UMX is in three days & having terrible acid reflux

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MellaBella
MellaBella Member Posts: 147
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I have called my doc who prescribed my reflux med (Prevacid) but may not hear back from them in time, as today is Friday and UMX surgery is Monday.

This is a rotten spot to be in.  I'm allowed no meds or OTC at all, except this 30mg of Prevacid for my acid reflux. 

I've had to go off my lupus/RA meds and ALL supplements that helped me so much. The reflux is so bad that it hurts my throat during the day, even when I'm upright.

I don't often have these acidic issues, but what a horrible time to have them!  

My MAIN concern is not how I feel today, but that I will have too much stomach acid during surgery and it will  find its way into my lungs during surgery.  OK, I admit, my anxiety is in full swing. Which isn't helping.

I want my doc to say I can take a double dose, but I don't dare do this without an OK, as I fear that the anesthesia doc may postpone my surgery because of breaking their strict rules. I'm not a fan of surgeries on Monday. No one to call for help with issues over the weekend!

Did any of you have issues with reflux/gerd and surgery? Anyone have any lung/aspiration issues during surgery?

(P.S. I apologize. I know this is disjointed. I have been so balanced until now, when, I have apparently lost my mind.)

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited April 2014

    I do not have acid reflux but I would call the surgeon's office and explain your concern

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  • MellaBella
    MellaBella Member Posts: 147
    edited April 2014

    I did call the surgeon's office and they told me is entirely an issue for the prescribing doc.

    Doctors are just way too booked to be helpful sometimes!

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  • coffeelatte
    coffeelatte Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2014

    Hi Mella. Wishing you good luck tomorrow and I want you to know tomorrow night at this time you will be looking at the TV in your room very thankful the worst (which is the fear) will be behind you.  I too have terrible acid reflux that acted up really bad weeks before my BMX  surgery last August.  We had our house up for sale at the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I was going through a lot of stress plus every cup of coffee or bite of tomato sauce I ate just burned like fire.  I was just fine after surgery and you will be too.  You will be slightly propped up when you wake up, your stomach will not have much in it and the drugs will slow everything down so the entire digestive system slows down quite a bit. They will have a breathing tube down your throat during the surgery so you will be in good hands.

    That said, I have to tell you I wore a tight binder for a few weeks after the surgery, then wore a tight camisole to help with swelling and that is what made my reflux worse than ever. It got so bad from wearing such tight undergarments. I was not thinking! Anyway, I am fine now but I do have to take my Prevacid and limit my coffee. You will have to share some of your tips with me as I can always use help with the miserable GERD that I suffer with too. You are going to be fine.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited April 2014

    Hi Mella, I am so sorry you're feeling like you've lost your mind, but we all understand exactly what that feels like. It is a really dreadful time, especilly when you have an issue that can't be resolved because it is the weekend.

    I have reflux issues too and RA as well. My reflux was through the roof as I prepared for my Mx. I did, double my meds and also took chewable antacids.

    CofeeLatte is right, the breathing tube will bypass that issue, my advice is to take throat lozenges with you. They were the one thing I didn't have with me and would have paid anything to have! LOL  

    I hope you were able to get the answers you were hoping for..take it easy if you can, you will be fine.

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  • MellaBella
    MellaBella Member Posts: 147
    edited April 2014

    Thanks ladies. Just wanted to offer a more-sane comment as a follow-up. Though, a warning: I am still foggy today from surgery yesterday. :)

    I did hear from the prescribing doc at the very last minute, and she allowed me to double my prevacid, which I took some liberties with and went longer than the 2 days she Ok'd. Even so, the night before surgery, I had so much reflux, which meant a lot of saliva and swallowing, and that is just what anesthesia doesn't want to hear. When I told the staff that the morning of surgery, they all made a screwed up face and said they would tube me during surgery, which was a good thing for me. 

    My experience has been fine and I went in at 6:30 and was home by 12:30. The only quirky thing is that the Tylenol 3, with codeine, keeps me awake, which is atypical I think. I am switched to regular tylenol and hopefully can get some rest now. Thanks everyone!

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  • Nanam
    Nanam Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2014

    Tylenol 3 has caffeine in it which I discovered after a few sleepless nights!  I asked the pharmacist why include the caffeine and he said it helps to manage pain.  There is a version without caffeine which I got last time but I found the regular or extra strength Tylenol was enough.  Hope you are feeling better soon.

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