Question:
I am 8 days post-op having upper back ache and bad heartburn.

Has anyone else had those problems? Any advise? I thought heartburn would go away. I was on Aciphex before surgery; but the Dr. does not want me taking them now! HELP!    — J S. (posted on October 29, 2002)

October 29, 2002
How does water taste?
   — vitalady

October 29, 2002
I went to my surgeon last week with the exact same complaint. He thinks that I have a very small ulcer that can be corrected with just a couple of weeks of medication.
   — Linda A.

October 30, 2002
THE PAIN IN YOUR UPPER BACK RIGHT BETWEEN YOUR SHOULDER BLADES MEANS YOU'RE OVEREATING. YOU'RE PROBABLY EATING TOO FAST ALSO. BELIEVE ME, I KNOW. YOU'RE A NEW PRE-OP SO YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL. DON'T WORRY, IT GETS BETTER AS TIME GOES BY. SLOW DOWN AND CHEW!!!!
   — MURRAY

October 30, 2002
I also had terrible heartburn and reflux, I had test run and everything was normal. My surgeon prescribed Nexium, but the side effects were as bad as the problem. I took Carafate which helped...but found that taking an over the counter medicine, Zantac 75, eliminated the problem entirely. I am now heartburn free and very happy for 16 months. hang in there.
   — m911girl

October 31, 2002
Hi-- I have a really bad case of ulcer at the anastomosis, and what has helped is I am currently on 40mg 2x daily prilosec and 4x daily carafate. Althought it can be bothersome in terms of having to remember to take it, it has helped the "bleeding" ulcers that I have had. I have taken Protonix, and in Pill form, it gives me really bad gas. In IV form, it works OK.. Dr's suggestion is to stay on Prilosec vs Protonix in terms of pills
   — Ferdinand B.

October 31, 2002
I also had the back pain that you refer to. It is a combination of the gasses moving out of the body and lungs, and the position I was in during surgery. My body was in a position it isn't used to, and the muscles were yelling at me. I had a kink so bad on one shoulder blade I thought I'd been shot. It's perfectly normal. I am on protonix for the reflux, I was on it before surgery and will remain on it until my next check up. I am 7 weeks out, and down about 40 pounds. If the back pain increases or doesn't go away in a few days, be sure to call your doctor back. I'd take an over the counter acid medicine. Just check for sugar in the ingredients.
   — wiggie34