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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/13/2015 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
For over a year I have been taking PPI medications and H2 blockers for acid reflux which came on suddenly. I have tried so many PPIs (Protonix, Dexilant, Nexium, Zegerid, and Prilosec). Many of them didn't work or all of sudden I had terrible side effects. I'm calling it side effects b/c i'm 35 years old and not until I started taking these acid reducing medications I had these strange symptoms.

I've had leg pain...sometimes leg cramps, sometimes joint pain...sometimes hip pain. I've had muscle aches. I've been to the doctor several times and never had they said "many of my patients who are on PPIs complain of us"...no they just make me feel like i'm crazy and want to run tests to see if I have some horrible disease. And they have run tests and the only thing that came up was low iron..which is now normal range.

So I decided I was going to stop and take Zantac. But the funny thing is...still had leg pain. Maybe it's something else or maybe I just can't handle any of these acid reducing medications.

But I did not have any of these problems before acid reflux. Anyone else?

I have now bought Ginger Tea and ACV...wish me luck.

Shawna
Posted 4/13/2015 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
Joint and muscular pain is listed as a possible rare side effect of my medication (Omeprazole). I've had some odd pains in my hands and fingers since I started taking them but it's not so bad I can't live with it. The reflux without meds was worse.
Posted 4/13/2015 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
If the drugs are not working there are alternative ways of treating the problem. Whatever the problem is you should consider diet. Give juicing a try. It makes the food easier to digest.

http://www.naturalnews.com/035720_acid_reflux_natural_remedies_heartburn.html
Posted 4/13/2015 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
I just stopped my Nexium for some weird side effects I was having. Since quitting, I feel waaaay better.

Maybe see about lowering the dose or changing meds?
Posted 4/13/2015 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I developed delayed gastric emptying from taking omeprazole 20mg. So for me, I do not have many good things to to say about the medication.
Posted 4/14/2015 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
I have inflammation in my intestines which I think is a side effect of the Nexium I am taking. I recently got upped to 80mg a day for stomach pain, and then developed bleeding in my stools, some congealed which I think means my intestines are bleeding. My GI has tried to put me on steroids for it in the past but I cant tolerate them, and I don't want to take more drugs to counter other drugs. I've just reduced back down to 40mg.

I also get quite a bit of pain in my spleen at times, which is slightly inflamed on scans. I think this may also be a side effect of Nexium.

On top of that my liver test results vary from slightly elevated to extremely high - my liver is at risk of being wiped out if Im like this long term. I also put this down to prescription drugs, though not just the PPI.

