Question:
Can too many meds cause heartburn?

ok, i am about 2 1/2 years post op lap rny. ive been on the same meds for a long time. im on lortab, adderall, and ambien. ive had tons of family stress in the last couple of months, and the stress is just getting worse. (the family problems are just stuff going bad with my sister, nothing to do with me) i had GERD before i had wls, and it went away right after. i havent been bothered until now.do you think that a po wls patient can get GERD back? i dont know if it would be caused by stress, or my meds. but i was thinking that if it was my meds, that it would have shown up before now, right? im talking severe heartburn, doesnt matter what i eat, what i drink, what antacid (or other heartburn remedies i take), or how i sleep, it is there with me like a shadow on a cloudless day. it is getting rediculous! i have an app to see my pcp on tuesday, but i thought i would get your opinions first! stress or meds? and any other remedies...ill give them a try! (ive done some weird ones-pickle juice, milk every ten minutes, even though milk makes me ill LOL-straight vinegar-i mean, come on!!!) thanks guys! steph    — squeekypete (posted on August 29, 2008)

August 29, 2008
Hi, Steph. I'm not sure this will be much help, but I had heartburn before WLS and it, too, went away immediately following surgery. It comes back occasionally now, but one thing I have found is that I can no longer take my morning meds (or any others for that matter) on an empty stomach. I'm about 8-9 months post-op and I have had to learn to eat _something_ in the morning, otherwise I am in for heartburn for many hours. So, I eat a low-fat string cheese every day before taking my meds. It was hard to get used to (since I never ate breakfast before), but now it's just part of my daily routine. Good luck and I hope your problem clears up. dana
   — jujuprof

August 29, 2008
I don't know really, but, it sounds strange to me that meds you have been on long term would only now begin to cause you trouble. I would tend to believe unfortunately that it is probably stress induced. It could just be a reaction to the stress or an actual ulcer. Don't freak out though, you have an appointment and that is the best thing you could do. I didn't have RNY, I had LapBand, but, whenever I have a lot of stress, it leads to increased restriction which in turn leads to acid reflux and heartburn. I do get some relief from Maalox multi symptom. I can go and get a little bit of an unfill and it will ease up some. Are you experiencing increased restriction? I am so sorry you are going through so much with your loved ones. Try to hang in there and know we are here for you. Keep us informed. Good luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

August 30, 2008
Hi Stephanie, Can I make another suggestion? As your doctor for a referral to a therapist--just to help you learn other ways to deal with stress. OR, sign up for a meditation or yoga class or something like that. IF the GERD is being caused by your body's response to the stress you are feeling over your sister's situation, you may need to learn a new coping mechanism.
   — Tina G.

August 30, 2008
RNYer's have little acid in their pouch so meds could sit there undigested for a long time and irritate the pouch lining and even cause ulcers. I know NOTHING about the meds you are taking to even guess if that's what it causing acid reflux....but occasionally I do get an ache in my gut and I open a prevacid and it's gone in seconds...Yours sounds more like an ulcer or a hernia...best to get that checked out by a medical doctor! Good luck...Hope you find an answer soon! Be well!
   — .Anita R.

August 30, 2008
Could be stress or meds or a combination of the two. You can get GERD after RNY, tho it is not very common. It's also possible that you could have something else going on that is mimicking GERD. If you've gotten to the point where you are drinking vinegar and pickle juice (which doesn't make a lot of sense to me haha) then you've probably tried just about everything. :) Hang in there! I hope the appointment goes well on Tuesday... let us know how you make out. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee