Aa
prilosec
Hi,
My doctor prescribed prilosec about 3 months ago for what he feels is Acid Reflux (Gerd?) Is this drug safe to take over an extended period of time? Id also like to know if there are any gastro/intestinal problems that can cause wide spread burning, tingling, twitching, muscle pain, ear pain throughout the body? I know that seems far fetched, but I have explored EVERYTHING, (neurologists, etc) and so far no one has been able to come up with anything. Thank you for your time.
My doctor prescribed prilosec about 3 months ago for what he feels is Acid Reflux (Gerd?) Is this drug safe to take over an extended period of time? Id also like to know if there are any gastro/intestinal problems that can cause wide spread burning, tingling, twitching, muscle pain, ear pain throughout the body? I know that seems far fetched, but I have explored EVERYTHING, (neurologists, etc) and so far no one has been able to come up with anything. Thank you for your time.
Hi Therese, They biosied me for barrett's. I dod not have it but not to sat that at some point it does appear.
My girlfriend was diagnosed with it and she has to have an EGD every year with biopsy to make sure it remains in the benign state.
My gastro man acted surprise, almost dumb, when I asked for a ph Monitor. Plus, I want the Barium swallow x-ray also of the Esophagus.
Good Luck to all of you.
My girlfriend was diagnosed with it and she has to have an EGD every year with biopsy to make sure it remains in the benign state.
My gastro man acted surprise, almost dumb, when I asked for a ph Monitor. Plus, I want the Barium swallow x-ray also of the Esophagus.
Good Luck to all of you.
I have to admit that there have been some horror stories in this forum regarding proton pump inhibitors.
My story is pretty straight forward and I hope it helps people with the same condition. I am a 30 year old male and I had heartburn since I can remember. When I was 14 my mother finally decided to take me to the doctor. At the time I was diagnosed with gastritis and the doctor just suggested to watch my diet. Since keeping a diet for long periods of time is quite difficult, it did not last for long. Regardless, the symptoms never went away. So I figured that this condition was going to follow me for life.
By the time I was 25 the heartburn started to combine with some abdominal pain which took me to the ER room a couple of times. Finally I decided it was time to see a gastro. The doctor suggested an upper endoscopy with biopsies to check everything out considering the fact that I had been suffering from it for quite some time.
When the results came back I was quite surprised. To start I had GERD and due to the length of my condition I had developed Barret's esophagus (It is a condition that results from chronic GERD. After a long exposure to acid reflux the esophagus starts to develop an abnormal tissue that begins to cover the affected area, in a way to protect from stomach acid. Unfortunately this tissue is a very early pre-cancerous condition, therefore undesireable). He also said that the Barret's was showing a beginning of a Low Grade Displasya, which is the next step up towards cancer. He also said that the dysplasia could be a result of severe inflammation in the affected area due to the reflux and the fact that I was infected with Helycobacter Pilory bacteria (the one linked to the cause of a great number of stomach ulcers). The plan was to put me on antibiotics for the bacteria and a proton pump inhibitor to stop the acid reflux and then come back in three months for another endoscopy.
I took the antibiotics for two weeks and I started taking Prevacid 30 mg. twice a day. Within a week all the symptoms were gone and I had absolutely no side effects whatsoever, except some stomach discomfort, which I had anyway before I started taking Prevacid.
Three months later I came back for another endoscopy and when the results came the doctor was very quick and unhelpful. He was unclear explaining any changes on my condition or any other alternative treatments. He just said that I needed another endoscopy within a year and that I only needed to take Prevacid once a year.
I am not very good developing habits as far as taking pills, but I did my best with the Prevacid. As long as I take it every day, I don't seem to have any symptoms at all. That was quite a relief after 30 years of heartburn; though it wasn't as bad as other people's (Three to four times a week, or when either drinking or eating acidic or irritating foods like alcohol, vinegar, citric fruits, tomatos, chocolates, coffee, tea, etc.). After missing a pill it would take 24 hours before I felt any heartburn mainly if my diet was a bit undesirable (fast food, pizza). As far as side effects I have not had any.
After six months I started to think about the last visit to the doctor and I felt really bothered. I didn't like the lack of information or help that I got. So I decided to do a little bit of homework on my own. I started reading articles in the internet, magazines, and books about my condition and decided to change doctors.
