Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Prontonix vs Nexium et al
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
 |
Prontonix vs Nexium et al
by Mplatt2, Apr 28, 2003 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with GERD/reflux in November 2002. From November until March I was on Protonix 40mg daily. This seems to do an OK job with symptoms. But after about 12 weeks it seemed that there might be hair loss related. About two weeks ago I was switched to Nexium. For about five days I felt normal - no symptoms on Nexium. Then I developed diarrhea, then this came and went, but the Nexium seems to be doing less well with symptoms. For most of the day my lower throat/esophegus feels very tight, although it does not inhibit swallowing at all. It just feels like there is always pressure on my lower throat/esopohogal area - juts below the adams apple. (I'm a 54 year old male).
Have not yet had my Endoscopy as my travel schedule has constantly intervened.
Worried that the throat tightness inhibits sleep etc. I only had this occasionally on Protonix, but have had it last three days on Nexium?
Should I switch back to Protonix? Try Aciphex? Frustrated a bit that symptoms seem to stick around forever.
Martin
Have not yet had my Endoscopy as my travel schedule has constantly intervened.
Worried that the throat tightness inhibits sleep etc. I only had this occasionally on Protonix, but have had it last three days on Nexium?
Should I switch back to Protonix? Try Aciphex? Frustrated a bit that symptoms seem to stick around forever.
Martin
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 30, 2003 12:00AM
, Apr 30, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.
The endoscopy is a wise next step. This will make sure that the throat tightness you are experiencing is not caused by an anatomical abnormality or cancer. If that is negative, then focus can be turned to appropriate treatment of your GERD.
There is no consensus study that suggests much difference between the proton pump inhibitors - there are only smaller studies suggesting differences. However, some patients react differently (i.e. in terms of side effects and efficacy) to different medications.
You may want to try other medications (like Prevacid or Aciphex). However if medications cannot control your GERD symptoms, then surgical therapy may be a consideration in the future.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
The endoscopy is a wise next step. This will make sure that the throat tightness you are experiencing is not caused by an anatomical abnormality or cancer. If that is negative, then focus can be turned to appropriate treatment of your GERD.
There is no consensus study that suggests much difference between the proton pump inhibitors - there are only smaller studies suggesting differences. However, some patients react differently (i.e. in terms of side effects and efficacy) to different medications.
You may want to try other medications (like Prevacid or Aciphex). However if medications cannot control your GERD symptoms, then surgical therapy may be a consideration in the future.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
Crohn
Crohn's Disease
Crohns
Digestive Process
Dry Skin
IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Stomach Ach
Sunburn
Ulcerative Colitis
abdominal pain
bowel
colitis
colon
crohn's
crohns disease
diarrhea
gallbladder
irritable
irritable bowel
large intestine
liver
nausea
pain
rectal bleeding
red skin
redness
stomach ache
stool
ulcerative
Communities
Ask a Doctor Forums
Tools and Applications
Personal Information
was taking zantac 150 for many years and now i am taking nexium.
i seem to have gastric distress in abdomen,stomach and gi tract,almost daily, lately. was more or less under control a few
weeks ago. i am 66 yrs. old. i felt my abd.distress may have been
from taking zocor for cholesterol. tried other statins in the past and had similar response with abd.distress. much gas.mostly
at distal end of esophagitis. now have been without zocor for
a week and dr. is putting me on pravachol 40mgs. with zebetia 10mgs. taken once upon retiring in the evening. have nausea from
time to time and pressure of gas under diaphragm. been taking gas
ex to relieve symptoms of gas. i feel that maybe my symptoms are
being generated from meds. i take, such as lopressor 150 (1)daily,xanax(1)daily, nexium 40mgs.(1)daily, vitamin e.400iu with
folic acid(once daily)norvasc 5mg.(1) daily, imbur 60mgs.(1 daily), and starting this week...pravachol 40mgs.(1)daily and
zebetia 10mgs.(1daily).some meds such as pravachol,zebetia,imdur,
norvasc are taken at bedtime; rest are taken in am and around 6pm. i am tired of gaseousness, possibly caused from ibs and/or
hypertension. can you give me some sound medical advice.am under
care of cardiologist and family physician. have had my gb removed about one yr. ago. thankyou. clarence g.