Question:
Do we absorb medications the same as before

I am 10 months post-op and have developed an ulcer that I have been battling for several months. I am taking Prevacid to get rid of it, but according to me and my PCP, it seems to be taking longer than it should. My question is that I am currently taking 30mg of the Prevacid and am told that it is the highest dose that is normally prescribed. Could it be possible that I am not absorbing all of it? PCP isnt sure, and I havent had much luck getting a hold of my surgeon. And could someone explain exactly how Prevacid works. I know it reduces the acid production, but if there is an ulcer in the bypassed portion, does it benefit that? My ulcer was the largest one that my gastroenterologist had ever seen, and it is located just inside my small intestine. But the majority of my pain is on the lower left side, leading me to believe that their is either more than one, or something else going on as well. The pain I was experiencing was greatly redudced after taking the prevacid for only a couple of weeks, but now that I am back to work and in a more stressfull environment, the pain is coming back full force. I'm just sick of it!!! Anyhow, should I be taking more prevacid or no? Sorry for my lengthy rant. : )    — RebeccaP (posted on August 9, 2002)

August 9, 2002
Rebecca, I can't address Prevacid, but I do think that we have difficulty absorbing some types of medication post-op. I had a respitory infection at about 3 months post-op and was on an anti-biotic pill but after finished the meds I was not better. Eventually my PCP gave me injections of anti-biotics and after 3 or 4 of them I got better. I've heard others on here say that to test your medication, put one pill in a glass of water and if it dissolves right away it will absorb into your system. If it doesn't then it probably won't. Don't know if thats true or not but it makes sense.
   — Cindy R.

August 9, 2002
Rebecca, I agree with the last poster about the fact that we all absorb differently. A lot of things contribute to that...how much intestine is bypassed, etc. I know Prevacid is an Excellent drug, but would your doctor consider trying Nexium? I don't know if it will work any better, but I have heard that it is a "miracle worker" for some. My brother-in-law suffered from a hiatal hernia for 15 years and lived on Axid. He took Nexium for 2 weeks, and has had NO symptoms for 6 mo. No, he's not had WLS, but it sounds like the drug may be a bit "stronger" than many others on the market. ALSO: has the ulcer been tested for H. Pylori bacteria ? You will have to have antibiotics on top of the acid controllers to get rid of one of those. Good Luck.
   — Tina B.

August 9, 2002
Marginal ulcer. My middle name for years. I took Prilosec X 3, even though std dose is one. IF your staple line is still intact, then no, the meds can't reach the bypassed stomach. You might need another scope to see if you are better, worse, same. Perhaps just a switch of brands. Prevacid was the same as nothing at all for me, but that doesn't mean it's not good. Presumably, when they scoped, they checked for h.pylori at the time?
   — vitalady

August 9, 2002
Yes they tested for H pylori and it was negative. I do not have a staple line disruption and everything looks fine. I will ask about the nexium, and the doc says that if the pain is not completly gone in two weeks, that will be 3 mos on the prevacid, that they will schedule another scope.
   — RebeccaP

August 9, 2002
I had a bleeding ulcer in March 200 and June 2000. It was on staple line and I think it is disrupted. The doctor put me on 90 mg a Prevacid a day (3 capsules). It helped but I think it made me leak?? because I have put back almost all of my weight. please have this checked ASAP. You don't want to end up like me.
   — snicklefritz