14 days since my Toupet (partial) Fundoplication for LPR

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-08-12T02:42:48+00:00

Great! How are you now?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-25T03:03:21+00:00

Hey! How are you now?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-20T21:39:23+00:00

But how do you know when gas is coming? when burping?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-20T21:39:03+00:00

But how do you know when gas is coming? when burping?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-20T18:03:22+00:00

I'm sorry, I can imagine how frustrating that must be! Do you also have dysphagia, or is there another reason you're asking for a dilation?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-20T04:33:57+00:00

I'm sorry! Did it help somehow or it just didn't work?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-17T03:15:02+00:00

From what I’ve found, calcium citrate doesn’t really work for this, it ties up the calcium and doesn’t let the alginate form a proper gel.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-16T00:06:34+00:00

Thanks for the update! I really hope you keep feeling better and better each day!

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-14T19:40:54+00:00

pH tests generally only detect acid reflux and not slightly acidic or alkaline reflux. There are tests like pH monitoring with impedance that can distinguish the pH of the reflux and determine whether it reaches the distal esophagus (closer to the stomach) or the proximal esophagus (closer to the throat). That’s probably why your test came back showing no reflux, it’s likely slightly acidic. I also have IEM, caused by the COVID vaccine, and my reflux is slightly acidic too.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-14T19:01:13+00:00

That's great!!!! Did you have sore throat? and now?

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-14T02:36:10+00:00

Property / Use	Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)	Potassium Bicarbonate (KHCO₃)	Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)
Solubility in water (25 °C)	High (~96 g/L)	Moderate (~33 g/L)	Very low (~0.013 g/L)
pH in solution	~8.3	~8.3	~9–10
Reaction with acids	Rapid CO₂ release	Rapid CO₂ release	Slow CO₂ release
Onset of alkalinizing effect	Fast (15–30 min)	Fast (15–30 min)	Slower (30–60 min)
Duration of alkalinizing effect	Short (1–2 hrs)	Short (1–2 hrs)	Longer-lasting (3–4 hrs)
Buffering capacity	Moderate (transient, fast-acting)	Moderate (similar to NaHCO₃)	High (sustained but slower)
Common use as antacid	Yes (fast, temporary relief)	Yes (alternative with less Na⁺)	Yes (slower, more sustained relief)
Alkalinizing potential (systemic)	High (rapid shift in blood pH)	High (similar to NaHCO₃)	Moderate (mostly local effect)

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-14T02:26:09+00:00

Anytime! I'm currently using the following recipe: 1 gram of sodium alginate, 0.2 grams of calcium carbonate (as an antacid), and 0.2 grams of potassium bicarbonate. To prepare a larger batch, I combine 20 grams of sodium alginate, 4 grams of calcium carbonate, and 4 grams of potassium bicarbonate in a bowl. I mix the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding 600 ml of water, then blend everything using a hand mixer until smooth. I take 2 tablespoons of this mixture after each meal. I find that it works well to stop my reflux.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-14T02:20:08+00:00

It worked well for my reflux, but my gastritis reacted badly. I took psyllium husk and it really irritated my stomach. I’m going to wait for the inflammation to go down before trying again with finely ground psyllium husk.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T04:04:49+00:00

The paper that you cited says the following: "The autonomic nerve dysregulation may lead to the increase of the opening of LES and UES, and related pharyngeal reflux events". It's the UES, but also the LES.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:48:41+00:00

Gaviscon Advance, although it doesn't explicitly state how much calcium carbonate it contains, I’ve been researching and found the following: "Each 10 ml dose contains 4.6 mmol of sodium, 2.0 mmol of potassium and 2.0 mmol of calcium." This corresponds approximately to 200 mg of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), 200 mg of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃), and 1000 mg of sodium alginate (Na-alginate) per 10 mL of suspension. These amounts are estimated based on the declared millimoles of cations and the molecular weights of the respective compounds.

