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How Long for PPIs to begin working

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Posted 6/21/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi new to the forum and look forward to participating.   I was diagnosed with Gerds and a Hiatal hernia a  few years back.  Went to gastrologist and tried a number of PPIs after a 2 to 3 months the heartburn subsided after landing on 40mg daily of  Nexium.  about 6 months ago I quit taking it and everything was fine for a while.    A couple months ago I started having some chest pains here and there and shrugged it off to my hernia.  I was recently on vacation coming off a high stress project and overate and overdrank (beer is my Achilles) and the daily heartburn back with vengeance, hoarse throat, whole 9 yards.      I had a few months supply of nexium left that I have been taking for a couple weeks - some improvement but very little.  Seems like based on my experience last time it takes awhile for it to begin working.  Seems like a lot people I talk to it begins working pretty quickly.    Just curious if others have seen this delay in response.   Appreciate any feedback.  thanks
Posted 6/21/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
It really depends on how much damage was done to your system. PPIs usually start working within a week, but it may take a few months for your throat and esophagus to heal. Give it a little more time. If they worked in the past, there is no reason to think they wont work again.

Did you have the throat issue before?
Posted 6/21/2011 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - some hoarsness. Also had some nasal inflammation. So heartburn I'm feeling now may be due to damage already done and irritation currently there? I just figured onced this stuff started working no more acid and then no more heartburn.
Posted 6/21/2011 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, everyone refluxes a little, even on PPIs. So if things are banged up in there, you can feel it for a while. Think of it like something touching a cut on your arm, it may not be doing anymore damage, but you will feel it. I wouldnt worry about it. Give it a little more time, and if it doesnt go away, go talk to your GI doc.
Posted 6/21/2011 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
If you're suffering from a HH, hoarsness, and sinus issues it could mean LPR has developed. It's also known as silent gerd. It's very tricky to treat. IMHO you need to talk to your doctor about having the Nissen fundoplication done.
Posted 6/21/2011 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
i have LPR and it took a long time for the pain to subside

as chuck pointed out everyone refluxes (even "normal" people) so once we sustain significant injury from a big number and severity of reflux events, the damage is significant and takes time to heal

PPIs dont stop reflux though there is research to indicate reflux events are fewer on PPIs

and as couchtater says, your symptoms could be LPR so seeing a doc is recommended and fodoplication should be a consideration

hang in there, as my doctor said once to me , healing from LPR is two steps forward and then a step backward, over and over

i hope you are eating small meals and sleeping on an incline, and not just propping up your head on extra pillows
Posted 6/21/2011 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the posts - two steps forward and one back is exactly what I'm feeling. This Saturday I felt pretty good and thought I was over the hump and then sunday flared up and now the burning is back. I am sleeping on an inclince and eating smaller meals. I called my GI next appointment is Aug 2nd - must be a busy field.

Giving up the beer in the summer is the hardest part - although a few beers does not seem to make any difference either way.

Thanks again
Posted 6/21/2011 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
you are welcome

and btw, you are smart to back off on the beer and other carbonated beverages...makes the stomach like a jet propelled volcano...the carbonation does...plus alcohol weakens the LES (lower esophageal sphincter)

from my experience wine is the worst...along with chocolate... it just opens up the les and wow does the reflux bubble up

i do so miss chocolate

as for waiting till aug 2 for an appointment, yeah business is good for the GIs...GERD is on the rise, but that does seem to be along wait...can you shop around?
Posted 6/22/2011 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Aug 2nd is a way out. May try another GI. One thing I noticed is after my nightly walk (brisk 3 miles) my reflux seems worst. I chalked it up to dinner flairing up. Last nite I did not not wlk after diner and actually feeling a little better. I'm guessing the walk is causing some reflux. I thought the walk would help with digestion but may be having the opposite affect. Weird thing with this gerds is your alway searching out what is causing it.
Posted 6/22/2011 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Palerider,

Sorry to hear you're continuing to have problems. It is true that if the tissue in your throat/vocal chords, etc. has been burned, it takes quite a while for it to heal. That doesn't mean that the PPI's are not working...it's just that the sensitive tissue that has been injured needs time to heal. Actually, in the past I've had problems that took several months to heal. Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings.

Before I had my Nissen, I found that I couldn't exercise after I'd eaten anything. Brisk walking after meals (either outside or on the treadmill) would cause reflux to bounce up and create pain.

I found that if I exercised before eating, it really helped a lot.

Hope you get relief soon!
Denise
Posted 6/22/2011 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dencha - kind of consistent with last time this happened - months to heal. I just did not know what to expect from the PPIs as far as relief. Replies I got kind of confirm what I thought may be the case - just takes a while to heal. I'm definitely changing my exercise routines to before eating. I run in the morning before breakfeast and does not seem to bother me.
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