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Never had any tests to confirm or deny whether I actually have acid reflux. Awaiting an appointment with a GI doc next week.
Went to my primary care doctor this morning after having a rough few days. I've been having abdominal tendernes sternum to navel, burping,
and hiccups on a regular basis. Also, been having random bouts of back achiness and chest discomfort usually about the same time every
evening . These episodes usually last 30 min to an hour. Went to my primary care doctor this morning who really didn't seem interested in my
symptoms after I mentioned that I may be having some anxiety over this. He gave me a prescription for Prevacid that I was waiting until
tomorrow to take and a prescription for Hydroxyzine for anxiety which is supposed to be taken with a full glass of water. Well, just took that and
now the upper part of my stomach hurts and my back and even shoulders are aching. Could this all be acid reflux and a hiatal hernia? Even
though my primary doctor thinks so I'm still worrying about it.
I wanted to share my story and see if any of the veteran group members have suggestions or feedback. This is my first new
threat on this forum.
I was diagnosed with acid reflux approximately three years ago via endoscopy and placed on Aciphex (20 mg). Within days, my symptoms went
away and I was able to eat, drink and resume my normal life without symptoms of heartburn, nausea, pain, etc. I felt I was the most fortunate
person on earth, and went on about my business. I was told the Aciphex was safe and I could continue to take it indefinitely. Therefore, for two
years my PCP refilled my prescription and I faithfully took the medicine without a worry. I must say that I never bothered to read any literature
about potential side effects since both the GI doctor and my internist felt very comfortable with me taking it long term or as long as needed.
Nobody brought up the issue of bone loss, increased risk of hip fractures or acid rebound, and I was too busy to bother to look any of it up.
Fast forward to this past December. I went in for my regular annual physical and happened to have a Dexa bone scan as part of my checkup. I
had undergone one two years prior as a baseline which was normal, but because I am now going into menapause at 54, my internist wanted to
repeat it. To everyone's surprise, it was discovered that I have advanced osteopenia on both hips, which the doctor assumed is likely due to the
Aciphex (since my body is still producing estrogen and I am a fairly active person).
The internist's and OBG's unequivocal recommendation was that I immediately begin to take Actonel (the once a month version). When I brought
up all the potential nasty side effects (I did my homework this time) and my concern about this drug's effect to simply let old bone build up and
prevent cell turnover, they both said I should still take it. What if I develop worse symptoms of GERD? Then, they said, I should simply double up
on the Aciphex, and so on.
I was very upset for a couple of days and kicked myself for not having done the research on the Aciphex and increased risk of osteoporosis. in
the first place. I then called the doctor and asked her nurse whether it would not simply be more beneficial for me to get off the Aciphex or switch
it to a less potent medication like an H2 blocker while I simultaneously increased my exercise and intake of Vitamin D3 and calcium. I still got the
same response. Just take the Actonel and increase the Aciphex as needed to deal with any GI side effects of the Actonel.
I made the decision to withdraw the Aciphex on my own, but did so very quickly over only the course of two weeks. I had not heard of acid
rebound, but intuitively knew that my body was likely dependant on something I used for nearly three years. I switched to Zantac 150 mg twice a
day, began to take more calcium citrate with 1000 mg of vitamin D3, and braced myself for what was to come.
The first week off Aciphex and on Zantac was incredibly rough. I ate a lot of Tumms and experienced a lot of rebound acid. I found this board
where I learned about acid rebound for the first time, and felt a bit of hope that perhaps I could slowly weane myself off the medicine. I realized
my mistake of having withdrawn the Aciphex too quickly, but I thought it was too late to go back now that I had been without it for a week.
Today is the fifteenth day without Aciphex and I must add I have some better days and worse days. I am still on the Zantac, but have used less
Tumms and Gaviscon, and gradually added some natural remedies. I am taking tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice which I find soothing (though it
does not taste good). I suck on DGL several times a day (though the effect lasts very little) and have started the Melatonin at night. I am doing a
little bit better as the days go by, and hope to be able to come back and report again my progress in another week or so.
