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Can't tolerate PPIs, now what?

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Posted 8/2/2006 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried AciPhex and Prevaced, both give me side effects that are debilitating. I get a migrane like headache, upset stomache, fatigue, flu like symptoms, abdominal cramps that rival the headache, muscle cramps and something akin to depression.

I was dx'd with Barretts, erosive esophagitis and hiatus hernia, so I NEED something. I see my doctor on the 17th, but was wondering if something like Tagamet or Zantac would suffice in the meantime? And what else can the doctor do if one cannot tolerate the PPIs?

I just absolutley refuse to try any other PPIs as they all bascially have the same side effects and the two I have tried made me so ill.

I would appreciate any feedback.

Posted 8/3/2006 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe you can discuss surgical options with your dr when you go back in?  Sorry you are not doing well.

Nancy

Posted 8/3/2006 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Sarah, I just posted to you and I lost it. Have you tried the Protonix, Nexium, or Prilosec? They are all PPI's, but maybe you could tolerate them. I got constipation and fluid in my legs/feet/hands from the Nexium.

I take Bumex for fluid and use stool softeners/stimulants (Walmart generic), magnesium 300 mg., and a probiotic (Jarro-Dolphius EPS) for the side effects and I do okay.

I doubt Zantac or Pepcid AC would help you any. Not for B or EE... You could try the Prilosec OTC and see if that helps you any. You would need to find out what the Rx dose would be and take that to really help you, but remember I'm not a doctor. Just my opinion of what I would do.

Hope you feel better. I'm going to copy this post so I don't have to re-type it. lol

Hugs,
Faye
Posted 8/4/2006 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Nancy,

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I sure hope it doesn't come to any kind of surgery...what would the options be?

Posted 8/4/2006 1:55 PM (GMT 0)

ilovecats94 said...
Sarah, I just posted to you and I lost it. Have you tried the Protonix, Nexium, or Prilosec? They are all PPI's, but maybe you could tolerate them. I got constipation and fluid in my legs/feet/hands from the Nexium.

I take Bumex for fluid and use stool softeners/stimulants (Walmart generic), magnesium 300 mg., and a probiotic (Jarro-Dolphius EPS) for the side effects and I do okay.

I doubt Zantac or Pepcid AC would help you any. Not for B or EE... You could try the Prilosec OTC and see if that helps you any. You would need to find out what the Rx dose would be and take that to really help you, but remember I'm not a doctor. Just my opinion of what I would do.

Hope you feel better. I'm going to copy this post so I don't have to re-type it. lol

Hugs,
Faye

No, I haven't tried the ones you mentioned, though she gave me samples of them. I'm TERRIFIED to try them, the side effects are truly that bad! I actually feel like I'm being poisoned skull ..not that I've ever been poisoned before..lol! If I would number the severity of the SE from 1-10 they would be a 10! I've been taking the zantac at double the strength three times a day and I haven't been experiencing any heartburn, so hopefully that's under control? Thank you for your concern and taking the time to reply, I appreciate it.

Posted 11/3/2011 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I can't handle PPIs either, i get rash all over the breasts and my lower legs which itch, also my eyes gets wet and hard to focus the eyes, it's really bad.

I tried Losec for one day 20mg and it helped alot but i can't take it as my body reacts to it so bad that the side effects are worse than GERD itself.

I've been without medication now for 3 weeks and trying to control this, when i started Losec and stopped after 1 day i got some bad acid, really bad acid production and had to cough big lumps of acid several times next morning i got up, it has settled down really good now but i beleive the PPI upset my stomach really bad.

What are the natural remedies for GERD? i am eating a banana now each morning and it helps alot in lowering acid and putting a coat inside but i need some proper natural medications.

All i read everywhere is about PPIs and all evil pills, where are the alternatives?
Posted 11/3/2011 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lanab,

I can't take the PPIs/H2s either.

A subset or some combination of these gives relief to some people - depending on what is causing the GERD:
- Supplements: DGL, Aloe Vera Juice, L-Glutamine, Pepsin-GI, High-count Probiotics, Slippery Elm, Marshmallow, L-Theanine, Melatonin, Fennel, Digestive Enzymes, HCL, orange-peel-extract, sodium-bicarbonate water etc.
- Antacids: Tums, Axia3, Gaviscone, Mylox etc.
- Eat healthy alkaline-forming foods: carrot/cabbage juice, beetroot, oatmeal, brown-rice, turmeric, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli etc.
- Don't eat/drink these: pizza, burgers, fried stuff, alcohol, coffee etc.
- Raise the head of the bed while sleeping
- Eat at least 3 hours before going to bed
- Yoga (breathing) exercises** (these are definitely helping me a lot)
- Lose weight (doesn't apply to everyone)

You should try to find the root cause of your GERD though. Sometimes GI tests help determine the cause (but not all the time): endoscopy (gastroscopy), pH monitoring (dual-impedance), manometry.

