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brocklesnar - new member with a question

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 11/13/2011 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Posted today at 4:53 PM

hi i suffer from alot of acid reflux everyday and have been given omoprazole capsules dat work very well for me. i am supposed to take 1 everyday but i do not, and only take it when i get hearburn, i only go without heartburn/reflux for 2 days on a good week. i get the same problem of feeling like something stuck in my throat. does anyone know if taking omoprezoles on a daily basis is bad for you, or can cause you problems in the future?? i am 19yrs of age and have had heartburn/reflux since i was 16yrs of age. when not taking my capsule every morning i have a very bitter taste in my mouth. my doctor has recommended an endoscopy and for me to change my diet. but i have read many negative things about endoscopys (camera down throat to c stomach), and also maybe a major operation if the results are bad, both of which i do not want. any advice would be much appreciated and also an answer as to whether taking omporezole on a daily basis for my potential lifetime is fine as it does work for me, but just worried about ny problems dese capsules can cause.

thanks

Posted 11/13/2011 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Welcome to the forum. I was also really nervous about having an endoscopy, so much so, I put this off for two years until this past Tuesday. I regret not having it done sooner because it was a piece of cake. I suffer from panic disorder and anxiety and tolerated this procedure very well. I was put to sleep (which used to be a huge fear of mine as well) and woke up feeling relaxed and refreshed. I highly recommend having an endoscopy done, especially since you are suffering from acid reflux symptoms. One thing that helped me to go through with the endoscopy was to refrain from reading negative information about it.

Hope this helped
Posted 11/13/2011 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've had 3 done. They are no big deal. What I really hate are manometries...had 3 of them too, and they are the worst in my opinion, extremely uncomfortable.
Posted 11/14/2011 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
EGDs are a piece of cake. I've had so many I have lost count. I do know I had 17 in a 10 month period before my first redo nissen.

The PPis might be most effective if taken daily as to prevent reflux vs. taking after you have it. If the PPIs work for you I would hold off on surgery.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 11/14/2011 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
brocklesnarhe

one of the issues you posed had to do with taking PPIs as needed? did i get that right?

...that you take one .."only after you get heartburn..."

if so let me say that i have read that PPIs have an onset of action that is delayed and cumulative...so if i understand what i have read, that -MAY- indicate one should not just take PPIs for a day or two, stop for a week and then take them for a few days an then take off for a few days after that

i may be all wrong about this..please consult with a medical professional, which i am decidedly NOT!

on the other hand, i have read that H2s have a more rapid onset of action than PPIs and so may be prescribed for use differently

again see your nurse or doc about this

welcome to healingwell
Posted 11/14/2011 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
There are some problems associated with long term daily use of a PPI, but stomach acid problems can be worse. You want to make all the lifestyle changes associated with GERD and LPR, including sleeping with the head of your bed elevated, and a strict diet. The Kouffman Low Acid diet has helped me a great deal. I have already lowered the dose of my medication, and plan to continue to do so. One you get to the point of daily heartburn, you may need to take daily medicine for at least a couple of months to allow healing to occur. The long term use studies are based on taking medication for more than a year. You need to see a doctor about all of this.
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