I have learned a few hard lessons. First, I have learned to always do my homework. All medicines have side effects and some type of trade off. I
have been trading off the health of my bones for the luxury of eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. Second, I still like my personal
doctor, but I will never blindly follow her advice again. I have realized that physicians today have no time to solve puzzles. It is easier for them to
give me another pill than to sit down and sort through options. I feel I am a motivated and health conscious individual who will try other methods
to restore bone health. Yet my doctor simply wants me to take this new medicine, Actonel, which to me sounds like poison to the body, and then
take even more Aciphex to deal with the side effects of the Actonel when the Aciphex is what most likely caused the rapid loss of calcium in my
hip bones. That just sounds crazy to me unless I absolutely have to stay on the Aciphex which I am not convinced I have to.
I am not optimistic that I will be able to get off the Zantac, but I am hoping the Zantac will give me enough relief that I will be able to stay on it or a
reduced dose while I follow a healthy diet. I am also hoping the Zantac does not interfere as much with calcium absorption so that my hips do not
develop full blown osteoporosis if I continue a regimen of exercise and the calcium with vitamin D3.
I don't know if the natural remedies will help, i.e., Aloe and Melatonin, but will continue to use them to see if they speed up the process and cut
down on the acid rebound.
I guess the question has been asked and I have seen several older threads, but are there any of those folks who were trying to get off PPI's a
couple of years back still around and did they succeed? Are there any other natural remedies that have helped them?
Neither ginger nor ACV helps me but rather give me more heartburn and irritation so I have stayed away from them.
I just wanted to share my story. Those folks who need to be on PPI's need to be very watchful of their calcium intake and have regular Dexa
scans. Had I had one last year, I would have discovered the calcium loss sooner.
Thank you all for "listening" and I appreciate any comments or sage words of advice from the group's veterans.
Rose
Has anyone had these tests done and did they help at all in the diagnosis or help with the treatment plan?? To me it seems like
they are just confirming that yes you have acid reflux and it won't really play a role in part of the treatment plan. I have mine scheduled and my
GI told me that the manometry test is horrible and to expect the worse for 20 minutes....has anyone had this done? is it that bad an experience?
he told me that because you need to be able to swallow they cannot sedate you at all....sounds scary....anyone?
Was diagnosed with relux about a month ago. Prescribed Prevacid and I have been having dull headaches/itching head and face
ever since. It is random and sometimes happens 3-4 times a day. Tylenol or benadryl allergy medicines helps for about 4 hours. I sleep real good
and it seems to start mid-morning and is usually gone by mid-evening. Has anybody had these same symptoms? It does seem to be getting
better as now the headache/itching only happens once a day now around 3 in the afternoon. I am hoping it is the Prevacid and my body is slowly
getting used to it. Or my other option is to switch reflux medicine. Any help would be much appreciated. I understand the things people have to
go through with relux and it can be depressing sometimes but I try to think positive and hope for the best. The reason it gets me down is that I
have been really healthy up to this point and I am only 46. Thanks for listening.....
after care of a nhs laparoscopic nissen fundoplication
it's hard to find much information about this online. i'm doing a lot of research on the nissen because there's a good chance i'll
have it done this summer, and i am concerned about the cost.
how much did a nissen fundoplication cost you? when/where did you have it? what insurance do you have and how much of the surgery did it
cover?
Without going into the "why", I was off Aciphex for 6 weeks the beginning of the year. Prior to that I was on it for about 8 years
with no side effects except more than usual headaches. I went back on it Feb. 8 and about a month or so after I started getting abdominal
spasms/twitches and the headaches were back.
Is it possible have side effects from a drug (after stopping for a while and going back on) when you were on it for 8 years with nothing?
Does anyone else get jolts of pain that run from their heart to their shoulder, like quick acid pains? I have had sqeezing pains in
the past from spasms, but not this burning pain up to my shoulder. I have had about 3 quick jolts. Worrys me its my heart. Just took a pepcid
complete..
I have been on Nexium since 2002. If I fail to take my daily tablet, I get heart burn. If I take it = no problems. Is there a way to
avoid the heartburn without taking this tablet?
if taking ppi when to take calcium and other supplements? should it be early morning when there is more acid and then after 4
hrs. take ppi?
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