Reflux Disease

  I am a 26 year old female who has been dealing with reflux ever since having intense radiation for Hodgkin's Disease in 1993.  I found out on my own that this was probably the cause - my general practitoner diagnosed me after running a test (an upper GI, I believe?).  I have been taking Axid 150 mg. twice a day.  This is effective, but I find that I get "break through" periods - mostly in the mid-afternoon or morning but it could happen anytime.  By "break through", I mean that the heartburn comes back and I need to take antacids until it is time for the next pill.  I know there are newer drugs on the market for relief.  I asked my docor about Prilosec but he discouraged it saying it was very strong.  I have a friend who had the same problem as me with Axid, now she is taking Prevacid and is experiencing total relief. Should I try this?  Any advice will be appreciated- thank you!
  Karyn
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Dear Karyn,
Most physicinas will switch to a proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec or Prevacid if the H2 receptor antagonist therapy does not work.  Your physician is correct that the proton pump inhibitors are better suppressors of acid secretion than the H2 receptor antagonists, but the greater suppression is what you need to control your ref;ux symptoms.  There is no evifence to indicate danger from the use of the prton pump inhibitors.  If you choose not to use a proton pump inhibitor, you could increase the dose of Axid or continue the use of antacids.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Alwasy consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal reflux
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