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Carafate question

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Posted 2/22/2006 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Who here is on or has taken carafate??  Is this something that should take effect immediately or does it take some time to notice a difference in symptoms? 

Ive tried taking it in the past (pill form only) and I never noticed a difference but maybe I was expecting it to work right away??  Im trying to use it for gastritis.

Thanks

Nancy

Posted 2/22/2006 12:50 PM (GMT 0)

My doctor gave me this when I had my bad attack (chest pain, nausea, etc.). I noticed a difference right away. It soothed whatever was going on with my esophagus and stomach. I went through several prescriptions of this stuff when I was healing (along with 40 mg./day of Protonix).

~Niki

Posted 2/22/2006 2:19 PM (GMT 0)

I tried taking it this morning.  I have noticed no difference at all yet.

Nancy

Posted 2/22/2006 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy,

Carafate took a few days for me to start noticing a difference. The improvement has been gradual, now my symptoms have almost disappeared. I would recommend the liquid version, though--the horse pills of sucralfate are absolutely disgusting.

-Jason
Posted 2/22/2006 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I took the liquid form and it helped within a day or two. My major symptom was burning in my throat and esophagus. The carafate helped coat/soothe the esophagus and dulled the pain. I waited two hours after eating before taking it -- that apparently makes a difference. I took it right before bed and mid-morning.

I had only minor stomach pains and didn't note any difference.

I was already starting to feel a little better when I started taking it, but carafate seemed to make a difference.
Posted 2/22/2006 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I put a call into my dr this morning.  I asked him to please prescribe the liquid form if he can since I am having trouble choking down those huge pills!  Plus, I think the liquid form would be more soothing on my stomach.

Guess I have to give it a couple days huh?

Sabres:  how is your gastritis healing up for you??  The carafate seems to be helping it then?

Nancy

Posted 2/22/2006 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I took carafate with reglan together. Carafate worked for a short term maybe 6 weeks, but I was still acidic in the long run.
Posted 2/22/2006 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Im picking up the liquid form tonight.  Im not taking it for heartburn-I heard it really doesn't help with that??  Im taking it to try and help heal my gastritis.

Nancy

Posted 2/23/2006 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nancy,

The gastritis symptoms were stomach soreness (especially after eating), periods of calm and then inexplicable sensations/discomfort and inability to eat too much. So far on the carafate the "kicked in the stomach" feeling has gone away, the strange sensations are gone and my meal sizes have returned almost to normal.

My reflux has also diminished greatly--I think this is because Carafate helps to bind the bile, which was the main cause of my reflux. My doctor also thinks that healing the gastritis will help to restore the pyloric valve to normal function...
Posted 2/23/2006 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

Ive been taking the liquid form since last night.  My throat is a little sore today-i assume that can be normal from this med since it coats the throat.  Ok, sore isn't the correct word, more like a "funny feeling".  My tummy does kinda feel a little better.

Nancy

Posted 2/24/2006 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Is this drug available OTC?
Posted 2/24/2006 4:40 AM (GMT 0)

No, its prescription only (as far as I know anyway)

Nancy

Posted 2/27/2006 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
My question is, how long does gastritis take to heal? I've read conflicting reports about this. Some days I've hardly noticed my stomach, while others I can still feel discomfort in my upper abdomen. I don't have reflux symptoms anymore (ie, burping, heartburn, chest fullness), so I'm assuming this is still the gastritis.

-Jason
Posted 2/27/2006 9:17 PM (GMT 0)

Thats a good question.  I wish I knew the answer too!!  From I have read and been told, it can take up to several months.  It really all depends on whats causing the gastritis in the first place. 

Nancy

Posted 3/1/2006 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
The doctor says that it typically takes 2-3 months for the healing process to occur. He classified my gastritis as chronic. Ok, I've read that most people who have chronic gastritis don't have any symptoms. I imagine I had this for a long time, and only found out about it because of my recent problems. I'm hoping that this will heal enough to get me to where I don't have the pain from the gastritis, even if I still have it.

Hope you are all doing better.

-Jason
Posted 3/1/2006 3:42 AM (GMT 0)

I had to break down and take some nexium this week.  I couldn't deal with the acid reflux anymore-it was killing me!  Im still taking the carafate though and I think its helping too.,

Nancy

Posted 3/10/2006 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! 