It took me about a year and a half to finally make an appointment. I did some research trying to find someone specialized in my condition. I got another endoscopy and the results were very promising. The low grade displasya had reversed therefore the inflammation was completely gone (even though the Barret's was still there since it is a permanent condition). The doctor was very happy with the results so he was going to send me home on prevacid and a yearly endoscopy to monitor the barret's. That's where all the reading and research became helpful. I started asking questions about certain issues with Barret's and GERD.
First I asked him if the bacteria was gone and he admitted that he had overlooked that. An honest mistake, but it would have gone unnoticed if I hadn't asked. So he sent for some blood work.
Then I asked him what was the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors since I had read some articles stating that asymptomatic patients could still have severe reflux without noticing it. And that is crucial information for people with Barret's since continuous reflux will increase the chances of esophageal cancer. So he decided to send me for a PH Monitor test which would test the acidity levels in my stomach while I was taking prevacid.
Finally I asked him about the long term effects of proton pump inhibitors. And so far so good with no major side effects, but they have only been tested for periods of up to ten years. Any longer than that, who knows. And that is when he suggested surgery to correct GERD. Considering that I am young and otherwise healthy. I still have to decide what to do about that. But this time around I was a bit happier about the outcome of the doctor's visit.
I have learned a few things during this crusade. First of all, if it is possible, do some research before you go to the doctor. It pays.
Make sure you do your homework when you choose a physician. I found doctors working at university hospitals tend to be a bit more informed than the rest.
As far as Prevacid. I have not had any problems with it. It eliminated all my symptoms and I have not had any side effects. I have been taking it for over two years now.
If you had had either heartburn or GERD for a long period of time, get an upper endoscopy to make sure you have not developed Barret's. It is a condition that has to be monitored and one in ten cases will develop into esophageal cancer.
Also if you are already taking prevacid it is a good idea to get a PH Monitor test, even if you are asymptomatic, to make sure that your reflux is controlled.
Anyway, I hope this story is of help to answer some of the questions in this forum. Good Luck to everyone. You will need it.
Fernando
My story is pretty straight forward and I hope it helps people with the same condition. I am a 30 year old male and I had heartburn since I can remember. When I was 14 my mother finally decided to take me to the doctor. At the time I was diagnosed with gastritis and the doctor just suggested to watch my diet. Since keeping a diet for long periods of time is quite difficult, it did not last for long. Regardless, the symptoms never went away. So I figured that this condition was going to follow me for life.
By the time I was 25 the heartburn started to combine with some abdominal pain which took me to the ER room a couple of times. Finally I decided it was time to see a gastro. The doctor suggested an upper endoscopy with biopsies to check everything out considering the fact that I had been suffering from it for quite some time.
When the results came back I was quite surprised. To start I had GERD and due to the length of my condition I had developed Barret's esophagus (It is a condition that results from chronic GERD. After a long exposure to acid reflux the esophagus starts to develop an abnormal tissue that begins to cover the affected area, in a way to protect from stomach acid. Unfortunately this tissue is a very early pre-cancerous condition, therefore undesireable). He also said that the Barret's was showing a beginning of a Low Grade Displasya, which is the next step up towards cancer. He also said that the dysplasia could be a result of severe inflammation in the affected area due to the reflux and the fact that I was infected with Helycobacter Pilory bacteria (the one linked to the cause of a great number of stomach ulcers). The plan was to put me on antibiotics for the bacteria and a proton pump inhibitor to stop the acid reflux and then come back in three months for another endoscopy.
I took the antibiotics for two weeks and I started taking Prevacid 30 mg. twice a day. Within a week all the symptoms were gone and I had absolutely no side effects whatsoever, except some stomach discomfort, which I had anyway before I started taking Prevacid.
Three months later I came back for another endoscopy and when the results came the doctor was very quick and unhelpful. He was unclear explaining any changes on my condition or any other alternative treatments. He just said that I needed another endoscopy within a year and that I only needed to take Prevacid once a year.
I am not very good developing habits as far as taking pills, but I did my best with the Prevacid. As long as I take it every day, I don't seem to have any symptoms at all. That was quite a relief after 30 years of heartburn; though it wasn't as bad as other people's (Three to four times a week, or when either drinking or eating acidic or irritating foods like alcohol, vinegar, citric fruits, tomatos, chocolates, coffee, tea, etc.). After missing a pill it would take 24 hours before I felt any heartburn mainly if my diet was a bit undesirable (fast food, pizza). As far as side effects I have not had any.
After six months I started to think about the last visit to the doctor and I felt really bothered. I didn't like the lack of information or help that I got. So I decided to do a little bit of homework on my own. I started reading articles in the internet, magazines, and books about my condition and decided to change doctors.
