Bile antedote

[Yucky]

After 15 years of post bariatric surgery my husband is looking toward a pouch revision.

It is twisted up in his chest. Heart is enlarged. Lungs constantly damaged by aspirational pneumonia. Esophagus has been twisted to the right

Bile is regurgitating back up his esophagus into his lungs.

All the medicines he takes does nothing because it is designed for acid.

He has found that alcoholic cider is the best antedote. They all laugh and scoff at him and raise their eyebrows, smile a knowing smirk. but if they were suffering like him They might try it if nothing else was working

[Hidden]

You are right that bile is an alkali, so it has to be combatted differently from acid.

You could try Gaviscon Advance. It only works for a few hours, but it is an alginate that creates a protective raft and should work for both.

I believe that Cholestyramine may help against bile, but you need to be sure and to have a test (like a hydrogen breath test, for instance, but you can also buy test strips over the counter from pharmacists).

It may simply be that this is an effect of the complications that have resulted in the need for the surgical revision.

I can understand the scepticism about cider and your pragmatic approach.

Sleeping more upright might help a bit?

[AlanWare]

I have the same problem. I also found cider to be effective. But the best I have found is hot curry. My bile reflux has greatly reduced. I now eat curry everyday.

[Spikey in reply to AlanWare]

Interesting! The last time I had bile reflux, it was caused by eating curry. I have yet to find an "antedote" that will neutralise the bile once it has got into my throat, though I agree with Alan that Gaviscon helps prevent it.