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prilosec

n
Hi,

    My doctor prescribed prilosec about 3 months ago for what he feels is Acid Reflux (Gerd?)  Is this drug safe to take over an extended period of time?  Id also like to know if there are any gastro/intestinal problems that can cause wide spread burning, tingling, twitching, muscle pain, ear pain throughout the body?  I know that seems far fetched, but I have explored EVERYTHING, (neurologists, etc) and so far no one has been able to come up with anything.  Thank you for your time.
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I thought I was the only one that had mood swings with the prevacide, that medication depressed me terribly..Does anyone have trouble sleeping on your right side and on your stomach. since your gallbladder surgery?
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Try having Prilosec related mood swings.  That is what I experienced as well and my family and fellow workers had to contend with.  I had to quit the Prilosec altogether and begin monitoring my eating habits carefully.  It's been nearly two years without the Prilosec.  The only time I feel discomfort from GURD is when I either indulge and eat too much, I eat overly spicy foods, or I'm under a lot of stress and I eat those great tasting spicy foods.  The pains are tolerable enough to go without the medication.  The maker of Prilosec was contacted and they claim they have only had 2% reactions such as mine, so be careful if you start feeling like suddenly no one else keep up with or understand you.
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A related discussion, hital hernia was started.
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Although my comment concerns my overall case, I am currently taking prilosec to combat acid reflux.  My initial patient complaint was that my appetite is very weak.  I weigh 110 lbs as a 28 year old man.  First of all, I'm not anorexic; I know I'm skinny and I wish to change that.  My case is all the more complex because I was born with a congenital heart disease and have had two open heart surgeries.  I first saw a doctor about my appetite problems five or six years ago.  Then I was diagnosed as having hyperthroidism.  I went to get a second opinion and was told that this diagnosis was dangerous and very incorrect.  According to this second opinion, I had acid reflux.  I was put on prilosec and then propulsid; these drugs seemed to help, but I wasn't sure.  So obviously they didn't help much.  So I went to see another doctor who thought he spotted a tracheosophagael fistula during an upper GI.  However, he was never able to see it with the naked eye when he performed a upper endoscopy.  Nevertheless, t-e fistula is what he diagnosed.  He encouraged me not to have surgery because my condition was benign and not related to my symptoms.  However through my own research I found out that such a fistula would cause abdominal distention which I guessed would explain my lack of appetite.  In addition, I found that these fistulas are sometimes related to congenital heart disease. But the doctor did not want to pursue correction; my guess is that he considered me a risky case due to my prior surgeries.  But this has been a life long difficulty that I am obsessed with correcting.  So after moving recently, I saw another doctor who once again diagnosed acid reflux and prescribed Prilosec; he believes it highly unlikely that I would have a fistula.  I am now extremely frustrated; I understand the doctor's concerns about the surgery risks but I am willing to take that risk to live a more normal life.  Any thoughts?  Please help.  Thanks.
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i have had heartburn related pain for 2 years. doctors took out gall bladder.  problems got worse.  had to endoscopes.  on 40mg prilosec 2x a day and carafat as needed.  the problem i really have is very sharp pain just at the top of the stomach, which intensifies. radiates through to the back(bra line), into the shoulders.  sometimes i get nauseated, sweaty and feel like i am being crushed in a vice,yet my ribs feel like they are being pulled outwards.  these "attacks" can occur 3-4x aweek or not have one for 3 weeks.  they last for 1-7 minutes.  doc says is gastritis and esouphagitis(spell).  i do not feel prilosec is helping as i still take over the counter antacids as well.  Is the GERD?  anyone with these type of symptoms feel free to email me ***@**** these attacks are very scary.
note:  heart is in A-1 condition.
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Avatar universal
