I've been on Proton Pump Inhibitors for years. A scan today revealed that I have gall stones. A quick search and yes, PPIs are implicated in Gall Bladder Disease. Yet another reason to get off the wretched things.
I'm now down to 45 mg in the morning, from 60mg and 30mg in the evening, from 60mg. Onwards and forwards is the only way.
I've taken these things for ages and I've suspected they don't really work. Three months ago my doctor put me on Lansoprazole 60mg twice a day. For two months my reflux improved then slowly it started again. I've stopped taking them, just stopped completely and I'm no different, no rebound nothing different, just my usual reflux. I try and control it with diet control, no alcohol Gaviscon and some Ranitidine.
My question is this, have PPIs stopped working for you?
There are many published studies that describe the various side effects associated with the H2 antagonist (PPI) products. When the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notifies doctors about the side effects, of PPIs, why would you put yourself at risk by taking them?
If a person goes to a Gastroenterologist with esophageal reflux (GERD), virtually every GI doctor will automatically prescribe a PPI, without doing any kind of testing. After taking the PPI for a while, the Gastroenterologist may refer you to a doctor that will perform an endoscopy or colonoscopy. These procedures, are not accurate enough to diagnose Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), Hypochlorhydria (high stomach acid), or Normal stomach acid. In either case, the patient will be prescribed more PPIs. Some doctors will do testing that involves surgically attaching a device to the wall of your esophagus. The device will remain attached to your esophagus for 24 hours, while the pH of the esophageal fluid is being monitored, by a recorder that you wear. At the end of this test the doctor, will tell you something you already knew!!! "YOU HAVE REFLUX" Worst case scenario, the patient may undergo exploratory surgery, which may result in "unnecessary organs" being removed.
Gastroenterologist and many other medical specialty doctors automatically assume that patients with Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) are over producing Hydrochloric acid (HCL). Unfortunately in many instances this assumption is wrong. The symptoms associated with excess acid production (hyperchlorhydria) and low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) are identical, making it very difficult to diagnose, without a pH diagnostic test. Both conditions will cause reflux, belching, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and/or constipation, flatulence, etc.
Before taking any type of PPI or acid reducing medication, have your doctor give you a pH Diagnostic test, or Gastrogram. It will tell the doctor exactly what is going on in your digestive process. The test is accurate, and reliable without the discomfort associated with other procedures. It is done in the doctor's office, without the use of sedation. If you are actually over producing stomach acid, a natural medication, similar to the buffering enzyme that is produced by the pancreas, is available. If you are not producing enough stomach, a natural medication is also available to bring pH back into balance.
When it comes to your health and longevity, a pH diagnostic test, pH capsule test, or pH Gastrogram is one of the best investments you will ever make.
Have taken several forms of ppis over the past year on and off and for the past six months cimetidine. Now have gout lower back. You tell the doctor this and he doesn't want to accept it. I do not eat much in the way of acidic - bad diet - and this can be the only cause of it. Yet doctor tries to fob me off with how it is just some temporary thing - a month later it is still there. I have insisted on blood tests for kidney and liver as I know it is not some muscle strain and that would not last a month or have fatigue and
dizziness with it either. He had also told me that people do not get a lot of coughing from ppis. WellI go it and nothing else could have caused it. I only ever had the bad coughing when taking the ppis, it would stop when I came off and start again when I started again. I then found about 50 people online with the same problem.
How I wish that I'd never been prescribed these horrid drugs. I've found them to be addictive and dangerous and I'm having a lot of trouble getting off them. I have joint and muscle pains, constipation, suffer a dry mouth, throat and eyes now I have raised liver function test results.
View 14 RepliesI have various back problems I have posted about in the back section but due to this I'm on 500mg of Naprosyn 2x a day. I also take 20mg of omeprazole 2x a day at the same time as the naprosyn as it was giving me heartburn. I started on 20mg but went up to 40mg because I was still getting the heartburn which is now acid reflux bringing me close to vomiting.
I've told my doctor about this and the latest thing I'm on is peptac liquid at bed time but I'm also taking it after meals if I have to.