So ye, these drugs can cause quite some problems! I keep taking Nexium for now because the stomach pain and heartburn is much worse symptom-wise than the side effects its causing, but Im hoping to switch to another PPI soon once I'm less stressed out about other life stuff. Switching PPI usually means my stomach and heartburn getting worse for a while so I need to be in a calm state of mind to deal with it.
Posted 4/24/2015 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
These PPI drugs can deplete magnesium levels which can lead to muscle pain and cramps. Try a high potency magnesium (400mg).
Posted 4/25/2015 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
At the tender age of 70 (just heard the new old is now 75, go for it) I am a firm believer that natural is the only way to lick these " issues" (so over that word). My gp pushed Nexium on me ystrday after hearing my symptoms. Had told him that I had come off 2+ weeks Zegerid & my reward for it is now elevated blood pressure. He said perhaps we should consider meds for that! When I was still walking every day last yr, (till oct) up until a balance, fall, double vision problem came up, my BP stayed around the 120's/60-65's, yes, I'm a little annoyed. Back to natural. I found, THANKS TO THIS SITE AND THESE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, that ACV might help. MIGHT HELP???? It was close to instant relief. Everytime I feel the pit of my stomach somewhat uncomfortable, I ACV TBLS in 8 oz water.....pain gone. I'm sure my symptoms are probably not as progressed as some of yours but for those that are new to this, don't let it go. I did for at least, maybe 10 or more yrs. After reading some of these notes, I consider myself blessed. Waiting to have endoscope. Have been on several meds over my lifetime that could have have killed me but for the GRACE OF GOD. Even was fortunate enough to escape a quack doc @ one time. On the other hand, have been blessed with doctors whom have literally saved my life. One pulled me from the depths of bipolar/lifelong clinical depression, neurosurgeon that put my spine back together, & my beloved rheumatologist. But when it comes to this GERD thing, a lot of investigation & this site & ACV, Ginger, & whatever else you contribute will be considered. Thank you, my GERD friends. We'll get this figured out & BEAT IT or @ least learn to live comfortably with it. I'I'll be back. Suzy also, ACV helps w/chronic pain /fibro/energy/well being & on & on. I also add b6 & 12 in spite of the fact that ACV has or is b6. Don't hold me to that, I think I read that long ago. On the above mentioned "afflictions" (lol) I speak from experience, but fall off the ACV wagon & end up in the fetal position crying for "BOB" my pain mgnt guru. Love that old guy! When he retires, so do I!!!
Posted 4/25/2015 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, yes, for the cramps, magnesium & calcium every night before I go to bed. I hear about some controversy concerning too much calcium & heart problems. But then again, it's always something, on again, off again. What & to whom do we listen, hmmmm??? We continue digging & ask for divine wisdom! I hope you're all feeling well this weekend & into next week & on. I'm praying for you all. Keep smiling.
Posted 4/25/2015 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
I had terrible problems with PPI's - they gave me cramps, loss of taste and I was exhausted all the time. It may have been a lack of magnesium in my case, and you can try supplements, only problem with that is you can't absorb the magnesium properly with the lack of acid in your stomach. I was switched to high dose ranitidine instead, wasn't ideal, but it stopped the cramps and worked enough for me to function. I had decided to try the surgery route, as the meds were not doing a great deal, I'm 46 and didn't want to take meds for long long term, had the tests needed and I had a toupet fundoplication 6 weeks ago, have been med free ever since.
Posted 4/25/2015 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful! Haven't taken my 2nd Nexium today. Leary of side effects. I'm rife with enough problems already, don't need to add high BP. and whatever else it offers. I think I'll continue with ACV for now until I have the endoscope. Very happy for you that you're getting relief. These extreme symptoms are fairly new to me so as far as I know I'm not as far down the road as others. Like I said, "as far as I know"! Happy feeling better!
Posted 4/25/2015 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Suzy,
At least you will get some answers with an endoscopy. It shows if you have any damage and also if you have other issues - mine showed a hiatal hernia - which was a big factor in my acid reflux issues. I don't think people who don't have these issues understand how it impacts on your life. I hope you get answers and relief soon.
Posted 4/25/2015 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much. I had no idea there was a link between coughing, plephm, & I assume now diminished sense of smell & even an odd to unpleasant odor & gerd/reflux or hiatal (sp?) hernia. I'm not @ the point of choking up my food as soon as I eat....yet. But, several different foods trigger immediate sneezing, coughing, running nose, & and as you would guess, always in a nice restaurant with my husband! I'm getting an instant quality education with this site. Too bad I didn't find it years ago! I used to be terrible @ taking pills on the run without water, just because I could. If water was available fine, if not, no problem. Can you imagine what damage that has done. Don't think I'll be sharing that little tidbit with doc. ;-) are you more or less on board with going natural trying to heal? Of course you're younger than I, & I'm sure you didn't abuse your body as did I. I've gone through several major spinal surgeries along with fibro, chronic pain, ankylitis spondilosis ( sp???) AS simply put, narrowing of the spinal cord, I believe, and too many more to mention. The "jist of the story" is at least 55+ yrs chronic pain = lots of experimentation with different meds, bad side effects (most) ending up with pain meds & pain shots @ pain mgmt doc, which is all I can tolerate in the way of staying away from wicked side effects. So, long story longer, tramadol, & hydrocodone taken on empty stomach over several years can get a little irritating to one's esophagus, therefore, REFLUX/GERD!!!!! THE VERY BEST TO YOU & ALL & YES, ME TOO!
Posted 4/25/2015 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have come to realize, finally, that ACV is good for very many things. Please don't take my word as gospel. Google & investigate. I came to this conclusion on my own for myself after years of experience. Another to Google is peroxide. Surprising. Feel better, everyone. I'm praying for you
Posted 4/25/2015 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sweetie UK, if others do not or never have experienced what we go through, they simply have no clue. And unless they are blessed to be very empathetic, can be quite rude, cruel, cool towards us, & downright offputting! We have no business being around people like that. We feel badly enough without that nonsense. I'm not saying we're looking for sympathy, at all. That's the last thing I mean. There are a lot of disabling problems that are unseen. We look fine. So how could anything possibly be wrong. Fibro, chronic pain, joint pain, and the ever present BAD BACK! Who doesn't have that, however, to what degree. I have always had a very keen sense of humor & wit along with having a bit of healthy,witty sarcasm. But I had to laugh to keep from crying! I laughed my phony laugh all through my depression. Was determined not to be a Debbie Downer. My own family always considered illnesses & chronic conditions as weaknesses. So I show up with arthritis, a.d.d., bipolar symptoms, back problems, & who knows what. Going to the doc was a non issue so you learn to keep it to yourself. Thank GOD I was blessed with a truly loving understanding second husband & gifted doctors. I can live out the rest of my life without carrying the guilt of being "crazy or worse THE SICK ONE!" We all have medical conditions and are smart enough to look for answers so we can be comfortable, play, live our lives, work, do nothing if we choose, & most of all, share our clues and answers with others who are in need. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to do for others. I pray for your speedy, peaceful recovery. Now get up & kick up your heels ASAP! And enjoy doing it. :-D
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