To N:  read Sherry Roger's book Heartburn Free in 30 Days or any one of her books.  You will not like what she has to say about Prilosec.  Prevacid is way safer but still does the same acid blocking.  It is curing the symptom, not the cause.  Roger's newsletter Apr 2001 Total Wellness, lists the 5 most abused drugs in the US.  #1 cumadin #2 Prilosec.  Prilosec can indeed stop heartburn but studies show that it increases the chance of bowel cancer 43 times.  Depends if you think that is a good trade off.  Not me.  The best patientis one that is informed enough to understand the consequences of the doctor's action.  Good luck.
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I also am being to feel like a nut case. i have  had stomach problems basically my whole life.My  mother relates that when i was little i wouldnt finish dinner  say i was full and cry myself to sleep. Dr's found nothing wrong.tried to tell my mom it was an eating disorder. High school was pretty much sam thing while friends pigged out i couldnt eat cause i'd be so nauseous after a small bit.Then when i was 22 had my gall bladder removed. I was pain free for son long we thought that had to be it but syptoms returned. Severe abdominal pain & nausea daily. I saw  an internist 2 yrs ago who did every test imaginable or so i thought. (upper & lower Gi series checked bloodwork for bacteria & finally an endoscopy ) He said the endoscopy showed i had acute chronic gastritis( explained to me that my stomach doesnt empty properly  thats why the bloating , pain and nausea).I've been on Prilosec and varying doses of reglan with really no changes.Finally went for a 2nd opionion and went for more testing, a gastric emptying test( i wont have the results for a few day. This doctor feels i might have gastroparesis. But as far as i can tell its a different name for same problem. Stomach  doesnt empty properly and they are treated the same way with reglan. so  if they change the diagnosis  it doesnt really matter. Meanwhile ,i miss family functions cause i'm in pain ( or to tired from the reglan) Over last yr sleep patterns are screwed up to cause i spend all nite awake in pain then have to sleep during the day, I've been out of work since Jan because of my overlapping health problems but primary phsician doesn't seem to realize how sick i am. Then of course thers the neurologist who thinks everything is in my head and i need a good pshychotherapist. By the way, i have a counselor and he thinks the neurologist is wrong. I've seen so many Dr's  and get that many different opinions. In the meantime , I'm going crazy.i'm sorry  trying to be brief but a lot of info to share /
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Yes you can buy Iron supplements over the counter, but you should know that some people get stomach aches and constipation from taking them.  A good one to try is called Slow Fe, it is supposed to be tolerated better and I have had no problems taking it.  You should be able to find it in the vitamin aisle (even at Target and K-mart).  Good Luck.
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I've been on Prilosec about 5 or 6 months now, 40 mg in the morning, and 300 mg of Axid before dinner. My symptoms were much different than those I've read here. About a year ago, I started to feel like there was something stuck in my throat, like a post nasal drip, and my breath was not good. I was treated for thrush, sinusitis, and allergies, to no avail. Finnaly my doctor had the idea the feeling in my throat may be coming from my stomach rather than somewhere above. 20 mg of Prilosec did nothing. I had an upper GI done which showed GERD, small hiatal hernia, and esophagitis. 40mg of Prilosec were ordere and it did a little help. It wasn't until I DRASTICALLY changed my diet and added the Axid that things changed. I wanted to list for others the foods I had to cut in case it might help someone else: not ANY type of processed meat or red meat (no hot dogs, no lunch meat, etc.), no coffee, no soda (whether caffeinated or not), no olives or pickles, no citrus, no fatty foods (mayo, oil,etc.), no cheese, no chocolate, and the hardest for me, no alcohol. Of course I cheat at times, but I feel so much better when I don't. This past week , between 2 and 4 PM I've started having terrible muscle and head pain that lasts until I go to bed. When I wake up, it's not there. Really weird. I haven't called my doctor because I'm afraid they'll think I'm nuts considering the way it comes on at a certain time. It's like having the flu without the nausea or respiratory problems. From reading on this site, I'm starting to wonder if it may be linked to an iron deficiency from all the meds I'm taking. Can you buy iron pills over the counter? Thanks to everyone for their posts. It's been so great reading.
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hi Tigerg...First off, I heard the same negative statements about Gastro Doctors.

