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Posted 7/12/2010 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
I am a oart-time instructor at a Technical school, having retired from full time public school teaching. I have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons who spend a great deal of time with me -after school and in the summer. I have learned to live with IBS and it has not kept me from being very active and pretty much wide -open ! Adding reflux to the mix has been a bummer-especially since the reflux was not bad until I was put on a PPi and I tried to get off of it-and did get off of it. I am convinced that most dr's do not have a clue that this happens. As I said earlier, I have gone down from a PPi to Pepcid AC Maximum strength and hope to keep going down in the strength of what I am using. I am quite aware that PPI's are a miracle drug for some, but for me they were a nightmare. For the record, I am not over-weight-lost 25 pounds on Weight Watcher's -weigh that I gained from being on another drug for one year-not related to reflux. The drug which caused the weight-gain was also difficult to get off of. So that is a little about who I am.
Mimi 22 Boys
Posted 7/12/2010 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Mimi,
I'm a first grade teacher. Also a GERD sufferer. I was on PPIs until a few weeks after my surgery. I'm now GERD free and PPI free. :)
My long term PPIs and H2 blockers was not good for my stomache either. I developed small polyps in my stomach (non-cancer) from them. I'm getting dismissed from my GI in two months. He says I don't need him anymore. :))

What kind of tests have you been through? Barium swallow, manometry, EGD, PH test....

Joy
Posted 7/13/2010 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Joy,
I also taught first grade for most of my career-but other grades, too. I have a lot of reading training , was NB certified with a Master's and was contacted after being retired one year-to teach a reading course to to adults and freshmen- it is a pre-req. to English 101 for these students. I love it !!!
I had barium with dye scan, Utra sound-showed a dilated duct going into gall bladder, MRI-with and without contrast, HIDA-tests gall bladder function, and lastly endoscopy and colonoscopy. It was great fun !! It all started with upper-quadrant side pain-not awful, but the pain would not leave. My dr sent me to a gastro-dr- who suspected at first an ulcer or gall bladder. He still cannot rule out gall bladder-so........... I was not told about rebound or anything about the PPI-I just did what the dr said to do. My insurance co refused to pay for the particular PPI I was on-was using samples-by then I was having IPS stuff from PPI, so I just decided to get off of it and try something else.
Anyway-the reflux escalated-rebounded-with burning in my throat-rebound upon coming off of he PPI. How did you stop the H2 Blocker ? This has happened after only 5 weeks on the PPI !!!!
Mimi 22 Boys
Posted 7/13/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I just stopped the h2 blocker at week 2- no rebound.
It took 4 weeks to slowly wean off the PPI (Nexium). I had been taking 80mg of Nexium and 300mg of zantac for several years before they stopped helping me. I did get some rebound, but I stomped it down with Tums.
You might have bile reflux??? I don't enough about it to help you on this, but our moderator, Skitt, can answer things about gall bladder problems.

The barium swallow is when you stand, lay down, and roll in front of a florascope as they video tape your swallowing process.
The manometry measures your swallowing pressures. They insert a cath with sensors down your esophagus (via your nose) and make you drink water as a computer interprets the data.
The PH test reads the level of acid that gets into your esophagus.

All of these are important in deciding wheither or not you need surgery to cure your GERD.


Joy

PS. I taught adult GED with a college before I started teaching first grade. :)
Posted 7/13/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I suppose it could be, but the gall bladder was functioning well within the normal range. also I had no stones, etc.
I have not had the tests that you are mentioning. As I told you, my problems were pretty minor until I was but on the PPI.
I will try Tums next and see what happens without the Pepcid. I have been on both Elavil-25 mg for may years as a migraine preventative and I read that this might have played a part in my problem. But Elavil is also given for IBS so there you go. Did you have surgery for reflux?
Posted 7/13/2010 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mimi glad to meet you. I have just had my gallbladder out after suffering for 5 years with on and off GERD symptoms. I had used all kinds of reflux medication over the years all of which would work at first and then stop. When they finally discovered it was my gallbladder causing the problems they told me to discontinue all PPI's and use pain killers instead when the attacks occured. I would take 2 panadol and two tramedo (and if it was really bad) a voltaren (this was as prescribed by the doctor for me). That would get rid of the pain pretty quickly. Since I've had my gallbladder out I'm still experiencing slight indigestion and drinking two capfuls of cider vinegar in a glass of water works really well for me. Maybe worth a try for you???
Posted 7/13/2010 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Mimi,
I had a 270 degree wrap done. My surgeon said it was his own modified Hill procedure. He wrapped the floppy top of my stomach around my esophagus like taking your pant's leg and wrapping it around your ankle. So far it's working great.

