Nexium--should I just say no?

  • Thread starter Thread starter juan motime
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juan motime

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After reading many posts from people who visit this forum, I am afraid to take Nexium. It's the horror stories of folks having to wean themselves off of this drug months later that scares me, even though I know the drug will work for a while.

I have taken it occasionally for two or three days at a time once a month or so when I have flare-ups. Fortunately, this has done the trick.
 
I think the decision to take PPI's really does depend upon the severity of your acid reflux problems.

Certainly, diet and lifestyle changes should be tried first. There are also some good homeopathic options that work for some. For people with intermittent symptoms some of the other OTC meRAB might work just fine. For others it takes PPI's to get some relief from severe symptoms. Each person should weigh whether or not trying the PPI's and staying on them for any length of time is worth it in their case. I'm not sure taking it for 6-8 weeks to help heal esophageal damage would be a bad thing.

It is a much tougher decision for those of us who are on it for years on end. At this point, I don't see any end to when I can come off of PPI's because the acid is affecting my breathing so badly. I think I'm an unusual case though.

BTW, I've been on all of the PPI's on the market. Of all of them, Nexium was the one I had horrible side effects with. If you do try it and have side effects, you might try something else. I had better success with Prevacid Solutabs.
 
You aren't going to get "hooked" taking it for two days here and three days there. If 3 Nexium a month improve your life, there's no reason to be afraid.

However, taking them on a daily basis long term is something you should only do if you have very troublesome frequent reflux that can't be managed with modest diet and lifestyle changes.

The PPIs can be literal lifesavers for people with severe stomach problems, but I just think doctors should be a bit more cautious about prescribing them for folks whose stomach problems are less extreme.
 
I agree with Jane. There is horror stoies on every drug. If that is all your taking that is fine. If your worried about go back to the dr.s for the most part you really have to watch what you eat.
 
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