You and PPI's

  • Thread starter Thread starter GERDlife
  • Start date Start date
G

GERDlife

Guest
I was curious to find out how many of you that take a prescription or over-the-counter PPI (proton pump inhibitor) experience or do the following things.

1) have daily heartburn symptoms
2) take nonprescription anti-acid medications to help relieve symptoms
3) have other health issues aside from GERD/acid reflux disease that are related to the use of a PPI
4) have side effects from using a PPI
5) have switched PPI's because the other one became ineffective
6) use an H2 blocker in conjunction with a PPI
7) have used a PPI for longer than the listed product treatment (4 to 8 weeks)
8) have anxiety or depression after or while on a PPI

Thanks for your replies.
~Don
 
Hi Don,
1)When I am steadily on my prevacid I do Not have any daily heartburn. I have esophageal spasms that are triggered by acid reflux, but NO daily burning.
2) If needed I take rolaiRAB, or gaviscon
3) No other health issues related to ppi
4) No side effects from Prevacid, not a single one, except I feel better! Nexium gave me stomach cramping and diarrhea.
5) I have tried to switch but always go back to Prevacid. I dont think I give the new drugs enough time to work so I go back. Recently tried Aciphex for only 3 days and had true burning heartburn constantly so I went back to prevacid today and feel better already. I probably should have given it a few more days. Im searching for the PPI that will control all Gerd and Esophageal spasm symptoms, and thats really NOT possible! lol
6) have not used h2 blocker with a PPI. My gastro says that each block different stomach aciRAB and that if you use both together you are blocking all of your stomach acid, therefore leaving you open to potential problems.
7)Yes, I have been on PPI's for over 10 years (I think it is close to 12 years) and I just had a EGD and have No polyps in stomach, my b12 levels were acually high (because I take sublingual b12). Havent had bone density scans so I dont know if my bones are effected...so it appears that I have been safely taking PPI's for almost 12 years.
8) I personally havent had anxiety or depression while on a PPI. I think all of us get a little anxious when a very painful attack happens. It makes you wonder if you did anything to cause it and how you can potentially try to prevent the next one.

Looking forward to seeing others replies!
Kelly
 
Never had a need for any type of backup medicine while on Aciphex. In fact, I used to split the pill in half and take 10 mg rather than 20 mg daily. I stopped taking Aciphex because I ended up with Osteopenia after only two years due to calcium malabsorption (low acid). However, I was completely asymptomatic while on Aciphex. I could drink alcohol, coffee, eat chocolate or anything else without any symptoms.

Rose
 
When I took a PPI (consistently for several years), I did not use any other medication. I sometimes had LPR type symptoms, but very rarely burning. However, I was still avoiding certain fooRAB and drugs.

I have erosive gastritis, and that was why I started on the PPI in the first place. GERD was an afterthought.

I never had side effects other than a chronic pain in the wallet area.
 
Greetings DON,
I take Kapidex 60mg (before breakfast) along with Zantac 300 mg (before bed).
I have been on PPI s since they have come out starting with Priolsec and then on to Prevacid and now Kapidex.
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and depression that is unrelated to the PPI as far as I know.
Greg :wave:
 
I was on PPI's for over 10 years. Started with Prilosec, prescription at the time, then to Prevacid. Everything was good until about 4 years ago when I started experiencing a feeling of bloating after eating and some stomach pains. And I lost my appetite. I just wasn't hungry anymore. About a year later the burn started. Since then I have been on every PPI and even twice a day on some of them. I have been to 2 different gasto's including one at a very prominent hospital and every test they could find. All they would do is change PPI or increase the dosage.

The PPI's basically stopped working. So I finally quit them cold turkey about 6 weeks ago. The rebound is hitting and it sucks. I have been taking pepcid 2-3times a day, aloe vera juice, Gaviscon (Canadian) and even tried the vinegar. Some days are better than others. I'm hoping I can make it thru this without sustaining too much damage.

The funny thing is, looking back I can't remeber why my GP started me on Prilosec. I don't remeraber having any serious heartburn at the time. However since I stopped taking them, the bloating is pretty much gone and I actually have an appetite. I strongly believe that the extended use of the PPi's screwed up my digestive system. I would love to find a doctor who could agree with me.
 
Back
Top