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Long term effects of taking Nexium?
Hi, I am a 19yrs old, and have had GERD for 7yrs now, but was only properly diagnosed at 16yrs old, and I have been taking Nexium for 10 months now. My last doctor told me I'd be taking Nexium for the rest of my life, and gave me a 6 month prescription before I moved (2 months ago). Is Nexium safe to use long term or not? Have there been any tests? I can't see a doctor until a month or 2 yet because I am not eligible for a medical plan here until then. Has Nexium been shown to suppress your immune system? I have a cold, and I nearly passed out in class this morning. I always seem to get way sicker than normal people do. Is there anything I can do to help my body cope? My GERD is severe, and I sleep in a hospital bed, stick to a strict diet, and do everything I'm supposed to, and it's not getting any better. I'm barely breaking even with Nexium. Can anyone relate?
Erik:
The following medical literature supports your contention that there in no evidence that long-term PPI use leads to gastric cancer. That would make my earlier comment (and by extension, my surgeon's opinion) incorrect. This is a lengthy excerpt, but worth reading, I think. Note also that it cites a statistic I had never seen before: 1 in 64 Barrett's patients progress on to cancer. While 1 in 64 may not seem like bad odds, given all the people that have Barrett's, it means a lot of EC cases, and that is very tragic. Here is the excerpt:
=============================================================
The following information is from book "Barretts Esophagus" edited by Tilanus and Atwood, 2001, by Kluwer Academic Publishers. No where in this book does it suggest that PPIs cause esophageal or gastric cancer!
from the book:
p288:
"It does not appear, despite earlier fears, that medication increases the risk of adenocarcinoma. Chow et al found no association with the use of H2 antagonists, or anticholinergic drugs. Vaughn et al found no correlation with the use of drugs that relaxed the lower esophageal sphincter, in particular with calcium channel blockers."
p77:
"The natural history of GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is changing. The widespread use of PPIs has altered the severity of GERD and frequency of complications. Proton pump inhibitors can be classed as disease-modifying agents:
* they have the ability to heal esophagitis and esophageal ulcers.
* they have the ability to maintain remission (of GERD) in 100% of patients if used at appropriate doses.
* They prevent the recurrence of esophageal strictures, something not achieved by H2Ras (H2 receptor antagonist )
* Recent review of the published data also suggests that these drugs are safe for long term use at the doses currently used.
* the one area in which PPIs do not appear to modify disease relates to progression of Barretts Esophagus. During a 6.5 year follow-up, 9.5% of patients developed barretts despite being on sufficient medication to cure their esophagitis. One of 64 patients with known barretts also progressed to carcinoma.
* Review of studies suggests that there is little or no reduction in the length of existing barretts with PPIs.
p232:
"A decrease in cancer risk might be anticipated if treatment could induce a reduction of Barretts. A number of case reports have suggested that reduction of Barretts esophagus can be accomplished by anti reflux treatment. However, other studies could not confirm this.
* It is reasonable to assume that the long term goal of therapy should be to eliminate any acid exposure to barretts tissue.
** and p167 - bile:
" Several animal and patient studies have demonstrated that mixed reflux of acid and bile salts is significantly more destructive than acid reflux alone, suggesting a possible synergistic interaction existing between bile, especially taurine conjugates, and acid.
* The high pH environment created by proton pump inhibitors inactivates these bile acids.
* In animal studies, Cell repair of esophageal lining in the presence of acid and bile reflux generates columnar epithelium, ie. barretts.
* In animal studies, cell repair of esophageal lining in the presence of bile without acid, generates normal squamous (healthy) cells.
