GERD? Prevacid? WHAT a night!!

Please, anyone else on Prevacid for GERD or suspected GERD?  How long before I get any relief?  I've been taking it for a little over a week now (second try).  Doctor only gave me 15 mg.which I take once a day.  But, so far, every night I am in horrible pain up into my chest and throat, even after taking a couple of spoonfuls of Mylanta.  I am going to try elevating the head of my bed now... I don't know what to eat anymore!  Give me some ideas.  I only weigh 110lbs now and can't afford to lose.  Seems like everything I want to eat is "bad" for me.  I'm also trying to exercise on my XLglider in the evenings for about 20 min. or so, hoping that this will aid in digesting my dinner.  
     Where are you "sturge"??? You had the same type problems I had and I want to know how you are dealing with it and feeling now.  But, anyone who can help with their experiences, please do.  You understand the suffering and discouragement and are much appreciated!  Also, anyone know where I can purchase DGL? Our GNC store doesn't carry it.  Thanks again.

[Addie]

Make sure you elevate the head of the bed by putting something like a Brick under the head bed legs.  My doc wanted them up 8" but this was impossible for my bed. I am up 5
inches.
Prevacid did nothing for me but Nexium has helped better. My sister was put on prevacid (only thing allowed on her insurance plan) and she did good.  I believe with any Proton Pump Inhibitors, i.e. prilodec, prevacid, nexium and some others, my doc said it could take up to 2-3 weeks before i would get relief.

My doc told me to stay away from Chocolate, Pepper, peppermints and all red sauces. Limit coffee to a small cup in the morning and small cup at dinner.  Do not eat or drink 2 hours before going to bed.

It will get better.  Keep in close touch with your doctor.

Good Luck.

[needabreak]

Thanks LisaLamb!  I love your doctor!  Coffee?  I could live with having a small cup in the morning, but none at all would depress me.  I'm still looking for ideas of what to eat.  You don't know what a good thing you did for me with your encouragement.  To the rest of you reading this, please respond!  I need all the help I can get.  Dreading the night and getting tired.         needabreak

[Addie]

It is me again.  Did your doctor (gastro) go down and look into your esophagus with a light?  This is very imnportant.  I have a stricture in my espohagus which the new doc will go back in and balloon this.  I know I will get more relief when this is done.

Also, there is a condtion called Barret's Espohagus whuch can be seen by going in and looking.  This is a pre-cancerous condtion and if one has this, close supervison is needed.  

The first doc (did not like him) took biopsies and it did show erosions of the esophagus.  The new lady doc(wonderful) will be doing the next EGD (look and see with the light)

Oh......Forgot to mention....Aspirin and Aspirin products can really play havoc on the tummy.  

Also, my gastro doc said that it is trial and error on these meds.  Some do very well on one and another will not do good.  There are side effects to all these meds which some never have and others will suffer the side effects.  

I could not take Prilosec but Nexium is made by the same people and I do better on this. Achifex was another I could not tolerate.

Put you feet up now and think positive thoughts that you will get through this.  Keep stress away as this is not good for the Gerd.

[twingirl]

Sorry to hear that your GERD is so bothersome to you even after taking the Prevacid.  I take 30 mgs per day.  Ask your doctor if he/she could up the dose for you.  My daughter is on 20mgs a day, and she is only 10 and 63 pounds.  I just don't think 15 mg is enough.  Ask your doctor if you could take one in the morning and one at night.  I take 30 at night, and I have very little problems now.  The Prevacid worked quickly on me.  It very well may be that you need something different.  I do well with Prevacid, and my daughter does very well on Prilosec which did nothing for me.  Good luck and hope that you feel relief soon.  Twingirl

[karizmaflip]

ask your doctor about reglan.im on it and it helps.

[feelbetter]

Hi. I am so sorry that you are having such problems. You could try adding to your dosage of meds to see if that helps. I also agree with elevating yourself at night. That seems to help if you actually feel the acid coming back. I prop my pillows a certain way but I plan to buy a wedge when I get a chance. I too had trouble finding DGL. I take a kind that is made by Enzymatic Therapy brand natural medicines. They have a website www.enzy.com and you can go there and find a store that carries the DGL. It is still working for me. I have some hoarseness and throat clearing still but no actual pain. I also do not eat 3 hours before bed because if I do, I usually will have trouble. Best wishes and God Bless!

[pikamom]

I think protonix is a new one for reflux. My cardiologist had me try it but it didn't do anything for me. I eat rolaids like candy. It could be the exercize after dinner is actually making your reflux worse, it does mine! What helps me the most is eating small portions and never letting myself get too full. I make sure to let my food settle before exercize. I avoid spicy things. Also, chocolate, tea and coffee are real irritators. Oh, and so are rich foods like cheeze cake. Spagetti and pizza will give me heartburn. Hope this helps and you feel better soon.

[avion]

sipping buttermilk helps me a lot.

[needabreak]

I love you guys!  Thanks for all the help and encouragement.  I have slept better the last 2 nights, I think because we raised the head of the bed up 5-6 inches.  I'm feeling a little better and not so desperate.  For what it's worth, I'm also drinking a little aloe vera juice each day and hope that it has that healing effect.  I wished we all lived close by.  We could go out for lunch and then sit there and complain about all the things we can't eat!  (Buttermilk?? what do you think it is about buttermilk that helps you? Did someone give you this idea?)  Whatever works, great!   Am I the only one out there who hasn't had the "scope" or PH test, and just trying the Prevacid to see if it works?  So far, that's what the doctor ordered.      You all have my best wishes and prayers for complete healing.  Keep me in yours.      needabreak

[Concerned lady]

I'm going to do a "cut & paste" of some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS that greatly help my husband and me!

