Acid Reflux

[Margater 6]

I am sure this has been a topic before, but just curious how bad everyone's acid reflux was once they got out of the hospital. Today is day 4 for me and the acid reflux bouts are miserable.

Is it because I am not drinking enough? I am taking the prescription prilosec. In fact, I took an extra one last night because it was so bad. I was hoping to be back to regular routine by today. Aiming to get back to work by Monday.

Any advice?

[camony 33]

Hi.. I am post op day 10.. I saw my doctor yesterday and unfortunately the acid reflux is just part of the healing process..

[Deactivatedfatgal 377]

I'm 9 weeks out and get it here and there but when I take my meds I'm usually fine. For some it subsides conpletely

[mylighthouse 782]

Hello,

Sorry to hear that you are dealing with acid reflux, I hate it.

I had some in the beginning, but after a few days of being on a prescription med for it, it completely went away. I haven't had any and have been on an acid reflux med for 6 months now.

I ran out of my med a couple of days ago and didn't have a refill on it. I wanted to see how I would do without it, since I am now 6 months post op sleeve. Unfortunately, for me, the reflux is back with a vengeance. I am going to call my doctor and let him know, I guess it is going to be a continuing problem for me without medication for it.

I have heard that after the sleeve, some people need an acid reflux med forever.

[MarinaGirl 608]

Acid reflux is a common side effect with Gastric Sleeve surgery. Many patients will need to take PPIs continually, which brings other risks; however, untreated reflux can lead to cellular changes (e.g. Barrett's Esophagus) and increased risk for esophageal cancer. Make sure you're talking to your PCP about it, who may refer you to a Gastroenterologist for further testing and monitoring.

[Margater 6]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I'll just chalk this one up to #FML

Could be worse.

[Deactivatedfatgal 377]

2 minutes ago, Margater said:

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I'll just chalk this one up to #FML

Could be worse.

Yes it could be! And the good thing is if it gets to out of control you can have a revision. Not like your stuck forever if you don't want to deal with it. I heard from a lady who is 10 years out and she said she dealt with gerd on and off but after 10 years has found "relief". She didn't share her remedy though.

[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

Yeah, you are on the right class of drugs to treat it, maybe ask if it is OK to switch to a different PPI like Nexium? I had raging throw-up-in-your-mouth-at-night reflux before my sleeve, but after, and with Nexium, I have not had a single issue. No need for a FML.

[Newme17 3,444]

As soon as im done with my 60 days of ppi's, I'm going back to Hydrochloric acid. You can buy it otc. Your body isn't making enough acid, thus heartburn/reflux. Take these and it should subside. Better than ppi 's for life.

See tons of reviews on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000M4CD2C/ref=cm_cr_srp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

Here's an article that helps explain it some too.

http://peoplesrx.com/hydrochloric-acid-the-bodys-primary-digestant/

[RickM 1,747]

Acid reflux with the sleeve is primarily a function of the stomach volume being reduced more than the acid producing potential. The body usually adjusts over time, but not always, hence the need for the acid reducing meds for a time, or sometimes long term. Leave the acid supplements to the miracle diet supplement crowd - they don't address the issue that we have (if they do anything positive at all.)

PPIs (protein pump inhibitors) are usually the med of choice to address this problem (Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix and others and their generic equivalents) but have some long term concerns that need to be weighed. There is also another class of drugs - h2 inhibitors - (Zantac, Pepcid, and generic equivalents) that can be used as well and are generally considered to be safer long term though often less effective. A combination of the two is often used as a compromise treatment or when weaning off of the PPI.

[Newme17 3,444]

2 hours ago, RickM said:

Acid reflux with the sleeve is primarily a function of the stomach volume being reduced more than the acid producing potential.

I didn't think of this....something for me to research/educate myself on. Thanks!

[mary1974 8]

I'm just over 7wks post-surgery and I've been having problems with reflux. Started taking Prilosec a week after surgery. A few weeks later tried to taper off. I hate taking meds! Well, I started having problems again...however I think its because I started back with drinking coffee last week. So, I'm back on Prilosec and off the coffee. I was encouraged to read a few posts back that sometimes it just takes a while for our bodies to get leveled out with this whole acid thing after surgery. I'm sure praying so! I was so happy to have coffee back in my life after almost 2months with out it! But, I'm down 50lbs total since I started this journey so I suppose I can't complain too much! Wishing everyone the best on their recovery!

[Sweet as peaches 759]

Omg!!!! My prescription for my protonix lapsed and i was supposed to get refills after the expiration never got it. I suffered last night horrible reflux that i was clutching a pack of rolaids tightly waiting for the pain to pass. I took mustard, tums even bout to take the prilosec i had that mess my stomach so bad i had the runs. Luckily, by the grace of God the rolaids helped and my pcp wrote a prescription for protonix that my daughter picking up now.