It took me about a year and a half to finally make an appointment. I did some research trying to find someone specialized in my condition. I got another endoscopy and the results were very promising. The low grade displasya had reversed therefore the inflammation was completely gone (even though the Barret's was still there since it is a permanent condition). The doctor was very happy with the results so he was going to send me home on prevacid and a yearly endoscopy to monitor the barret's. That's where all the reading and research became helpful. I started asking questions about certain issues with Barret's and GERD.
First I asked him if the bacteria was gone and he admitted that he had overlooked that. An honest mistake, but it would have gone unnoticed if I hadn't asked. So he sent for some blood work.
Then I asked him what was the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors since I had read some articles stating that asymptomatic patients could still have severe reflux without noticing it. And that is crucial information for people with Barret's since continuous reflux will increase the chances of esophageal cancer. So he decided to send me for a PH Monitor test which would test the acidity levels in my stomach while I was taking prevacid.
Finally I asked him about the long term effects of proton pump inhibitors. And so far so good with no major side effects, but they have only been tested for periods of up to ten years. Any longer than that, who knows. And that is when he suggested surgery to correct GERD. Considering that I am young and otherwise healthy. I still have to decide what to do about that. But this time around I was a bit happier about the outcome of the doctor's visit.
I have learned a few things during this crusade. First of all, if it is possible, do some research before you go to the doctor. It pays.
Make sure you do your homework when you choose a physician. I found doctors working at university hospitals tend to be a bit more informed than the rest.
As far as Prevacid. I have not had any problems with it. It eliminated all my symptoms and I have not had any side effects. I have been taking it for over two years now.
If you had had either heartburn or GERD for a long period of time, get an upper endoscopy to make sure you have not developed Barret's. It is a condition that has to be monitored and one in ten cases will develop into esophageal cancer.
Also if you are already taking prevacid it is a good idea to get a PH Monitor test, even if you are asymptomatic, to make sure that your reflux is controlled.
Anyway, I hope this story is of help to answer some of the questions in this forum. Good Luck to everyone. You will need it.
Fernando
Thank You Fernando for your most informative post.
Pls. do your research on any surgeries. You do not want to get worse.
I live in a big city and there are 2 teaching universities here. The doc that i will be eventually seeing is supposedly the best in the city for motility disorders. I hope so and I hope he is a nice one too. (:
Pls. keep us posted.
Caroline
Pls. do your research on any surgeries. You do not want to get worse.
I live in a big city and there are 2 teaching universities here. The doc that i will be eventually seeing is supposedly the best in the city for motility disorders. I hope so and I hope he is a nice one too. (:
Pls. keep us posted.
Caroline
This past summer, I started having gurgling in the throat and when I would bend over, this foamy mucus would come up. I also has some burning with various foods, i.e., red sauces, chocolate, mints. I bought Mylanta Extra strenght and this was my faithful companion.
(Backing up a bit, my GP in 12/99, gave me an RX for priolosec as I tild him, I was having soem burning (not bad) I took it when i thought I needed to.)
I went to an ENT doc in 8/00, who said he could not see anything in the Laynyx (vocal cords) that indicated reflux coming up. He said he can tell if a person is expereincing a reflux problem.
Went to a pulmonay doc as I was also having breathing problems and noises in my respiratory tract, mainly on exhaling.
CT SCAN of the chest, spiromrty breathing tests, chest x-rays, broncoscopys really did not show much that would answer for my distress. (teeny cysts found on lungs)
Had loads of blood work. Normal.
He sent me to an allergist and more Costly test. etc.. She prescribed boo coos of inhalers and Prevacid. I took Prevacid and then I would add a prilosec here and there and vice versa. This was my idea. But, it seemed the more I took of this stuff, the worse I felt.
Finally saw a gastro man in November. He was nice to me and assured me that he could get me well by Xmas but first must do an EGD and colonoscopy. He told me that I had GERD. He gave me samples of Achifex (spelled wrong) and told me that I would start feeling well in 3 days. WRONG!!! I kept taking this stuff
until my EGD, in late November. I was miserable. I had more pains, felt goofy, itched like &*$%$%^& and headaches. I went back to the Mylanta Extra Strength and tried a prilosec here and there. I was still miserable.
The EDG showed slight inflammtion and a lil stricture that he lanced? and a hialtal hernia. Biopsy ruled out Barrett's esopsagitis and H-Pylori Bacteria. I also had an Ultrasound of the Abdomen which was negative,
The Gastro man that was nice before the EDG had turned cool when i did not respond to proton pump inhibitors and was down right surprised of the side effects I told him I was having with Achifex (sp) as he told me that I was his only pateint that EVER had side effects with one of these meds, I.e. Prilosec, Prevacid, Achifex.