When, I read your comments about your experinece with one, I immedialtely thought you had seen the same doc I did )-:
But reading further, you are in Flordia and I am in Texas.

I also was given a list of names of various gastro Docs by the nurses at the hospital where I had my procedure done. I too, was treated very poorly.  This doc had no respect for me.

I did report him to the hospital, to the referring physician
and to the staff.  

BUT, after weeding out the "new names", I did find a kind gastro doc.  A female, at the same hospital. Good/Kind Doctors are out there..just have to do your homework and ask a lot of questions.

They think I have GERD but in the Vocal/Larnyx area.  I am being treated now and will see her again soon.  I am not responding to any Proton Pump Inhibitors so far.  I do not have Barrett's but I do have a Hiatal hernia and I had a small stricture and throat and voice problems.

Please keep us posted how you are doing.
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Avatar universal
I must admit unabashedly that my eyes shot wide open when reading your comment about your symptoms - clicking mouth while swallowing and the feeling that crunchy foods get stuck in your throat...  In sympatico, I had the same symptoms, though at varying times, and sadly, have not every come to complete grips through the aid of western (or eastern, for that matter, but never really tried...) with the problem.
The clicking throat, which seemed to be emitted from the upper esophogeal rings, or even the neck spinal bones... Queer as it sounds, I felt it rivot through my body one day while a cricket was chirping - it felt as though it were resonating with my entire upper body, in an extraordinarily unpleasant manner.  I went inside, and some of the vibrations stopped, but I was getting strange clicks on swallow, which were immensely perturbing... I was under a lot of stress at the time, and this did not assuage it...

As for food getting stuck in the throat, that was what started this whole rollercoaster adventure of maladies while aging - I couldn't hardly eat any longer with the sensation that the food would lodge itself in my esophagus - apparently there was no aperture there, upon GI, but it sure felt that way!  Taking Prilosec for a while now, *definitely* helps with chest pains and acid reflux, but did little for the throat.  However...

It repaired my stomach enough that I am able to smoke again, and as onerous as it may be, smoking actually diminishes the sensation in the throat, if not completely cures it.  Well, now my lungs will be in for a bout, but the throat problem occurs only most rarely.  I think lactose intolerance plays a factor in the throat affair, but I am most definitely unsure.  Keep your head high, and your back straight,
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Well I will add my problem to the bunch and maybe someone can help me.  I have what was diagnosed by my Dr. as GERD, he put me on a perscription strength of ZANTEC, which is not working. I have this very disgusting taste that I burp up very often, it's so bad that I want to vomit, but don't. I also get very bad cramps and feel bloated. It comes and goes. I'll be fine for a few days, then BOOM, feel so bad I can't stand it!  I also have diareah(sp) very badly when this happens, and when I feel okay, that goes away also.  I can't live with this.  Does anyone know what may help? I've been trying to keep track of what I'm eating, and not drink carbonated or acidy drinks or spicy foods. I don't know what else to do.  Any help will be appreciated.
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WEIGHT GAIN!!!!  HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED WEIGHT GAIN ON PRILOSEC????  I WANT TO LOOSE WEIGHT, NOT GAIN AND AM AFRAID OF THIS. DOESN'T YOUR NEW WAY OF EATING TO AVOID PAIN CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS?? Please reply on my e-mail preferably or on both this site and my e-mal which is ROSSACT22 @ AOL.COM    thanks.
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I have had quite a different problem, different symptoms than most of you- yet my Dr. prescribed me zantac, then prilosec. I have a dull achy feeling in my stomach- most prominent when my stomach is empty. I started feeling this dull strange pain after the birth of my last baby about 9 mos. ago. I had an upper g.i. and it was normal. I also found no relief with zantac. The Dr. said I have a "nervous stomach" which, if left untreated will result in an ulcer. I do not wish to take these meds, I am a sceptic. I am wondering if anyone else has these type of problems with an EMPTY stomach.
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Just a short note...thank-you all for telling your stories. i no longer feel like a hypochondriac. I have had "stomach problems" al of my life. I am currently 43 years old and have had endoscopys that showed bad GERD but not barretts yet, and a PH monitor test that showed very very high amounts of acid reflux. If they could do the surgery they would but i am also very over weight. although that seems to be a problem that my dieting and this disease is slowly taking care of. i have lost 60 pounds in the last year  (hard work and exercise) and have another 60 pounds to go.

