Prevacid and headaches with other nervous system effects

[kellyyouse]

I started taking Prevacid for acid reflux about two weeks ago, after a visit to the ER determined that chest pain I experienced wasn't cardiac.  The Prevacid worked and stopped my chest pain, which confirmed the acid reflux theory.

However, during the past two weeks, I've developed headaches, anxiety, mood swings, nervousness, and other varied symptoms.  I also just generally don't "feel like myself," for lack of a better description.

I was wondering if anyone else out there experienced something similar while taking Prevacid.

Thanks,
Kelly

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[Don93950]

My wife sent me this site. I've been taking prevacid for about a year and a half, and have had great results. I've suffered from acid reflux since i was a teenager. I'm now 40.  But about 3 months ago, i started getting really bad headaches.  I figured it was sinuses and ignored it for a while. It only got worse. I have to wear earplugs all the time because i'm so sensitive to sound and light.(and i have a 2 and a 1 year old).  Mri showed nothing, eyes have been checked, went to allergist.  So far nothing. So i'm quitting the prevacid, and i'll see how it goes. I hope it works, as the headaches can be incapacitating.  If any of you have any other ideas, please let me know. Thanks

[Jim_Reed]

Ditto ...

Many years ago, I started taking the prescription version of Previcid for acid reflux.  It worked well.  Eventually, an over-the-counter, version, Prilosec came out and my insurance company (Anthem) told me to switch (so that they wouldn't have to pay).  A few years ago I started buying the cheaper generics (omeprazole) from Walgreens and Costco.  These worked just as well.

About two weeks ago, I saw that Previcid was now over-the-counter so I tried some.  The first day was fine, the second day was when a very nasty headache started.  I rarely get headaches.  I stopped the Previcid on the third day and switched back to Prilosec.  Two days later the headache was gone.

Yesterday, I decided to try the Previcid again to see if the headaches were coincidental.  No problems yesterday.  Today, I'm in serious pain - hence the web search.

Tomorrow, I'll pitch the remaining Previcid and go back to Prilosec.

Admittedly, my personal research is not scientific (no "blind" testing), but the headaches are too severe for any more experiments.

***@****

[Dee0721]

I started taking Prevacid and Xanax and was attributing the very painful headaches to Xanax (never had headaches in my life) after a trip to the ER for what I thought was a heart attack, had pulpatations, etc.   I,too, just feel weird but thought that too was from the Xanax.  I'm so glad I found this site and will try to not take Prevacid for a few days.

One question, though, will the symptoms of gerd return?  And is there an over-the-counter substitute for Prevacid that works as well?  Tried Prilosec - didn't get any relief.  Does any one feel that the doctors don't take these symptoms seriously enough?  Most of the time I feel so sickly that I can hardly function and am worried about a much more serious problem.  

[TechGirlPa]

I have been experiencing the same things anxiety wise! Here's a link of reviews of prevacid posted by users, and it's very eye opening. http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20406&name=PREVACID&page=2

[Mamaf16]

I have just started reading this as my 10 year daughter is on Prevacid.  Long story short..she has suffered from anxiety for a few years however it has been controlled by her zoloft.  This summer she was having reflux and was precsribed Prevacid.  Since then she has been MARKEDLY suffering from Anxiety and emotional distress.  It just dawned on me that perhaps this is in part from her Prevacid.  I stopped giving it to her yesterday...and of all coincidences she had a better day.  Additionally, she has been suffering from the need to urinate frequently...and lo and behold...yesterday was better for that too.  So..my question is...AM I CRAZY or is this related?  Any comments would be most welcome as I am at wits end.  We have been seeing a psychiatrist and therapist too just for an FYI.

[bart]

I am so glad I ran accross this site. I thought I was going crazy and to find others like me. I feel nervous and shaky and sometime feel like my heart races at times. I tried taking prevacid every other day and that doesn't seem to help my reflux. I had these same symtoms on nexium but they were worse. I've asked my doctor and he's told me it's just stress and anxiety. Thank you guys for posting your comments. I feel better knowing I'm not alone.

[kellyyouse]

Here's a link to the most comprehensive info I found on side effects for Prevacid.  Please note that this is a link to a PDF file:

http://pitap.abbott.com/prevacidiv.pdf?noCache=

It goes beyond what you find at the drug website and breaks down all the side effects by body system (whole body, cardiac, musculoskeletal, etc.)

[hockeycrazy3033]

lol you're not the only one! I am too. :)

Acid Reflux runs in my family too. My Dad has it and has to take a pill every single day.

I kept trying to find side effects on prevacid and couldn't find it! Where did you find it at?

[hockeycrazy3033]

lol you're not the only one! I am too. :)

Acid Reflux runs in my family too. My Dad has it and has to take a pill every single day.

I kept trying to find side effects on prevacid and couldn't find it! Where did you find it at?

[kellyyouse]

I'm so glad you posted. . .your experience makes me feel a little better that this is all indeed the Prevacid.

Headaches have been my main symptom, but it's not the traditional headache. . .for me, it feels like a creepy-crawly sensation across my scalp in addition to a general pressure or squeezing.  I also get a tingly sensation over my face.

I stopped taking Prevacid a few days ago, and though I'm still experiencing symptoms, they seem to be less frequent and less intense.  On my second day of skipping my dose, I did experience a weak feeling through my body--not really dizziness, but a feeling that I needed to sit down.

Let's see, a few other things I've felt since starting Prevacid are chills, fatigue, lethargy. . .no burning sensations as you've described.

Who would think all these feelings could come from an acid reducer?

Thanks again for your response.
Kelly

[hockeycrazy3033]

No prob! It's good to know you've got someone that knows what you are talking about and is going through the same thing!

My headaches are still there. I just feel this pressure on my forehead and eyes..kinda a dizzy feeling that goes and comes. I've also had the tingly feeling as well. It's really weird. Mine hasn't truly gone away yet but I guess it takes time.

Some of your symptoms sound a bit like anxiety too. Have you've ever had that? I hear acid reflux/anxiety sometimes go hand in hand.

[kellyyouse]

I've had some problems with anxiety, but it's always been related to public speaking.  I've never just had anxiety without a specific, logical cause.  Plus, for me, the progression of my recent health issues started with the chest pain incident.  The headaches and other issues didn't happen until after I started the Prevacid.

I'm thinking the acid reflux may be genetic for me, as my mom also has problems with this.

I did some reading on side effects of Prevacid, and it can cause anxiety and related symptoms.  Perhaps I'm one of the lucky ones who get to experience that part of the side effects.  Why couldn't it have just been weird dreams or sweating?

[hockeycrazy3033]

Wow! Oddly enough I've been going through the exact same thing. I started taking Prevacid back in November due to my sensitive stomach/acid reflux. When I first started takin it I noticed I'd have headaches, constantly go to the bathroom, and just felt VERY weird and not like myself. I thought it was anxiety but then I decided to go off the pills and I did and about a week after I felt back to my normal self. I then started taking them again two weeks ago because my stomach was getting bad and I noticed a day or so after I had the weird feeling, headaches..and everything again so just a few days ago I stopped and am feeling better day by day. It's weird how a pill can do that to you *if it indeed is what the problem is* so yeah  definitely think it can be the prevacid. I totally stopped them and am not just takng alka selzer whenever I need. It's much better and doesn't effect me.

Do you have any other symptoms from it?

I've been getting this burning sensation throught my arms and legs and I don't know if that has anything to do with it.