This Gastro man (whom by the way I will not return to see ) should read up on this site. He made me feel like some kind of nutt case by indicating there were no side effects to these meds.
I told him that there was another problem as I am much worse. He said I need to try Meditating as the brain was telling the stomach to act up!
I saw another doc and he told me that I need a 24 hour ph monitor probe done to see just what is going on with the reflux. He said some people have a Motility disorder that acts just like GERD. (I hope i have related this correctly) This doc would not take me on as a patient as he is not an expert in Motility disorders.
He also mentioned various surgeries, which I really did not want to hear. He said there were 3 kinds. Two are still investigational. (do not want surgery unless it is the VERY last resort) he also mentioned an ERCP test but he said he use to do them but patients were getting Pancreatitis after this test, so he quit doing them. He told me that if one has this test done it had better be with one that has done it over and over and over again and with good success.
He only mentioned this to me as I am/was having pain also in the upper right back and under the right rib cage, sporadically. I wonder though if these could of been a side effect of one of the meds??
At this writing I am in Limbo. he did give me the name of a gastro doc who specialized in Motility Disorders. I have to take a brwak before i call him. I am tired of seeing and talking with doctors. I am watching every lil thing that goes into my mouth. I also have had soem success with Zantac (over the counter) and followed the directions to a tee. I may also try Pepcid Complete that was advertized on TV last night too. This is also over the counter.
I know this is long but I feel this site has helped me in the realization that I am not alone and I am not a nutt case.
I also am now aware that just because a doc is logged into a specialty does not mean that he knows everything about that specialty. I am also aware that some doctors do not want to admit defeat so it is all the pateint's fault that she/he is not getting well.
I have learned and still learning about physicans and how the system works.
I vow though, that in 2001, I will know what is wrong with me and
pray that i will feel better. I have a wonderful family and grandbabies. Now only do I owe this to myself but to them also.
I will not sit back and be intimidated by any physician.
When I do make an appointment with the "supposedly" Motility specialist, I will ask for a consult only. This way, I will do the interviewing and will come well prepared with questions. If I feel this doctor is kind, compassionate and a knowledgeable doctor, and can help and direct me, then I will become his patient.
Again, I apologize for the length. I certainly can relate to many of you on this site. I have and am walking in your shoes.
God Bless Us.
Caroline.
(Backing up a bit, my GP in 12/99, gave me an RX for priolosec as I tild him, I was having soem burning (not bad) I took it when i thought I needed to.)
I went to an ENT doc in 8/00, who said he could not see anything in the Laynyx (vocal cords) that indicated reflux coming up. He said he can tell if a person is expereincing a reflux problem.
Went to a pulmonay doc as I was also having breathing problems and noises in my respiratory tract, mainly on exhaling.
CT SCAN of the chest, spiromrty breathing tests, chest x-rays, broncoscopys really did not show much that would answer for my distress. (teeny cysts found on lungs)
Had loads of blood work. Normal.
He sent me to an allergist and more Costly test. etc.. She prescribed boo coos of inhalers and Prevacid. I took Prevacid and then I would add a prilosec here and there and vice versa. This was my idea. But, it seemed the more I took of this stuff, the worse I felt.
Finally saw a gastro man in November. He was nice to me and assured me that he could get me well by Xmas but first must do an EGD and colonoscopy. He told me that I had GERD. He gave me samples of Achifex (spelled wrong) and told me that I would start feeling well in 3 days. WRONG!!! I kept taking this stuff
until my EGD, in late November. I was miserable. I had more pains, felt goofy, itched like &*$%$%^& and headaches. I went back to the Mylanta Extra Strength and tried a prilosec here and there. I was still miserable.
The EDG showed slight inflammtion and a lil stricture that he lanced? and a hialtal hernia. Biopsy ruled out Barrett's esopsagitis and H-Pylori Bacteria. I also had an Ultrasound of the Abdomen which was negative,
The Gastro man that was nice before the EDG had turned cool when i did not respond to proton pump inhibitors and was down right surprised of the side effects I told him I was having with Achifex (sp) as he told me that I was his only pateint that EVER had side effects with one of these meds, I.e. Prilosec, Prevacid, Achifex.
This Gastro man (whom by the way I will not return to see ) should read up on this site. He made me feel like some kind of nutt case by indicating there were no side effects to these meds.
