anti-acid medication advice please

[emergingbutterfly]

I’m very confused over anti-acid medicine.

The literature I was given when I left the hospital on the 21st stated that I should be taking an anti-acid tablet (Lansoprazole) however they didn’t give it to me with the bucket load of other tablets. When I went back on Friday I inquired about this and was informed that my surgeon doesn’t prescribe these tablets. Ok, I respect that, as he is a very experienced surgeon and I am happy to go with whatever he says. The reason it was on my literature is that the other surgeon at the hospital prescribes this drug.

However, when I saw my GP today she said I should most definitely be on an anti- acid tablet and prescribed one (Omeprazole) I have read through the leaflet and I am not convinced that I should be taking them as they might react with the gall bladder tablets that surgeon gave me and also they have sucrose. I am diabetic albeit that it is very much under control. I am assuming that the dr wouldn’t have given me these if they were not suitable. However I don’t know whether to take them cos the GP said (and the literature from the hospital) or not take them cos the surgeon don’t think I need them.

It is obviously a difference in opinion between the professionals and I am geared towards what the surgeon says however I was wondering what is the risk of taking them (if any) and what is the risk of not taking them. It would be great to know so that I could weigh up the pros and cons.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from Charing Cross post opers. Thanks in advance

 

[Porpo]

I was given Lansoprazole FAST TABS when I left hospital. You take 2 per day and the dissolve on your tongue. After 2 weeks I had to go to my GP and get a prescription for Lansoprazole and now I have to take 2 per day but they are tablets not fast tabs. Did they give you fast tabs? they should have given you something I think.

From when I had reflux I know that Omeprazole is a similar medication but I think you should speak to your surgery people, do you have a barriatric nurse? You need to check with someone and I'd do it today if you can.

Hope this helps,

x

 

[Cuppacocoa]

I left the hospital with 2 weeks' supply of disgusting fast tabs but then had a prescription for Lansoprazole to take for three months, then nothing after that.

Cuppa xx

 

[salski]

2 weeks on the fast tabs as above, then for the next 6 months 2 lazop's then after that 1 a day forever x

 

[Silversurfer]

I'm on Lansoprazole for two years 1 a day

We take these to prevent the build up of gastric acids in the old stomach which can cause nausea.

If i were you i'd go back to my consultant and ask for a reason as your GP has put you on them, there may be a reason he's said no that you need to be aware of.

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor normally used to treat gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers. Lansoprazole can also be used to treat irritation and ulceration of the stomach caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

[hopelesscase]

Im the same as sal and mr ammorie said the other day that if my pain is coming from my stomach (?ulser) when he looks in there he will put them back upto 2 a day.

 

[Silversurfer]

Im the same as sal and mr ammorie said the other day that if my pain is coming from my stomach (?ulser) when he looks in there he will put them back upto 2 a day.

BA is the man - if he says this he's right, and sounds feasable as really thats what Lansoprazole is intended for !

 

[fatbutnot4eva]

OMG I stopped taking them as they are awful, better start again ! bad girl

 

[Silversurfer]

OMG I stopped taking them as they are awful, better start again ! bad girl

The fast tabs are horrible, but the plastic coated tablets you go onto longer term have no taste !

I take mine out of habbit and because my surgeon wants me to, though on the odd occassion i've missed my meds its seemed to have no effect on me at all, though i'm close to the point i should be coming of them for good now.

 

[BIG KIM]

My GP is very good and I have Lansoprazole on permanent repeat prescription.

 

[rosejohnson]

As I understand it, and I could be wrong, the reason we take these is to settle the gastric juices in the stomach, the part that we don't use. As our stomach makes these acid juices to break down food that it is expecting to digest. But as we know, we don't provide the food to that part of the stomach, and if we don't take a PPI of somekind (and they are all pretty much the same, lansoprazole, omeprazole etc) then those acidic juices will damage the stomach lining. We really should be taking them, even when it doesn't feel like we need them, as they are doing good as a preventative.

I personally can tell when I haven't taken it, as by the end of the day my stomach is gurgling and burning a bit, like I have had a bit too much spicy chilli.

 

[Silversurfer]

As I understand it, and I could be wrong, the reason we take these is to settle the gastric juices in the stomach, the part that we don't use. As our stomach makes these acid juices to break down food that it is expecting to digest. But as we know, we don't provide the food to that part of the stomach, and if we don't take a PPI of somekind (and they are all pretty much the same, lansoprazole, omeprazole etc) then those acidic juices will damage the stomach lining. We really should be taking them, even when it doesn't feel like we need them, as they are doing good as a preventative.

I personally can tell when I haven't taken it, as by the end of the day my stomach is gurgling and burning a bit, like I have had a bit too much spicy chilli.

Your mostly right and a little bit wrong - everything you say is correct, except the stomach can handle the gastric juices and enzymes created for the break down of food ok without actually having food in there, thats pretty much what its designed for really, except with no food going in there it doesn't like it and we tend to feel nausias and as your rightly say have the tummy grumbles.

Longerterm the old stomach adjusts and it settles down, this is why post 2 years most people come of the drugs completely as they no longer need them.

We should be taking them as thats what our specialist teams tell us to do and why suffer if you dont have to !

 

[Porpo]

Mr Ammori told me that he recommends them for life after bypass. He said that for the sake of taking one tablet a day it's not worth taking the risk of complications that could arise otherwise.

I'm going to do that as it doesnt seem worth risking not doing plus as Silversurfer says he's the man!!

 

[fatbutnot4eva]

as a bander i have been told just for 6 months.
ss - hope you are righht and i dont get these awful fast tabs again.
i cant let them fizzle i have to swallow them with a glass of water, otherwise i heave !

 

[candie]

My surgeon has put me on lanzoprazole fast tabs, 1 a day for life

 

[phatgirl]

Ammori patient here, on the Lansoprazole for life. It also can help prevent ulcers forming at the joins in our intestines. As bypassers without our pyloric valve at the bottom of our pouch, gastric juices flow undiluted into the intestines so there is a risk that your new plumbing could suffer. Thus the 2 per day for 6 months and one per day for 2 years min as a preventative. I guess the thinking here is that after 2 years the intestines will be 'broken in' and less likely to form ulcers? Whatever the reason I will take my little white pill hoping it saves me any pain or discomfort in the future!

 

[strawberry twig]

omg i have not taken anything since 1 month of fast tabs were gone. I had no idea I should have been. I will make an appointment asap to get some.

Could this be why I struggle with nausia and stomach grumbles so much??

What tables/Meds should I be taking daily now 3 months post op??? Can u list them so I can make sure I too am being prescribed them.

 

[Glenville]

My surgeon has put me on lanzoprazole fast tabs, 1 a day for life

Snap. That is what I was told at Charing Cross but I was under a different surgeon to EB. Another case of different practices in the same hospital. I wasn't aware there is a different form of lanzoprazole, I will have to ask about that at my 3 month checkup next week.

John xx

 

[emergingbutterfly]

Hi guys, Thanks for your answers on this. It looks like I have been the only one not put on them. I am emailing the clinic nurse today and asking her to ask the surgeon why I am not on them and tell her what my GP said and will let you know the outcome.

 

[emergingbutterfly]

Snap. That is what I was told at Charing Cross but I was under a different surgeon to EB. Another case of different practices in the same hospital. I wasn't aware there is a different form of lanzoprazole, I will have to ask about that at my 3 month checkup next week.

John xx

It is amazing the differences in our surgeons. We must compare notes sometime.