Stomach acid reflux advice after surgery

I had to sleep well propped up for a while to avoid acid reflux if I slipped down and got too flat. I'm on one 30 mg lansoprazole for acid reduction and take it between 7:00am and whenever I wake up. I also have some Rennie's at my bedside as a backup. I think he should speak to a dietician or his GP about not eating after 5:00pm an empty stomach might not be the best way to deal with it as there's nothing in the stomach but acid. Perhaps what he is eating could be causing acidity, I find full fat milk helps me and I know some people advise not to eat after 8:00pm. I was told never to lie on my left side as the acid will just flow up as they removed the sphincter with the top third of my stomach. So I have learned to sleep propped up and have got used to it. He really needs to speak to someone. I hope this helps kind regards Frank.

Hi Frank,

Thank you for your your advice I will pass this on to my dad. Especially regarding the Rennie's and the milk as I don't think he hasn't tried that.

I know he has a consultation/review in a couple of weeks time and he will be bringing these things up regarding diet/stomach acid reflux at night. But I just wanted to see if there was any other things that might help him until then. Really appreciate your reply to my post!

Kind regards,

Sarah

Hi Daught3r, 

I was treated in 2018 and am still in remission. I do get acid reflux most nights. I'm on 4 x 20mg Omeprazole (PPI) per day before meals, sleep on a wedge and was advised by my CNS to take antacid tablets or if bad Peptac liquid at night when I wake up with acid reflux. This seems to work for me. I use Settlers tablets. My acid reflux was worse after surgery, i.e. things do get better!

Wishing your dad all the best.

Hi Anon, I know you have been here for a while and give lots of support to others here. You mentioned that you sleep on a wedge pillow and still have bother with acid reflux. I have the Putnam wedge pillow as I think you have, but I still have a few pillows on top of that. I rarely have a problem with acid reflux, only if I slip down really low. I found the wedge pillow on it's own wasn't effective enough. Just a thought, I mainly sleep on my back but occasionally lie on my right side just for a change of position before returning to lying on my back. My surgeon told me never to lie on my left side as there is nothing to stop the acid flowing up from the stomach. I take one 30 mg lansoprazole in the morning and generally never need to take anything else, I've even stopped taking a Rennie at bedtime. Anyway good luck and kind regards Frank.

Have you tried a gerd diet? I really struggled with being sick due to acid early in my treatment. My diet now avoids tomatoes, caffeine, alcohol, chillies and acidic foods since since I have been a lot better.

Dear Zappaman  and Vinny1986 , 

Many thanks for your advice and I hope it will be helpful for Daught3r's dad? and yes I have the Putnam wedge and no I can't sleep on my left hand side. I didn't have Ivor Lewis surgery I had laparoscopic assisted left thoracoabdominal esophagectomy which meant they gained access to me from my left hand side not my RHS (as in Ivor Lewis). This was due to a non-malignant lump in my right lung and the location of my tumour. It is still too uncomfortable for me to sleep on my LHS 3.5 years after surgery. So I sleep on my back now with a pillow under my legs to stop me sliding off the wedge. I do not eat for at least 3 hours before going to bed. I have heard of the gerd diet but not tried it. I'll give it a go. But I do find a swig of Peptac before bed does give me a much more un-interrupted night.