sore pouch?

my surgeon has had me on protonix (a proton pump inhibitor--i.e. stomach acid reducer) for 4 months since surgery. i just came off of it this week, and have noticed that my pouch really hates being empty now!! it feels sore, not quite a hunger type feeling, but more of a dull ache. it's been a good incentive to drink my water though, as the pain subsides when i drink or eat anything, and of course i can't eat all the time so i'm constantly drinking water (and going to the potty, lol). i almost want to ask if i can go back on it, this is getting old, quickly! i worry also about getting an ulcer, i started back smoking post-op. yes, smack me--i couldn't lose my 3 biggest vices (food, caffeine, and nicotine) at the same time! i'm not quite ready to quit yet. i do plan on it, and i know i can do it, but the stress level in my life is a little too much right now and i don't think i would be successful if i tried quitting now. i'd feel safer continuing the medication until i do quit, as it would help protect me from getting an ulcer. what do you guys think?

Ask him if you can use OTC Prilosec, which is another ppi. It's pricey, but it works.

good idea, i didn't realize that prilosec was in the same family. thanks!

My sister and mom both smoke, so I can understand the addiction. The point is, you're using something to pacify yourself. I wish I could invent some way for people to make themselves happy (or feel better) that's not addictive. I could be a multimillionaire! Try reading the bible, praying, listening to inspiring music, and turning off the negative news/TV, especially in the evening. Huggs, Heidi

Hay Micelle I have been on Protonix for about 2years. It all started cus i had acid rflux. So I thought they would take me off just before surgery well they didnt and the Dr. would like me to keep taking protonix at least for another year. I know what your going threw with your tummy thow. Just last week I was out of Protonix for 4days. My tummy was not very happy at ALL!! I ended up in ER do such tummy pain. The pain I had was worse than surgery its self!!! I was told that I had VERY SEVER CASE OF GASTRINITIS!!! They gave me some liquid pepcid and with in 30 minutes i was 80% better!! Do talk to your Dr. about putting you back on something. I will never go with out my protonix again. I wish you a most peaceful and blessed day. CHER -63

i'm so glad to hear that i'm not alone in this! definitely going to see about a refill, at least until i'm further out and have quit smoking.

Hi michelle: I have a question, why did they put you on a stomach pill, I thought our pouches had little no acid. I often wondered if I had an ulcer in my pouch. Sometimes my pouch desends outward after I eat, or it gets a heavy uncomfortable feeling, and sometime I get a feeling like theres something in the back of my throat. I left a message for my baratric Dr but I never got an answer back.

I had GERD (reflux disease) pre-op. I think that's why he put me on it. The pain I have is a dull constant kind-of gnawy feeling in my pouch. Thankfully even without the medicine I haven't had any actual reflux into my throat though. The nurse called me in another 4 month course of Protonix and told me to go back to soft foods for a couple days while the meds kick in.