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What is the safest acid reducer?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 12/13/2013 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
I did have the full floppy nissen fundoplication 3 months ago, but my problems started up this week. I'm a nervous wreck about other health issues and stressed. The acid is rumbling in my tummy, causing nausea.

Do I really need to start up the omerprazole, again? Pre - NF, I took a 40 mg capsule twice a day. I took one yesterday and it seemed to help. I just took another one, with hopes that it will help.

The acid is not food related. I can't take Tums, I'm a kidney stone gravel pit and the stones are formed with calcium - the main ingredient in Tums.
Posted 12/13/2013 10:22 PM (GMT 0)
As weird as this sounds I found melon to be really helpful. Can you eat any of that, or do you get gas from such things or does it get stuck?

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20440834_7,00.html

Also a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
Posted 12/13/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
H2 blockers like Zantac or Pepsid. I like both. Pepsid complete is fast acting as it contains and antacid also. Stay off PPIs if you can.

Gunner
Posted 12/14/2013 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie

I'm so sorry that your having problems. You seemed to be doing so well.

I can't offer you any advise I'm afraid but maybe just take the omeprazole for a few days to see if it settles.

Maria
Posted 12/14/2013 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Try carrot juice and cabbage juice. My aunt swears by it.

Michelle
Posted 12/14/2013 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Gaviscon can be very effective.

It wouldnt hurt to take a ppi for a couple of weeks, then switch to anything that isn't a ppi.
Posted 12/14/2013 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Is Pepcid different than a ppi? I have a bottle of that here. I had to give it to my dog for a few days.

I really appreciate all the advice. I'm just physically and emotionally a mess, it's no surprise the acid is churning. It seems to be staying in my stomach, though.
Posted 12/14/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Pepcid is an H2 blocker not as powerful as a PPI.

Michelle
Posted 12/14/2013 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick reply, I'm going to try that today, instead of the omerprazole.

My back pain specialist told me that I have to move forward with neck fusion. I've been avoiding it for years with his help. The pain has become awful the past week. It is really stressing me out, along with the holidays.
Posted 12/14/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Pepcid Complete has calcium in it. Gaviscon has calcium in it.

Zantac would be your best choice or check Pepcid plain and see if it has calcium as one of it's ingredients.

Check with your Dr. to be sure he agrees with using OTC meds for your issue.

Good Luck,

Kitt

Posted 12/14/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Laurie,

You mentioned about back surgery. I know someone else who had a Nissen and has to get back surgery. He has 8 herniated disks he got in Afghanistan.

Michelle
Posted 12/15/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Laurie,

Here's a more specific difference between PPIs and H2 blockers.

PPIs suppress 90-99& of stomach acid production.
H2 blockers suppress about 70%

If you think too much calcium is a risk for you, see if you can find the version of Gaviscon that has no calcium. Because of different regulations in various countries, Gaviscon has at least three different versions. There's one sold in Canada that has only magnesium carbonate and alginic acid, no calcium. I purchased mine through CanadaDrugs.com. There is a small amount of calcium stearate listed in the inactive ingredients. Hopefully this would not be a problem for you.

Gaviscon is unique among all these heartburn drugs because of the alginic acid. The magnesium in Gaviscon acts as an acid neutralizer. The alginic acid, in combination with a bicarbonate, forms a gel like layer that sits on the top of your stomach contents (like oil on top of water) creating a barrier that prevents any stomach contents from entering the esophagus.
Posted 12/15/2013 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for that rjdriver and welcome to the forum!

I don't think the acid is coming up past my stomach, but staying there making me quite nauseous. The nissen fundolplication should be working, keeping the acid below the esophagus.

I wonder if the Gaviscon Advance would help that. My sister uses the version from England, but she is controlling the reflux with it.
Posted 12/15/2013 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
>>>I don't think the acid is coming up past my stomach<<<

There is a form of reflux that is silent and has no obvious symptoms. Hopefully the fundoplication is working and you won't need to worry about that. I assume you'll have an upper endoscopy to check on the success of the operation, and they will see any possible damage to your esophagus then.

For your current issue, rather than start PPIs again, try alkaline water when you get that feeling. Others report having good luck with it. You should be able to find in the water section of your market. Anything you can do to avoid PPIs is a good thing. especially for long term use. They should come with a more prominent warning. Well, actually the OTC box does say not to use for more than two weeks, but then it adds the disclaimer "unless under a doctor's supervision." That's how the makers avoid law suits from long term users when they get osteoporosis and gall bladder problems.
Posted 12/15/2013 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm disappointed that my GI and regular doctors didn't warn about long term effects of ppi's. I was on the prescription strength since they came on the market, 40 mg of omerprazole twice a day for years prior to surgery -

My reflux was silent, I didn't have heartburn, but it was still happening with all that medicine. I was inhaling the acid - the reason for the surgery. My surgeon suggested an endoscopy at 12 months past surgery to check on the condition. I will be doing that.
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