I am on aciphex 2x a day and am still having bad symptoms. asthma, chest pain and burning throat. i have a wedge under my head at night and have cut out fatty foods, tomatoes citrus chocolate mint and caffeene. I have been a good little trooper and still have only experienced temporary relief. i have gone through axid and carafate and pepcid and prilosec and prevacid until I have reached the new game in town aciphex.

Has anyone every tried going "back" to an older medicine to see if maybe we just develop resistance to some of these meds after a while on them? i am thinking of asking my new gastro guy if that might be an option. i know I did very well on a combination of axid and carafate but was switched just because i had to switch doctors when i moved. anyone ever take those in combination?

I am about to see a new gastro guy because the last one thought the way to "help" me was to try and bully me and not talk to me about facts and options. He actually did the endoscope, yelled at my husband to be in his office friday because i was going to need his support in case i had cancer and walked out of the waiting room. (I did not have cancer or barretts) we were told this was how this particular doctor treated a lot of his patents and was quietly given the name of several other doctors that we might chose to move to by the kindly hospital staff (a Florida hospital) by the way, i am a nice person who never did anything to deserve this kind of rude behavior!  (is it your experiences that most gastro guys have personality disorders?) I am told that this new one is a very kind man who will actually take time with me and listen to me and explain to me ALL of my options and the availabiltiy of new and experimental techniques. That is all i ask. someone who will take the time to listen and try and explain.

Most of what i have found out about this condition i have found out on the internet. Thank-god for places like this.

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I have been on Prilosec since 1992 (almost 10 Years) I have a large Hiatal hernial which I was most likely born with. Since I was a young child, I recall after eating dinner i would lay on the floor with a pillow under my stomache to try to help ease the pain. By age 6 I was popping rolaids like they were candy to ease the acid relux/ heartburn. I go married in 1992 and the initial stress along with alot of hard liquor made me realize that this pain i knew my whole life was not normal. I would spend the weekends in bed with nausea and pain. I was tested and got scoped. They told me that I had the biggest hiatal hernial they ever saw. Afetr a few different meds they finally asked me to try a new drug called PRILOSEC that was in trial studies. I did so and since a few days after taking it my quality of life increased 10 fold. This drug has changed my life! I do wonder about any side effects though. I have a abnormally high cholesterol problem and have gained weight (About 30 lbs)
Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Everyone, Prilosec has it's place when used appropriately. However, it was never designed to be used on a "long term" basis.  But, "long term", is relative to individual circumstances. In some perople it might be a few weeks and in others several months or years.

The drug by greatly reducing acid also greatly reduces the body's ability to abosrb iron. Iron is essential for the body to absorb the "B" vitamins and in particular vitamin B12.

Although, B12 is stored and can be called upon to make-up needed defiencies, eventually the well runs dry.  Defiencies in iron and B12 create muscle pain/weakness, exhaustion,numbness and tingling in extremities, bloating,etc., even weight gain, many of the symptoms described in your responses.  

Test for Iron and B12 levels should be run and compared with any pre-Prilosec tests to determine if there is a significant reduction and what actions may be needed.  To say that somemone is within the "normal range" is not appropriate in this case. What is normal for you may not be the same for someone else. If you are experiencing some of all of these symptoms, a notable reduction in your levels is significant.

Unfortunately most Doctors prescribe meds in an assembly line manner, with a "one size fits all" approach. Many doctors are excellent in diagnosing a condition,  However, few have detailed understanding of the meds they prescribe and how they may interact with other influences or medications. Instead of being an "expert", most Doctors tend to rely on limited information and word of mouth provided by the drug manufacturers that are trying to sell a product.  

What this means to us, the people that have the highest stake and the most to lose in the effects that meds generate, is that we need to our homework.  Patty, on her 10-27th response stated it well; read the detailed information contained in the insert in the packaging from the manufacturer.  But take it further.  Check out any newly prescribed meds with several Pharmacists to see what food/drink, inviormental issues, and other influences may effect the effiency of the meds and you.

The problem of Doctors having little time or interest to develop high skills in pharmacology is a real problem.  So much so, that there is now a movement to develop "Pharmaceutical Consultants" that would be available to Doctors and patients for consultation before issuing or using a prescription.  