Read through the various threads on this board .. there is a lot of invaluable information here .. in various threads. Google the various supplements mentioned above.
Posted 11/3/2011 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
The lifestyle changes PPI-less describes are a must. Raising the head of the bed does not mean extra pillows unless you use them to raise your entire upper body. It is easiest to do this by putting blocks under the legs at the head of your bed.

My GI doc recommends Gaviscon over other non-PPI's. We often develop tolerance for H2 blockers like Zantec, so they don't work for very long.

The Kouffman Low Acid diet has helped me. I have a thread on this topic, you will need to scroll back.
Posted 11/4/2011 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
You would need a PPI because of your diagnosis. H2 Blocker, Antacid lifestyle modification isn't effective at healing BE and EE.

How about:

A lower dosage of what you can tolerate most (hence less side-effect) before breakfast + H2 Blocker in the evening + keep a bottle diluted antacid liquid and drink some whenever flare-up occurs.

Prokinetic drug like Maxalon can also help to constrict LES and promote stomach emptying. It can serve as an emergency relief of bad heartburn after a meal. You can take the lower effective dosage you are fine with.

In the mean time, do follow a GERD-friendly diet and the lifestyle modification.

Post Edited (WJF) : 11/3/2011 11:44:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 11/4/2011 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sarah,

I'm sorry to hear that you can't take PPI's.  Unless you find one you can tolerate, You may be a candidate for surgery.  Although I could take PPI's they didn't do enough and I continued to get enough reflux to create very bad lung issues.  I had the surgery in Feb. 2009, and once my lungs had a chance to heal, I've done great.

Your doctor will likely want to do additional tests on you.  The general ones you take in order to see if you're a candidate for a Nissen are:  endoscopy (you've gotten that one out of the way tongue ) barium swallow, 24hr PH monitor, manometry, and sometimes a stomach emptying test.

Until your doctor appointment be sure to:

1.  Eat very carefully.  Avoid any GERD triggers...http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/features/heartburn-spot-your-personal-triggers.

2.  Do not go to bed/lie down until you've waited 3-4 hours...no late dinners.  Keep your meals small.  It's better to eat several smaller meals.   When you stuff your stomach it puts more pressure on the HH and things can reflux easier.

3.  Elevate the head of your bed.   You do this by putting blocks or bed risers (I have bed risers and add 2X6 pieces of board under them--my docs want me to continue with an elevated bed in case I get a little reflux--protecting my lungs)

Pillows just bend you in the middle, actually forcing acid up.

4.  Keep antacids like Maalox or Gavascon on hand.  They do a pretty good job of coating and neutralizing the acid.  A stopgap until you see the doc.

5.  You could call the doc and ask about Carafate Suspension.  It's an old drug that was developed to help heal ulcers.  I have a very reactive stomach and use it to help when it's acting up. The advantage is that it coats the stomach and esophagus and protects it...and lasts up to 6 hours.  Just a thought.

I hope that things get better for you soon!  You're definitely in the right place.

Good luck!

Denise turn

Posted 11/6/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I started with Zantac pills 150mgx2 yesterday and i don't have any reactions thank god, only problem is that i get stomach ache and probably constipated.

My throat is much better and also the gastritis, i hope i can stand this 4weeks so the thing heal while i get down in weight.

My doctor prescribed Nexium as well but i don't want to take PPIs if Zantac works, it worked 20 years ago healing me.
Posted 11/6/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are doing better. There are lots of choices, and it is not easy to find the right one for you.
Posted 11/7/2011 3:17 PM (GMT 0)

sunbeam48 said...
I'm glad you are doing better. There are lots of choices, and it is not easy to find the right one for you.

Thanks.

I have now noticed that the thick white coating on my tounge is going away slowly on my 2nd day of Zantac, also i did not get any special throat burning as i used to get after meal.
Posted 4/29/2023 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
PPI is really bad for me ; severe head ache and dizziness .
I am inclined to do surgery . Every day has been a nightmare living with severe GERD and not able to tolerate PPI.
Posted 5/1/2023 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
singa:

This post originated in 2006, and hasn't been active since 2011. You can start your own thread, but this Board has been incredibly slow. I can tell you that surgery should be the last resort. The recovery may not be easy, and you can expect small setbacks along the way. There is a significant of testing that needs to be performed before you know whether you are even eligible for surgery. I didn't feel much better until about 6 months after surgery, and about a year before a significant improvvement. There are a lot of different PPIs on the market (some new), not all may give you side effects. Also, follow a strict GERD-friendly diet and keep a food diary to try and pinpoint your potential food allergies/sensitivities.

Sharon
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