I told him that there was another problem as I am much worse. He said I need to try Meditating as the brain was telling the stomach to act up!
I saw another doc and he told me that I need a 24 hour ph monitor probe done to see just what is going on with the reflux. He said some people have a Motility disorder that acts just like GERD. (I hope i have related this correctly) This doc would not take me on as a patient as he is not an expert in Motility disorders.
He also mentioned various surgeries, which I really did not want to hear. He said there were 3 kinds. Two are still investigational. (do not want surgery unless it is the VERY last resort) he also mentioned an ERCP test but he said he use to do them but patients were getting Pancreatitis after this test, so he quit doing them. He told me that if one has this test done it had better be with one that has done it over and over and over again and with good success.
He only mentioned this to me as I am/was having pain also in the upper right back and under the right rib cage, sporadically. I wonder though if these could of been a side effect of one of the meds??
At this writing I am in Limbo. he did give me the name of a gastro doc who specialized in Motility Disorders. I have to take a brwak before i call him. I am tired of seeing and talking with doctors. I am watching every lil thing that goes into my mouth. I also have had soem success with Zantac (over the counter) and followed the directions to a tee. I may also try Pepcid Complete that was advertized on TV last night too. This is also over the counter.
I know this is long but I feel this site has helped me in the realization that I am not alone and I am not a nutt case.
I also am now aware that just because a doc is logged into a specialty does not mean that he knows everything about that specialty. I am also aware that some doctors do not want to admit defeat so it is all the pateint's fault that she/he is not getting well.
I have learned and still learning about physicans and how the system works.
I vow though, that in 2001, I will know what is wrong with me and
pray that i will feel better. I have a wonderful family and grandbabies. Now only do I owe this to myself but to them also.
I will not sit back and be intimidated by any physician.
When I do make an appointment with the "supposedly" Motility specialist, I will ask for a consult only. This way, I will do the interviewing and will come well prepared with questions. If I feel this doctor is kind, compassionate and a knowledgeable doctor, and can help and direct me, then I will become his patient.
Again, I apologize for the length. I certainly can relate to many of you on this site. I have and am walking in your shoes.
God Bless Us.
Caroline.
Been reading some if not most of these replys.
It's creepy!
Are doctors really doctors anymore?
Every time a magazine comes out have you ever
NOTICED the NEW ads for the LATEST WONDER DRUGS?
Always with a smiling, happy go lucky model
that gives the rest of us miserable creatures hope!!
Yet, turn the page over and WHAM! In teeny tiny print
that you need a magnifying glass to read,
is the host of "Contradictions" and studies that would
make the smiling, happy go lucky model search out a
faith healer!!! Pharmacies have much to gain and
we have much to lose....
I too was on Prilosec.
Read Patty's post on October 27,2000!!
I took this wonder cure about five months after my gallbladder
was removed. I also quit taking it on my own accord listening to my body and how it was reacting. Geeeeezzzzzzzz.
It's creepy!
Are doctors really doctors anymore?
Every time a magazine comes out have you ever
NOTICED the NEW ads for the LATEST WONDER DRUGS?
Always with a smiling, happy go lucky model
that gives the rest of us miserable creatures hope!!
Yet, turn the page over and WHAM! In teeny tiny print
that you need a magnifying glass to read,
is the host of "Contradictions" and studies that would
make the smiling, happy go lucky model search out a
faith healer!!! Pharmacies have much to gain and
we have much to lose....
I too was on Prilosec.
Read Patty's post on October 27,2000!!
I took this wonder cure about five months after my gallbladder
was removed. I also quit taking it on my own accord listening to my body and how it was reacting. Geeeeezzzzzzzz.
I had similiar reactions to Prilosec as those posted by N on March 1, 2000. I had red patches pop up on my sides and my hands, terrible itching, and also had very dry skin. My Dr. switched me to Prevacid and these side effects went away immediately. I've had difficulty swallowing for the last 3 months and have been diagnosed with GERD and hiatal hernia. My heartburn seems to be gone but my swallowing problem is worse than ever...I'm basically on a soup and liquid diet. When swallowing, it feels like there is a ball of trapped air about
midway of the throat that is interrupting the passage of food and also an intense lump in the throat feeling. Any thoughts?
I have been looking at fundoplication...anybody out there had this procedure done?
midway of the throat that is interrupting the passage of food and also an intense lump in the throat feeling. Any thoughts?
I have been looking at fundoplication...anybody out there had this procedure done?
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