With apologies, and continued best regards,
Chicken Soup
The following medical literature supports your contention that there in no evidence that long-term PPI use leads to gastric cancer. That would make my earlier comment (and by extension, my surgeon's opinion) incorrect. This is a lengthy excerpt, but worth reading, I think. Note also that it cites a statistic I had never seen before: 1 in 64 Barrett's patients progress on to cancer. While 1 in 64 may not seem like bad odds, given all the people that have Barrett's, it means a lot of EC cases, and that is very tragic. Here is the excerpt:
=============================================================
The following information is from book "Barretts Esophagus" edited by Tilanus and Atwood, 2001, by Kluwer Academic Publishers. No where in this book does it suggest that PPIs cause esophageal or gastric cancer!
from the book:
p288:
"It does not appear, despite earlier fears, that medication increases the risk of adenocarcinoma. Chow et al found no association with the use of H2 antagonists, or anticholinergic drugs. Vaughn et al found no correlation with the use of drugs that relaxed the lower esophageal sphincter, in particular with calcium channel blockers."
p77:
"The natural history of GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is changing. The widespread use of PPIs has altered the severity of GERD and frequency of complications. Proton pump inhibitors can be classed as disease-modifying agents:
* they have the ability to heal esophagitis and esophageal ulcers.
* they have the ability to maintain remission (of GERD) in 100% of patients if used at appropriate doses.
* They prevent the recurrence of esophageal strictures, something not achieved by H2Ras (H2 receptor antagonist )
* Recent review of the published data also suggests that these drugs are safe for long term use at the doses currently used.
* the one area in which PPIs do not appear to modify disease relates to progression of Barretts Esophagus. During a 6.5 year follow-up, 9.5% of patients developed barretts despite being on sufficient medication to cure their esophagitis. One of 64 patients with known barretts also progressed to carcinoma.
* Review of studies suggests that there is little or no reduction in the length of existing barretts with PPIs.
p232:
"A decrease in cancer risk might be anticipated if treatment could induce a reduction of Barretts. A number of case reports have suggested that reduction of Barretts esophagus can be accomplished by anti reflux treatment. However, other studies could not confirm this.
* It is reasonable to assume that the long term goal of therapy should be to eliminate any acid exposure to barretts tissue.
** and p167 - bile:
" Several animal and patient studies have demonstrated that mixed reflux of acid and bile salts is significantly more destructive than acid reflux alone, suggesting a possible synergistic interaction existing between bile, especially taurine conjugates, and acid.
* The high pH environment created by proton pump inhibitors inactivates these bile acids.
* In animal studies, Cell repair of esophageal lining in the presence of acid and bile reflux generates columnar epithelium, ie. barretts.
* In animal studies, cell repair of esophageal lining in the presence of bile without acid, generates normal squamous (healthy) cells.
With apologies, and continued best regards,
Chicken Soup
Marygold, I agree 100% with Virgo! Vitamin B-12 deficiencies due to taking acid blockers, can be severe, causing peripheral neuropathies &/or central nervous system nerve damage. People on acid blockers also become deficient in other parts of Vitamin B-complex, minerals (including Calcium, Magnesium, etc.), various trace minerals, and have trouble digesting and absorbing amino acids (end product of protein digestion), etc.
There's a great "neuro" forum that you should post a question on, and address your question to "Rose". It's the "Peripheral Neuropathy" forum, over at <a href=http://www.braintalk.org>http://www.braintalk.org</a>
I will also post some Gastric Reflux Tips that you can ask your doc about, and if you & your doc have no objections, give the tips a try for at least 2 weeks. Hopefully, you'll be pleasantly surprised as many have been (not all, but many) who have tried these tips.
These tips, if they help you, can be continued, while you (under close medical supervision, & if safe for you) slowly, slowly wean off acid blockers. Then, continue using the tips (if safe for you), until your reflux is under good control for about 3 months.
Then, you can either continue using the tips, as maintenance, or, slowly wean off them, and see what happens. No matter what, keep being monitored by competent specialist docs.
Good luck to you.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
<a href=http://www.cantbreathesuspectvcd.com>http://www.cantbreathesuspectvcd.com<a/a>
There's a great "neuro" forum that you should post a question on, and address your question to "Rose". It's the "Peripheral Neuropathy" forum, over at <a href=http://www.braintalk.org>http://www.braintalk.org</a>
I will also post some Gastric Reflux Tips that you can ask your doc about, and if you & your doc have no objections, give the tips a try for at least 2 weeks. Hopefully, you'll be pleasantly surprised as many have been (not all, but many) who have tried these tips.
These tips, if they help you, can be continued, while you (under close medical supervision, & if safe for you) slowly, slowly wean off acid blockers. Then, continue using the tips (if safe for you), until your reflux is under good control for about 3 months.
