Symptoms Worse than Ever after 9 months on Prevacid

[bertrill]

My story begins with a mild intermittent sore throat for which I was sent to an ENT just over a year ago (the sore throat was gone by the time I actually made it to the ENT).  The ENT took a look and said I had acid reflux--this was a surprise to me as I hadn't been having any other symptoms.  I made an appointment with a Gastroenterologist and because of the ENT's diagnosis and the fact that my mother (not a smoker or drinker) had recently died of esophageal cancer, they recommended an endoscopy. Up to that time, I had had very little trouble with my upper digestive system that I had been aware of unless I ate very late at night. However, the week before I first visited the gastroent..., I did have a few bouts of what must have been heartburn.  The endoscopy showed some minor irritation of the esophagus and I think the stomach also--biopsies didn't yield anything major--negative for H-pylori.  Because of the irritation (I still wasn't feeling bad) I was put on Prevacid, 30Mg twice a day.  Since I argued that I wasn't feeling any symptoms (sore throat never returned) and that I couldn't even tell whether the medicine was doing anything, I was instructed to continue 2X per day on the Prevacid for about a month and then knock it down to 1X per day for about another month.  Well, I didn't have any trouble going down to 1X per day, but, sometime last fall after taking Prevacid for a couple of months, I missed my 1X morning dose and got hit with heartburn an hour or two after dinner.  Then it happened again and then again--I'd miss a day and feel it in the evening.  So, I decided that I must indeed have acid reflux and need this medication.  Months passed and I stayed on the Prevacid 1X per day--I felt fine but sometime this spring, I noticed heartburn occasionally in the evening even after I had the drug in the morning.  Keep in mind that heartburn was not a problem for me before I was diagnosed last summer.  One week ago, I decided that I wanted to stop taking the Prevacid and I did--the last pill I took was on Tuesday, June, 21. Since then, it doesn't matter whether I eat a bowl of Cheerios or veal parmigiana with lots of sauce and pasta--I get hit with heartburn and I guess what is indigestion about an hour after I eat and I have never, ever felt like this in my whole life (problem is occurring above my chest up into my throat.) I am so uncomfortable, I started taking Zantac one time per day--usually after dinner to give some relief--and I do get some relief from that.  I will be making an appointment with my doctor soon but I am miserable and terribly frustrated right now and just thought I'd ask for your advice.  I just want to feel the way I felt before I ever started on this medicine.Other than this issue, I am healthy, not a drinker or smoker and not even close to being overweight.  Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you for your time.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It sounds like a more definitive diagnosis is needed.  The endoscopy showed some irritation of the esophagus - suggesting a diagnosis of GERD.  

The more definitive test would be a 24-hr pH study, which is the more comprehensive test for GERD.  If positive, then the anti-acid medication can be optimized - perhaps a combination of Prevacid and an H2 blocker (like Zantac or Pepcid).

If medication isn't helping the symptoms despite a positive test for GERD, then one can look for surgical options (i.e. a fundoplication).  

You can discuss this option with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

you are supposed to watch what you eat and when you eat-dairy ,fat,spice,peppermint,chocolate,caffeine could all irritate your stomach.
30mg in the morning,the effect may have worn off by the time you have dinner.

[versute]

I feel your pain.  We've got to get treated and stop letting these doctors keep doing tests that don't find anything.  They should be working for us!