Whatever you think, believe in yourself and listen to what your body is saying.  If the "cure" is worse than the problem, it may be that the cure is the "problem".
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Thank you Fernando for your information. My boyfriend was just diagnosed with Barrett's. The one thing his doctor neglected to mention was testing the PH levels to make sure the medication was taking care of the acid levels. We will be calling right away to check into this.

He too has suffered since his teens with heartburn and always shrugged it off and took Tums and the likes. Until the past two months when it became so unbearable he thought he was having a heartattack. Which with running a few tests turned out to be Barrett's.

I wish you the best and hopefully you and him will beat this and not be a statistic. Good luck.

Therese
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Hi Therese, They biosied me for barrett's.  I dod not have it but not to sat that at some point it does appear.

My girlfriend was diagnosed with it and she has to have an EGD every year with biopsy to make sure it remains in the benign state.

My gastro man acted surprise, almost dumb, when I asked for a ph Monitor.  Plus, I want the Barium swallow x-ray also of the Esophagus.

Good Luck to all of you.
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Avatar universal
I have to admit that there have been some horror stories in this forum regarding proton pump inhibitors.

My story is pretty straight forward and I hope it helps people with the same condition. I am a 30 year old male and I had heartburn since I can remember. When I was 14 my mother finally decided to take me to the doctor. At the time I was diagnosed with gastritis and the doctor just suggested to watch my diet. Since keeping a diet for long periods of time is quite difficult, it did not last for long. Regardless, the symptoms never went away. So I figured that this condition was going to follow me for life.

By the time I was 25 the heartburn started to combine with some abdominal pain which took me to the ER room a couple of times.  Finally I decided it was time to see a gastro.  The doctor suggested an upper endoscopy with biopsies to check everything out considering the fact that I had been suffering from it for quite some time.

When the results came back I was quite surprised.  To start I had GERD and due to the length of my condition I had developed Barret's esophagus (It is a condition that results from chronic GERD. After a long exposure to acid reflux the esophagus starts to develop an abnormal tissue that begins to cover the affected area, in a way to protect from stomach acid. Unfortunately this tissue is a very early pre-cancerous condition, therefore undesireable). He also said that the Barret's was showing a beginning of a Low Grade Displasya, which is the next step up towards cancer. He also said that the dysplasia could be a result of severe inflammation in the affected area due to the reflux and the fact that I was infected with Helycobacter Pilory bacteria (the one linked to the cause of a great number of stomach ulcers). The plan was to put me on antibiotics for the bacteria and a proton pump inhibitor to stop the acid reflux and then come back in three months for another endoscopy.

I took the antibiotics for two weeks and I started taking Prevacid 30 mg. twice a day.  Within a week all the symptoms were gone and I had absolutely no side effects whatsoever, except some stomach discomfort, which I had anyway before I started taking Prevacid.

Three months later I came back for another endoscopy and when the results came the doctor was very quick and unhelpful. He was unclear explaining any changes on my condition or any other alternative treatments. He just said that I needed another endoscopy within a year and that I only needed to take Prevacid once a year.

I am not very good developing habits as far as taking pills, but I did my best with the Prevacid. As long as I take it every day, I don't seem to have any symptoms at all.  That was quite a relief after 30 years of heartburn; though it wasn't as bad as other people's (Three to four times a week, or when either drinking or eating acidic or irritating foods like alcohol, vinegar, citric fruits, tomatos, chocolates, coffee, tea, etc.). After missing a pill it would take 24 hours before I felt any heartburn mainly if my diet was a bit undesirable (fast food, pizza). As far as side effects I have not had any.  

After six months I started to think about the last visit to the doctor and I felt really bothered. I didn't like the lack of information or help that I got.  So I decided to do a little bit of homework on my own.  I started reading articles in the internet, magazines, and books about my condition and decided to change doctors.

