Question:
Lately, I wake up coughing up bitter acidic stuff that burns my whole throat...

I'm 2 years post-op (RNY) and can't figure out where "acid" is coming from since I thought our pouch doesn't produce that much acid anyway. I'm really worried at what this could mean. The acidic stuff tastes really bitter actually. Tastes like an aspirin crushed up. Has anyone had this type of situtation?    — Iris B. (posted on October 24, 2004)

October 24, 2004
Hi! I had this problem about 2 1/2 yrs ago. I was in the hospital because I could not keep anything down. My new pouch was producing too much mucus and once I threw up all of the mucus this acidy substance would come up. I would assume that you are having this problem due to your pouch being empty. I had 2 ulcers around this time as well so I would also have your doctor check this out. Hope this helps and good luck. Tracy
   — tracyr

October 24, 2004
Is it acid or is it bile? Sounds more like bile, so this would mean being seen in short order. ER if it is choking you, on the phone to the doc tomorrow, either way, OK?
   — vitalady

October 25, 2004
I had a similar problem the first few months post-op. It felt like stomach acid "squirted" up into my throat while I was asleep. It BURNED big time!!! It took quite a while to stop the burning and get the yucky taste out of my mouth. My doc gave me Carafate, which worked after a couple of days. I also discovered that drinking some Atkins Advantage canned protein shake stopped the burning instantly. I think it must coat the throat. I was scoped, but my doc found no reason for the acid. Very unpleasant experience. Good luck!!!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 25, 2004
Hi I too am 2 yrs post-op open RNY. About a year after I started having horrible pain in stomach that would double me over. It stopped after 6 months then I got yellow bile burning into my throat at night. It was the most disgusting thing I ever tasted. I called my surgeon and he did upper GI with small intestines and found nothing. Since I had recently had 2 abdominal surgeries he strongly suspects it may be adhesions causing problems. I still take prevacid and try to eat a little something before bed. For some reason that helps alot. But if it continues or gets worse I will have to have exploratory. Hope this helps in some way.
   — Sheryann Z.