Then, you can either continue using the tips, as maintenance, or, slowly wean off them, and see what happens. No matter what, keep being monitored by competent specialist docs.
Good luck to you.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
<a href=http://www.cantbreathesuspectvcd.com>http://www.cantbreathesuspectvcd.com<a/a>
A related discussion, GERD and 120mg nexium was started.
I'm not sure about a specific time that vitamins should be taken, but I take them with breakfast with my Nexium (40mg). Vitamins should be taken with a meal for better absorption.
I have been on PPI's (former Losec, now Nexium) for many years without any ill effects that I can associate with the PPI. I was unaware of the view that PPI's may impede vitamin absorption. Accordingly, I've renewed my resolve to take vitamin supplements regularly. Because I'm cheap, I tend to take the Nexium (40mg) on a 2 out of 3 day basis...I can go about 36 hours before the return of symptoms.
Here's my question: is there a "best time" to take the vitamins from an absorption point of view? That is,I assume that the effect of Nexium on stomach acid varies, with peaks and valleys associated with when the Nexium is taken. I also assume that there is a known or reasonably assumed period for the Vitamin to be absorbed. Is there a "vitamin absorption management strategy" that can be exploited here?
Here's my question: is there a "best time" to take the vitamins from an absorption point of view? That is,I assume that the effect of Nexium on stomach acid varies, with peaks and valleys associated with when the Nexium is taken. I also assume that there is a known or reasonably assumed period for the Vitamin to be absorbed. Is there a "vitamin absorption management strategy" that can be exploited here?
Hi Chicken Soup,
I really appreciate you telling me not too worry, cuz it seems that's all I ever do.
The pain seems to have calmed down exept for alot of pressure in my throat, but by reading some of the posts, it seems like it's a common problem with GERD. Going to the doctor on Friday am, I will let you know what he says.
It's been one week now on Losec, I suspect I have to stay on it for a while longer ;) and that it takes a couple of weeks to feel a bit better.
Thanks again
I would appreciate any emails.
***@****
Moozie
I really appreciate you telling me not too worry, cuz it seems that's all I ever do.
The pain seems to have calmed down exept for alot of pressure in my throat, but by reading some of the posts, it seems like it's a common problem with GERD. Going to the doctor on Friday am, I will let you know what he says.
It's been one week now on Losec, I suspect I have to stay on it for a while longer ;) and that it takes a couple of weeks to feel a bit better.
Thanks again
I would appreciate any emails.
***@****
Moozie
Thanks you guys,
How long does this medication (losec)take to work? I'm still in pain.
Please help!!! My anxiety about this is so severe, it still feels like I'm having a heart attack, and I'm really scared.
Moozie
How long does this medication (losec)take to work? I'm still in pain.
Please help!!! My anxiety about this is so severe, it still feels like I'm having a heart attack, and I'm really scared.
Moozie
I'm not a doctor, and I only have the information you have put in several posts here, but my guess is:
1) you're not going crazy.
2) You don't have esophageal cancer, and
3) You're not having a heart attack.
You may want to do a WEB search on Losec (in the US it is marketed under the name Prilosec, so I'd search that term as well). You should get good information on potential side effects and how long it takes to begin to have full effect. I suspect that you may want to give it 2 or 3 weeks to see if it helps. If not, tell your GP and ask for an endoscopy. That will be the first test they should do to see if reflux has irritated your esophageal lining. Reflux can cause a sharp chest pain that people sometimes confuse with a possible heart atttack (I did in the late 1980's). If your GP is treating you with Zantac, Nexium, and Losec, she/he must have good reason to believe that your discomfort is the result of reflux and not a heart problem.
I understand your anxiety, but sometimes it takes a while for the medicine to really kick in. It also would be helpful to follow the GERD diet and lifestyle suggestions in "Dr. Tomasello's" post that I referred to above (if you are not already doing so). In any event, I would ask for an endoscopy the next timne you see your GP.
Good luck,
Chicken Soup
1) you're not going crazy.
2) You don't have esophageal cancer, and
3) You're not having a heart attack.