Joy
Posted 7/13/2010 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to both replies. Because my tests have shown no gall bladder issue except the duct-now back to normal and the side ache is gone -for now-no one will really address the possible gall bladder issue. Right now I am using Pepcid Maximum strength as I am off of the PPI. Then I plan to go to regular Strength Pepcid and wean off of that, if possible. I have this issue because I was put on the PPI for the acid reflux and am now having rebound. Everything has been further complicated because I also have IBS- it takes very little to set this off. My plan for that is to begin a Probiotic supplement. I am fortunate that I have no damage anywhere-colon, stomach, throat, etc. I am trying to be careful with the rebound/reflux so that I do not have any future damage to throat.
Mimi
Posted 7/13/2010 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
 I developed small polyps in my stomach (non-cancer) from PPI too!!!So it depends from them..uhmmm....PPI don't help me...NOTHING!!! sad
Posted 7/13/2010 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Well-i am sure there are some people who must take PPI's but I am glad to be off-even though I am working thru the rebound.
I am so sorry for your problem.
Mimi 22boys
Posted 7/13/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon said the polyps will fade away after the PPIs are stopped. I posted a photo of my EGD here several months ago. You can see the polyps clearly in the photo.Here's the link:


http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/marytobias99/polyps_in_stomach.jpg

Joy
Posted 7/13/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
There is a school of thought that I currently subscribe to that sometimes acid reflux is caused by lack of acid rather than too much. I drink a glass of water with either two capfuls of apple cider vinegar in it or the juice of half a lemon to try and replace acid. I also drink aloe vera juice before each meal. Tastes really odd but it makes my tummy feel heaps better plus I also take slipperly elm tablets and psyllium husk tablets with probiotics all designed to repopulate good bacteria and sooth the gut. There is also lots of articles written on the idea that as we age we are less effective at producing digestive enzymes and so you can also take tablets for this too. All these things will do no harm but they amy do some good so worth a shot. If all this stuff is going to make a difference you should notice a difference within 4 weeks of beginning. Otherwise you are just producing expensive wees :-)
Posted 7/14/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks-you are most correct about the aging. Much of my problem has come from years of treatment on drugs for both migraines and IBS-esp IBS. Then with both problems I cannot take some of the best natural treatments for acid reflux. I have to work thru the rest of my weaning from PPIs and H2 Blockers. Then I will be ready to hit the natural stuff more. Dr. Mercola's site is great. He shows you how best to wean from these drugs. They said ( my doctors) to stop-cold turkey. Bad advise-caused severe rebound.
Posted 7/14/2010 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Acid reflux is so cruel I hope you start feeling better soon
Posted 7/14/2010 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I have had a good day and last night I slept. I am thankful and will be fortunate if I can get to less potent drugs or ways to treat this. It is just frustrating the we are not told that most drugs come with a price-even if it is down the road. It is like trying to kill a mosquito with a shot gun to put every mild heartburn problem on a strong drug !
Posted 7/15/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I believe they need to start small then increase as needed.