I've been on Carafate for 2 months and it has helped but I still have problems.  I guess I should take it twice a day like I'm supposed to instead of just once at bedtime.  It's just hard to take it in the middle of the day because it has to be taken on an empty stomach and I snack all day long since I can't really eat 3 normal size meals.  So, my stomach is never really empty and I figure it's a waste of money to take it if I don't take it right.  I'm also on 40mg Nexium in the morning (4 months) and 10mg of Pepcid AC at night (4 months).  My GERD is a pretty bad case, I guess.  It's not going away.  I guess I'll just have to live with it for the rest of my life!

Good Luck to you!  I hope the Carafate heals your gastritis!

Michelle :)

Posted 3/14/2006 1:49 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Nancy,

How's the carafate working for your gastritis? 

I seem to go 7-10 days feeling generally ok (I say generally ok, because I can usually tell at times during the day that something isn't right), then have a flare up where it's very noticeable--pain, difficulty eating.  My reflux symptoms are seriously reduced, however.  I guess I'm concerned that it's been about five weeks and my symptoms haven't completely disappeared...maybe gastritis never goes away? :(

This can really get quite depressing, and then you start to wonder if you have something far more serious wrong with you...

Hope you are all doing better.

-Jason

Posted 3/14/2006 4:20 AM (GMT 0)

The carafate is helping.  I do not think it is a cure all but I do notice a difference on it.

My ph Bravo test showed that yes I have reflux but not severe enough for my current GI dr to do a darn thing about it.  Oh well.

Im also taking DGL licorice root and aloe vera juice and that seems to help too.

My current dr did say that gastritis can take quite a while to heal but you also cant do it without changing your diet (eliminating caffeine, high fats and high carbs and limit sugar intake).  I know, definately easier said than done considering I just ate half a package of girl scout cookies nono -oh well.

Nancy

Posted 3/30/2008 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
I just came across this site while trying to find information on Carafate (re: how long it takes to work). I noticed that the most recent posts are in 2006, but thought maybe someone else, like myself, may come across it in the not-too-distant future. Anyway, I was put on Carafate just about a week ago. I have been taking Prevacid for two years now. I was on Pepcid for a year prior to that and in between was placed on Protonix which didn't work. I haven't experienced any real relief from my gastritis symptoms. As a matter of fact my second day on Carafate (liquid form) I had such pain in my stomach and intestinal area that I almost called my husband at work and ask him to come home and take me to the hospital. I was instructed to take it 4x a day... before each meal and at bedtime.... which means I am taking it every 3-4 hours a day.
Posted 3/30/2008 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I took carafate about two years ago. I tried everything and suffered for 9 momths. Anyway I was surpose to take it 4 times a day to. I took it twice the first day and had sever stomach ache and intestional problems. I called the doctor who told me to not take it anymore. I have IBS so I do not know if that has something to do with it. I know someone else that the same thing happen to.

I now have another bout of reflux that has lasted for 2 months. I will only take the nexium. I am afraid to take anything else.

Posted 3/31/2008 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
marette,

I too have IBS, and it sounds like I may have experienced some of the same symptoms as you. Even with taking the Prevacid twice daily I was still experiencing the reflux, heartburn and a pain in my abdomen just at the v of my ribcage. I have had an ultrasound for gall stones, as well as a HIDA scan and just recently had an EGD... nothing other than gastritis, GERD and dysphagia was found. :( After two weeks of continued symptoms and an evening of abdominal pain, nausea and vomitting, I called my doctor's office again and this is when they prescribed the Carafate. I really haven't noticed much of a difference and am getting quite discouraged. :(
Posted 6/18/2008 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking carafate for three+ years now. It has helped immensely. I have been to the er three times. The first two times, I thought it was heart problems because it hurt so much in the center of the chest. It still bothers me overly much on occasion, but nothing like it did before the carafate.
Posted 6/18/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken carafate for about 4 years now. the brand name pill you can disolve in water. was made to do that. you dont have to swallow that big pill. When my dr. put me on it he said it was a very slow acting med. said it would take a long time to heal my stomach. But I had alot of acid and imflamation at the time but it worked really well for me.
Posted 9/21/2008 2:37 AM (GMT 0)

I was on carafate for years.  Then  I had a bone density test.

I have severe osteoperosis.  I am 57.

Better get your bones checked after taking this.

It is loaded with aluminum, which weakens the bones.

Has anyone else tested the bones?

Also, all acid blockers weaken the bones too.

ellie

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