It doesn't seem to be improving. My doctor said if it doesn't improve soon she will have to take me off it. The only reason she hasn't done yet is I am already in so much pain and the naprosyn is one of the few things that has helped.
I also have noticed I'm beginning to have difficulty swallowing hard or dense foods. Soft ones are fine but now I'm kind of afraid of and completely avoiding anything hard or dense. Could this be to do with the acid reflux?
I am going to ask my mum to help me raise the head of my bed (as due to my back problem propping myself up on pillows just makes things worse) but is there anything else I can do?
I'm really worried about developing a peptic ulcer.. it's the last thing I read right now. Can anyone tell me what the symptoms are I need to watch out for? If this carries will I end up with permanent acid reflux as well does anyone know?
I see my doctor again on the 4th of November so will discuss it all with her again then but I just am worried in the meanwhile.
Okay, I am going to have to ask many questions because trying to fit them all in one post is going to be way too wordy.
I have a question that has been bothering me a lot lately:
Is it possible to have damage from stomach acid but never feel pain, have no symptoms and have no feedback from your body to let you know something is wrong?
I apparently have damage, but these are my symptoms.
No = Never had symptom B4
Yes = Have symptom
PRILOSEC = Only RECENTLY got symptom since starting Prilosec (Been off it for a couple days)
Heartburn: No
Bad Breath: No
Sore Throat: No
Lump in Throat: No (PRILOSEC)
Hoarseness: No
Bloating: No (PRILOSEC)
Stomach Pains: No (PRILOSEC, feels like what I imagine a mini labor contraction would feel like)
Gas: No (PRILOSEC)
Bitter Taste: No
Cough: No
Asthma: No
Nausea: No
Trouble Swallowing Food: Yes
- Feels like SOME foods (It's always the same food) get "stuck" somewhere between my throat and my stomach.
- It hurts.
- I salivate a LOT. (Maybe enough to fill 3/4 of a cup)
- Drinking water makes it WORSE as it just rises the food contents closer to my throat.
- Going into a dark, quiet room and focusing hard on relaxing, calming thoughts usually makes the food go down (Stress, loud noise, bright lights seem to make it worse, sometimes creates hiccups)
- Sometimes this doesn't work though, and I have to forcibly vomit the food back up because it simply will not go down
- Can stay in the "stuck" position for 10-15 minutes
- Feels like a muscle is way too tight and won't let the food pass, and I can almost FEEL it when it relaxes. Breath of relief.
- Gets better as I eat the food, not worse. (It's almost like the muscle is getting used to relaxing or something.)
- Taking Prilosec has not helped (Been taking it for 2 months)
Does this sound like a GERD type of swallowing issue? Because I was just browsing around the forums, looking at this topic and I noticed a few things:
- Every post seems to be talking about problems with the throat, not the area between the throat and the stomach
- Many people are saying that water helps them, while water makes it worse for me
- Many people are saying that they have that lump alongside this swallowing issue. I have had the swallowing issue for a while, but have only recently (since starting Prilosec) felt a lump.
- Many people are saying they have to "push" food. The food has easily already gotten past my throat no issues, my issue is that it just hangs somewhere between my throat and my stomach. I couldn't push it even if I wanted to, because that area doesn't have any voluntary movement.
- Many people are saying they have trouble swallowing saliva. I have never had that issue.
Mucus: Yes/No (Sometimes get it, thickness varies, not really been a real problem for me, so 50/50 on this one.)
I decided to become a vegetarian about 6 months ago... I ate very little red meat at the time anyway. I also, about 3 months ago, cutout glutens. I have found my general digestion very good... And have lost about half a stone, and never feel bloated or blocked. (Too much information?).
My diet is pretty well rounded. I do eat fish, as well as the Quorn chunks, and every now and then a protein supplement. I have one or two fresh fruit smoothies a day, and a eat 'little and often'. Calories wise I am always there or there abouts - although being a runner (5 miles a day) and a performer, I do expend a lot of energy.
I have recently started suffering from reflux and acid. My doctor has given me tablets for 30 mins before a meal. And habits con plus for afterwards, but I don't really want to have a reliance on those.
