I am a few months out and have been taking omeprazole (generic nexium). I had a chronic cough for the first month after surgery. Now the chronic cough is back and I think the acid reflux is the cause because yesterday I was also very, very hungry.

Has anyone had to change acid reflux meds and, if so, to what?

Thanks for responses.

Yes! The over the counter medications used to work for me and now I have to take a prescription one. My Doc wanted me to take chewable pepcid after surgery and that was like taking nothing after years of using a variety of antacids and PPI's. The funny thing is the one I use now (dexilant) I can get by taking once every other day. This makes it so much cheaper in the long run. You can actually develop a "resistance" to medications. Talk to your doctor though, as he/she may want to up the dose first, try another, or It could be something else that needs to be addressed. I do know that dexilant has been very user friendly for this sleeve patient from at least a month after surgery till now. I used to break it open and swallow the little beads, now I can take the whole capsule.

Thanks. I will check with my surgeon. I appreciate your response.

Blessings to you!

I have been on prescription strength Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs for about the past 17 years and have grown tolerance to almost ALL of them. Keep in mind too that OTC dosing of these drugs is 1/2 of the prescription strength.

Omeprazole, which is Prilosec is a PPI but it is more 'mild' and is is considered a very minimal medication by GI docs. ESomeprazole is generic Nexium and is a PPI, but again, OTC dosing is different. All PPI's have the same mechanism of action in the gut but some just work better for some people than others. good luck!

There are other good medications besides omeprazole. I was put on protonix (pantoprazole) years ago for acid reflux. Later, I had to switch docs and insurance companies and my new doc told me the insurance wouldn't pay for protonix (because it's expensive) unless I "failed" the cheaper medication (omeprazole). This is how I discovered my only medication allergy. I'm one of the very few people allergic to omeprazole. I broke out in hives from it. So now I get protonix.

So yes, you have options for other medications. Some do work better for some people than others. Just talk to your doc and go from there. A little warning though, protonix works too well sometimes. I don't know about omeprazole, but I could only take protonix for about 2-3 days then have to go off it for a day or two because it causes constipation. But it worked because I was able to get my acid reflux under control enough that now I only have to avoid certain foods and take no medication. I still take tums once in awhile but considering I used to feel like I had a blazing hot Iron poker down my chest, a few tums is no biggie.

Thanks for the responses. I remember now that omeprazole is generic Pepcid. Forgot.

I'm not sure if I should call my doc or not. I had my surgery in another state. They did call in some carafate (? Does that sound right) but it was very expensive under my insurance so I didn't get it.

Suggestions for another ok that works? I tried Prevacid years ago when I was pregnant and it helped then.

Is it normal at just over 3 months to still be adjusting to acid production? All I know is yesterday I felt like I just couldn't get full so I was eating every hour. I still only had about 1500 calories but I absolutely can't do that every day. Plus the stupid cough.... I don't want it to keep me from going to church because I would hate to sit there and cough the entire time.

I totally appreciate and respect all responses!! Y'all are great!

Yes I went from Zantac to Prilosec and now Nexium.

Those medicines never worked for me. I use Dexilant which requires a prescription. You can go on the manufacturer website for a coupon.

Yes they can, talk to your surgeon about what he feels will be best for you

Thanks for the responses. I remember now that omeprazole is generic Pepcid. Forgot.

I'm not sure if I should call my doc or not. I had my surgery in another state. They did call in some carafate (? Does that sound right) but it was very expensive under my insurance so I didn't get it.

Suggestions for another ok that works? I tried Prevacid years ago when I was pregnant and it helped then.

Is it normal at just over 3 months to still be adjusting to acid production? All I know is yesterday I felt like I just couldn't get full so I was eating every hour. I still only had about 1500 calories but I absolutely can't do that every day. Plus the stupid cough.... I don't want it to keep me from going to church because I would hate to sit there and cough the entire time.

I totally appreciate and respect all responses!! Y'all are great!

I am over a year and a half out and if I don't take my PPI, there is hell to pay. For some, it goes away. For some it's a new friend.