Acid or Bile Reflux

I'm wondering if anyone else has had similar issues: I recently had an endoscopy to try to figure out my reflux issues. yes, during the month of Jan, I pushed my intake of chocolate and caffeine free diet soda and herbal tea, but why is it I've never heard of others having this issue. I realize that dark chocolate has more caffeine than milk, but it's still less than non-decaf coffee and soda. The Dr that did my WLS surgery found my stoma to be a little small so he dilate it (ouch). He's hoping that will help the reflux. He also found bile in my intestine before he should have. The reason is that where the remnant stomach & intestine is attached to my intestine is closer to the stoma than it should of been even though I had radial done. I got a reasonable explanation as to why that can happen (as the intestine is so pliable that it's more of an estimate than easy measurment as to where to reattach whether doing distal or radial). I struggle with this, though I know I sound like a teenager, no one else I know is having this issue of not being able to eat what they want. The dr wants me to figure out if it's bile reflux, which would not be helped with meds, or acid reflux. I'm on protonix, 1 a day. I guess I'm just so frustrated that I want to be able to enjoy the little bit of food I do eat. For the record, I'm within 8 pounds of my lowest weight and 5 from my ideal, so it's not like I'm pigging out. Does anyone have any friendly feedback or personal experience with this? Kar Gal

i dont know if what i'm getting is the same as you...or even similar. but, you sound closer to me then anything else i've run into. i get violent burning in my assophogus at night. usually starting with a burp, or a cough that feels like a chimney sweeper is going up my throat from my chest. this feeling lasts for what seems like forever (an hour or so) sometimes i cough up black very fine granular stuff (been checked out...NOT blood...but they dont know what it is). the black (NOT grey...but true black) stuff doesnt happen a lot (three times since surgery in jan. '05). but, the burning happens a few times a month. doc put me on prevacid as needed. this happened the night before last, and i've been caughing up green phlegm ever since. i quit smoking the day of surgery, and havent smoked since. i dont do coffee, hardly (maybe once a month or so). i stick to the walmart brand of crystal lite, and the occassional unsweet tea (i hate water) as far as drinking. i do chocolate once in a while, but not even weekly. i can eat pretty much what i want, except for pasta and rice. too much sugar lets me know it's there. if there's anyone out there that has a clue what's going on, i'd love to hear about it. brightest of blessings, paula

I am on protonix once a day and as long as I don't push the spices, vinegar, chocolate, carbonation, I do pretty good. Your black stuff is interesting and I am glad it's not blood. Good luck figuring this out. My endoscopy came back with a small stricture and that dialation has helped too. Karrie

I found this thread because I am doing some research about bile reflux. I had surg. in May of 05 and have had no complications of any sort until now. once or twice a week I will wake up choking, having aspirated bile!..It BURNS my lungs, tastes awful and feels very serious. Have not seen a doctor yet. I don't live in the same state where my surg. was done. Andrea