NEED ADVICE--PRILOSEC,ZANTAC,ETC?

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Hello, I'm a 26/male who gets reflux A LOT and has been professionally diagnosed with GERD. Although I don't take anything for it at the moment, my doctor recommended that I take Prilosec.

I've read online that GERD is actually caused by TOO LITTLE stomach acid and that Prilosec, Zantac, and similar drugs actually will worsen the effects of GERD once you stop taking them.

I've also read that taking drugs that reduced or inhibited stomach acid is very bad for you because the body needs stomach acid to break down food and to rid itself of bad bacteria.

I feel like indigestion and GERD play major roles in giving me anxiety and panic attacks but don't know what the answer is if PPI's and blockers are not REALLY the answer (lifestyle changes aside)... I've also read that Prilosec can increase anxiety which is something I could NOT function/live with.

TL;DR

1. Does Prilosec, Zantac, or similar drugs relieve your reflux and indigestion significantly?

2. Do you take these drugs everyday for long periods of time? When you get off the drugs do you notice that your reflux is worse than ever before?

3. Has anyone experienced ANXIETY or depression as s symptom of taking these drugs?

4. Are there any other solutions to relieving constant indigestion and reflux besides the obvious lose weight, eat small meals, etc.? For example, anyone have true success with Apple Cider Vinegar?

I had been on PPIs ( mainly Nexium) for 18/19 years up until my fundoplication in january this year. For me Nexium was the best and caused the least side effects. However, when I stopped them I noticed symptoms disappear such as palpitations, aching joints, photo sensitivity and OCD! I suffer from anxiety and depression too and this started a couple of years after started the drugs. I don't know if it was the Nexium that caused this or not. All I know is that I'm 6 months after stopping them and I still have anxiety and depression.

With regard to GERD being caused by too little acid you could probably work out if acid is the problem by trying Zantac for a few weeks. If it works its acid, if it doesn't its too little acid. You would probably need more than an over the counter dose.

In the UK, the NICE guidelines used to suggest that a dr goes straight for PPIs with somebody who has GERD but now they have come round again and say Zantac first.

Do you find you getting bloating with your GERD? I sometimes found that taking simeticone helped because it probably reduced the pressure. This drug apparently doesn't have any effect on the body as its a foaming agent.

PPIS cause problems in some people when they stop them, I personally after many years of the stuff was lucky enough to have no problems stopping it.

If you take anything like Valium for your panic attacks that can make reflux worse. It's worth giving up caffeine, minty and spicy things. The important thing for me was to not let it rule my life by following different diets all the time. But that's just my opinion, some people find them very helpful.

Good luck

Xx