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I was also on Prilosec and the nexium for almost twenty years. Little did I know that these drugs can cause permanent damage to the cells that produce acid as well as block the absorption of key nutrients. I also never realized how important stomach acid was to proper digestion and overall gut bacterial health. I sometimes feel like a lot of my health problems started way back when I began these drugs.
Yes, my mom had Barretts and the medication ruined her stomach. She has many vitamin deficiencies and gastroparesis. I have had to start Pepcid again and I am not happy about it!
Bauerpower, right at the bottom of my sternum where the last two ribs meet I get a tight and bloated feeling. Sometimes it feels like I have a lump In my throat. Generally the worst symptom is the heartburn. Even when I don’t have the heart burn I can sometimes feel fluids creeping back up my throat when I bend over. This can be bad. Because there can be silent reflux which still causes damage but isn’t as noticeable.
I am a little worried myself. I have an endoscopy in a week and I fear they will tell me than there has been some real damage done and they may tell me I have to go back on the meds
Try this very inexpensive tricks……Apple Cider Vinegar! For real, it’s the most natural way to increase your hydrochloric stomach acid. It works for me. A lot of times someone’s heartburn is related to low stomach acid, which is why some people are recommending Betaine or HCL. If you’re on this board you’re probably a freak and already have it in your cupboard.
Yeah, I have to eat small meals or else it will gurgle up sometimes. Guess I need to go to the doc. My mom had an experimental surgery done to remove the barretts and it worked. Someone really needs to figure this acid reflux stuff out man, half my family suffers from it! I stick to coconut oil and DGL… stopped taking it and bam it is back everyday. Taking Pepcid now as well as the supplements.
Vizzy, I am not sure about myself but the docs told my mom she definitely has too much acid. I tried enzymes and my entire body caught on fire from the intense acid production. I wish it worked!
Bauerpower, you sound like you have a hiatal hernia for sure. I think that poor digestion and unbalanced stomach flora can cause gas that puts pressure on the already weak sphincter. This gas also pushes the acid up the esophagus. I’ve had a bad habit of eating late all of my life, not good. I’ve also had a bad habit of eating until stuffed, also not good. One thing I have done is to sleep at a slight incline. I have raised the head of my bed three inches. This will help keep the acid from rolling up the throat.
I think at some point I may start a topic on nexium over at the drugs and supplements area. I realize that if you have Barret’s the doctors are doing the best thing that they know to try to help you, but it seems to me like a very dangerous thing to alter someone’s stomach acid for so many years. Nexium is, I believe, the largest selling drug in the country. These guys are handing it out like candy to anyone who has heartburn. They are putting people on this stuff for life. The literature says this stuff is only safe for short term use, like two to four weeks.
@VizzyC When I had acid reflux, I tried ACV. It didn’t work. I am not saying it won’t work. In fact, the doctor I cited who wrote the book, Jonathon Wright, suggests that people might want to start off with it. However, I think that it works for milder cases. My case was quite bad, so ACV didn’t work, but the HCL did.
@BauerPower, my symptoms were AT LEAST as bad as yours and similar. Unless you have an ulcer, I think you might try it. The worst that can happen is that it just won’t work for you. I think I noticed a difference, if not immediately, within a couple of days. It’s been so long ago that I can’t remember now. I also suggest the Mastic Gum. It’s a little expensive but it will help soothe your stomach until the HCL kicks in full-effect.I have had an ulcer but I believe it healed as I do not have that localized burning sensation any more. It was a duodenal ulcer. I have heard of Mastic Gum, I may get some of that. Thanks!
Jdubs, there is some research suggesting that ppi meds only relieve the symptoms. Esophageal cancer has increased significantly since the introduction of Nexium and its siblings. I quit taking them for this reason.
Vizzy, I am not sure. I was looking over blood work the other day and could not find my type. My mom doesn’t know for sure but she says it is one of the very common ones.
Had my endoscopy yesterday. No real problems just about the same amount of irritation they always find. This is a big relief to me. I’ve had some bad reflux in the last month or two, especially after a round of antibiotics for strep. I’m just so against taking any long term meds at the moment that I didn’t want to be told that I had to or
else. As usual all of the people I had to talk to in the process of setting this thing up, from the nurse that makes the pre procedure phone call, to the anesthesiologist, all gasped in shock when I said I haven’t been on meds for four years. Obviously survival in the modern world isn’t possible unless you have a constant stream of your income flowing into pharmaceutical company coffers for the rest of your life.
Chronic recurring reflux is nothing to sneeze at. Some people do really need this medication or else. Like everything else though I think doctors are handing it out like candy to anyone with heartburn. It’s no surprise when they put out a commercial with the ” git-r-done” done dude telling you to shove what ever garbage down your throat that you want because we have a pill to cover up the consequences. And don’t worry about life long side effects, we got pills for that too.
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