You may want to do a WEB search on Losec (in the US it is marketed under the name Prilosec, so I'd search that term as well). You should get good information on potential side effects and how long it takes to begin to have full effect. I suspect that you may want to give it 2 or 3 weeks to see if it helps. If not, tell your GP and ask for an endoscopy. That will be the first test they should do to see if reflux has irritated your esophageal lining. Reflux can cause a sharp chest pain that people sometimes confuse with a possible heart atttack (I did in the late 1980's). If your GP is treating you with Zantac, Nexium, and Losec, she/he must have good reason to believe that your discomfort is the result of reflux and not a heart problem.
I understand your anxiety, but sometimes it takes a while for the medicine to really kick in. It also would be helpful to follow the GERD diet and lifestyle suggestions in "Dr. Tomasello's" post that I referred to above (if you are not already doing so). In any event, I would ask for an endoscopy the next timne you see your GP.
Good luck,
Chicken Soup
I can understand why you are anxious if you are beginning to suspect that you have esophageal cancer ("EC"). From what you describe in the post above, you probably don't have EC. The most common initial symptom of EC is difficulty swallowing. Unfortunately, that is the result of the tumor having grown large enough to cause the difficulty swallowing, and by then the tumor has usually penetrated the esophageal wall. This means that diagnosis of EC usually occurs after the spread of the cancer to other organs, which accounts for the very low 5 year survival rates for this disease.
By all means, continue to ask your GP to order additional tests, such as an endoscopy of the esophagus with biopsies of any suspicious areas, an esophageal motility test, and a ph test. You want to find out what is causing the problem so you can deal directly with the problem, rather than the symptoms.
I suspect Marygold is going to email you some very helpful tips on dietary and lifestyle changes to try to stop the reflux.
Good luck,
Chicken Soup
By all means, continue to ask your GP to order additional tests, such as an endoscopy of the esophagus with biopsies of any suspicious areas, an esophageal motility test, and a ph test. You want to find out what is causing the problem so you can deal directly with the problem, rather than the symptoms.
I suspect Marygold is going to email you some very helpful tips on dietary and lifestyle changes to try to stop the reflux.
Good luck,
Chicken Soup
See the response by "Dr. Tomasello" to the post dated 11/12/02 and entitled "chest pain on exertion". I don't know if "Dr Tomasello" is an MD/GP, and her/his posts are relatively new, but the tips on lifestyle and dietary changes in "Dr. Tomasello's" response are comprehensive and textbook for GERD/Reflux, so you would do well to try them.
Again, good luck,
Chicken Soup
Again, good luck,
Chicken Soup
Hey, Moozie!
You've come to the right place. I'm Marygold, (ta-da!) formerly of BC, recently moved to Edmonton, Alberta and still adjusting to the snow. (Sometimes climate will worsen GERD, as I found out from moving.) I have had GERD since I was 12, and have self educated myself as much as I can, including reading medical textbooks. Smoking does make the LES slack, so, you may not want to hear this, but cutting down should help some. I have all sorts of tips and tricks for you, so I'll try to email you in a day or 2, after I get some sleep. I am on 40mg Nexium once a day, and it works for me. I have been on it for about 10months now (except for yesterday, when I forgot), and the pain always returns when I don't take it, even for one day. My GERD is severe, and chronic, which I don't think I like. (I'm slightly hyper right now, sorry.) The earliest I remember the signs of GERD (although I didn't know what it was then, and was not properly diagnosed until 4 yrs later) was when I was always losing my voice when I was 12. I never felt anything in my esophagous, only in my throat, which led to my doc diagnosing me with tonsilitis for 4 years before I told him to just take them stupid things out! He did, and nothing got better. Turns out what made me lose my voice all the time was the acid coming up my throat and heading towards my lungs, and burning out my vocal cords. Now, 7 years later, I cannot raise my voice (at least not for more than one sentence) and speak very softly. I've taken so many different drugs, and Nexium was the only one that worked, so each drug depends on your own body. There is no set way each drug will work, so don't get discouraged when one doesn't work that you've heard works for so many other people. I have so much more I could say, but due to the length of this posting already (and the amount of sleep in my eyes) I think I'm going to sign off here.
Goodnight!
