Side effects of Nexium

[wheatonmom]

Has anyone experienced any side effects on Nexium?  I feel like it is making me more nasueas and queasy than Prevacid.  I was taking 40 mg of Nexium daily and have just switched to 30 mg daily of Prevacid.

[Dimitrios2]

A related discussion, Gerd and possible treatment was started.

[moozie]

Thanks for replying amy, I'm so scared of everything and I'm wondering if these meds or this condition causes panick attacks?
I can't really eat solid foods. Don't know what's going on.

Please write me at ***@****

[iamamy]

Moozie,

I am so sorry that you are still struggling.  What are you eating?  That is the biggest thing that helped me.  If you are like me, I could not settle down until the pain went away.  My mother used to say you have got to get a grip, but I couldn't.  And as soon as I quit hurting, I did get a hold on my nerves.  If you need a list of foods to avoid, let me know, and I will try to find the URL for the one I used.  Alot of the foods that I thought were OK and was eating, were not.  I hope you are feeling better soon.

Amy

[moozie]

Hello All,

I can't seem to eat any solid foods, I'm feeling weaker and weaker and more anxiety and panick attacks. Can the PPI's cause this ?

I'm just not getting any better, and I'm very worried, I can't go to work or live a normal life.

Please help

[moozie]

Hello All,

I can't seem to eat any solid foods, I'm feeling weaker and weaker and more anxiety and panick attacks. Can the PPI's cause this ?

I'm just not getting any better, and I'm very worried, I can't go to work or live a normal life.

Please help

[QCD]

Does wine and beer have an effect on Nexium.  I've been taking Nexium 40mg twice a day for < 2 months and now once a day for about the same time.  I'm 61, like going to the Gym and doing most days, I guess I should give that a break.  I sometimes get red spots on my tongue.  In addition my tongue looks like it needs to be cleaned all the time.  I also have a minor sour taste .  I too believe that the type of food could make a big difference.  Is there such a book, like GERD for Dummies?

[kgem]

I have been on 40 mg of Nexium for 10 months with 2 to go.  DX is severe esophagitis & gastric ulcers.  I had no symptoms or complaints when referred to GI MD, but had positive guiac test & family hx of colon cancer.
Adverse symptoms of Nexium include severe diarrhea, headache, angioedema, feeling of water in ears, and body/muscle aches.
Has anyone switched to 20 mg of Nexium with fewer symptoms?  I am not schedule to see doctor until February.  Should I call him sooner?

[land]

Hi-I had my gallbladder out last year due to symptoms they thought was related to this.  The ultrasound showed polyps and two small stones.  I still experience the same symptoms so it wasn't the gall bladder.  I have been on 40 mg of Nexium for about 2 months now and it does seem to allow me to eat what I want-but that's the problem.  You don't change your habits and I wonder if things are still continuing to happen inside and are masked by the medicine.  Lately, I have been experiencing the lump in my throat, difficulty in swallowing, shortness of breath, coughing, and always clearing my throat.  I have many sinus infections per year, and constant hoarseness.  I don't feel the acid reflux, but it must stiill be going on if this is starting to happen.  I wonder about the long term effects of Nexum and I do not want to be on it.  Now I have found this column with people who are experiencing exactly what I am having.
I can't tell you how good that feels!!!  I went to the doctor for my heart because of the shortness of breath!  I read Dr. Weil's book recently and have decided to try the DGL.  I am so frustrated and pissed with doctors and western medicine.  It seems it's always about the 'quick fix',and no mention about long term effects.  I am going to try to slowly wean myself off of the Nexium without the help of a doctor.  Sometimes I think the patient knows more than the doctor.  Well, I know they do.  Does anyone out there have a brand of the DGL to try???  Are there any side effects from it?  Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Moli]

I have been on Nexium for 8 month, have had many tests and have tried just about everything - from herbs to acupuncture - but still have chest pain and back pain with occasional dry cough. Just went from 40 mg 1Xday to 2X a day  of Nexium and have felt some relief - but my chest area is so tender I can't even wear a bra.  Anyone have similar probems?  Suggestions??

[ISHA]

I have been on Prilosec, Previcid, aciphlex, and zantac,  i have never had any side effects from them,  they may not of worked for my condition but i have never had any side effects,  it all depends on the person.  So just watch your body and keep a log of your symptoms.

[ISHA]

I have been on Prilosec, Previcid, aciphlex, and zantac,  i have never had any side effects from them,  they may not of worked for my condition but i have never had any side effects,  it all depends on the person.  So just watch your body and keep a log of your symptoms.

