This is reflux???? Holy Hell!

So, I just learned the power of reflux to take a girl down!  Last Tuesday, I started getting a sore throat.  My little girl had strep a week earlier, so I thought...crap...strep!  I went to a clinic complaining with a sore throat and ears burning.  A rapid strep test revealed no strep.  I was like...dang...it certainly feels like strep.  I had it 3x last year.  Anyway, the Dr said it was probably allergy related and get claritin.  She also gave me a Z pac for just in case...Just in case of what???  Anyway, so Tuesday night I bought claritin and picked up the Z pac.  Throughout the day, the pain had gotten worse and NOTHING was touching it.  I even started the Z pac.  I didn't sleep a wink on Tuesday night for the pain was horrible.  I couldn't swallow.  In fact, I would spit my saliva out to avoid having to swallow.  After getting my girl to school, I called my sister.  She is a drama queen and was like GO TO THE ER!  I was like, hell no.  I'll be fine after I take another antibiotic, which I did and tried to sleep.  I woke up like 10:30 and I was deathly ill.  I texted her that I needed to go to the ER.  She picked me up and took me.

I was tested for mono, strep, and flu.  All negative.  The ER doc was like...your throat and your ears aren't that red.  I was hurting so bad I started to cry.  They gave me fluid and morphine.  I was so in awe of what if could be.  My sister thought I had a leak and was freaking.  The ER doc sent me to an ENT.  She put a mirror down my throat and said, "Your esophagus looks burned...you have reflux!"  I was like...I don't have heartburn.  My mother called my surgeon and the ENT and my surgeon discussed the issue.  Come to find out...it was definitely.  After days of prevacid 30mg 2x daily and hydrocodone, I am happy to report that I am alive and well.  I can finally swallow, drink, and talk.

I am still shocked that it was reflux.  Reflux is EVIL... 

Dang gurl, that was a bad case of the relfux!!!! I only had one episode so far post-op and it happened last week. I swear I woke up choking thinking WTF!?! I couldn't stop coughing and along with it came that sour burning taste all down my throat, yuck!!!
I am glad you are feeling better!

Yep, reflux can be nasty and frightening.

Silent reflux, or asymptomatic reflux is the worse. I have it and Nexium keeps it under wraps.

For me, hunger is my only "symptom" and a bit of a burn at night if I miss too many doses.

Welcome to my world! I have had the worst reflux since post op 8/27.   I started 20mg prilosec for 5 days no relief then switched to Prevacid 30 mg for the last few days and it seems to be the same. It got better on the day I switched and Now I cant tell if it was the Prilosec or Prevacid. 

I have to sleep propped up on couch pillows and wake up with shooting liquid coming up.  Staying hydrated has been a challenge because I feel so full.   I dont even want to progress to soft foods until its under control. ( which I am supposed to do today!) 

The weight is coming off but I am feeling pretty crummy :( 

 Did your doc tell you to take it on an empty stomach and to wait 30-60 minutes to eat? And that it can take up to 10-14 days for Max efficacy? 

These drugs are time-released, they take time to build up in our systems. 

I hope you feel better soon! 

I have been praying for you, I'm glad to hear you are feeling better! Give me a call when you are up to it. Sending love to my sleeve sister!! Miss ya I hope to talk to you soon. 

I had never had those symptoms before this week and it is not fun.  I emailed my doc and he said to bump up the pantozol for a few days....it sucks, I feel for ya!!!  I am hoping it passes quickly.  Good luck!!

I actually have been wondering about this.  I currently have GERD ( I am still pre op).  My doctor has said that the sleeve can cause heartburn, but it is a coin toss.  With my history of GERD he will support either sleeve or RNY.  I would prefer to do the sleeve (and can go back and have it revised to a RNY if absolutely necessary later), due to the lack of malabsorbtion problems.  I really feel the sleeve is right for me. My only concern is the reflux. 

Whenever I lose weight, my reflux goes away.  My doctor did say that in his experience, people who had reflux pre surgery, it goes away post op.  Those who didn't have reflux pre surgery, have it post op.  What are your experiences?  Did those of you who have bad reflux have it prior to the surgery at all?  Is there anyone out there who had it prior to surgery, but doesn't now? 

Thanks all! 

I had heartburn a lot pre-op.  I haven't had any so that's why I was so shocked it was reflux.  My throat is a little sore today, so the acid must be kicking!  You may want to post your question to get more responses.