Joy
Posted 7/15/2010 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Makes you wonder what the pay offs are for doctors in prescribing these drugs????
Posted 7/15/2010 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I just think some are not aware of things like rebound. Also many doctors are simply overloaded-too many patients and do not always find a way to follow-up. I really do not believe that they do any of this on purpose. It is true that the drug companies provide free samples and so it is very easy to give them to patients-maybe WAY too easy. My local pharmacist says she only has a few people who tell her about rebound. My contention is that many people think they are just worse, so they simply get back on the drug. This would especially be true for older patients. Each person who is capable, must be his/her own advocate. I can promise you that I will not just take a drug again without asking a lot of questions!
Posted 7/17/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Update:
Unfortunately, it appears that my acid reflux worsening was not due to rebound. A H2 Blocker was not successful for me.
The good news is that my insurance company has agreed to pay for my PPI that controls the reflux and has the fewest side effects- for me. It is still my contention that taking a PPi should be a step up process. I have also learned to ask more questions about the problem, as well as the medications. In the end you have to decide about the quality of life you are willing to settle for and the risks you take by letting acid reflux worsen. The risks of what improperly treated acid reflux can do, as well as the quality of life seem to me, to be much worse than the side effects of the drug. I will update again.
Posted 7/18/2010 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you get well soon Mimi it's so horrible dealing with the pain all the time.
Posted 7/19/2010 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. There are many people with much worse problems than mine are. I just do not want mine to get where theirs' are.
I can say though, that this problem impacts your life-everyone wants to enjoy eating ! I have felt sort of obsessed in looking for some answers. In looking at people who are trying to do this "naturally" I am seeing that many are taking so many "natural" supplements that I am sure the cost is tremendous-and still, they are not eating even what I would call a health, normal diet. I guess you must make a decision to take one route of treatment and then give it a chance to work. I am very, very fortunate that my GP is also a close friend, so I totally trust his guidance on the safety of a drug and what to do. Unfortunately my gastro. has no idea who in the world I am. It was almost comical,( I am sure that I was rolling my eyes :)-he would be flipping through my chart-and reading results and notes on his laptop-so that I would just interrupt him to get on with it! I am now relying on my regular doctor/friend to regulate my meds-that is working so much better. My hope is that everyone out there with this issue and worse will soon be healed.
Posted 7/19/2010 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mimi I know what you mean I'm obsessed too!! I also feel really jealous when I see other people eating and enjoying themselves doing it because it feels like food is my enemy at times. It can be very depressing at times wondering if you are ever going to be able to enjoy a normal relationship with food again.
Posted 7/19/2010 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I know. I am also counting points for Weight Watcher's and still need to loose a few pounds per the gastro dr. I was almost there until I had this setback.I have not been I must stay on my meds and I retain a lot of fluid on it. My fluid meds will not totally do its job with Dexilant. But I will stay on it. When I was off and taking a H2 blocker-I took one swallow of red wine and it burned my throat. That scared me half to death. I only occasionally drank a glass of wine, but enjoyed it when I did. Right now I would not dare take a taste !! ( I had an endoscopy done a month ago-before the burning and it was fine???) I know that things got somewhat worse due to rebound-but I feel that was not all. I was off of it for a matter of days-mostly due to the fact that my dr had to fight the insurance co to get approval. Well-at least there are people that get it. My husband just wants me to feel better as do my grownup children. Are you on any medications for this?
Posted 7/19/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take Losec (Think it's called Omeprazole in the USA) plus I would swig Gaviscon in huge quantities but I've decided to do the natural thing instead. Have been all natural since March 2010 some days it's great some days it's bad same as on the drugs.
Going to my Naturopath tomorrow for another tweaking session :-)
Posted 7/20/2010 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I have a good friend who has/had uclers and is doing total natural /holistic. She also does massages at her house- by referral only. She is really studying all of this-used to be in public ed, too.-gave her an ulcer ! The trouble is she cannot eat much of anything-worse than me. Also she takes a truck load of natural supplements. It seems just as bad . But, some of them I have actually just ordered, but more in the way of immunity and vitamins. I have the DGL, but my problem is that the texture bothers my throat right now-just like an antacid tablet that you chew-even sucking it my throat gets really dry. But I am going to try it again tonight. I am trying to find Mastic Gum. I have found that Ricola cough drops are soothing and help the dry throat. I certainly hope that what you are doing help. My ned is mad in Japan and I am wondering how how came with it. I am interested in Oriental healing. Maybe that later. :) I am not ruling anything out. But, I do love my real doctor-GP and friend and know that he is looking out for me.
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