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Taking PPI and other acid reducers make GERD worse?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/7/2017 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
So I've been noticing for a week now, when I take prilosec and zantac my heartburn gets worse along with nausea and an upset stomach, has anyone else had this issue before when taking these medications so far I haven't been able to find relief, going to visit gastro since he did order a stool test and endoscopy.
Posted 5/7/2017 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Mine got way worse. I stayed on my pills for a month thinking it would get better and it was an awful experience that only got worse week after week. I went back to my doctor and he recommended I take double the amount, but I took myself off and several symptoms went away.

I think these pills work for a lot of people, but for others, not so much. In my case, they wrecked my stomach digestion, so I felt food was sitting in my stomach all day long. I was lucky to get 600 calories in me a day whilst on the pills as I'd just reflux whatever I ate back up. After two weeks being off, my digestion is starting to come back and I'm up to 900 calories a day.

I'm not suggesting you go off. I know you're smart enough to figure out what's right for you. I recommend a book called 'dropping acid' which has information that I think is helping me.
Posted 5/7/2017 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
The brand/type/ingredients and dose of pill makes a lot of difference, and so does how you take it. Prilosec didn't work for me, at normal prescription strength, but some of the others worked fine.

You aren't taking the pills together, are you? You have to take a prescription dose of your PPI first thing in the morning before eating, and wait 45 minutes until you eat, and then you MUST eat. Zantac works differently, directly in the stomach, while PPIs must get into the blood stream (which takes about 45 minutes). You take Zantac after a meal when you have symptoms. Some doctors have patients take it in the evening.

I took PPIs for many years, until I needed surgery due to an accident, and had great results. They're great for some people and not tolerated by others. Before giving up I would try a different one, or two, or three.
Posted 5/8/2017 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Well I am taking Nexium for the time being instead of prilosec to see how it goes, might try other meds just to see what works but hopefully i get relief soon because I feel there's too much going on in the stomach area though I have been thinking of weaning off PPIs , but the acid rebound is a scary thing.
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