I am very desperate and seeking advice all over the place, but just came across this forum and see many peeps experiencing all my problems with severe acid reflux. I had a complete unfill yesterday but the avid reflux is still there and my chest is so painful and I have this weak cough that sounds like a death rattle. How long before the unfill kicks in and I feel normal?

Hi, my sympathies go out to you as I have been suffering this awful nightmare since last May. I Eventually had a complete unfil in December and am further tests next week.

Yes, the unfil does seem to take a while To kick in fully. Probably a good week I'd say. However, I am still suffering, although, to a lesser degree. I've started being sick again recently, after almost every meal And on at least 2 ocassions have been sick in my sleep!

Unfortunately what your dealing with is Common with a Band.

Banders experience Reflux at a rate of 33% and Erosive Esophagitis 44% it's not something to ignore.

Many Dr's just RX PPI's and continue to either change them or increase the dose.

Long term refux can /does cause Barrett's Esophagus.

Reflux at night can/does lead to Apiration pneumonia, a lot of times ppl like to say Oh, yeah just prop yourself up with pillows or stop eating hrs before bed and that will help.

When in fact the better solution is to just get the band removed and live a better life than medically induced bulimia, reflux, and night cough, becaue even with an unfill it will continue. OR you'll just start a visious cycle of endless unfills and fills and get nowhere for as long as your willing to allow your Dr. to do it.

Good luck

Unfortunately what your dealing with is Common with a Band.

Banders experience Reflux at a rate of 33% and Erosive Esophagitis 44% it's not something to ignore.

Many Dr's just RX PPI's and continue to either change them or increase the dose.

Long term refux can /does cause Barrett's Esophagus.

Reflux at night can/does lead to Apiration pneumonia, a lot of times ppl like to say Oh, yeah just prop yourself up with pillows or stop eating hrs before bed and that will help.

When in fact the better solution is to just get the band removed and live a better life than medically induced bulimia, reflux, and night cough, becaue even with an unfill it will continue. OR you'll just start a visious cycle of endless unfills and fills and get nowhere for as long as your willing to allow your Dr. to do it.

Good luck

I wonder if you Could explain what Barrett's Esophagus & Apiration pneumonia, are please?

Barrett's Esophagus is Cancer of the Esophagus from Acid reflux/Gerd.

When reading you'll find that they say it's RARE.

But you'll also hear that EROSION of the band is RARE. IT'S not.

I'm NOT saying that you or anyone else will have this BUT ppl banded do/can have pre cancerous lesions due to extended periods of Reflux/gerd.

Apiration Pneumonia occurs when the band is too tight for a prolonged period, whether it is intentional ( some like to keep their bands too tight) or due to the internal scar tissue that develops due to the band.

Most find that they are unable to eat/drink before going to bed or they will have fluids, acid, that comes up the esophagus through the nose and mouth.

Most are told to take Proton pump inhibitors anti acid meds or to sleep in an upright postion.

Again this is ONLY a short term solution.

Aspiration into the lungs will cause pneumonia, it occurs get it checked.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25147629

"Barrett's esophagus is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged. This damage occurs when parts of the esophageal lining are repeatedly exposed to stomach acid."

This can lead to cancer - but is not cancer.

"Aspiration pneumonia is a respiratory infection that is caused when food or fluids are inhaled into the lungs. The food or fluid causes infection to develop in the lungs."