Reflux And Riba

[DragonHater]

I have not started treatment for my HCV, I am GT-1a and am waiting for Telaprevir.  
In the meantime I continue to have stomach issues, I am going to be scoped again today- 3rd time this year- I eat healthy, I don't even drink coffee but I still have problems with ulcers-acid reflux and bile reflux.
My question is how do people with stomach problems take the Riba without adding more problems?
DH

[DragonHater]

Thank you all for your advise the Dexilant a newer PPI and Zantac 150mg 2 X a day seem to be helping (for now anyway).  The Dexilant sure gives me a nasty headache, I'm hoping this will pass.

I have had 2 doctors tell me to start on the current meds available, I am goig to meet with a 3rd on Thursday to see what he says.
One gave a thumbs down to the mention of Telaprevir the other
  One is saying that he believes that since I have a low viral load and stage 1. I should only have to do 24 weeks.
But I am a genotype 1a. How could that be? Does he just want me to get started and then turn around and say well you should do the 48.  That would stink then I would not be naive to the new treatment of Telaprevir, and the hopes of doing only 24 weeks would really be out the window.

Here are the lab readings. 2/13/10 AST-28 ALT-38 (normal) THEN I HAD A LOT OF EXPOSURE----5 times --IV's 3 times, 1 in an ambulance, 2 in ER rooms, and 2 endoscopies w/ biopsys- then my numbers began to spike in June.
6/18/10 AST-98 ALT-203
7/10/10 AST-72 ALT-158
*All tests were done by Quest*
7/15/10 HCV RNA Quatitative
339 IU/ml - 2.53 log IU/ml
7/20/10
HCV RNA Quatitative real time
966 IU/ml - 2.99 log IU/ml
---Liver Fibrosis panel
Hepascore (TM) calculation In range 0.07
Metavir Fibrosis scoring scale F0-F1
GGT out of range @ 461
Rilirubin 0.6 & Hyaluronic Acid 9 (in range)
Had a painful liver biopsy August 9 2010
Final Pathologic Diagnosis,
Liver, needle biopsy: Chronic hepatitis C, mild to moderate activity ( grade 2-3), with focal portal fibrosis (stage 1).

So you see I'm confused on what do.
Again thanks for the replies and best of luck to all.
DH

[IAmTheWalrus]

I took Prevacid with all the meds I was taking after transplant. When I got of all the ugly stuff I was taking, then it was time to start with the Pegasys and Ribavirin. I did not have much trouble at all with the Riba and even dc'd the Prevacid a couple of months into TX. I did find that if I took the Riba (along with some other meds I need) on an empty stomache, I often chucked it all up. As long as I took it with food there was usually no problem.

I must say, the proton pump inhibitors work miracles compared to tums and baking soda. I do find bicarbonate of soda with water a good fast relief for the heartburn, but not much good in the long term.

Hope it works out for you with or without the acid blockers.

Brent

[DoxieMom04]

Hi DH,
Ok, check this out. Because I have no gallbladder (removed in 1998) my body cannot regulate the bile and it "burns up" everything I eat rIght away. Needless to say I am in the potty ALOT. So, my GI figured out if they put me on Welchol it binds the bile to I think the meds and my body handles the bile better. Yes, acid indegestion is an issue from this also.
Might be something to research up on.
Hugs,
DoxieMom04

[DragonHater]

Hi DoxieMom,

No I don't have a gallbladder it was removed in 1996, my Son was a few months old.

The meds the Doc gave me really helped Dexilant a newer PPI and Zantac 150mg 2 X a day. The pictures he took when he scoped where the worst I've ever see my stomach, blistering bubbles, green liver bile, bright orange stomach color, not pink like it should be.

Take Care & Be Well,

DH

[DoxieMom04]

Hi Dragonhater,
Do you have your gallbladder?
Also, prevacid does not work on me at all. Like a sugar pill. Pill form of Pepto bismol works.
Bill1954 suggested prilosec. I think I am going to try it.
Hugs,
DoxieMom04

[DragonHater]

Well the DR put me on Dexilant a newer PPI and Zantac 150mg 2 X a day.....He said it was really bad in there, he thinks it's due to this stress over the HCV & other family issues.

I asked him about the Riba and Reflux he said I would not know if that would be a problem for me unless I started on it.---Same answer for Riba-Rage.--It's like a dog chasing it's tail, talking to him.

I see another Dr. on Thursday, that question will be on the list.

[DragonHater]

Yes Bill, I have been taking the Prevacid 30 mg 2 X a day, and has stopped working for me.  I have been on a lot of different ones over the years, I will let you know what he puts me on this time.
Thank you Portann for tha link-----
DH

[portann]

Also read this thread for some other thoughts:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Any-tip-Advice-to-control-acidity-during-Tx/show/639245

[Bill1954]

People on HCV antiviral therapy often use one of the PPI drugs like Prilosec to manage reflux/GERD, Sly. Do you use this already, and dos it give you relief? If you’re treating and use tums or something similar, it might be a good idea to avoid taking it at the same time as the ribavirin.

Good luck,

Bill