Protonix stopped working after 1 year

Hi everyone, I'm brand new here and feeling pretty down lately.  I was diagnosed with reflux after an EGD last summer.  I was sailing along, taking protonix 1x per day, eating pretty much normally, and then boom , it was as if a switch were thrown, and the symptoms returned once again.  I am now on Zegerid at night (taken for 3 days) and have seen little improvement, and Protonix in the AM.

My question is, has anyone experienced this where the drug just stopped working for you?

Thanks everyone.  

[selmaS]

Hi Bailey and welcome to the GERD forum.

Yes I have been on and off prilosec for yrs and had to switch bcuz it no longer worked.Prilosce is a PPI proton pump inhibator...I am now on pepcid which is a histamine inhibator...and it is working much better.

U mentioned u were eating normally, which unfortunatly may have been ur downfall....those of us with gerd issues do need to make changes to our diet and our basic lifestyle in order to keep the flares at bay.

We do have info on safe foods and lifestyle tips in our Health Pages...and a link to them in our welcome message at the top of the forum.

Please keep us posted on ur progress
"selma"

[Bailey1962]

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply.  Yes, I am aware of the diet restrictions, and I do stick to them, for the most part.  I guess while on Protonix, and feeling so well, I took advantage of that and ate my chocolate, coffee, and spicy foods.  I am not a big eater.  I watch my diet, exercise, and am in good shape. I guess I feel "entitled" to a few foods that I love.  Don't many of us eat what we like if we are being treated successfully?  I read so many posts that say, I can eat anything I want....do you stay on the GERD diet even when you are feeling well on your med's? Thanks again for your support!

Bailey

[selmaS]

Hi, I would say that it is easy to say ...I feel great so I am going to eat what I like, but we tend to keep doing it and cause the condition to flare back up. If u r off the meds and want to eat something that does affect u, but u love I would suggest taking the meds prior to eating the item.

And keep in mind, if u continue to get the flares, then the condition was not really treated successfully....u were just avoiding what made u feel bad.......

U must know what caused ur gerd issues to begin with...do u have a hiatal hernia?....if so u will always have the issues with the foods.....unless u have the surgery and even then, I would suggest using the meds when eating the offending foods.

I had a reprieve and it was many yrs no meds and I was able to eat nething...however, I now am in another flare that I am going crazy with...if during those yrs of no meds, I watched my diet a bit closer I may not be in the misery I am right now......

If u r on meds it is VERY important to keep on the diet as much as possible......u r on the meds bcuz ur system is over producing acid...so y eat foods that will cause u to make even more?

I am not saying once in a blue moon u can't have something...I am saying just bcuz u r on meds and feel ok, that u can ignore the diet and lifestyle changes that will continue to aid in lessening the acid production.


"selma"