Long term effects of taking Nexium?

[marygold]

Hi, I am a 19yrs old, and have had GERD for 7yrs now, but was only properly diagnosed at 16yrs old, and I have been taking Nexium for 10 months now. My last doctor told me I'd be taking Nexium for the rest of my life, and gave me a 6 month prescription before I moved (2 months ago). Is Nexium safe to use long term or not? Have there been any tests? I can't see a doctor until a month or 2 yet because I am not eligible for a medical plan here until then. Has Nexium been shown to suppress your immune system? I have a cold, and I nearly passed out in class this morning. I always seem to get way sicker than normal people do. Is there anything I can do to help my body cope? My GERD is severe, and I sleep in a hospital bed, stick to a strict diet, and do everything I'm supposed to, and it's not getting any better. I'm barely breaking even with Nexium. Can anyone relate?

[zelda29]

This is the first time I have ever heard anyone describe the symptoms of GERD like I have. I do not have heartburn, but feel a lump in my throat, a constricting feeling, I have a sore throat a lot, excessive mucous, constantly clearing my throat.  Doctor is also surprised when I complain of these symptoms. I  have been diagnosed with a sliding hiatial hernia, and been told I have "silent" heartburn. Have been told to take Prilosec, and have been taking it about one year, with no change. Some days I am really bad with constricting feeling in throat.  I am glad I read your post, I was beginning to think that something else was wrong, besides my hiatial hernia. I think i will research more on this "globus" you talked about.

[Dr. Erik]

You are giving misleading informatin about the prolonged use of PPI's. There is not one documented case in which long term use of a PPI has caused Gastric or Esophageal cancer. People in Europe have been taking these drugs a lot longer than people in the U.S.

[JackieG]

Hi Eric:

First, it is good to see you post again! You've been away too long, and you have always been one of the most informative members on this Board (at least in my view).

As for your view that my post contained misleading information, the information came from my surgeon, who is recognized as one of the leading esophageal cancer surgeons in the US. I am inclined to accept his opinion.

I am also aware that Europe is less conservative in their approval process than the US FDA. In the late 1980's I was on Prilosec for a prolonged period when its use in the US was generally limited to no longer than 6 or 8 weeks because it caused stomach cancer in rats. At that time, it was already in widespread and longer term use in Europe.

I am not claiming that my esophageal cancer was caused by prolonged use of PPIs. I don't believe that it was. I am certian that it was the result of long-term GERD, which finally led to a very long segment of Barrett's, then High Grade Dysplasia, then cancer.

I do believe that there can be long-term adverse consequences from very long-term PPI use, including the possibility of stomach cancer. Again, I am relying on my surgeon for that information. I hope I don't find out the hard way, because after last year's esophagectomy, there isn't much internal plumbing left for them to take out of me!!

I have no idea how to quantify the long-term stomach cancer risk. I assume that long term PPI use is preferable to no treatment and enduring GERD over the long term. Unfortunately, I know what longterm GERD can lead too. The best course is to alter one's lifestyle and diet to control the GERD, if possible. If that is not enough, surgery to strengthen the LES should be considered. In all cases, PPIs should be considered in the shot to intermediate term, until one can fix the GERD problem. However, once we're talking about long-term PPI use, my surgeon tells me there is a stomach cancer risk.

I suppose from time to time you and I will hold differing views, although I expect only on rare occasions. Please rest assured that I am not speculating when I post comments like the one to Marygold. I am either relating my personal experience, or, as in this case, passing on what my doc told me. For me to speculate or mislead someone on this site would be immoral and dangerous. I have no intention of doing so.

I am happy to see you back on the board, and hope that you stay with us. You add a lot of value.

Best regards,
Chicken Soup

[smiles4ever]

i definately agree that nexium might have something with you just getting sick with everything all the time.  I have been on Nexium for 7 months now, and I just get everthing!  the flu, colds, just not feeling well, etc.  I think it has something to do with not enough vitamins getting absorbed and therefore you're getting sick (like virgo said)  best of luck, hope it all works out

[JackieG]

Hi Marygold:

Sounds like you have been forced to be independent. You need to do whatever steps are required to regain your medical coverage eligibility as soon as possible, because while you are doing the right things (sleeping with your bed eleveated, watching your diet, etc) you need professional medical care. Like you, I suffered from GERD for many years. I am much older than you (47) and eventually I had the worst possible outcome one can have from longterm GERD. You are much too young not to get it treated. In your case, it sounds like surgery to tighten the Lower Esophageal Sphincter ("LES") is needed, but you need professional medical care to be sure.

As to the conflicting advice you recieved on long-term Nexium use, IT IS NOT benign over the long term. Virgo57 is right about the Vitamin absorption problems long tem use can cause. Beyond that, prolonged use of PPIs can cause gastric cancer. I have been using them since 1989, non-stop, and in each of my last two semiannual endoscopies, gastric polyps were found and removed. Fortunately, they were benign, but my surgeon tells me they are almost assuredly the result of such long term use of PPIs. If your only option is chronic reflux or Nexium, by all means continue to use the Nexium. However, you're too young to be put at risk from such a long term problem, and you really need to do whatever you have to in order to get back to a GOOD doctor (sounds like your last one was a jerk). GERD can be successfully treated by surgical strengthening of the LES, but again, you need a good doc to work with you.

Good luck. I know what you are going through!

Best regards,
Chicken Soup

[marygold]

Thanx, but I don't have a doctor. My last doctor had no interest in treating me, he would just write out the prescription and send me out. I tried asking him questions, but he didn't, couldn't, or wouldn't give me any solid answers. I've also just moved and my medical in BC expired, and I'm not eligible to get a medical plan/coverage in this province for a while yet, and then I have to find a doctor which will probably take a while longer. Do I have to ask a doctor's advice? I've done lots of research on my own, and I've been going to the doctors' websites on this stuff, and asking lots of people, such as my biology prof and some medical and pharmacy students and profs. (There are up sides to going to University.) Since I can't get any "official" medical advice, what should I do? I'm on my own, and I've been treating myself on my own for so long, even before I was even properly diagnosed. I figured out that raising the head of my bed brought relief even before my formal diagnosis. I am my own doctor because no one else is. Sometimes it's great to talk to someone who knows about this stuff too, and that's why I'm here. Bounce a few ideas around, get a new perspective, and not feel like I'm so alone with this. I wish my old doc had told me about some sort of support group. I dunno why he didn't. I'm still looking for one around here, but I'm not having too much luck. I've never really been under medical supervision ever. I've become fiercely independent.