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Question about Nexium

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Posted 3/15/2015 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Has anyone here had any expierence taking Nexium otc and also Nexium by script. Did you notice one worked better than the other? Right now my insurance refuses to pay and my doctor expresses zero intrest in sending them a letter on my behalf. The OTC doesn't seem to be helping after a few weeks. I did some reading and it looks like the script version is better geared for healing esophagus erosions.

Any sharing of expierence would be appreciated. I'm thinking I may try to get my primary to get insurance to ok it.

Post Edited (LAWCHICK) : 3/14/2015 10:29:58 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 3/15/2015 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
LAWCHICK,
I'm currently taking (2) Nexium 40mg daily (pharmaceutical grade). I tried to wean off by substituting the new 22.3mg OTC and after 2 days, was in worse pain than ever! I asked a pharmacist about this and he said definitely the OTC is much weaker than the pharmaceutical grade).

Please avoid PPI'S if possible. Once you've been on them for several weeks, you can't get off of them without excruciating pain. Is there something else not as potent that you can take? You might check with your local pharmacist for recommendations.

The funny thing is, I never had esophageal erosions so what is nexium supposed to heal as I'm in worse pain since I started the 'purple poison'!? Several ECD's show 'normal esophagus'. Go figure!
Posted 3/16/2015 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was on prescription Nexium for 4- 5 years. I don't know anything about the OTC grade but to categorically say that you can't get off of PPIs without experiencing pain is nonsense. Nexium did wonders for my acid but it had little effect on the reflux itself. I still had the reflux almost every night and woke up choking and coughing but it wasn't very acidic tasting....still vile.....ugh!!! Two years ago this month I had my Hiatal Hernia repaired and a full floppy NF. I immediately stopped the Nexium without any problem and haven't had any PPI since and haven't chewed Tums or any other antacid since then.
I asked my GP about long term side effects of Nexium and he told me that most risks were from high dosages taken for a long time. I hope that you benefit from whatever your Doctor prescribes.
Posted 3/18/2015 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Right now with the shape I am in as far as gerd, hernia and esophagus issues I think PPI's is exactly what I need. Still fighting with insurance unfourtantly.
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