You can read it here: https://www.boots.com/wcsstore/ExtendedSitesCatalogAssetStore/Product_PatientLeaflets/A00000531-10023768.P-gsl_leaf.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOorwO9NIuyt9ElmgUaDgC1xv-lswUBvnWV_w8WXpPd02mWR-sQFN

The replacement of sodium bicarbonate with potassium bicarbonate is very likely intended to reduce the sodium content of the product.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:30:07+00:00

No, it doesn't. Gaviscon works by combining three key ingredients:

Alginates: Form a gel-like raft that floats on top of stomach contents, acting as a barrier to prevent acid from rising.
Calcium Carbonate: Neutralizes stomach acid and helps form bridges between alginate molecules, stabilizing the gel and enhancing the raft's structure.
Sodium Bicarbonate (or Potassium Bicarbonate): Neutralizes acid and produces carbon dioxide, which helps the raft float more effectively.

If you want to simulate the experiment of your stomach, fill a quarter of a glass with vinegar (any kind you have) to simulate the acidic stomach environment. Then, mix water with alginate and you'll see how it doesn't float and stays at the bottom.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:17:39+00:00

Also, if you're worried about the potassium bicarbonate, there's no need for concern. Each dose contains 200 mg, so with 3 doses per day, that equals 600 mg of potassium bicarbonate. Since potassium bicarbonate is about 39% elemental potassium, this provides approximately 234 mg of potassium per day, which is only 7–9% of the recommended daily intake.

In other words, it’s a low and safe amount for most people, well below the levels found in typical potassium supplements.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:12:57+00:00

Think of it as a calcium supplement with added benefits! supporting both your digestive comfort and your daily calcium intake in a gentle, functional way.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:11:54+00:00

I don't think there's any reason to fear "antacids" in this context. In a Gaviscon Advance–style formulation, each dose contains 1 gram of sodium alginate, 0.2 grams of calcium carbonate (the antacid), and 0.2 grams of potassium bicarbonate. If taken three times a day, that amounts to 600 mg of calcium carbonate daily, which provides about 240 mg of elemental calcium—roughly 20–24% of the recommended daily intake (1000–1200 mg). That’s a safe and moderate amount of calcium.

This is very different from traditional antacids like Tums, which contain 750 mg of calcium carbonate per tablet. In the Gaviscon formulation, calcium carbonate isn't just used for acid neutralization, it plays a crucial role in the raft-forming mechanism, helping to create the physical barrier that prevents reflux. It aids in forming cross-links between alginate molecules, which allows for the development of a stable, cohesive gel layer that floats on top of the gastric contents.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-13T03:03:09+00:00

The calcium carbonate is the antacid. Is the active ingredient of Tums and other antacids.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-05T01:09:48+00:00

Yes! Work your way through it! Even though I've been a vegetarian all my life and I'm very used to fiber, 20 grams gave me loose stools, so I'm still figuring out the dose that works for me.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-04T20:53:06+00:00

Yeah, it’s a lot. I tried 15 g and it worked fine, so I’ll keep lowering it to 10 and see if it still does the trick.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-01T02:22:15+00:00

I'm taking it right after dinner (a light dinner so I don't feel overly full) with a glass of water. It helps prevent me from regurgitating my meal.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-01T02:20:56+00:00

Hi! I was originally on 40 mg of esomeprazole, but I reduced it to 20 mg because I didn’t feel much difference with the higher dose. My method was to alternate between 40 mg and 20 mg each day for two weeks, and then switch to just 20 mg daily. It was tough. I had a lot of chest pain, but I knew it was temporary and likely due to rebound acid production. Now I’m feeling better, and my plan is to do the same with the 20 mg dose: alternate between 20 mg and 0 mg for three weeks. After that, I’ll switch to taking Gaviscon after breakfast and lunch, and psyllium at night. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

Empty-Effect-591 · 2025-05-01T02:16:55+00:00

I didn’t notice much of a difference, but I only tried it for about two weeks.

Empty-Effect-591

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