Differing Opinions - Help Please

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MissBoo

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In two days I have gotten several opinions on my next course of treatment.

My doctor has me on omeprazole 20mg twice a day and one Pepcid 20 mg at night. I have been on the omep for two weeks and its not gotten one ounce of better. The Pepcid does take away the residual burning at night, but I don't take it in the day so I have the burping and burning in the day.

My mother in law is a pharmacist and she says the omep should be by now showing at least some improvements. She said I should talk to my doctor about switching now to something else, like Prevacid.

My brother who has had reflux says I should stay on the omep, give it even more time, reduce my stress and increase the Pepcid to twice a day. That will decrease more burning and burps and get me to relax.

I leave on vacation tomorrow. My head is spinning. Help?
 
The proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, nexium, prevacid, protonix, aciphex...) all work in the same way, but people may react differently or one works better for them. If Pepcid is working best, I would consider switching to 2 of those a day instead of the omeprazole. I dont think i would take both twice a day. To me it seems to be way to much medication. Instead i would supplement with Gaviscon tablets; chew them very thoroughly before swallowing. Most people have good success with them. Check with your doctor.

Pepcid is a H2 blocker (like tagement, zantac), it shuts off one of the valve branches that produce acid. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, it shuts off the main valve that produce acid. You can think of it like this, H2 blockers will shut off the cold water line, but the hot water line can still flow. Proton pump inhibitors turn off the main water line so no water can flow.

Yet, I too thought I felt better on Pepcid. I think where Pepcid shuts off the acid is where my acid is coming from, thus it works faster and i get better relief. The gaviscon coats extremely well and also can provide immediate relief.
 
I've noticed that omeprazole only works if you eat about 30 minutes after taking it. Otherwise it does nothing. I take one before dinner and a pepcid before bedtime and now have no trouble with acid reflux. Food seems to set off the omeprazole.
 
This is true of most of the PPi's. (with the exception of Kapidex), they need food to be "turned on". I am one of the people who Prilosec + Nexium does nothing for. I was on Prevacid for many years and recently switched to Kapidex (its successor) and have had good results. I think you should have had some relief by now. Greg
 
So now we have differing opinions again from you all, which I appreciate but am still confused. My doctor is not in today. I leave tomorrow for vacation.

My brother talked to his doctor who said stay on the omeprazole, give it a month, and take Pepcid when needed. And reduce stress (of course).

My mother in law has the Prevacid and thinks I should switch to that tomorrow. She still thinks the omep should have kicked in by now.

I never heard about eating 30 minutes after taking the omep. Sometime I do eat within an hour most of the time after that.

:dizzy:
 
Truley, I don't think any of these are an overnight fix. My ENT says these take time to heal so two weeks is nothing. I've been on Nexium 5 weeks and though it's gotten much better it hasn't healed me completely yet. Also make sure your diet is up to snuff or your vacation can be ruined if you eat like there's no tomorrow. have fun and bless you.....
 
Well I am definitelky going to try the eating 30 minutes after taking it now. I was eating some days 2 2 1/2 hrs after it. And lately I have been eating like a bird, which doesn't help.

I have changed my diet, but I think I have been eating actually not enough food too.

I do appreciate all of your help and suggestions. Off to pack for my vacation.
 
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