Marygold
You've come to the right place. I'm Marygold, (ta-da!) formerly of BC, recently moved to Edmonton, Alberta and still adjusting to the snow. (Sometimes climate will worsen GERD, as I found out from moving.) I have had GERD since I was 12, and have self educated myself as much as I can, including reading medical textbooks. Smoking does make the LES slack, so, you may not want to hear this, but cutting down should help some. I have all sorts of tips and tricks for you, so I'll try to email you in a day or 2, after I get some sleep. I am on 40mg Nexium once a day, and it works for me. I have been on it for about 10months now (except for yesterday, when I forgot), and the pain always returns when I don't take it, even for one day. My GERD is severe, and chronic, which I don't think I like. (I'm slightly hyper right now, sorry.) The earliest I remember the signs of GERD (although I didn't know what it was then, and was not properly diagnosed until 4 yrs later) was when I was always losing my voice when I was 12. I never felt anything in my esophagous, only in my throat, which led to my doc diagnosing me with tonsilitis for 4 years before I told him to just take them stupid things out! He did, and nothing got better. Turns out what made me lose my voice all the time was the acid coming up my throat and heading towards my lungs, and burning out my vocal cords. Now, 7 years later, I cannot raise my voice (at least not for more than one sentence) and speak very softly. I've taken so many different drugs, and Nexium was the only one that worked, so each drug depends on your own body. There is no set way each drug will work, so don't get discouraged when one doesn't work that you've heard works for so many other people. I have so much more I could say, but due to the length of this posting already (and the amount of sleep in my eyes) I think I'm going to sign off here.
Goodnight!
Marygold
Hello , I'm new here but I really need some help. I have read all of the above information and I'm so glad that I found you guys, I was beginning to think I was going crazy. A few months ago a dentist gave me medication for a bad tooth. One night I woke up and thought I was having a heart attack, I rushed to the ER and they gave me zantac and sent me home. The next morning I went to my own doctor and he gave me Nexium. Well , it took a while but it worked. Soooooo, I thought I was all better after a few weeks and stopped taking the meds for a couple of months. Well guess what? about 3 weeks ago I started taking Nexium again because the pain has come back. The pain radiates all through my esophagus and sometimes in my neck(throat). My doctor says it's reflux. I am a smoker and I am very very worried that it is cancer. I suffer from severe anxiety as well and I'm really good of imagining all kinds of things. Nexium is not working so now today he has given me Losec. I'm afraid of taking it. Are there any side effects ?
I read that there is someone from BC ( canada ) on this message board. If that person or anyone else would like to email me I would really appreciate it. My email is ***@****.
I appreciate any comments on Losec, or if anyone can tell me when I will start feeling better. I've been taking Nexium now for one week and nothing has changed that's why my doctor is trying Losec. What I don't understand is why did it work before.
I feel like I'm going crazy...Please help!!
Thanks so much
I read that there is someone from BC ( canada ) on this message board. If that person or anyone else would like to email me I would really appreciate it. My email is ***@****.
I appreciate any comments on Losec, or if anyone can tell me when I will start feeling better. I've been taking Nexium now for one week and nothing has changed that's why my doctor is trying Losec. What I don't understand is why did it work before.
I feel like I'm going crazy...Please help!!
Thanks so much
Just a side note on the no coverage thing. My mom was on welfare in BC, and that means that us kids have medical through them until we're 19, then we have to get our own. I moved out here when I was still 18, and turned 19 in the middle of sept. I can't get medical out here util I've lived here for 3 months, and when I turned 19 and lost my BC medical, I had only been here half a month. So, I have 2 1/2 months in which to be extra careful not to get hurt or sick or anything. I didn't think that no coverage could happen, but I guess it can and does. Chretien wouldn't be happy? I wouldn't be happy! Anyway, that was just a little aside.
I also have been awfully tired lately, especially sitting in class, and I was wondering if it was due to the Nexium, and exercise usually helps me stay more awake. But you bring up a good point, one I completely forgot about. Sleep Apnea runs very strongly in my family, mostly on my mom's dad's side. I just met a second cousin on his side out here that I never knew about, and in her family, there's strong sleep apnea too. I know that there's still a chance that may not be it, but it's a very likely contender. Thanx. Now I ain't quite so worried.
