Treatment for Reflux

[Daniel]

Hi.  I began experiencing symptoms of acid reflux about a year ago.  It manifested itself one evening after I had overeaten at dinner as a sharp pain in my left side and some regurgitation.  Prior to that, I had the occasional heartburn but nothing too serious.  I was put on Prevacid for 30 days but the side effects (diarrhea, some cramping) were worse than the symptoms and so my prescription was not renewed and it was suggested that I use over-the-counter medications and try and cut down on my stress level.

Since then I have made changes to my diet and the problem has lessened somewhat but I go through periods where anything I consume, even water, will cause excessive burping and even some pain in my side.  While this eventually subsides, it is extremely uncomfortable.  The over-the-counter stuff only provides some slight relief, but I am reluctant to take medication again after the last time.  I have an appointment to see my physician about this, but I was wondering if there are alternative treatments are for reflux besides medication.  If not, will medication eventually do the trick?  I work in a rather stressful job which is obviously not helping, but I would like to go into my consultation with a general idea of what I am up against.  Thanks!

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

DEar Daniel,
If you look through our archives using the keywords, reflux, esophagitis, GERD you will find that many people have a problem similar to yours.  Lifestyle modifications are the first steps in treating reflux:
3 meals, no smacks.
do not lie down for 4 hours after eating
sleep with your head elevated 6 inches
avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, cigarettes,fatty foods
chew gum and/or suck candies during the day to increase the amount of saliva that you make.

Pharmacologic treatment can start with H2 receptor antagonists e.g. Tagamet, Pepcid.  IF these medications do not work we usually prescribe a proton pump inhibitor.  Sincer Prevacid did not work for you, an alternative drug could be considered e.g. Prilosec.  IF symptoms persist, combination therapy with a PPI and a prokinetic agent can be tried.  Sometimes surgery is needed when medical treament fails.  

You may want to ask youir do0ctor abouit endoscopy to confirm the cause of your symptoms.

This information is presented for educational purposes.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.

[lisa]

Have you tried Prilosec?  I am very sesnsitive to medications and I took this without any signifcant side effects.  Talk to your doc.  There are many options.

[Bhagwan]

I have been suffering from IBS for several years. I have even undergone exploratory surgery and removal of adhesions. As I read your message, the past two months, I have had too much bile reflux. I have visited several doctors all over and taken so much medicine but still I have not found the cure for my problem.

If you do get any information about our problems please let me know and I will do the same. Good luck.

[Geogia]

I was diagnosed with Reflux with a "swallow" test in the mid 1980s'. I too thought I was having a heart attack, over the next 15 years I had frequent flairs and usually Gaviscon and a strict diet took care of the problem. In August I had an attack that would not go away eventually the pain got to me and I saw a doctor on 9/8/99. He prescibed Prilosec 2 (10mg each) a day. A week later the pain was so severe I went to the hospital and there they upped my dosage of Prilosec and aded prescirption Zantac. I then followed up with a visit to my primary care doctor. It took many phone calls and a few tears to convince them that I could no longer sleep at night and that the pain was so severe that it was controling my life. A Gastroentology specialist has upped my dosage to 8 (10mg each) pills a day plus 3 (150 mg each) a day. I am to take the pills on an empty stomach, not to eat for 4 hours before I go to bed etc. I spend a good part of most nights in a reclining chair.
On 10/1/99 I am scheduled for an endoscopy to see what is the matter. I am very fearful.

[debbie]

I had been prescribed Previcid and didn't have much luck with it. I have been on Prilosec for about a year and it is wonderful. I have no side effects.

[juanita]

My husband is on Prevacid and is having awful intestinal cramps and diarrhea.  Is this a common side effect of Prevacid?  His doctor didn't think so, but told him to quite taking it for a week and see how he does.  Anyone else having these kinds of symptoms?  Thx!!

[chris]

My Dr. recently prescribed Prev-pac, which is Biaxin, Prevacid & another antiboitic (I can't remember the name).  About 4 days after starting the medication, I had severe stomach pain, as well as diarrhea.  I've since stopped the medication, however the symptoms are still occuring.  My Dr. advised me that it is a side effect with that combination, however recommended for me to continue with the Prevacid.  I believe that the Prevacid is causing the intestinal distress, so your husband is not alone with the symptoms.

[rich]

I TRIED PRILOSEC AND IT MADE ME SICK LIKE THE FLU. TRIAL AND ERROR IS WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DO. I VISITED MY DR. YESTURDAY AND I DIDN'T LIKE THE OPTIONS HE GAVE ME.  MEDICINE FOR LIFE WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS OR AN OPERATION TO CORRECT A HIATAL HERNIA WITH THE RESULTS BEING NO VOMITING WHEN I'M SICK AND NO BURPING PERIOD.  I'M VERY CONCERNED WHAT I AM I GOING TO DO.

