After stretch

[Popsic]

Hi All,

Well since my tummy stretch things have been pretty good, or at least I thought, I had no reflux, could lay on my left side for the first time in 8 years and on my back and amazingly I’ve not had to take gaviscon beore sleep. But, on Monday I woke up with acid burning like I was on fire, I was on my back, I’m trying to figure out what caused it, but the alarming thing was the pain I had in my ribs, I honestly thought I was going to die, I had gallstones back in 2009 which resulted in having my gallbladder removed, so I knew it couldn’t be that. It went away within the hour, since Monday I have had slight heartburn after my evening meal, so I have been sucking Manuka honey sweets which have helped I have to say. I am now logging food intake again to see if I can figure out what is causing it, so far it seems to be dairy, but not all dairy, hard cheese especially but I can eat soft cheese no problem, it’s all very confusing.

The surgeon suggested I have “ revision surgery “ , so my question is, has anyone had this sort of thing after having a tummy stretch and has anyone had the “ revision surgery “.

Thanks guys

June

[liz_crisp]

Hi June. I am 11 years down the line and would not sleep lying flat or on my side as I would expect to get exactly the pain you mention. I expect you like me have no valve at the top of your stomach and lying flat the acid and bile is free to flow backwards up the remains of the Oesophagus. When I do accidentally end up flat it often results in me aspirating acid into my lungs and pain in my chest as you describe.

[petercaron in reply to liz_crisp]

I am 4 years post esophagectomy and I agree 100% with liz_crisp

After trying a bed that inclines, I have found sleeping in a recliner the absolute best way to prevent bile and bile aspiration.

I bought a great recliner chair that has two motors that separately control the foot and the back. I set it and sleep through the night. Since a recliner is only so wide, I find I can’t roll over on my side while sleeping.

In the last 4 months since getting the recliner, no new cases of aspirational pneumonia.

Btw, I have been stretched at least 4 times and the recliner seems to have made the difference. I miss sleeping in a bed with my wife, but I don’t miss the episodes of bile coming up.

Good luck.

[Popsic in reply to petercaron]

Thank you for your replies,I sleep with 2 pillows and a V pillow, used to sleep with a wedge but it was hurting my back. I've been OK until now, I'm hoping it was just a blip, I think also I still maybe eating a little too much. My hubby a d I have been discussing getting an adjustable bed, I think we will seriously look into it now. X

[liz_crisp in reply to Popsic]

You can often find the beds for sale second hand. You can find good mattresses on the internet quite cheaply, foam mattresses are best if you decide to put 2 singles together, there is no discernible gap if you have flush sides in the middle and add a good super king mattress topper Eating too much before bedtime is also a cause as you say of reflux and how much too much is does vary with time so it's always worth cutting down for a few weeeks or eating a little earlier. Good luck

[Popsic in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you for that liz_crisp, we shall definitely be looking into getting one, 👌