Reflux Is Killing Me!

[Opa3]

To date, chocolate, spices, tomato sauce, caffiene, salt (something new!), and fatty foods were mentioned. We should also avoid citrus fruits, mint, vinegar and alcohol.

To date, Rx's lansoprazol, carafate and omeprazole (aka: Prilosec) were mentioned.

My input to this very interesting topic follows;

I was Dx'ed with AR/GERD in Sept, 2007 having indulged in foods as listed. I started out with Aciphex and later used Famotidine off and on for 5 years.

In Dec, 2012, I had an endoscopy which resulted in mildly active chronic peptic duodenitis with villous abnormality and minimal squamous features of reflux. Negitive for H. pylori. My GI Doc Rx'ed 40 mg omeprazole, 30 minutes before breakfast. Based on my history with AR, one/day for the REST OF MY LIFE was recommended. It's safe, he said.

The pathology report also stated "early feature of fundic gland polyp noted." Taking PPI's (ie: omeprazole @ 20mg) long term(1,2-5 years) therapy develops these stomach polyps. Ref: Open Original Shared Link/diseases/stomach_fundicglandpolyp, page 6 (of 18). I tried to link the address but didn't work.?????

I read the Patient Information Leaflet from Mylan Pharma (April, 2012) that came with my omeprazole Rx. The common side efects are headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, gas, respiratory system events ( not explained) and fever. Also mentioned ..... may have an increased risk of fractures of the hips, wrist or spine. PPI's can inhibit the absorption of calcium, Vit. B12 and iron. Low magnesium can occur with PPI's within 3 months to 1 year. PPI's can destroy good gut bacteria causing C.Diff. Need to take probiotics with treatment.

The leaflet also states Tell Your Doctor about all the medicines you take. It lists 19. Among them is "products that contain IRON."

Omeprazole treatment(Rx or OTC) should be 4-8 weeks only. To date, my symptoms are stomach pain and gas. I will tolerate them for 8-12 weeks and stop. I will make a greater effort to avoid AR/GERD foods. Now that is the SAFEST thing we can do for ourselves. I'm 68 and my mom is 90. If God grants me another 22 years on a lifetime of PPI's, I'll die of stomach cancer.

Truely a profound title," Reflux Is Killing Me." OTC users beware.

[CommonTater]

  On 2/6/2013 at 1:37 AM, shadowicewolf said:

Nexium is not meant to be a long term solution. It can do more harm then good.

Doesn't surprise me that those foods would set ya off. Those are ones that are generally connected to it.

Have you tried removing all reflux meds? I ask because when i finally went "cold turky" on them (do not suggest this) that it finally started to die down for me (over a course of a few months). Now, I still on occasion get it, but its nothing that a really starchy food and a nice big glass of water can't fix. Sometimes it goes beyond that, but its rare.

Yes i did stop for a time but the ref;ux was so bad i couldn't stand it. You can't take enough Tums in 24 hours to help. After taking 2 it would return within an hour and burn all the way into my throat.

[shadowicewolf]

  On 2/6/2013 at 3:35 PM, CommonTater said:

Yes i did stop for a time but the ref;ux was so bad i couldn't stand it. You can't take enough Tums in 24 hours to help. After taking 2 it would return within an hour and burn all the way into my throat.

Oh i know the feeling, trust me.