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PPIs messed me up??

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Posted 4/7/2007 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have recently been diagnosed with a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines.  I read somewhere that the suppression of acid can cause this bacteria to grow!!!!!  And I was taking prevacid twice a day!!

PLUS, I asked the GI doctor who did my endoscopy and PH testing and he said that there is a DEFINITE possibility that the prevacid CAUSED my extreme constipation!!!!

I am staying off the acid reducers while I take my antibiotic for the bacterial overgrowth, that is for sure!!!!!

Posted 4/7/2007 2:15 PM (GMT 0)

  Hi,

 I'am very happy you found your answer. Looks like you will be feeling better in no time.

 Best wishes!

Posted 4/7/2007 2:32 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, NH66.  I don't know yet if I found my answer though.  I am doing lots of reading.  I have had reflux symptoms even before I ever took reflux medications.

But hopefully I am getting closer to knowing what has been going on.

Posted 4/7/2007 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Friendlygal:  Can you tell us which test was performed to get a diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth?  Would the probiotics help in your case?  I too am having problems with acid reflux and have been on the Nexium for almost 7 weeks (I was on Protonix for about 7 months but it stopped working).  I am a little better but it seems as if the medicine is taking forever to kick in.  Hopefullly, if I do get better I might try the probiotics and digestive enzymes.  I did mention the probiotics and enzymes to my gastro doctor but he said not to do both because they contradict each other, besides most of these doctors don't believe in the natural alternative.  Thanks, Porcelain Doll...
Posted 4/9/2007 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Dutchess, I had a breath test done to determine that I had a slight bacterial overgrowth. I take the antibiotic Xifanax for it and flora-Q probiotic along with Kefir (it's a yoghurt type probiotic drink).
Posted 4/15/2007 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Duches.. it's wierd your doctor would say that, because a lot of parents of children with autism put their kids on both enzymes and probiotics to help with leaky gut. confused
Posted 5/14/2007 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
friendlygal,

Definitely take a probiotic if you haven't already.

I personally would not have taken an antibiotic for this. It wipes everything out, good and bad. Did they help your condition?

You already know the key to solving your problem long term: Stopping the PPIs. The lack of stomach acid caused by PPIs will definitely open you up to pathogenic overgrowth in your stomach and also in the small intestine (because pancreatic and biliary function are thrown off).
Posted 5/15/2007 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
To friendlygal, Lenny66. sylvie74. PorcelainDoll, Duchess, et al.
Please read my post of yesterday if you haven't already. I don't have all the answers, but in 40+ years practicing pharmacy I've learned a few things, and having GERD myself I learned a few more things. First: most practicing physicians do not know much of anything that the drug manufacturer's representatives do not tell them. 2nd: the problem with reflux is NOT caused by too much acid in most cases, but by too little acid so that food (particularly protein) is not fully broken down and this undigested food and other digestive juices are what is refluxed up into the esophagus. Antacids, PPIs etc only compound the problem. The main problem is that the Lower Esophageal Spincter between the esophagus and stomach does not close properly and stay closed as it should. I have yet to find a GI that recognizes this and/or knows what to do about it. A drug Baclofen has been shown to help some in some cases, but the adverse effects can be severe. I have found, by using it myself, that Homeopathic Nux Vomica, either 6X or 12X used when needed, can releive the reflux. I use about 1/2 ml under the tongue when the reflux starts. It works wonderfully and does not cause any adverse reaction. Its available at Health Food Stores and some pharmacies.
There is a product d-limonene, available as "Natural Esophagard" that I have used that stops the reflux temporarily for about 6 months.
The best remedy has been an apple before bedtime every night if you have night reflux. Can be eaten anytime to keep the reflux from happening. Some say that Red Delicious apples are the only one but I have used Granny Smith, Gala and Red Delicious all with the same good results. I'm confident that others will work just as well. My personal opinion is that drugs such as Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, the OTC acid blockers and most antacids should be avoided because they are not chemicals that the human body needs and can lead to some bad effects. BTW probiotics and digestive enzymes are not incompatible with each other. Most of us past 50 years old can probably use them with good advantage.
Posted 5/15/2007 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with you, Brownfield. I created a thread recently to talk about what a decade of PPI use did to me. I had symptoms for years that I didn't realize were related to the PPIs and for about 9 months I was extremely sick. I'm still recovering from the malnutrition I was subjected to all those years. Not one of the 6 docs I saw even mentioned the PPIs, even though I disclosed that I was taking the drugs to all of them. They have NO CLUE.

I don't think that the docs don't know that the problem is with your LED (lower sphincter), they just don't know what to do about it. They think that totally eliminating your stomach acid is a reasonable approach to solving the problem, which is absurd. They all learned about what stomach acid does for you back in medical school but as soon as they get out they begin the process of being brainwashed by big pharma propaganda. It's really sick.

You obviously understand more than most docs do about this. I'm convinced that lack of protein assimilation was my main problem. And that causes all kinds of physical and mental problems. I was in a pretty bad place several weeks ago, and now, after being off of the meds since late Jan, I'm on my way to feeling better than I have in years. The anxiety that I experienced for years is almost completely gone! I guarantee that there are plenty of people out there who are on anti-depressants just to counteract the imbalance caused by lack of protein assimilation. Not pretty.

Post Edited (Lenny66) : 5/15/2007 6:21:33 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2007 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Also agreed about the probiotics and digestive enzymes as well. IMO, everyone with GERD should be trying Digestive Enzymes at least.

And I have been taking Betaine HCL for low stomach acid. It has definitely helped my heartburn situation. It's a fact, as you said, that low stomach acid is the culprit rather than high stomach acid. It's very possible that getting the stomach PH right through the use of Betaine HCL or other means makes the lower esophageal sphincter close more completely. It seems that correct PH might be a signal for the LES to close. Not sure Vinegar doesn't work along the same lines.

Post Edited (Lenny66) : 5/15/2007 6:23:31 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2007 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
This is a very good thread! Sensible and logical. I wish this disorder was better understood medically. It seems there are some reasonable laproscopic options out there to asisst with making the LES function better; I'm suprised more people aren't having the Bard or Stretta procedure done.
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