Long term use of Nexium - a bit freaked out !

[Mallee]

Hi my name is Mal and i have been taking Nexium (40mg) now on and off for about 12 to 18 months (I think). I first started as I went to my local doctor as I was having indigestion/heartburn nad he prescribed Nexium (40mg) told me to come back after finishing the packet which is for 30 days ( 1month) which I did and the indigestion had gone but came back again some months later and slightly worse. He again gave me another prescription and told me to take them and come back and get another repeat as sometimes it may take a couple of months to get on top of the problem. I did that (although reluctant) as I don't like taking tablets at all. The indigestion went away and i stopped taking the Nexium for a short while but then  the indigestion seemed to come back again with more fervency. I ended up going to another doctor in around November 2011 and told her my concerns with indigestion and she gave me Nexium (40 mg) again told me to take them for 1 month and if the symptoms persisted I would have to have an endoscopy to see what was going on inside of which I declined as I don't like being put to sleep unless I really have to. So I ended up having  Barium Meal which cleared me of everything including a Haitus Hernia (thank God) as I was freaked about having one. But the Doctor told me I had acid reflux and I might have to be on Nexium for the rest of my life (which freaked me out). The Doctor just told me to continue haing the Nexium every day and I said could I have them flexibly and she said to give it a try which i have been doing since December 2011 and now I find I can only go no more than 3-4 days without having a Nexium otherwise I get heartburn/ indigestion and sometimes (not much) it kind of hurts when I swallow at the top of my stomach. So now I am to sse specialist next monday about having an endoscopy and becuase of what I have been reading about long term side effects of nexium I'm kind of freaked about about cancer etc..... Can anyone advise ? Cheers Mal

[Londres70]

It is no fun to have medical procedures or surgeries done....totally understand, but you should have it done especially if you have a high number of stones in your Gallbladder.  You do not .....repeat.... do not want any of these stones to get lodged in a Biliary duct/Biliary tree or the Common Bile duct.  Then the situation would be way worse.  

It should go well with the procedure.  

I know your scared and I am not going to say there aren't any risks with procedures and surgeries, however, you are definitely taking a risk by keeping this Gallbladder full of stones in.  

[Mallee]

Hi Londres 70,
Thanks for your comment and advice, it is much appreciated. I agree with your suggestions but I guess I'm just a bit scared of having surgery as I have read both positive and negative comments on the internet about post operation problems after gallbladder removal which makes me worry and uncertain. I'm just not sure what to do. I don't get gallbladder pain all the time. I think when I was first diagnosed in 2008 with small gallstones in my gallbladder and I chose not to have it removed I think I have had about half a dozen attacks since then maybe less or slightly more to be exact but no more than that. Maybe I'm just being a big chicken, I just want to enjoy life afterwards and be able to exercise and enjoy a nice meal and not have to super extra careful what I eat (not that I eat rubbish much anyway) I just wish I wouldn't worry so much about the operation and everything going alright. Anyway thanks Londres for your concern, advice and help. Thanks,
Mallee

[Londres70]

Gallbladder issues are NOTORIOUS for causing indigestion problems.  Yes, it is there for a reason, but if it is not working properly and your physician feels it should be out then it should be out.  Why keep it in if it's not working properly?  That makes no sense.  Plus, it is an organ you can live without.  Plus, you do NOT want these Gallstones blocking your Biliary duct causing worse problems.  

[Mallee]

Hi, Thanks for your comment much appreciated. I had a Barium Meal done some months ago as I was a bit apprehensive about an Upper Endoscopy. Anyway the Barium Meal said I didn't have a 'haitus hernia' which was pleasing but that did have acid reflux (I think). Anyway I was given 40 mg of Nexium which I have been on and off with for about 18 months or so. I am due to have an 'upper endoscopy' within the next two months depending upon waiting list at the hospital. I saw a specialist today who reckons I do have a small 'haitus hernia' but I don't know where he got his information as the radiologist who did the barium meal said there was no indication of one. The specialist today also told me I had to have my 'Gall Bladder' out as I have gallstones which I was diagnosed with back in 2008 but again I didn't want to have my gallbladder out as I was a bit freaked out about that as well. The specialist today reckons it's very important to get the gallbladder out as it can cause major problems if I leave it in his opinion, so I'm booked in to get it out when he does the Endoscopy, but I'm still very nervous about the whole thing. The specialist also reckons that Gallstones can also cause indigestion of which I have never heard of before. I'm just a bit concerned about losing a part of my body that must be there for a reason. So I will soon know for sure about what going on after I have the endoscopy. I just want to get it all over with and try to live a normal life. Thanks for your advice and help.
Mallee