Check out these tips with your doc, and if he/she & you have no objections, give them a try for a week! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how effective they can be.

Some of the people responding to you, have already mentioned some of these tips! Try them all, and let us know how they help!:

              ***********************************

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It can be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[needabreak]

Thanks for all the info!  It's alot to digest (get it?).  I am into the natural products, too, but didn't know about the DGL.  I think I know a place to get it now.  Does it taste REAL bad?  Does it taste like licorice?    For now though I better stay on the Prevacid, but will try this as well.  What were your symptoms with your reflux?  Your husband has it too?  Just curious.  You gave me so much great info.  Thanks again.

[feelbetter]

Hi Needabreak! I have gotten used to the taste of DGL after taking it for several weeks. Just don't do what I did and boldly chew down 2 tablets at once. I now slowly chew each one and drink a little water. It is really not that bad and you get used to it. I can not get over how well it works, better than the prilosec really. Everytime I have felt an "attack" brewing, I have chewed the DGL and it went right away. I did just stop taking the prilosec though, I hope I didn't mess up by stopping so quickly. It tastes like VERY strong licorice. I have fun with my "healthy" friends who can down gallons of coffee with no problem and have them smell the bottle. It is strong and they can't believe that I actually eat the stuff. :) I hope it works for you!

[karie]

With the GERd do you suffer with stomach pain,aches as well? Can you take DGL after a meal to help ? Why would we have these conditions still if our diet and lifestyle is so calm ?
Thanks so much

[feelbetter]

Hi. With my GERD, I have awful pain in my stomach. I never really had a problem with feeling acid or burning (until recently) My main problem was PAIN which was very severe. It could occur at anytime, especially if I skipped a meal or even ate lunch late. A simple drink of water could set it off. I take DGL before I eat or as needed. For example, if I feel the pain coming on, I take some DGL. The results have been amazing. I usually chew 2 in the am and 2 before dinner at night. I don't know why we still have problems after changing our diets. That was very frustrating for me. I still eat pretty healthy as well as use the DGL. I had ice cream the other night and I had trouble afterwards but I don't do it that often. It was mocha chocolate chip, how could I resist? :) I might note that I still take a couple of Tums from time to time as well but not as much as I was. Good Luck!

[needabreak]

Now that you mention stomach pain...it seems that every evening and sometimes more, I have a dull, uncomfortable ache in my stomach.  I was wondering if this has anything to do with the fact that I'm taking Prevacid (side effect?) or, the food is taking longer to digest because my stomach acids are cut way down.  I DO have to get some of the DGL!!  I tried calling the place near (30 miles) here that sells it, but they were closed.  :(  I REALLY want to get well too.  Good hearing from all of you!  Anyone else wondering how SICKYOUNGGURL22 is doing?  If she reads this, please let us know.

[DGO]

karizmaflip,
below is a cut & paste of some comments earier on reglan. i really had a bad experience with it about 16 years ago. good luck with your problems.


prilobabe,
be careful with the Reglan. i know different drugs will affect people different ways but i had a bad experience with Reglan in 1986. it was prescribed by my family doctor to prevent reflux.
it has a tendancy to make you lethargic and ended i up in depession. i didn't realize what had caused it at the time. when i got thru the depression i went back to Reglan and began to feel the same way again. i stopped and have'nt had trouble with depression since. years later it was verified to me by a physciatrist that it could in fact cause depression. also years later i had my reflux diagnosed and am being treated with Nexium with no side effects. many others seem to have a terrible time with it. anyway, good luck. DGO

C35 prilobabe
(14-Feb-02)  . Thank you for all of the information.
Regarding the new drugs, I have not tried the Nexium yet and I have decided not to bother filling the scrip for reglan. I researched it and it does cause depression and lethargy. In fact, the info said you may not want to drive! Personally, I don't need to risk depression. I live in the Northeast and I have trouble (with depression)in the winter as it is. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. I am holding you all in my thoughts and prayers. We can't give up, there is got to be a way to make this stuff better.

[karie]

I find the heartburn so bad and the stomach ache and pain in the evening can bring me to tears.
The Nexium did bring on more abdominal pain. I am on nothing at this date.
Why stomach pain, Is it acid that is stirring up. I use a heating pad sometimes and have not wanted to take anything for pain.
Would like to know what it is that makes a person with a healthy lifestyle have such a time ? But we all ask this

[Eager]

I am so sorry to hear another person in the same predicament as me. I have such terrible pain as well. I am now seeing a Homopathic Doctor who seems to understand that the meds all the Doctors have given me over the past 5 years don't work or give me terrible side affects. His explination is thet the stomach is creeping up inside the esopagus. Ya, that would hurt. To relieve the pain, he actually pulls the stomach down for me. Someone in the chat room suggested a large glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach and then jump. I am willing to give it a try. I also get stuff stuck in my throat like carrots or bread. I take a glass of water but then I can't breath or I choke. Any natural remedies?