bile reflux, roux-en-y surgery

[Jim Murray]

I suffer terribly from bile reflux.Antacids obviously are not an answer.Questran does help a little.Prepulcid is not a  good choice either (I have dumping).Losec doesn't do any good.One surgeon first said that a roux-en-y corrective  surgery would probably give me SOME relief, but he changed his mind when he found that my previous surgery was a Bilroth 1 and not a Bilroth 11(he did not explain to me the difference!!!)Can YOU tell me the difference between the two types of surgery and offer any suggestions for the relief of the reflux problems.At present all I have been able to do for my symptoms are watch my diet (high in carbs & protein) and elevate the head of my bed.

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Jim,
When a portion of the stomach (antrectomy) is removed to treat ulcer disease, the stomach an dintestine myst be reattached.  A Bilroth II connects the stomach remanat to the small intestine, usually the jejunum.  IN some cases. the stomach can be reattached to the duodenum.  This form of attachment is called a Bilroth I.  The Bilroth I is not supposed to have much bile reflux, because th epylorus, the natural barrier limiting reflux from duodenum into stomach, is still present.  To confirm that there is substantial bile reflux, a nuclear medicine scan can be performed.  If there is substantial bile reflux then you made a Roux-en-Y surgery becaus emedical therapy is not that effective for bile reflux

[steve]

As a fellow reflux sufferer, I would recommend Prilosec, Prevacid is another drug that has similar impact, but I have always had better results with prilosec.  Also, elevate your bad 45-60 degrees at night, avoid eating late at night and stay away from Chocolate, as much as possible.

I hope you don't mind, I am using your thread to ask a question of my own below, hope th einfo is helpful.

[Another Question on this topic (Steve)]

I have reflux too, and have had a hacking, anooying cough for well over a year now.  I have tried Prilosec, which is effective for heartburn, but not the cough. I also used Gaviscon liquid for a while, but it didn't really do the trick.  In addition, I was diagnosed as having a minor case of asthma. I am now taking two inhalers (Pulmicort and Aerobid) for the asthma, and Prilosec and the ocassional antacid for the reflux, and still I have the cough.  I do notice that it  (The cough) gets much worse after meals...

[PISSED OFF!!!]

Dear Forum Participant,

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THE ONLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS HERE ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO FART AND BURP ?????????? ANSWER THE SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING ONE DAMMIT!!

[Pat]

Steve,
Reflux can cause the cough you have, I too have had this and the GI Dr. explained this to me.  It can also be the cause of the asthma you are having.  You should check with you GI doctor or go for another evaluation.

[virgo0823]

To Jim M,

Have you been checked for eshopagus and or stomach inflammation? I was recently diagnosed with Stage II Barrett's Syndrome, GERD and also just had my gallbladder removed.  I drink moderately and smoke once a week but have been doing this over 20 years.  The doctor gave me a new drug called Acipex.  It is great with no known side affects.  I had been given Priolsec before and had stomach and headache problems worse then the stomach problems I had before.  You might ask the doc about this.  Drinking and smoking can cause irritation and  inflamation (inflammation) in these areas.   Good Luck

[Kate]

What is Barrett's Syndrome and GERD exactly? I have had stomache problems for 11-12 years. I just recently had my gall bladder removed because of so many frequent problems with nausea and pain. I was finally hospitalized in Dec. 99 and was told my white blood cell count was at 15,000 (normal is 5,000); my spleen was enlarged, my liver was enlarged, my gall bladder was enlarged and a small ulcer was evident. They ran tests for 5 days and ruled out everything except for gall bladder disease. I didn't show any signs of stones, but I knew that fattier meals usually worsened the condition. My main symptoms over these years have been problems with major nausea and usually vomitting whenever I eat meals. The symptoms have been worsening with every year, but there has never been a real pattern to it. Earlier on it would kind of come and go - maybe bother me for six months and then the problems would disappear for another 4 months, and so on. It has now gotten to the point with nearly every meal, I feel sick.
I had my gall bladder removed 7 weeks ago and now I am experiencing problems of major heart burn and reflux. I also have problems with diahhrea more often than I've ever had. As well, the problems of feeling nauseated and vomitting when I eat are still there, although I must admit I don't have quite the pain I had before. Part of me feels like I just bring this on myself, but the other part of me knows there's got to be a reason why I have such difficulties eating and my stomache. I am 31 years old.
Any feedback?

[To Kate]

Hi Kate,
Your symptoms sound a lot like Gastroparesis which is delayed emptying of the stomach. The test to diagnose this is a gastric emptying study, a painless and easy test. It's best to have this test done while you're having symptoms. You might find it helpful to read other posts in this forum from people with Gastroparesis, and maybe do some research on the web. You are not alone with these symptoms and your symptoms are not in your head, don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Symptoms can worsen over the years and also around your menstrual cycle. If this is what you have there's drugs that can control the symptoms. For the reflux and heartburn it sometimes helps to elevate the head of your bed. Good luck and God bless!  Cassandra

[Betty]

I have a question.  I have had acid-reflux daily for the past nine months.  I was diagnoised with chronic ulcerated esophagus.  After months of taking aciphex and propulsid (I had a reaction to other anti-acids like prevacid), I had a fundoplication done and had my gallbadder removed at the same time, this was five weeks ago and still no relief from the reflux.  My throat is getting very irritated.  I can feel the acid attacking my voicebox as well.  I am on the maxium dosage allowed of the medicines I am taking.  Can you offer any suggestions.  All help appreciated.

[Kathy]

Would weight loss and a low fat diet help with the treatment of biliary gastritis? Does limiting caffeine also help?