It took me about a year and a half to finally make an appointment. I did some research trying to find someone specialized in my condition. I got another endoscopy and the results were very promising.  The low grade displasya had reversed therefore the inflammation was completely gone (even though the Barret's was still there since it is a permanent condition). The doctor was very happy with the results so he was going to send me home on prevacid and a yearly endoscopy to monitor the barret's. That's where all the reading and research became helpful. I started asking questions about certain issues with Barret's and GERD.

First I asked him if the bacteria was gone and he admitted that he had overlooked that. An honest mistake, but it would have gone unnoticed if I hadn't asked. So he sent for some blood work.

Then I asked him what was the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors since I had read some articles stating that asymptomatic patients could still have severe reflux without noticing it. And that is crucial information for people with Barret's since continuous reflux will increase the chances of esophageal cancer. So he decided to send me for a PH Monitor test which would test the acidity levels in my stomach while I was taking prevacid.

Finally I asked him about the long term effects of proton pump inhibitors. And so far so good with no major side effects, but they have only been tested for periods of up to ten years. Any longer than that, who knows. And that is when he suggested surgery to correct GERD. Considering that I am young and otherwise healthy.  I still have to decide what to do about that. But this time around I was a bit happier about the outcome of the doctor's visit.

I have learned a few things during this crusade. First of all, if it is possible, do some research before you go to the doctor. It pays.

Make sure you do your homework when you choose a physician. I found doctors working at university hospitals tend to be a bit more informed than the rest.

As far as Prevacid.  I have not had any problems with it. It eliminated all my symptoms and I have not had any side effects. I have been taking it for over two years now.

If you had had either heartburn or GERD for a long period of time, get an upper endoscopy to make sure you have not developed Barret's. It is a condition that has to be monitored and one in ten cases will develop into esophageal cancer.

Also if you are already taking prevacid it is a good idea to get a PH Monitor test, even if you are asymptomatic, to make sure that your reflux is controlled.

Anyway, I hope this story is of help to answer some of the questions in this forum. Good Luck to everyone. You will need it.

Fernando
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Avatar universal
Thank You Fernando for your most informative post.

Pls. do your research on any surgeries.  You do not want to get worse.

I live in a big city and there are 2 teaching universities here.  The doc that i will be eventually seeing is supposedly the best in the city for motility disorders.  I hope so and I hope he is a nice one too. (:

Pls. keep us posted.

Caroline
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Avatar universal
This past summer, I started having gurgling in the throat and when I would bend over, this foamy mucus would come up.  I also has some burning with various foods, i.e., red sauces, chocolate, mints.  I bought Mylanta Extra strenght and this was my faithful companion.  

(Backing up a bit, my GP in 12/99, gave me an RX for priolosec as I tild him, I was having soem burning (not bad) I took it when i thought I needed to.)

I went to an ENT doc in 8/00, who said he could not see anything in the Laynyx (vocal cords) that indicated reflux coming up.  He said he can tell if a person is expereincing a reflux problem.  

Went to a pulmonay doc as I was also having breathing problems and noises in my respiratory tract, mainly on exhaling.

CT SCAN of the chest, spiromrty breathing tests, chest x-rays, broncoscopys really did not show much that would answer for my distress.  (teeny cysts found on lungs)

Had loads of blood work.  Normal.

He sent me to an allergist and more Costly test. etc..  She prescribed boo coos of inhalers and Prevacid.  I took Prevacid and then I would add a prilosec here and there and vice versa. This was my idea.  But, it seemed the more I took of this stuff, the worse I felt.

Finally saw a gastro man in November. He was  nice to me and assured me that he could get me well by Xmas but first must do an EGD and colonoscopy. He told me that I had GERD.  He gave me samples of Achifex (spelled wrong) and told me that I would start feeling well in 3 days.  WRONG!!!  I kept taking this stuff
until my EGD, in late November.  I was miserable.  I had more pains, felt goofy, itched like &*$%$%^& and headaches.  I went back to the Mylanta Extra Strength and tried a prilosec here and there.  I was still miserable.  

