Heartburn Meds

[BrandNewMe495 10]

I am still on prescription Prilosec, from my surgery in 12-29-17. After not taking it for 2 days I start to get heartburn. Doctor says I need to go on something else because with long term use of this med is bad.. what else do you guys use for minor not severe heartburn???? Something that is safe to take daily?

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

I’m on pepcid twice a day with no problems.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

I just take tums if I need it, but I don't get a lot of heartburn. Do you have certain foods that trigger it?

[BrandNewMe495 10]

No not at all, I have never had heartburn, only after surgery.
Hmmm I will try Pepcid. I just need something I can do long term with no affects.

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

I had pretty bad gerd before surgery so was on it. Haven’t had one hint of it after surgery. I’m still taking my Pepcid twice a day.

[BrandNewMe495 10]

I think I will try Pepcid, after being on Prilosec for 7 months but now hearing it’s not good for long term use. I wish I had known sooner.
Thank you

[Letsgetgoing2018 448]

2 minutes ago, BrandNewMe495 said:

I think I will try Pepcid, after being on Prilosec for 7 months but now hearing it’s not good for long term use. I wish I had known sooner.
Thank you

Yes. I’ve had good luck with it. Not aware of any problems with long term use.

[Orchids&Dragons 9,046]

3 minutes ago, BrandNewMe495 said:

I think I will try Pepcid, after being on Prilosec for 7 months but now hearing it’s not good for long term use. I wish I had known sooner.
Thank you

Pepcid is also recommended as short-term use only.

https://www.rxlist.com/pepcid-drug.htm#description

[BrandNewMe495 10]

Anything safe for long term?

[Foxbins 625]

I've been on 40mg of omeprazole (Prilosec) for about four years now, and I took 20mg for 3 years before that. The biggest known issue with the PPIs is the development of osteoporosis due to Calcium malabsorption. I am sure every bariatric surgeon makes certain that we know to take calcium citrate and not calcium carbonate. Without stomach acid calcium carbonate is very poorly absorbed, but calcium citrate does just fine in a low-acid stomach. I don't know of any studies showing long-term effects of PPIs other than osteoporosis. Also, because it's available over the counter, the drug company wants you to see a physician if you have long-term heartburn, just to make sure it's not a symptom of something terrible.

Is your surgeon saying you have to stop the Prilosec, or your GP? Because my GP knows almost nothing about the management of bariatric patients post-op and sometimes gives me wrong information. I trust my gastroenterologist (my surgeon died) and my endocrinologist, though. Oh, and Pepcid is an H2 blocker (works differently to stop acid than a PPI) and tends to stop working if you take it regularly. I sometimes take a Pepcid if I'm having a breakthrough acid day and then stop eating what triggered the excess acid (sadly, it's usually chocolate).

Some sleeve patients have to convert to RNY for acid issues but it sounds as though your issues aren't that bad. Have you tried keeping a food diary and noting when acid bothers you? That's how I figured out that chocolate can bother me.

[BrandNewMe495 10]

Thank you for all the info, my GP was telling me about PPIs and how I need to stop. Long term use causes osteoporosis issues. I believe he said to go on Zantac or Nexium. I have mild heartburn, Most times I feel it right when I wake up, before food. But haven’t noticed certain foods that cause it. Thanks again:)