[jm_j]

I have been taking Nexium for 6 months, after having tried everything else with no success. Nexium pretty much changed my life within 48 hours of starting to take it. Fortunately, I have none of the side effects and seem to be able to eat mostly what I want. I do find that if I don't eat at least 3 meals a day, I start to feel the pressure building up in my throat again.

The only bad effect it seems to have had for me is that I have become completely intolerant to alcohol. One glass of wine and not only do I feel tipsy, but I also get a hangover (headache, dizziness, upset stomach), something I have never really had before. I have found no reference to this in any of the literature. Has anyone heard of this or had any experiences with this? I know it's minor and, if necessary, I can live without wine, but I'd like to know if this is something that others have heard of.

Thanks,
Julia

[kare]

Hi! I have had blood tests, stress echo and on 4/11 a sonogram of my gall bladder,liver and kidney. All came back okay.  I had an EDG which they found gastritis and reflux. This explains the tenderness in my stomach when pushed on. The reflux explained the feeling of sore throat everyday and a couple of months ago problems at night, difficulty swallowing and lump in throat feeling. But it did not answer the problem of severe chest pain and back pain between shoulder blades (which I thought was heart related). It comes all during the day and night. It can begin minutes after I eat. The doctor thinks this is a problem with my esophagus. It can be one of two esophagus problems relating to the spasm or constractions of the esophagus. The doctor is going to perform a test called Esophageal Mobility which measures the contraction and relaxation at the start and end of the esophagus.It also measures the squeezing peristalsis that pushes the food into your stomach. I am staying away from all the "bad foods,drinks and spices", try not to eat 2-3 hours before bedtime and do not bend over. It does help. I have such a difficult time finding things that I can eat. My weight is up and down between 98-102lbs. Milk products can cause symptoms as well as foods with oils in them. Oh heck, pretty much everything! I can deal with all but the pain in back and chest can become overwhelming. Problem is I am breastfeeding. They want me to take Nexium 40 mg, have not started because I didn't like what I read in the pamplet. I am concerned about side effects for myself and my baby. I take about 8 Tums Ultras a day, before and after meals. Two before bed which helps. But the Tums provides little relief and for short periods. They want me to take medication for the esophagus problem such as Reglan (which has terrible side effects including depression) and Propulcid. Both enter the brain. Domperidone was suggested to me as a safer medication that does not enter brain. It has to be compounded by a pharmacy or purchased from New Zealand. The doctors want me to wean my 11 month old. Regardless of nursing or not I don't want to take a medication with a lot of side effects that will make me feel worse than I already do. Does anyone have similiar problems? Can anyone please give me suggestions that relate to my situation?

[cmaj]

If your reflux is that bad, check out Nissen fundoplication (reflux surgery). I suffered with reflux/heartburn for the last 20 years. The last five it progressively got worse. I have been on Prilosec for a few years  and Nexum for the last 6 months. It was not 100 % effective and was progressively getting worse. I had all the tests done and elected to do the surgery. Its only a couple of weeks after surgery and already a huge improvement. I highly recommend the operation but only if you select the right surgeon. It is a delicate and exact operation. Take a look at some of the horror stories on this forum. The surgeon should have multiple surgeries behind him, he should have done both open and laproscopic surgeries and he should have reference patients. If you select the right surgeon, it will drastically improve your life and get you of meds.

[Concerned lady]

There are also some blood tests (in addition to the stool tests) for Celiac Disease. There's a lot of good info about Celiac Disease, and in particular, at a forum called "peripheral neuropathy" over at http://www.braintalk.org

Look for JCC's "threads" about Celiac Disease. In JCC's thread, there are "links" to Dr. Fine's websites. Dr. Fine runs a lab that tests for Celiac Disease and for other FOOD SENSITIVITIES.

Dr. Fine's own daughter had Celiac Disease, so that's why he is now an expert on Celiac Disease.

Good luck to all.

Sincerely, Concerned lady

http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Addie]

Hi Karie,

I believe that one can test for celiac disease thru stool samples.  I bleieve (not a doctor) that they measure for fat content.  Please be sure to ask your doctor about this. I think they did this on me several years ago.  They also looked for Giardia thru stool samples (parasite)but on me it did not show this way.  It did show by a doc going into the stomach (EGD)and bringing up washings that he had analyzed and it was positive for Giardia.

Good Luck to you.