Is this acid reflux quite normal after a major change in diet such as this? And does anyone have any advice on how to cut done stomach acid?
I went to a new doctor and he mentioned that I may actually have Hypochlorhydria, a lack of stomach acid, anyone have experience or knowledge with this?
View 2 RepliesI can eat the smallest thing and get an acid taste in my mouth. The taste can stay in my mouth for hours. Does this mean that acid is continually fluxing into my esophagus while I have the acid taste?? I never feel acid in my esophagus or throat, just this acidy taste in my mouth. I worry that acid is fluxing for so many continual hours, if that is what is happening. I had the acid taste WORSE when I was on PPIs, so it doesn't make sense that it would be nonstop acid fluxing into my mouth, but I don't know. I am not seeing a gastroenterologist until October ...
View 4 RepliesI am on 2 x 40mg Nexium a day for GERD. I also have chronic sinusitis and I am on saline nasal spray and also coming to the end of 1g twice a day of Augmentin for another sinus and ear infection.
I have a lot of gas and pass very very loose stools. I have had these symptoms for a year now and they are getting worse not better on a daily basis. I even feel when I am out that I am having Mini Panic / Anxiety attacks (shakes feeling lightheaded and faint). it is coming to the point I don't want to leave the house!
Hello, im 6 foot 1 inch and about 10 stone 9 pounds and i have social and health anxiety.
So a few days ago i was eating breakfast and when the food went down into the pipe around the middle of the chest i started to feel pain, but when it had past this bit of the chest it no longer hurt. I left it a couple of days but yesterday i started to feel a little bit of indigestion and it also feels like i have a golf ball in my throat however when my mind is off the throat it no longer feels like it has a golf ball in it. I also have had a tingling sensation in my throat from time to time, so i don't know if my mind's playing tricks on me or if i have some sort of acid reflux/GERD. My main concern is that i don't know if i have swallowed something into my lungs regarding the chest pain when eating.
I'm not sure what to take for nausea that is caused by my gastritis, things that would generally help like ginger and peppermint aren't good for me because of my reflux.
View 2 RepliesHi everyone. I have been suffering from terrible reflux for about 2 and a half years. It's done about everything I can think of from given me insomnia to rejecting medicine, which has sent me to the ER countless times. I finally got a fundoplication, which has only seemed to work for about a month. My reflux is back with a vengeance, causing me to be up all night with a fire in my stomach and a complete loss of apetite, with an almost constant feeling of nausea. The only reason I can think why it's failed is either it's relaxed or my constant gagging from an irritated throat (which is terrible) disrupted it. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? I've suffered enough from this, and I need to get my life back on track.
View 7 RepliesI have been suffering with gerd symptom going on 3 years. Nothing helps me. I have minor heartburn 24/7 and flare up about every 2 months. So bad I have severe right sided Chest pain shortness of breath nausea. Sore and raspy throat that will last 2-5 days long. So I am not sure if this is a cold or acid. I have had ph test breath test. Endoscopy and this week ultrasound for gallbladder all test came back fine that I don't have to much acid. No prescriptions have work and no otc drugs work. The gi specialist as well as my fam dr. Told me the next step was go on antidepressants in which I did. Still no relief. Any suggestions before I pull my hair out. As I suffer everyday. Also I follow a gluten free diet I do not eat spicy foods I don't smoke and I am not overweight. My doctor feels he has done everything he can for me but I still suffer 24/7 it's ruining my life.
View 10 RepliesI decided after much research that I better get off of Omeprazole. I have been on it close to 2 years. Went off it 10 days ago -was doing well, taking ACV. Woke up about at 2am with severe back and chest pain (not heart) and vomiting. Never had a night like that one. Needless to say took another pill. Still took 2 days to recover. Am going to try again-2 days so far without a pill. If I wake up again with this kind of attack any idea how to relieve the pain?
View 6 RepliesCould anyone tell me what the best medication and treatment is for LPR? And how long after does it take to settle?
I am 99% sure I have LPR.
ENT confirmed with a nose scope yesterday the posterior part of my larynx was swollen due to reflux.