The EDG showed slight inflammtion and a lil stricture that he lanced? and a hialtal hernia.  Biopsy ruled out Barrett's esopsagitis and H-Pylori Bacteria.  I also had an Ultrasound of the Abdomen which was negative,

The Gastro man that was nice before the EDG had turned cool when i did not respond to proton pump inhibitors and was down right surprised of the side effects I told him I was having with Achifex (sp) as he told me that I was his only pateint that EVER had side effects with one of these meds, I.e. Prilosec, Prevacid, Achifex.

This Gastro man (whom by the way I will not return to see ) should read up on this site.  He made me feel like some kind of nutt case by indicating there were no side effects to these meds.

I told him that there was another problem as I am much worse.  He said I need to try Meditating as the brain was telling the stomach to act up!

I saw another doc and he told me that I need a 24 hour ph monitor probe done to see just what is going on with the reflux.  He said some people have a Motility disorder that acts just like GERD. (I hope i have related this correctly)  This doc would not take me on as a patient as he is not an expert in Motility disorders.  

He also mentioned various surgeries, which I really did not want to hear.   He said there were 3 kinds.  Two are still investigational.  (do not want surgery unless it is the VERY last resort)  he also mentioned an ERCP test but he said he use to do them but patients  were getting  Pancreatitis after this test, so he quit doing them.   He told me that if one has this test done it had better be with one that has done it over and over and over again and with good success.

He only mentioned this to me as I am/was having pain also in the upper right back and under the right rib cage, sporadically.  I wonder though if these could of been a side effect of one of the meds??

At this writing I am in Limbo.  he did give me the name of a gastro doc who specialized in Motility Disorders.  I have to take a brwak before i call him.  I am tired of seeing and talking with doctors.  I am watching every lil thing that goes into my mouth.  I also have had soem success with Zantac (over the counter) and followed the directions to a tee.  I may also try Pepcid Complete that was advertized on TV last night too. This is also over the counter.

I know this is long but I feel this site has helped me in the realization that I am not alone and I am not a nutt case.

I also am now aware that just because a doc is logged into a specialty does not mean that he knows everything about that specialty.  I am also aware that some doctors do not want to admit defeat so it is all the pateint's fault that she/he is not getting well.

I have learned and still learning about physicans and how the system works.

I vow though, that in 2001, I will know what is wrong with me and
pray that i will feel better.  I have a wonderful family and grandbabies. Now only do I owe this to myself but to them also.

I will not sit back and be intimidated by any physician.

When I do  make an appointment with the "supposedly" Motility specialist, I will ask for a consult only.  This way, I will do the interviewing and will come well prepared with questions.  If I feel this doctor is  kind, compassionate and a knowledgeable doctor, and can help and direct me, then I will become his patient.  

Again, I apologize for the length.  I certainly can relate to many of you on this site.  I have and am walking in your shoes.

God Bless Us.

Caroline.





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Avatar universal
Been reading some if not most of these replys.
It's creepy!
Are doctors really doctors anymore?
Every time a magazine comes out have you ever
NOTICED the NEW ads for the LATEST WONDER DRUGS?
Always with a smiling, happy go lucky model
that gives the rest of us miserable creatures hope!!
Yet, turn the page over and WHAM! In teeny tiny print
that you need a magnifying glass to read,
is the host of "Contradictions" and studies that would
make the smiling, happy go lucky model search out a
faith healer!!!  Pharmacies have much to gain and
we have much to lose....
I too was on Prilosec.
Read Patty's post on  October 27,2000!!
I took this wonder cure about five months after my gallbladder
was removed. I also quit taking it on my own accord listening to my body and how it was reacting. Geeeeezzzzzzzz.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had similiar reactions to Prilosec as those posted by N on March 1, 2000.  I had red patches pop up on my sides and my hands, terrible itching, and also had very dry skin.  My Dr. switched me to Prevacid and these side effects went away immediately.  I've had difficulty swallowing for the last 3 months and have been diagnosed with GERD and hiatal hernia. My heartburn seems to be gone but my swallowing problem is worse than ever...I'm basically on a soup and liquid diet.  When swallowing, it feels like there is a ball of trapped air about
midway of the throat that is interrupting the passage of food and also an intense lump in the throat feeling.  Any thoughts?
I have been looking at fundoplication...anybody out there had this procedure done?
Helpful - 0

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