[Betty]

I HAD MY GALL BLADDER REMOVED 3 YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. MY SYMPTOMS ARE BAD BURNING, DIAHHREA (ONLY WHEN NOT ON QUESTRAN),BACK PAIN ,TIGHTENING OF THROAT. A WEEK AGO I HAD A ENDOSCOPY DONE WHICH REVEALED I HAD BILE REFLUX WHICH CAUSED ESOPHAGITIS AND GASTRITIS ,HIATIAL HERNIA .I WAS PUT ON PREVACID, QUESTRAN,10 MG OF ELAVIL.IAM 30 YEARS OLD AND FEEL TERRIBLE FOR A LONG TIME AND I FEEL LIKE I AM LOSING MY MIND.I STILL FEEL TERRIBLE BURNING AND SOMETIMES I HAVE THE CHILLS.

[Carol]

I HAD MY GALLBLADDER REMOVED AND RECENTLY I HAD AN ENDOSCOPY THAT SHOWED THAT I HAVE BILE IN MY STOMACH AND THE DR. PUT ME ON  QUESTRAN BEFORE DINNER AND PREVACID 30MGM AT 8AM. ALSO HE  STARTED ME ON ELAVIL 10 MGM AT BEDTIME . PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS  TREATMENT. PLEASE  HELP ME . THANKS.


THE ENDOSCOPY SHOWED SEVERE INFLAMMATION OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND STOMACH. PLEASE REPLY TO CAROL.

[Mary Tamms]

I had been suffering from pain just under my breastbone
and at one time vomiting for four hours nearly constant,
along with some diarreha.  I had an ultrasound done
which showed that I had gallstones.  I had my gallbladder
removed and I am still having the same problem.
I seem to have much bloating after meals.  Also
vomiting what appears to be undigested food,along with
horrible tasting bile.  I thought having my gallbladder
removed would eliminate the problem,but that
didn't happen.  Does anyone have any comments
or advice about this ?

[samantha Neesom]

Can you help

My father has had a total gastrectomy and his spleen and gall bladder removed.  He now suffers from severe bile reflux which burns his throat and mouth and causes discomfort as fluid is brought up every time he eats.  I would appreciate any information or help as he is wasting away before us which is heartbreaking to see.  Please help

Thank you Sam

[samantha Neesom]

Can you help

My father has had a total gastrectomy and his spleen and gall bladder removed.  He now suffers from severe bile reflux which burns his throat and mouth and causes discomfort as fluid is brought up every time he eats.  I would appreciate any information or help as he is wasting away before us which is heartbreaking to see.  Please help

Thank you Sam

[Eileen]

can anyone give me information on gastric pacing

[mel]

Oh my word!  I cant believe it!  People like me with the same symptoms!  I have bile reflux, and a mild hiatial hernia, and chronic gastritis, and worst of all - delayed stomach emptying and bile regurgitation, which makes me feel generally freezing cold, lethargic, and I get seriously bad headaches (I blame the fact that food isn't getting to the small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream) and obesity (even though I eat far less than the average person).  I have to take Losec, Domperidone, Gastrocote, Cop-roxamol (I get joint pain occasionally), and Diprobase (for really dry skin, instead of soap).  My GP says I was born with this problem and told me there was only one other person with it on the surgery's books.  Is there a support group for this kind of thing in the UK does anyone know, or does someone fancy setting one up?

[phil bravin ([e-mail])]

for all of you...try lemon drops from CVS..it works wonders for me when dealing with bile reflix, in addition to taking propulsid and eating very very small meals after a 90 percent removal of my stomach 7 years ago..i discovered lemon drops 2 years ago and i swear by them

[Beryl Graham]

Have any of you heard that Prepulcid has been recalled from the market.  It is said that it caused heart attacks.  I'd like to know how true this is.

[sue]

I talked this over with my doctor.  He said Propulsid is perfectly safe for people who are NOT on heart medication or have heart problems.  The drug may be pulled from the shelves, but it will still be manufactured.  Your doctor will place you in a "pool" with other patients who still need to take it.  Either you will be able to receive it from your doctor or the pharmacies will supply it only to the people who are put in the "pool".  So far, my doctor and pharmacy have not heard anything as yet.  Don't worry..if this med is helping you, you will still be able to get it.

[dorothy]

I ALSO HAVE BILE REFLUX I FIND THE NAUSEA HORRIBLE. I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA 3 YEARS AGO AND ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF THIS IS CHRONIC GASTRITIS. I HAD A UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY A FEW WEEKS AGO AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE FREE REFLUX OF STOMACH CONTENTS AND INTESTINAL METAPLASIA WHICH AGAIN IS COMMON WITH   PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA, WITH PA ONE DOES NOT PRODUCE ACID JUST BILE, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM AS A LOT OF THE MEDICINES  FOR REFLUX ARE FOR ACID. OTHERWISE THE ANAEMIA IS VERY TREATABLE B12 INJECTIONS MONTHLY FOR LIFE, PLUS ONE NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE INCREASED RISK OF GASTRIC CANCER HENCE REGULAR ENDOSCOPIES.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE PERNICIOUS ANAEMIA? AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR PROBLEMS I HOPE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE.
DOROTHY

[Veronica Bickel]

I had several EDG which showed i had a ulcerated ulcer,now they say i have a slow growing tumor that could be cancerous.What does that mean.
                      ***@****
                                        Thank you.

[saada]

bile reflux

[Mary]

I have had a cronic cough for two years. I am currently taking Acipex. I have no heartburn and have hardly had any, but the cough is horrible. I do not have asthma according to my doctor. I do have acid reflux and a hiatial hernia. I found that cutting back on coffee alone helped a great deal with symptoms also no caffeine, chocolate, little alcohol and try to quit smoking. There must be someome out there who knows of a cure (herbal?) I will not accept that I have to live with this There must be something! Anyone?

[dmw0597]

A related discussion, Tired of the burning was started.