To go back, or not to go back?

  • Thread starter Thread starter janewhite1
  • Start date Start date
J

janewhite1

Guest
I have been PPI-free since late last year and almost completely symptom-free since mid-January. At the time I quit, I did not believe I ever really needed them.

Now, though:

I have suddenly developed asthma. Asthma requires meRAB called bronchiodilators, which, in some LUCKY people like me, also dilate the LES. So, if I use my inhaler, I feel better for a little while, but then I sometimes get a bout of heartburn that brings on more asthma symptoms. I do not believe the situation is dangerous, but asthma is continuing to get in my way when it shouldn't.

I should also take antihistamines to prevent asthma, because it's mainly triggered by allergies, but those cause me to taste acid 24-7, regardless of what or when I last ate, and the most effective ones also irritate the erosive gastritis, which frankly scares me. Still, pollen counts are down, allergies are way better, I'm getting by.

There are two reasons why profoundly don't want to start taking a PPI again.

1) My stomach wasn't perfect even when I was on Prilosec, and I don't think it's going to just magically cure this mess.

2) I originally got hooked from a TWO WEEK COURSE. If I start, I might get hooked again. Even if they don't help much. And, with all this new mess, I don't know if I'll be able to quit a second time.

I've been round and round on this, and I don't quite see the way out.
 
Have you talked to a Pulmonologist about this? I had to make similar decisions a couple years ago. My Pulmonologist did some reflux testing and worked closely with my GI doc before discussing options with me.
 
I probably should at some point. I should probably go to a GI doc again, also. I gave up on mine years ago, when it became clear that he just wasn't listening to anything I said.
 
I would suggest taking about 1oz 3 times a day (before meals is best). You should be able to relieve some symptoms almost immediately upon use, but usually 2-3 days before you have any noticably effects from it. To me it was also a great energy booster.
The taste may be hard to handle at first so I would recommend mixing it with some apple or mango juice.
 
GERDlife, thank you for the suggestion.

I looked up aloe vera juice, sounRAB like it's safe as long as you get the kind with little or no aloein. Still, they also claim it cures about 50 different things, and when I hear such outrageous claims about a product, I tend to doubt that it does anything. (Just my naturally suspicious mind.) Still, it might be worth a try, if I can get my mitts on a reasonably priced bottle.

How much do you suggest using? And how long to see an effect?
 
I tried the aloe vera juice and a few hours later I started feeling really ill and nauseous. Haven't gotten around to finding out whether or not it was a coincidence.

However, because the pollens I'm allergic to are dropping off, I have (with doctor's permission) been decreasing my use of asthma medicines. One dose a day instead of two ended my hoarseness immediately and significantly reduced the reflux symptoms.

I've had no Advair at all since Sunday morning, and my stomach is better already. I'm still taking the Zantac, but I'm needing it less and less. Maybe soon I can drop the dose from 4 per day down to something more reasonable. Thus far, lungs are ok too. (fingers crossed!)

Of course, it's pretty likely I'm going to need asthma medicine again next spring if not before. Maybe a straight steroid rather than a corabination steroid/bronchiodilator will work better for me.
 
I'm just going to rant for a while now. Jump in if you have any ideas I might not have thought of.

Well, that was a nice vacation... sort of. Yesterday, my lungs started feeling bad. We didn't get to the panting-and-coughing stage of asthma, but I was having tingly, tight lungs and some fatigue. Possibly because everyone on the planet felt compelled to go out for a smoke and then sit down right next to me.

So I took Advair again last night, and had acid at the back of my mouth. All day. Again. And the good old gastritis pain just below the ribcage. At this point, I'm not sure if I'm better off with it or without it.

I do have an appointment with a GI doctor next Wednesday. (Pain management is Thursday, allergy shots and allergist is Friday, Saturday I find a new hobby :mad:)

The most frustrating thing in all this is, my stomach is almost fine as long as I avoid coffee, alcohol, a few fooRAB, and many medications. Which would all be totally doable if I didn't have allergies, asthma and fibromyalgia.
 
Back
Top