[rich]

I WAS ON PREVACID FOR 4MONTHS IT RELIEVED MY BURPING AND STOMACH PAIN FOR AWHILE BUT IT STARTED UP AGAIN.  I HAD THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS YOUR HUSBAND IS HAVING AND I'M STILL HAVING STOMACH PAIN AND DIARRHEA AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BEING OFF THE MEDICINE

[joan]

my doctor put my 5 month old on tagamet and propulsid. after looking at other peoples comments on propulsid on the internet i am taking her off of it!! any comments ? also is it typical for reflux  patients to have blood -not visible- in the stool?

[roche]

after reading some of your comments i thoufgt i would share mine I went to a specialist on gastric problems who also happens to be the most experienced person on this topic , so i have heard from sevaral other doctors . i went through 4 different tests
my test revealed that i have a 3rd degree hernia with a lot of
refluxing that takes place , he sugested two things 1 either medication or 2, the opperation . i have tried option 1 for
about a year now and have found it working very well for me
i can eat anything except cut outcigarettes and coffee especially. the medication i'm on is called LANZOR and have found it working very well for me . without it the next step would have been a stomach ulcer. ask your dr regarding this
or mail me at ***@****

[Jane]

Does anyone know if there is any difference between Prilosec and Prevacid ?  Do they do the same thing ?  Is it just all personal choice, or is one better than the other ?   As I understand it, they stop the acid production in the stomach.  Don't we need acid in our stomachs ?  Thanks for anyone's comments.

[west-coast-man]

Hi Jane and others: Lansoprazole is Prevacid. There one in the same.wcm.

[anita]

If I eat,my stomach make lot of noises.If I don't eat my stomach make worst noises. It's embarrasing!! I cannot be in a Church or a place that its awfully quiet, because of my stomach and intestines always makes funny noises.Does anybody else has problems like mines? Does anybody has a good advise for me??

[Rosemary Spates]

Is it possible for Acid Reflux or Irritable Bowel Syndrone  to cause  a burning pain in the pain in the legs, as well as other parts of the body?

[Sandy]

My Dad had his Vagus Nerve removed many years ago, becuz of a bleeding ulcer.  He is now 90 years old.  Occasionally he will become dizzy and start vomitting  (what he had for breakfast).    After that episode is over and he lays down for awhile he feels fine.  Could that removal of this nerve be any reason for the sudden oncome of dizziness and vomitting?

Thanks

[zorra51954]

I have a question?  I have barretts esophagus, I had the nissen fundoplication done this month.  I have had just about every test done.  The other day I went for a barium swallow.  I watched the screen while I swallowed the barium.  I noticed the barium going down, then my esophagus narrowed.  Is this what the esophagus looks like with barretts?  This was my first barium swallow.  I am wore out with this disease.  From feeling bad, to tests, surgeries.  Anyone who has it, do you agree it is a continual fight for relief?  God bless these doctors for listening to us.  This is agony and sheer misery.  I am so tired of not feeling well.  After eating, the feeling of misery, sleeping and waking up gagging, heartburn, all the things that make us sick. Anyone out there who has had the barium swallow do you know if this is normal?  Or should the esophagus be the same size all the way down to the stomach?

[DENISE]

Debbie, it is normal for the esophagus to narrow at the base. That's where the sphincter to the entrance of the stomach is located. In a normal, non-refluxing person, that sphincter opens to allow food and liquid to pass into the stomach, then closes to keep food, liquid, and stomach acids in the stomach. Often a person with reflux has a poorly functioning sphincter, and the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, causing discomfort and eventually damaging the esophagus. The fundiplication surgery should have tightened this sphincter...so if the surgery is sucessful, that area should look small on x-ray. Hope that helps....

[Debbie F. (orlando)]

I have severe acid reflux.  I have been on every medicine you can imagine.  Nothing seems to help me.  I had a scope done and it shows barretts esophagus, and bad lesions.  
I have in the past vomited so bad from reflux and even at times vomited blood.  I choke while eating, I wake up while sleeping choking, my upper abdomen hurts sometimes so bad, that I can't stand the pain.  I have had ph probes, the mobility test, five scopes, I had the nissen fundoplication and that did nothing for me.  I was told that if I can't get the lesions to heal they could turn cancerous. I have taken prilosec, prevacid, protonix, aciphex, and even drugs to push food out of my stomach.  This was not btw propulsid.  But the drug I took made my face feel like I was having a stroke.  I am in sheer agony.
I am getting scared.  The last scope I had done, it looks like these lesions are moving into my stomach now.  I try sleeping propped up.  
My ph probe showed 197 acid reflux's in a 24 hours period.  Funny, I thought I was having a good day too!
Anyone got any ideas out there?  I am ready to go try alternative methods.  
my advice to all who are considering the nissen fundoplication..
DON'T DO IT.  Waste of time.  And so many risks involved as well!
anyone care to discuss this ...email me at ***@****