I have aspirated stomach acid before but not to the extent that it happened this last time.  This would be the same acid reflux problem my former doctor told me I would cure with the surgery.  This time, it was very bad - it has been two days and I can't stop coughing and my lungs still feel like they are burning when I breath.  I take Omeprazole - anyone find other medication works better?  I guess it's back to  my doctor.  I can't take much more of this.

 I had this happen many times prior to surgery. It was absolutely miserable. Pepcid or protonix worked better for me. Also, I found that honey helped to coat my throat and soothed the burning. I would eat spoonfuls of it. Of course this was before surgery, not sure how that would work now. I hope you find something that works for you.

You def need to go back to the doctor. IMO, it sounds like you may benefit from a combination of meds. Ask you surgeon about  taking a H2 blocker like zantac or pepcid, alond with a dose of your PPI. I use to take nexium and 4 zantac daily to stop my reflux. Not sure what the issue is now since you had surgery (you did have RNY?) but you have to come at your reflux from all angles.  You may also need a stronger med than Omeprazole. I assume you are taking the over the counter one? Only 20mg? Good luck with this. Before RNY, I use to aspirate in the night. It was pure torture. Plus I have asthma and it would flare me up for weeks. Some non medicine help, sleep elevated on pillows, and don't eat/drink anything acidic at least 4 hours before going to bed (tomato, coffee, coke, orange juice, etc.) Hope this helps!!!

 
What surgery did you have?  RNY cured my reflux.  

Prior to surgery, I took my meds and milk and ice cream would "put out the fire" so to speak.  I now take Zantac meltaways, but prior to surgery it was 40 mg omeprazole.

I would definitely call your doc and get this taken care of.  Also, nothing to eat or drink within 3-4 hours of going to bed, sleep elevated or in a recliner if you can.  

Hope you feel better!!!!!

I've had GERD since 1998, which became more severe in mid-2000s. I was taking 2 Prilosec (prescription at the time) and switched over to Nexium, when it became available. It worked so much better. But as I gain more weight, my reflux became worse, requiring me to elevate the head of the bed. Putting blocks under the front legs of the bed did not elevate it enough. So I put quilts under the mattress, which was better at alievating my reflux, but not high enough. My hubby found online an inflatable wedge made by Contour, that was much better at elevating the head of bed higher, giving me the relief/sleep that I needed. Since I've had rny surgery, I've been able to lower it from 45 degrees to 15 degrees. About a month ago, I noticed that my GERD was worsening, and I was diagnosed with gallstones requiring surgery (done 6/18). Now, the GERD is much better. Caffeine and peppermint tend to worsen GERD.

I'm 6 months out and still have Gerd. I am able to control it better with OTC meds since having surgery.

Well, here I go again.  I had LapBand Surgery done 2/6/06...did well for a while but did not have much success.  July 11, 2011, I underwent revision surgery to Gastric Sleeve.  I was told that I probably would not loose too much weight (lost 30 l0bs) since I had had the previous procedure done already.  But since the Sleeve I have had an extreme amount of gastric (acid) reflux, at times I wake up coughing up acidity gunk.   I was told by my Dr. that they are finding more cases of this.  The only thing left to do is Gastric Bypass.  This would relieve all acid reflux as it will removed the part of the stomach that creates the acid.  So, I am tentatively scheduled on July 23...if I had known this, I would have done bypass in the first place. 

Let's hope that works, caffeine, ice cream and chocolate contribute to the problem. 

Well, THAT IS WHAT I WAS TOLD!!  But then comes a new problem - BILE REFLUX!!  Apparently Acid reflux is relieved but this much worse Bile reflux starts.  For me it is much worse when it happens and I didn't even know the difference.  As I said, the final decision maker to get the gastric bypass after struggling with the lapband and all the reflux problems was that I was told it would "cure" my acid reflux.  I was never told that this new problem was a possibility.  It is several times more painful and I imagine more dangerous since I have aspirated a few times.  Just when I think I can finally be at peace with all that this surgery has cost me, things like this happen.  It still hurts to breath deeply the coughing really hurts.  I'd scream if my throat didn't hurt so badly!!

Hi I was wondering how you were doing after your gastric bypass? I have terrible bile comming up at night and after I eat and I was wondering how you feel with the bypass and has it helped you with your weight loss?

I had my sleeve since 2010 and starting to gain again its my fault I am stuck on werthers hard candy,

take care, Lisa

I am doing wonderfully well...no more reflux...lost 30 lbs....down to 152...became a kidney donor on Feb 13...everything went well...I have never felt better.

I take a 40mg Nexium daily and zantac as needed...I have had to take 80mg Nexium for several days in a row during a bad time...also...the elevating of the bed makes all the difference...if you haven't tried that...I am still presurg though...

 You need to see your surgeon. You need to be checked to make sure you don't have an ulcer in your pouch.  When my reflux was that bad a year before surgery, a scope showed I had 2 ulcers, probably from taking too many NSAIDS for pain. Had to take Prllosed twice a day. Have had no problems since surgery.

I'm going to go to a gastroenterologist.  I went to a surgeon that used to do gastric bypasses as I don't see my surgeon any more.  He told me it was bile reflux.  I never ever take any nsaids - never have - pretty much follow the regimine faithfully -  elevate and take the prilosec faithfully - maybe gastro can try a new medication and do a scope to make sure.  I think the bile thing is right - from what I've seen and read.    I hope he can help me.

I just joined this sight because of the same thing happening to me so my sister suggested it to me. 5 days ago I aspirated and within 36 hours I had a chest x-ray and turns out this can and did  turn in to what is called "aspiration pneumonia".  I am also on the same medication only the XR (extended release). The first few times this has happened  I just  coughed up acid/bile for several days. This time it not only caused the aspiration it also got into my nasal cavity and filled my lung. I  had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago as well as my Vegas nerve last year, due to producing too much acid after surgery. In fact I had a hole develop in my intestine several inches  below the pouch" and almost died in Dec 2011. This resulted in a semi redo of the bypass.  I love that I have lost over 190lbs but it seems I am now developing some issues 2 years after. As I get more info on this bile aspiration I would be more then happy to share with you. I see a doctor on 11/20.  I am hoping it not related to my WLS. 

I have been having terrible reflux too.  I  had the sleeve in 2009 and had my gall bladder out at the same time.  I've had two scopes that showed nothing, and finally today an Upper GI which showed reflux and a hiatal hernia.  I've been reading about reflux.  I didn't know that there were two kinds.  I'm betting mine is both!  This was an interesting article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health/30brod.html?_r=0

My surgeon says I may have to have RnY to cure it.  We'll know more next week.

Peace,

Robin