I also have been awfully tired lately, especially sitting in class, and I was wondering if it was due to the Nexium, and exercise usually helps me stay more awake. But you bring up a good point, one I completely forgot about. Sleep Apnea runs very strongly in my family, mostly on my mom's dad's side. I just met a second cousin on his side out here that I never knew about, and in her family, there's strong sleep apnea too. I know that there's still a chance that may not be it, but it's a very likely contender. Thanx. Now I ain't quite so worried.
I have no ill effects that I can attribute to the Nexium or Losec (other than the loss of about $1,600 per year!). At the moment, I suffer from chronic fatigue (no caps) which I believe has finally been related to a definitive diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. I snored long before I had heartburn, so I don't think there's a connection. Nothing else I suffer from can easily be associated with the PPI thingies.
With respect to provincial health plans..probably a topic for other forums, but I am in Ontario, so don't know anything about Alberta. Your earlier posts really provoked my curiosity, such that I did a web search to see what I could find. I know that back in the days when I moved from province to province, you were never "not covered"...the province you moved from covered you until you were covered in the province you moved to. I know that things have been getting tougher/stricter, but I still think there's some pointed questions you should be able to ask the BC and Alta offices.
The alternative (i.e. no coverage) is pretty much inconceivable in this country -- what if one was involved in an accident or became acutely ill shortly after moving? Mr. Chretien would not be impressed.
Good luck!
With respect to provincial health plans..probably a topic for other forums, but I am in Ontario, so don't know anything about Alberta. Your earlier posts really provoked my curiosity, such that I did a web search to see what I could find. I know that back in the days when I moved from province to province, you were never "not covered"...the province you moved from covered you until you were covered in the province you moved to. I know that things have been getting tougher/stricter, but I still think there's some pointed questions you should be able to ask the BC and Alta offices.
The alternative (i.e. no coverage) is pretty much inconceivable in this country -- what if one was involved in an accident or became acutely ill shortly after moving? Mr. Chretien would not be impressed.
Good luck!
Dear Person on the Provincial health care plan,
There's a great forum (Peripheral Neuropathy forum) over at http://www.braintalk.org where people such as "Rose" are very knowledgable about the vitamin mal-absorption leading to nerve damage problem, that is caused by acid blockers, and other things.
It's a helpful, supportive forum. I hope you'll check it out! :-)
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
There's a great forum (Peripheral Neuropathy forum) over at http://www.braintalk.org where people such as "Rose" are very knowledgable about the vitamin mal-absorption leading to nerve damage problem, that is caused by acid blockers, and other things.
It's a helpful, supportive forum. I hope you'll check it out! :-)
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
Dear Chicken Soup,
Thank you. I was once cantankerous in responding to someone whom you had responded to, when I was in an old cynic mood about the many poor quality docs out there. But, I wasn't against your good advice, so I do want you to know that I respect your advice a lot! :-)
Your kindness and gentle-ness of posts is contageous, and has taught me a good lesson.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
Thank you. I was once cantankerous in responding to someone whom you had responded to, when I was in an old cynic mood about the many poor quality docs out there. But, I wasn't against your good advice, so I do want you to know that I respect your advice a lot! :-)
Your kindness and gentle-ness of posts is contageous, and has taught me a good lesson.
Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
I have to take Nexium religiously too, because my symptoms also show up as little as 36hrs since the last dose. I always take my vitmains at about the same time as the Nexium so's I remember them. I also figure that the more that's down there, the greater the chances that something'll get absorbed. Some's better than none. You haven't had any bad side effects or complications from Nexium in the 12 years you've been taking PPI's?
What province are you in? If you know anything about the Alberta medical plan, I'd be so grateful. I just moved to Alberta from BC and need to find out about the medical plan here as my BC medical expired. Thanx.
What province are you in? If you know anything about the Alberta medical plan, I'd be so grateful. I just moved to Alberta from BC and need to find out about the medical plan here as my BC medical expired. Thanx.
I am just now running out to exercise my credit card and refill my prescription for Nexium.
