PPI's

I am a female in my 30's who has just been diagnosed with barretts.  I have not had a regular history of acid reflux leading up to this.  I was put on PP's including protonic, generic for Prilosec, and not nexium, all within a two month period.   Along with the normal side effects noted, I am having side effects/symptoms that I cant get answers about.  When I take any of the above pills, I get a burning or coolness sensation throughout my stomach and sometimes in my throat and other areas.  It comes an goes but it is there most of the time.  It occurs while I am eating or drinking and can get intense to where it feels worse than acid reflux.  As the dose has been increased it did get worse.  I took myself off the medicine for two days and symptoms subsided.  I cant tell if I have acid reflux because of what I am feeling on the meds.  Why is this occuring?  Can the lesser strength meds protect me the same if I cant take the PPI's?  Also, my mestraul cycle has gotten so bad over the last two months, is there a reason for this??

[CalGal]

Many people have side-effects with PPIs that don't seem to fit the 'general pattern,' and it sounds like that's what happening to you. I don't think a doc is going to be able to give you a specific reason as to the 'why,' however.

If you've been diagnosed with Barrett's the lesser meds wouldn't be advisable, but if you have to fall back on them because you can't stand the feeling you're experiencing, then you may have to go to something like zantac but you're going to have to be on fairly high doses. And even those drugs may have side-effects. Check with your doc.

I don't think the PPI is having an effect on your cycle - but can't be sure because everyone reacts differently - but if you've been under stress which would be normal in this situation, it's a good possibility that the hormones you're putting out may be causing the problem.