Worried about new reports on Nexium side effects.

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Kat5

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I have been taking Nexium for about 10 years. My first endoscopy show some erosion of the esophagus and Gerd. Started on Previcid but did not work well. Was switched to 20 mg of Nexium after second endoscopy. After one year on Nexium, erosion was healed. Two years later acid reflux was getting worse again and have been taking 40mg of Nexium once a day. Worked fine for some time but now I have just returned from another endoscopy and will now be taking 40 mg of Nexium twice a day. What are your thoughts about this? I have been really happy with my specialist over the years and really trust him.
 
If you have erosion from acid reflux, you may have to take a PPI until it heals. Problem is, the same medications that reduce acid bring it back with a vengeance when you try to stop taking them. You may want to discuss the newer studies that are coming out reg. undesirable side effects with your physician. If you are perimenopausal or menopausal, make sure you are taking adequate calcium supplementation, preferably calcium citrate and vitamin D3 (1200 mg calcium, 1000 mg D3 daily) to ward off osteoporosis.

I took a PPI for only three years (ages 52 through 55) and ended up with advanced osteopenia in both hips. My Dexa scan was completely normal at 52 and showed the advanced osteopenia at 55, which is why I stopped taking Aciphex in January, 2010.

I don't think these PPI's are intended to be taken long term, and time and further research will continue to bear that out. But it is hard to get off them due to acid rebound effects.

It took me three months to be able to go back to my pre-PPI symptoms, which I am now trying to manage with natural remedies. I started a thread in January that went on for a couple of months and you can probably find by typing "Getting off PPI's and acid reflux."

I was pretty happy with my GI doctor and general practicioner and think both are generally competent doctors. However, both pushed the PPI and neither brought up any undersirable side effects. I had to go search for those on my own.

But everyone's situation is different.

Rose
 
Thank-you for your help and suggestions. I guess I am going to try the 40mgs of Nexium twice a day; at least until I see the doc for my follow-up visit. He said the reflux has done quite a job on my stomach; it is very raw looking. I called my onocologists and disussed it with them also. They work closely together. (I didn't mention before that I had lower bowel colon cancer 5 years ago.) They believe my fear of the Nexium is my way of blocking the fear of stomach cancer which they assure me they don't believe is the case. I passed my 5 year mark of remission earlier this month and all other tests are looking great! :) I did develop IBS from all of the chemo and radiation treatments along with hemroiRAB which I had to have surgery for afterwarRAB. I also take 3 to 8 2.5mgs of Lomotil per day to try to control the diarhea which I have trouble controling because of the scarring from the radiation and surgery. I do have osteoarthritis in my right knee and hip but that started after my hysterectomy when I was 42 years old. Anyway, Nexium has been in the past the only one that has helped me so maybe I have just developed a tollerance to the lower dose and this will help! One can only hope! Thanks again! Kathi
 
You sound like quite a strong person and a survivor!

I think you are very smart to ask questions and bring up any fears or concerns to your doctors. Some medications and treatments are necessary (as the treatments your underwent for rectal cancer) but they do have serious side effects (like the chronic IBS you have developed as a result). One always has to weigh the risk to benefit ratio when considering any treatment.

It is a good sign that both of your doctors are communicating. It sounRAB like you have competent doctors and they are on top of your situation.

If your stomach is raw and irritated, you may need to take your Nexium as prescribed until the irritation improves. Once it does, you can discuss with your doctor the possibility of lowering the dose to a maintenance dose.

Don't forget those calcium supplements!

Rose
 
Hi Girls:
Hope everybody is doing well. This post was a while ago. Kat, it sounRAB like you have been through hell and back. You poor thing. I hope you are doing better now. I just have a question. I started nexium 2 weeks ago 40 mg once a day. I did not know that if you go off of it your acid reflux gets even worse then before. Is that what you are saying? My problem is not a heartburn feel it is chronic indigestion. Lump in throat down the chest to the haital hernia that i have.Chest pain and pain in between the shoulder blades. Also having a problem getting a cleansing breath. I don't know if it related but it started at the same time as the indigestion. I am also going through peri-meno. I don't know if that could be a contributing factor. If you guys are still on healtrabroadoarRAB i would love your opinion. Thanks. LaLa
 
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