History of excess stomach acid

[elaine__0]

  I would like some feedback/advice on treatment of excess stomach acid.  My problems began when I was 18...I am now 36.  I would get stomach attacks that would last several days with pain and bloating in the stomach accompanied by excess salivation and headache.  I used mylanta for many years to help with the problem and cut out things like caffiene and sodas.  I started more aggressive treatment with my general practitioner about two or three years ago.  At first he thought IBS (although I have never had intestinal problems), so I started taking fiber supplements.  That seemed to improve things for a while,  but the attacks became more frequent and I also started to get heartburn, which I never had in the past.  We tried zantac but I could not tolerate the 300 mg dose and the 150 did not seem to help.  He sent me for an upper GI everthing normal, just showed excess stomach acid.  Tried prevacid, helped stomach but gave me diaharea.  Now I am on prilosec 20mg.  I am still using tums and mylanta to control heartburn, even with the prilosec, but have no other side effects.  I am still getting attacks, although duration and frequency appear to be less.  My questions are as follows:  Is it normal to still have heartburn while you are on prilosec?  Should the dose be increased?  Prilosec is a strong acid inhibitor.  Can you use it for long periods (for example the rest of your life?)  I read about acid reducers affecting Vitamin B-12 absorbtion.  Can this be controlled by taking supplements?  I have a history of bad stomachs in my family...my father has had ulcers and has always had a bad stomach and his father (my grandfather) died of a bleeding ulcer.
  Thanks for any incite on this issue.
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Dear Elaine,
It is difficult to know what is causing your symptoms.  Esophageal reflux, gastric inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome can each explain some of your symptoms.
Most people with heartburn get better with Prilosec.  If your symptoms persist, consider adding a prokinetic agent e,g, Propoulsid.  You should also have tests to confirm the reflux (24 hr pH study).
You can stay on Prilosec for years.  Although reduced B12 absorption has been reported, this does not appear to be a major clinical problem and does not require B12 supplementatiomn.  
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific questiosn to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: abdominal pain, esophageal reflux
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