[Dianagay61]

Hello,  Ihave been reading what you all have been saying about acid reflux.  I feel your pain.  On March 1st I quite smoking cold turkey.  It was not too hard as I had a real bad cold. (smoked 43 years)  I thought how great I would be healthy again, as it turned out I got some real weard side effects from quiting.  First I got a real horse and raspy throat and I kept having to clear my throat.  Then I got some white marks inside my cheaks that were real sore when I ate.  I don't have any medical insurance so I waited till May before going to a Dr.  He had no idea what it was and prescribed Amoxicillin for 10 days.  Absolutely wrong!  I went to another Dr.  a eyes ears nose and throat guy.  He prescribed Nystatin as he thought it might be a yeast infection.  He also told me I had acid reflux.  Absolutely wrong!  The third Dr. sugested I go to a dental surgeon.  I went to see him and got yet another prescription for Dexamethasone, at least this keeps my mouth from hurting so much.  Food has no taste or a bad taste, I don't even want to eat anymore.  He told me I have some kind of imune thing where my body is attacking my mouth.  Great.  This is costing a fortune by the way.  I am on previced with no results so far.   I do drink alot of diet cokes.  I must quit.  Does anyone know what is the next step if this does not go away?  Help

[Dianagay61]

Sorry I am on Prilosec not previced

[yoshi]

could it be possible that you quitted smoking as you sense something is not well and it is better to quit?
so whatever that something is finally shows up ??
if you have acid reflux/gerd,you should not drink soda.
you should go back to the doctor and ask him if what you have now is the  result of long term smoking??

[Dianagay61]

Thank you Yoshi for your comment regarding smoking.  I think sometimes all the additives can cause a reaction when you talke them away.  It is possible.
Betrill-have you tried to stop taking all the medicines like prevacid?  Maybe you should try something like pepcid or gavisgon or mylanta, maybe they whould work better.  I hope for you that the problem goes away as I have only had it for three month and am already going nuts.  I can't stand the feeling in my throat but I guess I am lucky it hasen't bothered my stomach much.  I do get that funny felling of something being traped in my chest.

[yoshi]

the new prescription drug like nexium,prevacid and prolosec are better than the over the counter ones,OTC priilosec is not as effective as the stronger prescription version.
They all work in the stomach ,curbing the reflux so your esophagus and stomach can heal.
Have you tried neutralising the acid already in the system usng alka selzer,baking soda or gas x??
you also have to watch what you eat-dariy ,oil,caffeine,soda,peppermint,chocolate ,fat are all bad news.
are you sure you have acid reflux or is it something else?/
have you tried gargling with strong listerine,or taking strong vitamin pills for A,C,B??

[astros18]

I, too, was told I have acid reflux over 4 yrs ago. I tried everything the doctor prescribed. It got worse and worse. At one point I thought I was dying. First of all, it is not normal to be going thru this. Your body is telling you there is a problem and you need to fix it. Antacid meds are not usually the answer. Most people who have acid reflux actually need more stomach acid to digest their food. When you take an antacid, your stomach says Oh no! I have to produce more acid so it does. Try taking one tsp. of vinegar when you have an attack. If it helps, then you need more acid. Try a combination of food enzymes and a stomach soother. Most people who suffer also have a high amount of yeast in their intestinal system, so consider doing a colon detox and take a probiotic as well. Sometimes when one thing is not working, it's time to go in a different direction.

[yoshi]

vinegar is bad news for your teeth,if it is minor,drink cranberry juice or pineapple juice or even OJ.

[pammie k]

I agree with Astros18, most people put on antacids actually need more acid, they are not getting enough to digest your food. Go to drdavidwilliams.com, and check out the probiotics, you take one first thing in the am. and check out his other solutions for this problem. We should always try the natural approach first, eat healthy. Avoid as much man made foods and drugs as possible. common sense with the problem getting worse, should tell you to stop the cycle of Meds.

[astros18]

I don't mean take a tsp. of vinegar every time you have an attack. Try it once, if it works, you know you need more acid, not less to digest your food. As far as vinegar being bad for your teeth, people for many years have used vinegar as preventive med for almost everything. Wash your mouth out after you take it. Food enzymes and probiotic should certainly help. Remember this, EVERYTHING starts in the colon. If you have a toxic colon, your whole body is toxic. That's where you need to start. Be proactive with your health. Don't wait for a doctor to tell you what to do. It's your body!