I have been taking Losec (prilosec in US, I think?) or Nexium for about 12 years. I have found it to be essential to control severe heartburn, which begins to reappear about 36 hours after my last dose. It has also been found to control a chronic cough that I suffered with for about 15 years prior to finding a very thorough, progressive respirologist who nailed the GERD diagnosis.
I am 47, and have a variety of ailments and complaints, from plantar fascitis and working all the way up to ringing in the ears. I'm not apt to blame the Losec or Nexium for any of them. I had a very thorough gastro workup a little less than a year ago, with no problems found.
I'm continuing with Nexium for now; we discussed laparoscopic fundoplication, mainly because the provincial health plan covers surgery, but not prescription drugs; I decided against the surgery because I'm feeling fairly well controlled, and the surgery carries its own set of risk and side effects. I was particularly swayed by a note I saw somewhere, that indicated there was a 1 in 50 chance that the laparoscopic approach would not work so that traditional open surgery would be undertaken.
I was unaware of the effect on vitamin absorption, and resolve to start taking vitiman supplements more religiously, figuring that the more that's down there, the more that will get absorbed???
I have been taking Losec (prilosec in US, I think?) or Nexium for about 12 years. I have found it to be essential to control severe heartburn, which begins to reappear about 36 hours after my last dose. It has also been found to control a chronic cough that I suffered with for about 15 years prior to finding a very thorough, progressive respirologist who nailed the GERD diagnosis.
I am 47, and have a variety of ailments and complaints, from plantar fascitis and working all the way up to ringing in the ears. I'm not apt to blame the Losec or Nexium for any of them. I had a very thorough gastro workup a little less than a year ago, with no problems found.
I'm continuing with Nexium for now; we discussed laparoscopic fundoplication, mainly because the provincial health plan covers surgery, but not prescription drugs; I decided against the surgery because I'm feeling fairly well controlled, and the surgery carries its own set of risk and side effects. I was particularly swayed by a note I saw somewhere, that indicated there was a 1 in 50 chance that the laparoscopic approach would not work so that traditional open surgery would be undertaken.
I was unaware of the effect on vitamin absorption, and resolve to start taking vitiman supplements more religiously, figuring that the more that's down there, the more that will get absorbed???
Dear Zelda,
Thanks! These "tips" don't work for everyone, but they do work for many, including my hubby & me, and many who have written to me, when they found my VCD website (Vocal Cord Dysfunction), at http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
The most common cause of the VCD attacks (laryngospasms) in the people who have written to me (over 200, so far) is a type of GERD called LPRD/Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux Disease. It's a "higher" up form of reflux than the "heartburn" type.
I hope you'll try out all those tips (if you & your docs have no objections), and let us know how they work for you. Give the tips a 2 week trial (every day), at least.
Good luck to you!
Sincerely, Concerned lady
Thanks! These "tips" don't work for everyone, but they do work for many, including my hubby & me, and many who have written to me, when they found my VCD website (Vocal Cord Dysfunction), at http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
The most common cause of the VCD attacks (laryngospasms) in the people who have written to me (over 200, so far) is a type of GERD called LPRD/Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux Disease. It's a "higher" up form of reflux than the "heartburn" type.
I hope you'll try out all those tips (if you & your docs have no objections), and let us know how they work for you. Give the tips a 2 week trial (every day), at least.
Good luck to you!
Sincerely, Concerned lady
Hi Concerned Lady:
I can't remember any previous posts from you that you should feel you need to apologize to me for, but I do appreciate your best wishes and kind sentiment.
best regards,
Chicken Soup
I can't remember any previous posts from you that you should feel you need to apologize to me for, but I do appreciate your best wishes and kind sentiment.
best regards,
Chicken Soup
I wish the best for you both, and I apologize for some older, previous messages in which I was being an old cynic. You both are good people!
Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com
I live in Pittsburgh, so I used Dr. Rodney Landreneau at Allegheny General/West Penn ("AGH"). He did the transhiatal esophagectomy ("THE"). There is another outstanding esophagectomy surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ("UPMC") named James Luketich who sees patients from all around the country. Both hospitals were listed in USNews' top 50 cancer centers the past several years (This year I think AGH was 47th and UPMC was 11th). I can get you their office numbers and addresses if you would like.
