Seriously painful heartburn

I've taken omeprazol since VSG Jan 2012 (in Mexico) and all has been good. The past two weeks or so I've been experiencing hardcore heartburn, reflux, vomiting, sour stomach. All of it. Primary doc said to add Zantac which I've done but I don't think it's doing much. I find myself popping extra omeprazols or an extra (or 2) Zantac and some Tums just hoping for relief. Might work for a bit then the pain comes back. Have an appt with primary doc next Friday (soonest I could fit it in my schedule). Anyone have any quick relief that's worked for them?  I'm pretty sure she's going to refer me to a gastroenterologist and I'm scared he's going to suggest a scope which scares the hell out of me: had two in the past for other issues and was told I had IBS. I'm really really scared to have it done. And maybe I'm just jumping the gun and expecting the worst but any advice on any of these issues would be great. Also, absolutely nothing different in what I'm eating so I can't pinpoint it on anything.

I'm sorry you are having trouble.  Heartburn sucks.  Things that have helped me - elevating the head of my bed when I sleep, not eating close to bedtime, cutting out acidic stuff like coffee. 

VSG is notorious for causing heartburn, or making it much worse. Many people with severe GERD (heartburn) will opt to have a revision to RNY to cure it.  You could use the search feature ( little magnifying glass in the blue bar at the top of the screen) to help you find answers.

I had severe GERD for 25 years caused by an old (VBG) weight loss surgery.  I revised to RNY and have not had a problem since.

I hope you find answers.  Heartburn is not just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous if left untreated.

Rocky...you and I are so similar. I had gastric stapling in 1989 and for 25 years sever GERD. Many times I thought I was not going to have the strength to make it to the next day. Dr's had no solution except to take out acidic foods. The original surgeon told me it was all in my head. I had no knowledge of RNY until my stomach was unable to tolerate any food. For a year and half I survived on ensure until I could get approved for RNY. it's been one hell of an existence. Finally I found a surgeon who advised RNY was my only hope. Since July 10.. Have not had one incidence of acid reflux, Vomitting or horrendous pain. However for anybody else reading. If you experience GERD problems get it taken care of. The scar tissue and twisted stomach over the years had attached to my pancreas and liver. Pulled these organs out of position. It took my surgeon 3 Hrs to rip my stomach away from these organs and anchor back in proper position. Don't be afraid of a scope and ask for CT Scan. Get all the angles to see what your stomach is really doing while you experience pain.

back to Rocky...we have to talk.

I had VBG in 1986.   My first surgeon mutilated me.  I went to 6 specialists and NOBODY had ever seen my issues before.  They did not even recognize my stomach.  My GERD was so bad that I had my bed propped  up at a steep angle ( I was practically sitting) and I  still woke up with stomach contents on my pillow every morning.  I was on 160 mg of Omeprozole ( almost overdose levels) and it didn't touch the acid.  I had dime sized acid sores in my  mouth and all my teeth were loose.  I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus and had 6 pre-cancerous tumors removed.  I was told there were only two surgeons in the country that MIGHT be able to repair the damage done by the first surgery.  I was referred to Mayo Clinic and FINALLY had a doctor willing to try. Then I spent nine months fighting with my insurance company.  I was told to get my affairs in order because I had a 1 in 4 chance that I would not make it through the surgery.  My surgery was 6 hours and most of that time was detaching my organs from my liver and abdominal wall.  Then the reconstruction began.  I can't even tell you how much scar tissue I had.  I was in ICU for 7 days.  The revision to RNY LITERALLY saved my life.  I take the WLS rules VERY seriously.  I don't EVER want to end up back where I was.

We need to "do lunch".... we have a lot to talk about!

Amazing. So when did you have RNY as a revision? Did you ever have to live a liquids only before RNY?

For a year and half...even on liquids only, I vomited average of 6 times a day and at least twice during the night. Yes I slept for years in a sit-up position and afraid I would choke to death during the night. 4 years ago treated for h-pyloric. Every scope I got, specialists.and the like told me they could not deal with the mess they encountered. Yes, my life was saved on July 10. And you are right, I must take the rules very very seriously. I don't expect a vast amount of weight loss. I'm doing fine. I take my blood pressure and blood sugar everyday. I'm not focusing on any other exercise right now than walking but I know I need to soon. Around 2:00 every afternoon, I crash, no energy, low blood sugar and very low blood pressure. Need to lay down for an hour. I'm 61 years old, I stopped working and there is not a second in the day that I am not thinking about what I am doing so that I never have to experience pre RNY again.

your surgery was twice longer. I did not develop tumors and I now see how lucky I was to be able to bounce back so well. I have tears in my eyes reading what you wrote. I just want to reach out to give you a big hug. I found two friends on this sight with a 25 year history like ours but nowhere nearly as extreme as what you encountered. What ever made you trust this last surgeon?

I had my revision in 2010 and that surgeon was my last hope.  I HAD to trust him.  By that point I was VERY sick.  I still ate very soft foods and did not have to live on liquids, but I did vomit most of what I ate.  I did drink a lot of my calories.  The sores in my mouth were the worst.  I was very painful.  I would hold ice cubes in my mouth for some relief.  Just getting through the day was work.  It feels so great to be able to garden and bend without feeling agony from stomach acid coming up.  The RNY revision gave me my life back.  I know that sounds melodramatic, but it is SO TRUE!

Nice to meet some one who sort of gets the torture we older "guinea pigs" of WLS went through.  

This sounds crazy but I have seen a lot of people get off of the Tums and Priolosec by drinking two tablespoons of raw vinegar in a six ounce glass of water three times a day.  I always buy Bragg Organic Vinegar at a health food store.  One friend said the heartburn was worse the first day but in a week it was all gone.

I started on the vinegar for weight loss and gave it to others for heartburn issues.  You can sweeten the drink with honey or other sweetener.  There is no medical evidence for this that I know of but it has been around for years as mouth to mouth info and now on the internet.

So somehow I had forgotten to take my morning omeprazol for a few days. That seemed to be the cause. Strange bc on the days I felt so badly I took omeprazol during the day thinking an extra dose would help. The only thing that helped was taking one in the morning.  Weird.

Will be glad to cancel my Drs appt.

I too had some nasty heartburn about 3 of 4 months into it. Sucked!

pantoprazle wasn't doin the job for me. Tums helped a little.

I discovered that when i drank too soon after eating. I quit doin it and immediately felt better. if I wait15 to 20min after a meal, I dont have the gerd. never experienced heartburn before surgery.

Once in a while, I still catch myself about to gulp down some water after the last bite goes down. Its hard not to wash down chow.

Worked for me, just sayin.

I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Rod