GERD and Barretts

Does anyone know the long term side effects of PPI drugs ? I take 60 mg of Prevacid. How does one digest food with no acid ? Do you get the proper nutrients with no stomach acid. I read that PPI drugs can redue 98 % of all acid. Turning off the normal acid production can't be healthy. That is what I have  read, anyway. What about taking these drugs for years ? It seems like if you trun off acid prduction that your body wull try to increase acid production to make up for it and this might increase GERD. That is somewhat what I have experienced and that is why I am on a high does. I started out on 15 mg samples of Prevacid, now I am up to 30 mg twice a day/

[Barend]

It can cause headaches.  With me,it gave me an itch that passed to all the parts of my body. I overcame that with penaten, a ointment for diaper rash, itch, and eczema, to which I added vitamin E oil.  Makes it easier to apply. Penaten alone is really stiff. There are a couple more side effects.  You can find out in the Pillbook in the plublic library. Barend.

[Moppet]

I picked up a good book on stomach acid and the problems with PPI at Barnes and Knoble it was called something like..What Stomach Acid is Good For You.

[Rand]

"the sphincter at the junction of my esophagus and stomach was totally relaxed (dysfunctional), and (2) my system had gone haywire and was producing way more acid than normal on a steady basis."

I am curious about something. For 3 months now I ahve had a worsening pain in the espohagus ( I think ) which is not heart pain.  It is at the top of a breath.

I have tried Prevacid ond Losec and also a lot of DGL and antacids.

Have you had this ?  Have you read where anyone else has had it ?
I am under a lot of stress and wonder if this can cause it.

I have an appt with a gastro doc in 10 days and my own doc is at a loss.  

Thanks

Rand
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