When Drugs Don't Work, Doctors Redefine The Disease

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tex
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When Drugs Don't Work, Doctors Redefine The Disease

Post by tex »

Hi All,

Doctors are well aware that in roughly half the cases, PPIs don't bring relief for GERD. So in order to complicate the situation, and grope for a reason why the drugs don't work, they have decided that if PPIs don't work, the patient has NERD, not GERD. :lol: Or, if they want to sound a little more professional, the can call it functional heartburn. :roll: And yet they continue to prescribe the PPIs as if they know what they are doing. :headscratch: :monkey:
Many doctors tell patients with NERD or functional heartburn to continue taking proton-pump inhibitors, despite studies showing they are less effective in such cases. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings that long-term use and high doses can increase the risk of bone fractures and bacterial infections—and may reduce the absorption of key nutrients, including magnesium, calcium and vitamin B12.


And GI specialists love to talk out of both sides of their mouth. :lol:
Mainstream gastroenterologists say there is little evidence that an inflammatory reaction causes heartburn. Then again, doctors have long counseled patients to avoid common "trigger" foods such as chocolate, peppermint, peppers, alcohol and caffeine.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 78010.html

Note that in the article, no doctor ever suggests that maybe the reason why PPIs don't work for so many people is because they don't have excess acid in the first place. :shock:

Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Zizzle
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Post by Zizzle »

Ugh, it's maddening!! :BSFlag:
Jimbo1968
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Post by Jimbo1968 »

Hi Tex I'm well aware of NERD as a recent search of the Internet revealed the article I think you are talking about. Before my problems started I was taking PPI's for 'GERD' , they done nothing for the symptoms but they did kick start my D. Only problem is I can't find any useful information concerning treating the effects of NERD . Do you have any tips or can you point me in the right direction. Thanks Jim
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Jim,

If you are experiencing heartburn without reflux, then the most likely cause is insufficient stomach acid resulting in poor digestion. Anytime patients have heartburn symptoms, doctors automatically assume that the patient has excess stomach acid. This is because they are indoctrinated by drug company reps to prescribe PPIs to treat those symptoms.

But the fact of the matter is that in most cases the problem is insufficient stomach acid. Drug company reps never mention this issue to doctors, because there is no money to be made by treating insufficient stomach acid. Have you tried Betaine HCL?

You're very welcome,
Tex
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It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Post by Jimbo1968 »

No tex I haven't tried betaine Hcl. but as you've recommended it I've bought some from an online shop. You've always given out good advice so I'm happy to try.
Only reason I went along with the NERD was that firstly my burning sensation is made no better with standard meds but at the same time because of the amount of intestinal noise that is created it kind of made basic sense that it was some form of acid . Many thanks as always Jim
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tex
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Post by tex »

Jim,

As I posted in response to your comments in another thread, if you can resolve the problem by simply eating more slowly, that may be a more practical solution (unless you're in a hurry) than using Betaine HCL. Betaine just kicks the stomach acid production into gear much faster. But you have to figure out a dosage amount that works for you, and take it before every meal (at least every normal size meal or larger).

You're very welcome of course.

Tex
:cowboy:

It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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