I have read up on LPR and this would explain my breathing difficulty, waking up choking, rare heart burn and acid, difficulty swallowing, frequent laryngitis, constant throat clearing, waking up with a sore throat, sore ears inside, swollen lymph nodes, swollen glands etc.
I am a little more positive than I was just a bit worried incase this is it for life
My symptoms are very sharp chest and back pain often also going around the ribs and they do feel like a heart attack. The only thing that relieves them is if I can make myself burp over and over to release the contraction. It seems what brings mine on is positional in nature - bending forward, even slightly or waking in the middle of the night with an attack, probably from bending forward in the fetal position without awareness. I was given nitroglycerin, which helps some but I wonder if anyone has found other things that work that do not involve drugs. I read somewhere that peppermint oil in a little water works but when I'm in the middle of one of these severe attacks I do not have the wherewithal to go get peppermint water. They feel that dire in nature, like it has to be relieved immediately! Again, only the burping regime has helped but not so great to have to do when out in public.
View 2 RepliesI will post my anxiety issue in the anxiety forum in a moment.. but wanted to see the thoughts on this here.
I am a 29 male.. and have had issues with acid reflux alot in the last year.
A few months ago I stopped drinking large quantities of beer.
I became an alcoholic after my father passed away from esophageal(spelling) cancer stage 4.. we caught it at stage 3.. because at 65.. he didn't want to get the tests done not being on medicare. (He never smoked, had reflux or drank heavy)
anyways.. the reflux I noticed became bad after I stopped drinking.. it's probably why I can't drink anymore because my stomach and throat burns after one sit.
So.. I will not say my life story as I am on my phone.. and because you probably don't want to hear it.
Last year I had an endoscopy done... and a colonoscopy. By the same gastroenterologist. I am thinking of getting a second opinion.. he noticed that my esophagus was in the shape of a diamond and red. but that wasn't a concern.. i told him that I have reflux, regurgitation, excessive mucous, itchy throat, burning throat and mouth, a constant foul taste, a sharp pain after eating right behind my sternum, nausea, lump in the throat, and a feeling like I have allergies.. but in my throat and mouth... Every day....
he told me this was normal and drink more water.. and the only concern he had was making me get weekly hemorrhoid treatments.. he was the only gastroenterologist that accepted medical.. he never wanted to see me again for anything else.. so one day I asked him to discuss my issues with my throat.. and he turned me away and said a different doctor..
So.. before I find a different doctor I was wondering if those were signs of gerd or lpr?
I am taking prevacid 24hr. ranitidine 150 mg 2x Day. A ton of maalox and tums.. and still constantly feeling reflux like.
So I'm wondering if it is just anxiety and stress related via my dad passing and quitting alcohol at the same time.
As much as I hate to admit it, my GERD has created an unbearable amount of anxiety. I thought going off PPIs was the right way to go and supplements helping, but my stomach issues only got worse.
I read about the link between the stomach and heart through the vagus nerve, but didn't think much of it. Last week, almost daily, stomach burning would cause my heart to beat faster which would send me in a panic. One evening, I got so scared I checked my BP which was 161/126. I promptly went to the ER. It was found to be two things, a panic attack and a faulty reading. My BP was high but my monitor was off a bit.
I am now back on Prevacid for my stomach, and Celexa for anxiety with xanax as a backup for immediate response until the Celexa kicks in.
I wanted to post this because I find a lot of people, myself included, fight a lot of our symptoms out of fear of what medication may possibly do to us, when in fact they may be exactly what we need to heal. Personally, my fear of PPI's made me give up way too soon, which created additional issues. I think its important for people to research and learn as much as possible about whats happening to their bodies, but its equally important to work closely with their physicians in finding a solution before self medicating or quitting a med out of fear.
Have been to multiple doctors. Had every test known in this area. AND still suffering from intense burning of my tongue and even the bottoms of my feet. B12 levels are fine. Take Nexium daily. Has anyone had this and ever found relief? It's a 24 hour thing. And when I wake up/get up my tongue feels like leather and there is a nasty taste in my mouth. Chewing tobacco actually helps. Have to have something in my mouth at all times or it is almost unbearable.
View 3 Replies