antacids, PPIs, and H2 receptor blockers
I was interested in hearing what other people are going about GED/heartburn after surgery. I've noticed that when my head hunger is worst it's consistent with my having heartburn. I don't know if it's a causative effect, but I think it's an easy enough variable to remove from analysis.
Currently I'm on Zantac / Ranitidine OTC 150mg x twice daily. It's an H2 blocker that I understand is at the low end of the scale. I've been on it for about 15 or so years. I understand that PPIs will be better for this however.
I know I need to do something though- I can't keep popping antacids all day AND take the Zantac. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
HW: 495 Consult: 390 SW: 361 CW: 289
on 3/27/14 5:18 am - Canada
Go to your doctor and get a prescription strength PPI. Acid mimics hunger and eventually you will be able to get that food in :|
You also don't need that level of acid in your new tummy. I have struggled to find the right PPI...I just started Nexium yesterday. It's my third and hopefully it's the one. The last thing you need is stomach erosion or ulcers :(
I am interested in seeing others' replies to this.
I started on Prilosec post-op. Had to bump it up to twice day because I was getting gurgling and a lot of hunger pains. I started taking a Gaviscon tablet in the afternoon on the advice of my doctor. Then I switched to Prevacid and that seemed to work better than Prilosec. Continued with that routine for quite awhile.
Then a couple months ago I decided I wanted to get off of PPIs. I don't think it's ideal to take them forever. So I switched to Pepcid twice a day, with a couple Gaviscon tablets spread during the day. After about a month or so, I realized that wasn't cutting it. So I picked up some Prevacid and am now taking one of those a day, and one Pepcid, and if I get any symptoms I have a Tums or two. Tums seems to work better than Gaviscon. I am thinking I can cut it back to a Prevacid every other day or so. We'll see.
So clearly, I don't have the answer to your dilemma, but this has been my acid remedy story so far.
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
I, too, have taken meds for over 15 years for GERD even tho I had had surgery to correct it. I have run the gamut but found a few that really worked.
Aciphex is good, but costly. Some insurances will not cover it.
I currently take Dexilant (started as Kapidex). I'm only 5 weeks post op tho, and not sure how well it's doing. I'm mainly taking otc omeprazole as the Dexilant capsules are wreaking havoc on my stomach (stuck feeling). I'm going to have a scope tho to see if I have a stricture.
Good luck to you. GERD really is horrible to live with. Hopefully it will get better with time and we won't need these meds.
Nancy
In all my days ahead I vow to be kind to myself. This shall also be a new and exciting experience.
Hey, surgibuddy. Dr. Snow put me on 40mg of Protonix a day when my first EGD showed some irritation, and it's worked like a charm. Now I know I'm a pouchy and you're a sleever, but I'd definitely ask about getting a prescription for a PPI to help out.
Good luck!
Surgery: RNY on 12/18/2013 with Jay M. Snow, MD "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." - Robert Herjavec, quoting Al Capone
Hey Pam! Yeah, I called in and he wants to see me next week. Got called to the principal's office I guess.
I haven't had another scope since surgery, in fact I had a swallow test in February but that's it. I juts keep noticing it's getting bad and it's time to deal with it before I start doing something dumb with my mouth.
HW: 495 Consult: 390 SW: 361 CW: 289
