I started getting bad heartburn symptoms right after Christmas. It was more of 'fluid' or 'liquid' of some kind that will come up when I go to bed (am laying down). It woke me up in the night several nights in a row and I'd be coughing and have to go spit a lot.

I did go see my doctor and found out that ibuprofen had been irritating my stomach (I forgot I wasn't supposed to take it anymore). He gave me a prescription of something to help that I dissolve in Water before meals & at bedtime. It seems to help the burning, but I still get this liquid that wants to come up while I'm sleeping and I don't understand it. I will call the doctor again & ask about it, but I was wondering if any of you have had this happen? If so, what was the remedy?

Thanks for your input!

Acid reflux is very common to bandsters. Typically the only way to combat it at nighttime like you are describing is medication first then a slight unfill. My friend just went through the same thing and it took her 2 or 3 fills and slight unfills to find the spot where she didn't have it at all. Like you the symptoms were the same. Good luck.

I use an over-the-counter medicine called "Prelief". Take it before eating anything acidic and you won't have the heartburn.

Also, ibuprofen is very acidic. If you are in need of a pain reliever that isn't acidic ask your Dr. for prescription Tramadol (generic Ultram).

Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before bedtime. I get reflux (no acid, just water or whatever) if I eat before bed and drink water after that, or if I need to take a pill at bed time and drink water for that (if I'm really tight). Last time was the other morning when I had a migraine. I took something for it with some water and had to basically sleep sitting up, because I am SUPER tight in the morning. After about an hour I could lay down and sleep normally.

When I first mentioned the heartburn/reflux to my dr, he said, "Yep, that just the band" and gave me Protonix. I took it and also switched to low-acid coffee and cut out all my pain meds except Tylenol. After my next fill, it got worse and worse and I was sure I had an ulcer (felt like it did when I had one in the past)......had an EGD and they said that it was not, that my band was just too tight. So I had a slight unfill and that has just about fixed it. I still have some trouble if I eat too late at night but it's much better.

Thank you for the responses! I talked to the nurse at the office this afternoon, and she said it sounds like it's too tight also. I'm glad to know I'm not alone!

Have a fantastic day!