So after 3 years (surgiversary tomorrow), I am having significant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms. Even water will give me heartburn. Two weeks ago I added Zantac to my daily routine and now find that I need 2 a day and then I still get the heartburn with EVERYTHING. I thought by doing the 5dpt, I would solve the problem - but, man-o-man, it is terrible. I stopped drinking red wine, usually had a glass with dinner nightly, any type of acidic food, no butter - went low-fat, rarely any "white" food, no added spice, no high processed food, no junk food, etc. Since going back to sensible eating after the 5dpt, the first day was fine, and now having horrible reflux symptoms again and the Zantac is not cutting the mustard! And... now "prudence" (my pouch) is being quite finiky. I know I'll have to go and see the doc, as I do have a gastrogastric fistula and suppose I could be refluxing regular stomach acid into my pouch, but just curious if anyone else suffers "heartburn" or GERD???? I am in total fear of an ulcer, which I hear is quite dangerous with our pouch - I had ulcers 30 years ago, but cured with Tagamet (then only by Rx)... Oh, and before I started the Zantac, I was having to take about 10-15 TUMS/day - had them everywhere - bottle on my desk, bottle in my purse, bottle in the car, bottle in the kitchen, bottle next to my bed - was afraid of getting a kidney stone from so much calcium...

So what makes your pouch grumpy? and does anyone else suffer like I do?

No way can I do alcohol Ms. B... And I've also become lactose intollerant.
The way it strike MOST of us is that we cannot tollerate milk or ice cream.
But we do fine with cheese and yogurt... fermented milk products. Are you
consuming milk in any form?? There are some great substitutes!

I had TERRIBLE reflux for awhile...... but I'm a bandit and my band was too tight.......

A little unfill and I feel great.

Mrs B,
I had GERD before WLS. All kinds of tests to make sure it wasn't a heart attack. I can feel your pain! My surgeon directed me to go back on Prilosec OTC if I get it now. So far the Ranitidine (prescription for Zantac) is keeping me pain-free.
When I went to my pharmacist a couple weeks ago to make sure I wasn't taking anything together that shouldn't be, he pointed out how important it is to take my Ranitidine. He said not all surgeons are prescribing for acid & he's had some customers who have developed ulcers because of it.
Hope your doc can get you some relief; GERD is no fun!
Happy surgiversary!!!

I don't do milk, as I didn't drink milk prior to surgery. I do, however, do milk products occasionally, i.e., cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. However, haven't been eating too much of that stuff in the last couple of months as I haven't the palate for fat-free or low-fat in those products, so pretty much stay away from it alltogether. I get plenty of protein, usually 70-80/day, sometimes more if I'm overeating, as I supplement with Profect for my protein. I guess I'll just have to do an elemination/addition way of eating for a while to see what the dang causes are for this... I felt pretty good while doing the 5dpt and didn't have too many symptoms, but gosh - I'd really like to get to the bottom of this. Thanks so much for your reply.

Thanks so much BeJean for the happy surgiversary - I would do this again in a new york minute! I did have GERD prior to surgery also and was tested for everything under the sun, also. I think I should just break down and go see my surgeon again. After surgery, he put me on Previcid for 3 months, as is his routine for all of his patients. I guess I could try that, as I see it has hit the OTC market. The Zantac is just not cutting it. Thanks so much for your reply :)

Glad you found the "fix", Beth! Thanks for your reply -- Keeeeuuuuuuteee avitar, BTW :)

First, happy, happy surgiversary!

About your problem. Go to the doctor. There are so many red flags that go up for us regarding post-surgery digestive problems. This isn't one to mess with so make and appointment and find out for sure. Please let us know the outcome!

You are so RIGHT, Celadon!!! I made that call this afternoon, actually. Can't get in for 2 weeks, but that's par for his office. Actually, this is a good thing to get my patootie in to see him, as it has been a year and like I mentioned above, I do have other issues. I know I am looking at revision surgery for the gastrogastric fistula, as he told me after my long hospital stay that if I began gaining significant weight, etc., he would need to put the "camera" back in and close up the fistula - a nice way of saying I'd be undergoing laparoscopic revision :) You know what they say, everything has a silver lining - and this silver lining of the GERD troubles will get me back in there and on the road to fix my tool -- can't have a broken tool, dontcha know :) Thanks for your reply!

I agree to go to the Doc but call back and tell them you are in PAIN and need to be seen ASAP. All Dr's can squeeze in a patient who needs help NOW! Don't take no for an answer. Dr's work for us. We pay their salaries thru our insurance so be persistant. Ask every day if they have had a cancellation which they do cause lots of people going for the initial eval cancel appts. Just bug them until they cave in!

Oh yeah, listen to Gina. It can't hurt to call back and be insistant. I am so glad that you made the call though. Take care and let us know how things are going and what the results of your doctor's visit are.

Hi....Sorry to hear of your discomfort..My surgeon put me on Nexium for 3 months post op...Now 5 years later I'm finding I'm having some GI "heartburn" in the evening hours about 2x week..Since my surgeon is 2 states away & it's hard to travel there, I spoke with my medical doctor & asked him about Nexium & he advised me to take some Prilosec OTC medication for awhile...I went to Walmart & the OTC Prilosec was about $20.00 for a 4 week supply, however Walmart now has their own Equate brand of Prilosec called Omeprazole for $15.00...(I do not have perscription coverage under my health plan & Nexium was too costly, isn't generic & is not covered under Walmarts $4.00 perscriptions) I will go on that for a two week period & see what happens...(I'm on day 3 & there has been no recurrance) but I will keep a check on it & will follow up with my doctor...

Since you're prone to ulcers it's a good thing to follow up with your MD...Stay positive!