Anyone have any luck with Carafate?

Right now I'm on Dexilant 60mg and Zantac 300mg daily. I still get a little dull burn all day every day. Doc is starting to think I should consider getting Nissen. My last hope is Carafate. Has anyone had any luck with this? Any experiences you can share would be awesome!

I'm very anxious to get Nissen, as I hear there are a lot of negative side effects. I'm still young too (26) so I really don't want to get surgery at this age. I realize that I will probably need a maintenance surgery for my Nissen at some point in my life if I get it this young.

Sweet! Also, I have read that the Nissen is not reversible. Why is that? Couldn't they just cut the stitches, then your stomach would go back to the way it was before? Also, I know some people have to get their Nissen redone. How do they do it? I thought it was not reversible?

Hi pharyder,

If you've spent any time around this forum you'll have read a post with me extolling the virtues of Carafate suspension.  Here are a couple of the threads I found for an example:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2292902

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2427885

I had the surgery for severe lung issues caused by my GERD.  For me, Carafate suspension is something I always have on hand.  I have a very reactive stomach and it gets irritated very easily.  Since my wrap is made out of that reactive stomach, it gets irritated when my stomach gets irritated.

I believe that wraps can be undone during the very early stages of recovery, but since scarring is one of the things that strengthen the sutures and keep the wrap in place, once it is healed, I've never heard of one being taken down.  That's not to say it can't be done.  I just have never heard of it. 

I'm very happy I had the surgery, and would have it again in a heartbeat if it became necessary.  I couldn't go back to the way I was pre-op!

Good luck with your quest for an answer.

Best wishes,

Denise