New issue- having horrible reflux

So this is new.  For the past 2 weeks, I have been having terrible reflux.  My throat always seems to be burning.  It is not a sore throat feeling, it is definitely reflux/acid.  It is really bad at night and for the first few hours after I wake up.  It also comes and goes throughout the day.  I have cut out caffine.  I was drinking many of those McD Iced coffees (yummm..."Only a dollar, all summer..!!"), so they are off my menu for now. 

I always struggle with this.  I am 17 months out.  Should I call my clinic with this, or should I just see my family Dr?  I am guessing I need a perscription as the Zantac 150 is not even touching it.  I bought some liquid Gaviscon this morning, so I will try that today and see how it works.

Does anyone else struggle with this post-op?

I'm nto 17 months out, but I was having some problems with my tummy and temperature so they put me on Prevacid.  I'm not sure how knowledgeable your GP is, but I'd call the clinic if they are close to you.  They'll know if Prevacid is what you need, or if they'll have to do anything more.

I have to open my capsules and pour the contents into something like yogurt, as they don't think it will desolve soon enough in my tummy.

Good luck,
Cathy

I would call your clinic for advice ,but make an appt with the GP as well. How's that for a non answer? lol

Likely your GP is knowledgeable enough in this area to help, but this might be something the clinic wants to know about and need to follow up on.

It does sound like you need a prescription medication. Let us know how things go.

My surgeon gave me a prescip for prevacid fastab and told me to expect to be on it for the rest of my life. My GP just renews it. I had my 2nd hiatus hernia repaired with my RNY and have never had acid reflux since.  I used to use gaviscon chewables pre op which worked well.

good luck, 

Have you ever had a hiatal hernia? You should probably speak to the clinic incase they want to do a scope. Are you sure it's linked to something specific you're eating and only on days when you eat it?

No.  I am not sure if it is directly linked to anything.  I wondered if it was because of the coffee since it is something new that I have been drinking a lot of.  Before, I had a coffee maybe once or twice a month.  I haven't had any today though, and the reflux is worse than ever. 

I will have to look up more info about hiatal hernia.  At my one year follow up, I saw the surgeon regarding a persistent pain/pressure below my ribs on the left side.  It isn't excruciating, but nagging, and always in the same spot. They said they were going to send me in for a scan, but that was months ago, so I guess it is time to follow up.

Hi Marni

I had what I thought was acid stomach(without the reflux) about 2 months ago - came on very suddenly, fluctuated throughout the day, Zantac 150 (my pre-surgery standby) wouldn't touch it, and the Gas X etc. was useless.  After a scope @ TWH, it turned out that I had a medium sized ulcer!  A totally new problem for me.

They put me Prevacid Fastabs 30mg for 4 months - and now at 2 months it's healing apparently.  I feel fine now, can eat anything, and life is normal.  What caused it ..... who knows? 
Thought this might be of interest to you.  Let me know how your situation resolves, would you?

Hope you feel better soon - it's nasty.

Claire

PS - They gave me the Prevacid to control the pain pre-scope (I had to wait 6 weeks) - and under the cir****tances, thank heaven!!!!

I called the clinic.  The surgeon is going to see me on the 22nd of this month.  Phewf.  In the meantime they told me to contact my GP for a prescription for Prevacid, which I did and he is sending it out tomorrow.  Relief here I come!!  I am hoping it is nothing, but I have a feeling it is something.  It is in conjunction with a very pointed pain that I have under one of my ribs that is always in the EXACT same spot.  I am sure it will get all sorted out.  The nurse was very attentive on the phone, and very, very helpful.  I am glad they are getting me in soon

Great!!!  In my case I got almost immediate relief once I started the Prevacid which I took once per day (6:00 AM).  Make sure you get the "FasTabs", not the normal ones, if you can.  For what it's worth, the surgeon told me last week that Prevacid can be taken twice a day. 

If you don't get relief pretty quickly, I would make sure you follow up aggressively - maybe go to the emergency at your Centre for a scope.  As I'm sure you realize, a scope is best done by a surgeon who understands bariatrics; and if it is an ulcer, you want to avoid having it  start to bleed or to perforate.  No reason to think that will happen because you're obviously being very proactive and catching anything early, but better safe than sorry! 

Take care Marni - many good vibes your way, and a wave of the healing wand too!  It feels sooooo good when the pain goes :)

Claire