Help with a new developement

I posted this on Dr. Curry's site on the Lap Band Forum.  But I wondered if any of you experienced folks had all of a sudden had a problem like this.  Any idea what causes it, what can be done to prevent it?

Thanks for your insight.

Some history:  I was banded by Dr Ortiz 10-1-07, he also repaired a hiatal hernia.  Three fills at FCUsa (5 hours away).  Last fill 1-10-08.  Back to Mexico for a look at my band using fluoro on 10-18-08.  Great restriction, band looks good.  I have lost 95 pounds and I am very happy here.  My loss slowed down because I did.  Perhaps in the summer I'll get back to the gym to lose the last 10 pounds.  I do not eat anything for at least 3 hours before bed - I have never been a night time eater and I know it can cause problems.  I do take my four pills, one hour before bed.  The biggest is bupropeon.

The problem:  This has happened 4 times in the last 7 days.  After being in bed about 5 or 6 hours, I begin getting a foul tasting foaming back-up.  I swallow, or spit, and cough.  The only way to get it to stop is to get up.  I am able to eat as usual the rest of the day.  BTW - I get VERY crabby with only 6 hours of sleep.

Observation:  I HAVE been under quite a bit of stress the last month.  For the 5 years before banding I was taking ranitadine twice a day.  Should I go back to that?  I am my PCP's only band patient, my DH will be his second. I have no local surgeon to turn to.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well!

Because you had a hiatel hernia prior to your WLS, are you familiar with acid reflux?  Typically, a hiatel hernia causes acid reflus and occasionaly other problems such as chest pain after eating, etc.

It sounds like acid reflux.  Is it the same as you have experienced before, if you did experience that before?  Does it burn?  Acid typically burns.

Have you tried propping yourself up just a bit so that you are not laying flat?  Does that help?

Stress can certainly cause gastrointestinal problems.  Ranitidine is now sold over the counter so you could try some home treatment remedies before becoming too alarmed and having to consult a doctor.  By that I mean, not eating spicy foods up to 6 hours before bed (or in general all day), propping yourself up at night with pillows to sleep, and taking an over the counter medication like Ranitidine and/or Prilosec.  A note about Prilosec....while Prioloec over the counter is nearly the same medication in the name brand prescription, to make the equivalent of the prescription drug, the dosage must be doubled.  So, instead of taking one, you can take two.  However, I'd likely start with one because as always the less medication you can take to correct a problem is always best.

I hope this helps!

Thanks for your input.

I don't generally eat spicey food.  It doesn't burn.  Just tastes disgusting, and won't go away.  I've also tried propping myself up.  If I SIT up in my recliner, with just a little tilt back, it goes away.  But I can't get myself up that high in the bed.

I know that ranitadine is Zantac.  But I get my prescription drugs for free, and have to pay for OTC drugs.  My DH takes ranitadine, so I may try some of his for the next few nights, and see how that does.  If that doesn't work I may buy a little Prilosec, and see how that works.

When I had the hernia and was taking ranitadine regularly, it was to stop heartburn.  Before my doc started me on that I was eating Tums like M&M's for it.

Could fat do this?  I am not good about controlling my fat intake.  I enjoy butter and half-and-half, too much.

I think I need to go back to journaling my food.  Maybe then I can see a connection between what I eat, and the nights this happens.