[bertrill]

Hello--Thank you all for your advice and kind words.  I just need to clarify one point in case anyone else comes looking for answers as I don't feel that the doctor who answered my initial question really answered my question, but that is probably because I wrote way too much.  Here is the point that I was trying to make: While I do believe that I have reflux, I was practically symptom free before I was put on Prevacid--did not feel like I needed medication at all. But, I followed my doctor's advice.  After going off of Prevacid after 9 months, it seems like the acid pumps have turned back on with a vengence  and my body doesn't know what is hitting it.  So, the medication, in my eyes, caused more problems than existed in the beginning.   I have been able to find very little about this on the Internet so I think that what I am describing is rare, and, I certainly wouldn't advise someone to refrain from taking medication because of this.  It is important to protect your esophagus from acid if you have a problem. I know because I lost my mother to esophageal cancer that was most likely due to a lifetime of acid reflux that was never treated.

[yoshi]

all these medication prompt the body to create some hormone or enzyme,i forget the name,which will make more acid.
may be you should just stop taking prevacid and watch what you eat and dont eat anything 3 hours before bedtime.
and take a glass of water with baking soda to neutralise the acid already there before you go to bed.
There is site which talked about this substance which make the body create more acid.

[bertrill]

I have stopped taking the Prevacid-it has been almost three weeks since I've taken it.  I was unable to go off of it cold-turkey, so I was taking 2 Zantac a day and now I am down to 1 Zantac a day.  I am very happy to report that I am finally beginning to feel a little better--I think that the acid pumps are perhaps starting to calm down and my body is getting back to normal after all the meds.  I'm going to keep taking the Zantac once a day for another week at least.  Then I'm going to switch to something milder like Maalox or Tums and of course watch what I eat.  I'm also drinking plenty of water.  Chewing gum, eating a couple of saltine crackers, and sucking on ice also helps comfort things. I will do a search for the enzyme that you were referring to.  I'd like to have as much info as possible when I see my doctor in a few weeks.

[yoshi]

it is called gastrin.
here is the website
http://www.refluxremedy.com/
He wants money to reveal his secrets.
He is right on APPLE,I eat an apple and it never give me any problem.
I would guess the three grocery items he is talking about could be -selzer water,baking soda and apple.

[astros18]

actually bertrill, what you are describing is not rare at all. I want to clarify that I have nothing against the medical profession and i am certain that there are prescription drugs out there that have saved lives. Acid reflux is not a disease. It is made up so that money can be made on selling prscriptions to people. You are right to be vigilant since your mom died of esophageal cancer. You do have other options. I became very proactive with my health when doctor after doctor failed me. I was at one point taking 6 different medications and feeling worse and worse. I encourage you to do the same with your health. Garden of Life and Nature's Sunshine make many different products for digestive health. Do your research and make yourself healthy.

[wassupwassabi]

I think the apple cider vinegar test is a good idea.  If taking some when you have heartburn clears up the problem, then your problem was that you didn't have enough acid in the first place.  If it makes it worse then you were hyperacidic.

[SHEN]

Would like to offer another suggestion. Consider what emotion or combinations of emotions have triggered these symptoms to occur.
Our stomach reflects back many of our reactions to fear,stress, anxiety or what's uncertain.
Go back in time to the onset of your symptoms and explore how you felt, what was happening around you.
  Look at how you reacted. Are you still dwelling, still holding on to something you can't change or fix.  
Look at how your close family reacts to similar stresses. You usually will find a link.
We often quickly bury and forget what started it all. Bring everything out and come to know how you reacted to your problem. Take it one step at a time and redesign the way you respond.  
Give yourself and your family some time to adjust to any changes
as It will not be easy.
If you need help look for those who heal the mind and body together.

[astros18]

That is so true. That is the basis for Chinese medicine. Every emotion correlates to a major organ. For instance anger is very hard on your liver. One should always look at what was happening in their lives when symptoms first start appearing and go from there. I think womwn especially have the tendency to hold emotions inside. That is very damaging to your health.