[Londres70]

I have been on Nexium on and off for about 8 years now.  Never heard of Nexium being linked with stomach cancer; that's news to me.  I do know if you don't control GERD symptoms then you are at risk for developing Barrett's which in turn makes you at risk for Esophageal cancer.  So, it is VERY important you get a handle on your reflux.  I have read that Nexium or PPIs in general should NEVER be given to a patient IF Stomach cancer is SUSPECTED.  

An Upper Endoscopy SHOULD have been done a while back so that you know EXACTLY what you are dealing with.  

Periodically, a CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel) plus Mg and B12 levels should be drawn as PPIs such as Nexium can alter these levels.  

As Selma mentioned, you should be doing lifestyle changes as well, i.e. exercise, weight maintenance, avoid CAFFEINATED beverages such as coffee, tea and cola, balanced diet, etc.  

[Mallee]

Thanks for your input and advice much appreciated. I will certainly post an update after I have had the endoscopy, I may have to wait a month or so before I can actually get into the hospital to have it done. It depends on the waiting list. I'm going to see if I can slowly go off the Nexium as I really don't like taking or having to rely on medication unless absolutely necessary. I will definitely have to modify and change some aspects of my diet to help as well. Once again thank you.
Mallee

[selmaS]

  How often would depend on other health issues or meds u might also be on.....I do have other meds and issues and I have my blood tested every 6 months, but once a yr may be ok for u or a little longer....family history plays into it as well....

I slowly stepped off my meds, with the aid of my Dr, and being on a modified diet and lifestyle, I only use the meds when needed now...and I was on them for yrs....I can go months with out needing them, and then something stressful can make it flare up....I do have a hiatal hernia....and some of my other meds can cause my reflux to flare as well....u should talk to ur Dr as to what is best for u...especially after u have this scope done.

Do post an update on how that goes for u : )

[Mallee]

Thank you for your comment and advice, much appreciated. My Doctor has never informed me about the need of blood tests while on Nexium at all. My doctor has never mentioned to me about reducing them so that I can come off them. I do not really like having them at all. My diet is kind of O.K. I don't drink or smoke and I try to exercise regularly and try to be careful what I eat, although I do at times have the odd take away etc.... I do like my cups of tea and I tend to eat bread/toast etc... and the Yoghurt which is supposed to help with digestion. I try to drink water as much as I can but probably not as much as I should. I have to see a specialist next Monday about having an Endoscopy to see what happening inside and I might even have a Colonoscopy as well (I'm not sure about that yet). I asked another Doctor yesterday (not my regular one) about Nexium and if one can get stomach Cancer from them because of the tablet stopping the acid in your stomach. He was very evasive and tried not to answer and told me only to take them when I have to. However when I originally asked this same doctor about Nexium 18 months ago when he first gave them to me about them being safe he was very adamant they were, but he seems to be singing another tune now, makes me wonder if half the Doctors actually know anything about the medication they give their patients. How often should I be blood tested while using Nexium? Also over how long a period should I decline my usage of Nexium so I can stop altogether? Is it safe to go off them altogether slowly and then stop? Once again thanks for your help and advice.
Mallee

[selmaS]

  Hi...there is an underlying reason u have  reflux......the issue is finding it, and if u do not do the testing u may have recurrent reflux issues.

Did u modify ur diet and lifestyle? That needs to be done in addition to taking the meds, and ur Dr should test ur blood on a reg basis to make sure u r not having issue being on the meds.

Stopping taking these meds u can and will have the symptoms return and many times worse then b4 as it is rebound effect from stopping the med, u need to step off these meds slowly.

As I said with a good Dr they will monitor u to make sure u do not have ill effects from the meds, but u do need to make siet and lifestyle changes....