Proton Prohibitors

[Doug]

I took Omeprazole before I was diagnose with mc and after three days I had diarrhea. So i stopped it two days later when I figured it was the drug that caused it.

Last year a I took prevacid for 30 days, no issues that I can recall.

This year i took nexium (similar to Omeprazole, but has one different atom) for three weeks no issues. Was given a sample (very expensive pill)

I was recently given another sample from a gi doctor, and I had diarrhea and stomach pains three days later, so I stopped it.

Although I have mc, I only get diarrhea once every three or four months, most of my problems are gas pain and really bad bloating.

I immediately started the pepto treatment.

I now have somewhat high stomach acid and not sure what to take or do.

Is it possible to take a drug like nexium and have no issues, then take it three months later and have a reaction.

What about prevacid. I need to do something

Any thoughts would be very appreciative

[tex]

Doug,

IMO, you're playing with fire by continuing to play a digestive system form of Russian roulette with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs should be outlawed, because of all the digestive system problems that they cause. They have been shown to significantly boost the odds of developing MC, GERD, C. diff, and osteoporosis, for example. IMO, PPIs are the most iatrogenic drug ever approved by the FDA, and doctors are making a good living treating the problems that they cause. Doctors love to prescribe them (Gee, I wonder why? You don't suppose it could be because of all the repeat business, do you?) Never, ever, take a PPI, unless you are trying to induce an MC flare, or some other health problem. That's just my opinion if PPIs, but I'm not the only one who has that opinion, and I can show you research data to back up my claims, if you need to see them. Or, you can check out page 179 in my book, and review the references in the back of the book that are listed there.

If you want to suppress the production of stomach acid, that can be done much more safely by using an H2 type antihistamine.

Examples of H2 antihistamines include:

Tagamet (cimetidine)
Pepcid (famotidine)
Axid (nizatidine)
Zantac (ranitidine)

They are available both in prescription form and in over-the-counter versions. Taking them is not entirely risk-free, because they can trigger an MC flare for a few people, but they are much, much safer than PPIs, that's for sure.

Tex

[MBombardier]

A lot of people will tell you, including me, that taking gluten out of your diet cures GERD. I had heartburn 24/7 including the sudden and thoroughly unpleasant waking up in the night with stomach acid burning my throat. Now I only have mild heartburn as a signal that I've eaten something I shouldn't have, for example, something from the nightshade family, or another intolerance besides gluten.

I totally identify with you needing to do something about your heartburn. I suggest you do the H2 antihistamines like Tex recommends. That's what I did until going GF did the trick. I didn't know going GF would cure my GERD, so that was an unexpected and hugely welcome side benefit.

[JFR]

Eating a low carb paleo diet (not just gluten free but free of all grains and very low carb (no sugar, minimal fruit) got rid of gerd permanently for me. Mine was severe enough to have a surgeon suggest I have surgery to correct it. Glad I didn't go that route.

Jean

[UkuleleLady]

I agree with Marliss and Jean, removing gluten really helps. I was on PPIs and zantac for years. I know some people here take zantac but it has been linked to MC.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1382879/


I had reflux constantly and was always uncomfortable.. It's so much better now, I almost don't believe it after 10 years of acid reducers.

I am certain Dexilant put me over the edge with MC. I'm so angry that doctors prescribe these things.

A wedge pillow helps at night, also DGL before meals can be helpful. But honestly I barely need these things as I have very little reflux now that I've been off gluten (and most grains except corn) for the past 5 months.

I hope our testimonies help you.
Nancy

[wmonique2]

Doug,

I had a while back some acid feelings in my throat so I did a little research and found out that vit D3 helps. I tried it, it took care of the problem. Sometimes the simplest of answers is the solution.

Monique

[Lesley]

And then you have me. I cannot manage to get off PPIs although I have tried many times. I have serious GERD and have to use PPIs, although I manage to use 1/2 of the docs prescription. I also use a carafate suspension and Vit D3. Seems to me I am the only one here who can't get rid of them.

[Doug]

Well thank you for the input. I have been gf since jan 5th. I will try pepcid tomorrow. Hopefully it will help without getting side effects. I read online that vit d3 can actually cause acid reflux, maybe that is in large quantities. Btw my blood test reveals that I have a low level of vit d since I live in Fla and out in the sun a lot it is kind of strange.

[nancyl]

Leslie, I am still on them. 20 mg a day and I don't like it. I also have serious GERD, although I would never had known it because I didn't have obvious symtoms. It was found years ago when I had an endoscopy. I was treated for a while and then got off of them. Two years ago I had another scope and it was still pretty serious. My sister had major surgery for acid reflux last year, and I mean serious. She had to go into Boston to have it done and it took her a long time to get back on her feet. My bone density test was a little worse this time and I am concerned. I talked to my doctor (GI) and he wants me to stay on Omeprazole and take something for the bone density. My orthopedic doctor does not recommend any of those meds, he said they are all staying away from them. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place right now.

Nancy

[maestraz]

Nancy,
My GYN and I had a little tangle over the bone density meds this past visit. He wants me to try one of the newer ones (I abandoned Fosamax after my LC dx). I said no, I have done well, and my bone density has been stable over two years, on a calcium plus D3 plan. I keep the calcium stable and ramp the D3 up and down as the sunlight changes. He grudgingly agreed to let me keep fooling with this, but I could see him noting my resistance on my chart.

[nancyl]

I am going to a talk at our local health food store about osteoporosis this Wed. evening. The talk is going to be about a scientific natural medicine that really works. I have faith in the speaker, with a degree in biology and mind that doesn’t let anything just slip by, he believes that natural foods and medicines play an integral role in good health management and care. I think it will be worthwhile to see what he has to say.

Nancy

[UkuleleLady]

Nancy, I would be interested to know what you find out on Wednesday! What the natural med is, etc.

(another) Nancy

[Jeanemcl]

Yes Nancy, please fill us in on your findings.
Thanks,
Jean

[nancyl]

I certainly will let you all know what it's about.

Nancy

[nancyl]

Well, I just returned from that talk at the health food store. He did not push any particular supplement, just went over everything you need to know about calcium and other natural meds to take that will help. I asked about the one I take and he said that is the one he always recommends, which is Bone-Up by Jarrow. Magnesium of course. He said Vit. D3 is very important, 5,000 IU in the winter beginning in Oct. and cutting back in the summer. MK4 is the gold star for Vit. K and there has been a lot of research. In Japan it is like a regular staple, but very expensive. MK7 works just as well and much more affordable. He likes Life Extension brand. Vit. K works with calcium to build bone quality. The most important one is Stronium. It works with calcium to build bone density and builds it fast. No one asked what brand is best, but I am going back to the store next week and will ask because I want to get some. Last, but not least is excercise and it was not weight lifting, but walking or any excersice that works those bones that can fracture. Walking is the most important thing to do. So, when I see him I am going to have to ask if any of this helps if your taking Omeprazole.


He had a lot more to say, was very interesting, but that's it in a nutshell.

A good calcium
Magnesium
Vit. K (MK7)
Stronium
Walking

Nancy