Acid Reflux / GERD

Nearly 2 months ago I had a severe case of sore throat (which I often suffered from prior to the surgery) and my PC Physician said it was a virus.  My sympthoms were particularly problematic at night.  When it didn't go away after three weeks I sought the advise of an ENT specialist.  He said it was acid reflux and give me a 3 weeks supply of Nexum and then told me to purchase OC Prilosec and take it daily before my evening meal.  While taking the nexum I found relief most days but now that I'm on the prilosec I experience the problem during the day and in the evening.  Too, I'm not a pill taker and the though of having to take a pill daily really bothers me.  Has anyone had this problem and found a solution or can offer advice?  I know that there is a surgical option but in reviewing the Webmd.com website they state that a likely candicate for GERD laproscopic surgery is someone whose never had abdominal surgery before.  Has anyone here had GERD laproscopic surgery after undergoing RNY Gastric Bypass? Tarsha

Tarsha, I don't really know what to say. I have not had surgery yet but I did have GERD. It went untreated for many years with me just taking otc drugs for it. It is now Barretts Esophagus which is a pre cancerous condition due to untreated GERD. I was told by my doctor that when I have GBS it should take all symptoms away. Also, I did not know of any surgery that they do for GERD. I take a Nexium every morning and I don't have many symptoms. Take care...Gail

Thanks for the info Gail.  When I took the Nexium it did work.  I just would like to not have to take the purple pill, lol.  I'd rather try to eliminate the problem with a natural cure or adjust my diet.  I'm exploring all possibilities and I contacted my surgeon today to make an appointment to discuss the issue.  That bad news is that he can't see me until mid July.  I may see the ENT specialist in the interim to see if I can find some temporary relief. Good luck to you on your surgery.   T

Hi Tarsha,

I'm not sure this is an answer for you as I haven't had my wls surgery yet, but I'll share my acid reflux experience- it isn't recent. I had tried all the antacids and several of what were then brand new prescription meds. There was relief, but I always felt the problem was just being masked. What finally worked was a change in diet ( for me no spicey in the evening meal) , the time of day I swallowed my last bite of food, and sleeping with my head raised higher than my stomach. The relief was almost immediate. I also increased my water intake. Hope this helps, Mark

Thanks for the suggestion Mark.  What time do you stop eating in the evening?  I normally don't get home until after 6:30 p.m.  When I was taking the Nexium I had to take it a 1/2 hour before my meal so I usually ate sometime after 7:30 p.m.  The problem arose when I couldn't lie down for 2 hours after eating and with me having to get up so early in the morning going to bed later than 9:30 poises a problem for me.   T.

Normally dinner for me is around 6 or so. If its much later than that, I do try to avoid the acidic things. I've never tried Nexium, but I can see where your stomach is still fairly full at two hours after eating. I hope you find some comfort Mark

Hi Tarsha, You can ask for prevacid in a solutab.  I dissolves in your mouth.  I had majoer acid reflux before surgery.  My surgeon has me on prevacid he said I can stop using it at 3 months post op but when I didn't take the other day I felt a little of the acid reflux so I am still going to take it for a while.  I used to take prilosec before havign my surgery and there were times when I had break throughs. I have heard of surgery for gerd but I do not know much about it.  They have to do special tests to see if you really need that surgery. I I want to wish you the best.  

Thanks Cira! T.

I never had any problems before or after surgery with this. My doctor has me on Prevacid once a day for the rest of my life. He said it will keep me from getting ulcers. Doctors are so different in their protocols. Wanda

I had a consult with my Gastro doc yesterday.  They gave me a newer pill on the market called Acephix (sp?).  I had relief after the1st pill.   It is taken once per day.  And they gave me a gift card to use at the Pharm as a free trial for the med.   I havent had heartburn for 2 days now, not even at night time.   Its worth asking about.   K