Can everyone share which PPI they take (and dosage), and if they think it works/why they prefer it over another one? I have been taking prescription Prilosec 40mg since way before my surgery, but I am almost done with my prescription and I am thinking about trying one of the OTC ones. I wasn't sure if the OTC Prilosec was the best, or maybe Zegerid or Nexium. I think since I had my hernia repaired, I can definitely come down to 20mg, but I'm just not sure which OTC ones actually work the best. TIA for your advice!

I use the Walmart brand of dual action acid reducer. It's the store brand of Pepcid Complete.

It has

Active Ingredient (In Each Chewable Tablet): Famotidine 10 Mg-Acid Reducer, Calcium Carbonate 800 Mg- Antacid, Magnesium Hydroxide 165 Mg- Antacid.

They work pretty well for me.

I used Nexium for the first month post op (sorry I don't remember the dosage).

I then stopped, but went back onto Omeprazole 20mg (the generic version of Prilosec) for a couple of weeks to see if it helped with the hunger. It made no difference so I no longer take anything.

You should exercise caution when taking a PPI as they can inhibit calcium absorption.

Have you been advised to take a PPI long term? I can't imagine this surgery would really necessitate it (unless you had problems before), as it's a variant of fundoplication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplication which is used for treating GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

I have trouble with my lower esophogeal valve not closing completely, so yes, PPI's will be long term unless I choose to have a big surgery to correct it. I was hoping that the surgery might help, because as you said it's a variant of the nissen fundoplication..but so far it's about the same as before.

Wow, I'm so sorry that this surgery didn't fix your reflux.

BTW this thread may be of interest http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23340-getting-off-of-the-ppis/page__pid__197442#entry197442

Calcium citrate is the supplement to take, especially if you take a PPI, but as someone mentions in the thread it's harder to find!

Thank you, I will have to check that out!