have too much calcium ie tums, you can develop kidney stones... One a day should be fine. I'm on nexium once a day, but only for one month. My doctor told me most patients suffer from acid reflux for the first few months, but it usually tapers off once your new stomach heals.

I'm one who is on a LOT of antacid. BUT, mine is under doctor's orders, and NOt my VSG surgeon. I had blood clots earlier this year, along with two pulmonary emboli. I've been on Coumadin, except for a month break, since June, 2011.

According to BOTH my docs, Coumadin leaches calcium with long term use. I started taking regular calcium, then the pulmonologist switched me to the Tums, 2x a day. They both want me getting the calcium in me, but apparently Tums has calcium that's more available to me with my medicine combo.

YES, too much antacid is bad for you and can cause kidney stones.

You need acid to absorb most calcium. Thats why we are recommended to use calcium citrate, that is more acid. The studies show those with weight loss surgery are much more likely to have bone fracture from calcium loss, so if you can get off of antacids, thats a good thing, and TAKE your calcium citrate for sure.