Connie  The meds Jerry took for muscle cramps is klonopin.  He doesn't need it much now but it did help some.  We are home from the hospital.  Jerry probably should have stayed another day but the Dr. left it up to us.  They removed his IV 10 min before we went out the door.  So he's still on mostly liquid diet.  Very week but hungry so I guess thats a good sign.  Hope your cramps don't come back they can be painful.

JoAnn

JoAnn, First lets address the Klonopin. It is an anticonvulsant and usually Rx'd for epilepsy however they sometimes use it for Restless leg Syndrome. Different meds help different people. The tums are high in Calcium (Ca++) even tho they are an antacid and that was their designed use. It is an inexpensive alternative to Rx'd Ca++. In my experience if they are regular Tums you would have to chew 4-5 to equal the Rx'd dosage of Ca++. If they are Extra Stength then 3 should do it. If someone doesn't have insurance Dr's will tell them to take the Tums because they are cheap. I would only do it if the Dr has talked to you about it. Protonix is used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), Tums are an antacid too. Unless the Dr told him to take the Tums I wouldn't do both. Prtonix is slow acting so don't try to split doses or anything. He needs to take them just as they were ordered.

If his Ca++ is low and may be contributing to his leg cramps then he needs to speak to the Dr about the Tums for sure. If he is still suffering from excess stomach acid he can ask the Dr about taking Tums too. Call the Dr on Monday and ask. At least that is free.......................Hope this helped clarify things a little.

 Shelly

Thanks Shelly  I will do that.  I don't remember any Dr. telling us that his cramping was caused from low Calcium.  Sometime I just have to drag info out of the Dr.  Then there are times when my brain won't hold any more info!!! He doesn't take the Klonopin any more since he hasn't had problems with cramps.  I'm just hoping we make it to the appt at Vandy on the 15th.  Take care and have a good week end.  I'm staying in and do nothing but get Jerry stronger.  He's been eating small amounts since we got home this afternoon.  Its still very cold here.  I don't mind though it helps the bug situation in the summer.

JoAnn

Connie, you may need to get an Rx for Protonix. The Zantac isn't effective for a lot of people. Try to remember that there are always alternatives to what meds you take. Some people do just fine on a drug that you may also take but it doesn't work for you. That's when you have to tell your Dr and get something else.

 Hugs, Shelly

Connie, if your drug plan doesn't pay for Protonix why don't you ask your Dr for samples? They get samples all the time to disperse to patients for free. It is common practice to give them to the uninsured or those that need them but can't afford them. If the Dr won't do it try contacting the Drug Co. The name of the company is Wyeth Pharaceuticals Inc. Ph: 610-902-12000. Sometimes drug company's will give out free medicine if you have an Rx but can't afford it. The worst that can happen is that they will say "No". Another alternative may be to try Nexium instead of Protonix. I hope you get some help getting your Rx's. I can't stand the thought that people can't get their meds because of $ or poor insurance coverage. Yikes, it makes me want to scream. We will figure something out kiddo. I will help you if I can (even if it is just ideas). Please tell your Dr that you can't afford the pills and ask for samples from him/her first. They should have enough to give you a months supply every month with no problem.

  Hugs, Shelly

 

Connie, I hope you do ask because of what damage the acid can cause if untreated. If you have reflux at all it can erode th esophagus. You have been thru enough trauma to add anything else. Let me know what happens with that OK? I really really really want you to do well from here on out.

 Hugs, Shelly