need help

I am a healthy 29 y.o. female who has been experiencing a "sour stomach" and nausea for 3 weeks now. Started on Prilosec thinking it was acid reflux (agreed with by my MD)..but it made me constipated and my lower abdomen distended. So I stopped after 3 days...then spent a day with nausea & vomiting as well as bowel movements followed by diarrhea. The nausea got worse after quitting the Prilosec so I thought I would try it again...now realizing i am starting the same cycle...distended lower abdomen with pain (especially after eating) as well as an inabliity to have a bowel movement. Tried some miralax but no success. Is the Prilosec making me constipated? Should I try something else for acid? What is causing this?  Never had a problem with stomach acid before..but am nauseous all day & night. Tried yogurt to restore natural bacteria. I am afraid to keep taking and afraid to stop taking. I just had my period so not pregnant. Help!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi ilsakai,
Prilosec is a PPI. Diarrhea is more common with PPI than constipation.

You are having features of irritable bowel syndrome.
The medications that you need are -
1. PPI
2. Anti -spasmodics

Discuss with your doctor about starting these medications.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[Bev303]

I have both IBS and acid reflux and easily get a sore stomach.  I am taking 15 mg of Previcid daily and have been for a long time. If I stop taking it I get queasy and end up with a sore stomach.  Is it safe to take Previcid every day and what do you think causes the sore stomach?  Also I am wondering if taking Previcid every day causes a loss of nutrients from the vitamins I take?