[karie]

HI,
I will show the DGL to my doctor, I have not used it 2 days.
Do you know what specific test is for Celiac ?Trying to read the Lab Order forms ?
stool.blood,urine
Can stomach ailments lead to other health issues  Hope to locate my cause.
I must learn to read lab orders . Thanks for you support here at this board.

[Concerned lady]

Dear Karie,

You may have SEVERAL things going on, so it's good you'll be tested at the hospital today. I can't say that it would take a certain number of days to "cure" you, since I don't know what you have, and I'm not a doc!

I'll put some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS here, that help many (but not all) reflux & ulcer patients.

Have your favorite doc look at these tips, and ask the doc to read the DGL bottle label, so that he or she will see that DGL isn't the same as regular licorice. DGL does NOT cause a rise in blood pressure, like plain licorice does.

But, if you have other problems (or some especially severe form of gastric reflux), you would need to do other things too, to get better.

For example, if you have CELIAC DISEASE, you need to avoid GLUTEN. GLUTEN is found in WHEAT, RYE, OATS, BARLEY, AND BUCKWHEAT. Avoid all of these for at least a month, to see if this helps. If yes, you may have Celiac Disease. Then, you might need to always avoid gluten. Avoid milk products for a while.

Brown rice has no gluten. You might need to temporarily avoid ALL GRAINS, if you have Celiac Disease, until the small intestine heals.

Good luck to you. Below are the GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS, that don't include any dangerous acid-blocking meds:

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

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

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

[karie]

I have been on DGL for 16 days, Told to stop due to other symptoms I have pending: blue nails, bleeding gums.
The DGL helped with stomach pain, and none of the side effects like the PPI"S But I could still not introduce anything new in my diet. I bought DGL: Natural Factors and spoke with the makers.
IF concerned lady reads this Please let me know if 16 days is enough to heal my symptoms. Since directed to obstain for a while, and the endoscopy showed no ulcer; Dr. Weil said 6 weeks if ulcer is present, What about GERD and upset stomach ?
Here to well tummies and healthy patients

[Addie]

My sister got a tiny little funnel from an apothacary shoppe and also bought clear unfilled capsules, the size meds come in.  She opened up the 40mg. PPI and placed 1/2 in the funnel that was sitting in the blank clear capsules, thus making a 20mg. capsule.

She also had problems with her doc i.e. side effects and also, the medication caused great swelling in her feet and ankles.

She is doing better now that she went down to 20mgs. per day.

[PM]

I took 40 mg of Aciphex for 5 months and I have been on Nexium for the last year.  40 mg of both caused bad side effects (worse than the actual Gastritis).  Joint pains and swelling, worse nausea, tachycardia, increased dehydration.  I finally discovered that I could dump out half the Nexium.  I now take about 15-20 mg of Nexium and it is much more tolerable.  I don't know why doctors will not acknowledge this, but they need to.  I think it could have caused serious problems had I stayed with the 40 mg.

[feelbetter]

Hi. DGL is short for Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice. I use Enzymatic Therapy brand which you can get at healthfood stores. If you go to their website, you can put in your address and it will come up with stores near you that carry it. (www.enzy.com) It is a chewable form of licorice that has had the "bad" part removed so it does not cause high blood pressure. (Regular whole licorice can cause high blood pressure) The directions say to chew 2 tables 20 minutes before meals. See a Concerned Lady post for more info on DGL and other natural ways of dealing with GERD. As I mentioned, I do not feel "cured" I am managing my symptoms better than ever before. I still have some throat clearing especially in the morning but I have not had the pain. My relux always involved severe pain more than actually feeling any acid backing up in my throat. I hope DGL helps you if you decide to try it. It does not taste that good (in my opinion) but the results have been well worth it. Best Wishes!

[Addie]

My sister got a tiny little funnel from an apothacary shoppe and also bought clear unfilled capsules, the size meds come in.  She opened up the 40mg. PPI and placed 1/2 in the funnel that was sitting in the blank clear capsules, thus making a 20mg. capsule.

She also had problems with her doc i.e. side effects and also, the medication caused great swelling in her feet and ankles.

She is doing better now that she went down to 20mgs. per day.

[dock]

Why is your insurance company not paying for your medicine.  My doctor told me if I had a problem which I haven't, to refer the insurance company to him.  He had, enough proof from the tests that were done to prove to them I need what he prescribed.  Can you try that with your insurance?  If not can you switch carriers?  Good luck!