I don't blame you for being concerned about the prospects of the esophagectomy. It is MAJOR surgery. My surgery lasted 15 hours (they're don't usually last that long), and the risks associated with the procedure itself are pretty worrisome. If you need to go that route, please be sure you pick a surgeon that has done alot of these procedures at a large, well-known medical center. Mortality rates (defined as surgery plus 30 days) run from 2% - 3% at the best hospitals with skilled surgeons to as high as 29% at small community hospitals. So, in this case, "practicing" medicine is very important. Of course, the younger you are the better you will tolerate the surgery. I guess, in an odd way, I was lucky to be diagnosed last year at 46 years of age.
I have ongoing problems with aspiration, which is a product of the new plumbing, but it is getting more manageable. I'll also be going for an incisional hernia repair after the holidays. The nine inch incision from breast bone to navel has herniated twice now. Other than that, things are going well.
I hope you don't need the surgery, but if you do, I have a wealth of information from my research going in to the surgery that I can pass on to you. There is also a great esophageal cancer support group on line that I can direct you to. You could solicit information from them (even if you don't have cancer), because virtually all of the members have had esophagectomies.
Best of luck to you, and please stay on this board as often as you can. Your advice and information has been of great benefit to alot of people, and we need all the sage advice we can get.
Chicken Soup
I don't blame you for being concerned about the prospects of the esophagectomy. It is MAJOR surgery. My surgery lasted 15 hours (they're don't usually last that long), and the risks associated with the procedure itself are pretty worrisome. If you need to go that route, please be sure you pick a surgeon that has done alot of these procedures at a large, well-known medical center. Mortality rates (defined as surgery plus 30 days) run from 2% - 3% at the best hospitals with skilled surgeons to as high as 29% at small community hospitals. So, in this case, "practicing" medicine is very important. Of course, the younger you are the better you will tolerate the surgery. I guess, in an odd way, I was lucky to be diagnosed last year at 46 years of age.
I have ongoing problems with aspiration, which is a product of the new plumbing, but it is getting more manageable. I'll also be going for an incisional hernia repair after the holidays. The nine inch incision from breast bone to navel has herniated twice now. Other than that, things are going well.
I hope you don't need the surgery, but if you do, I have a wealth of information from my research going in to the surgery that I can pass on to you. There is also a great esophageal cancer support group on line that I can direct you to. You could solicit information from them (even if you don't have cancer), because virtually all of the members have had esophagectomies.
Best of luck to you, and please stay on this board as often as you can. Your advice and information has been of great benefit to alot of people, and we need all the sage advice we can get.
Chicken Soup
I was wondering what hospital and what surgeon you used? Maybe he/she could help me. I need some help. I don't want to make my situation worse with the surgery but I don't want to suffer like I have been and still be at a risk for Esophageal cancer. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
-Erik
-Erik
I am sorry to hear about your Esophageal cancer and Esophagectomy. I take it that you had the stomach pull-through procedure following the ressection? Or was it the Interposition of the Colon? I didn't realize that you had EC from reading your recent posting. I guess I've been away from this forum too long.
How are you doing with eating and reflux since the procedure?
I am having persistant reflux despite Nexium 80mg and Pepcid. I am on the edge of surgery for the fourth time. Due to the scar tissue from the previous surgeries, the Surgeon is afraid that he could inadvertantly damage the esophagus during the surgery and have to do an Esophagectomy. I am scared to have the surgery and scared not to and face the possible consequences. Esophageal cancer and/or Barrett's.
I do believe it is possible for long term use of PPI's to cause problems and maybe pre-cancerous polyps, I just meant that there were no documented cases in medical literature to date. Please let me know how you are doing?
How are you doing with eating and reflux since the procedure?
I am having persistant reflux despite Nexium 80mg and Pepcid. I am on the edge of surgery for the fourth time. Due to the scar tissue from the previous surgeries, the Surgeon is afraid that he could inadvertantly damage the esophagus during the surgery and have to do an Esophagectomy. I am scared to have the surgery and scared not to and face the possible consequences. Esophageal cancer and/or Barrett's.
I do believe it is possible for long term use of PPI's to cause problems and maybe pre-cancerous polyps, I just meant that there were no documented cases in medical literature to date. Please let me know how you are doing?
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