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How many people hyere have a ppi quit working?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/29/2006 7:36 AM (GMT 0)
Over 4 years ago I had Gerd I took protonix nothing,than aciphex was a miracle drug I could live normal.anyways to make a long story short it quit working.I switched around to ppi's,and now take zegerid 40 mg..Which I hear is the strongest ppi out there?Anyone else have any ppi quit working like that?It sucks I was scoped a year and half ago it came back ok,im going to have the 24hr test next..just wondering anyone else have em just quit??

Outlaw

Posted 4/29/2006 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
There is no guaranteed cure for reflux disorder except surgery. Proton Inhibitors are designed for short-term use normally to allow the esophogeal passage to heal from all the errosion it has been put through. Sometimes it can be done long-term to keep the symptoms from happening however I'm not aware of anyone who has ever been on a PPI let alone protonix for more than a year. As far as a PPI not working, sometimes PPI's are doubled up, I myself take two Nexium every twelve hours and it works well for me - you may want to discuss doubling up your prescription with your physician.
Posted 4/29/2006 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
When my cardiologist put me on protonix about 2 years ago, he said it would be for life. After 8months, I was having really smelling bowel movements and breaking wind alot uncontrollably. I was passing undigested food in my bowels and was waking up in the middle of the night with burning pain in my abdomin that caused me to double over. When I spoke with my doctor about this, I was told it could not be the protonix. I was also burping ALOT even when I sat up in bed in the mornings. I was told to double up on the protonix. I quit and within 3 days all my symptoms were gone! Now 2 years later, the cardiologist decides I need to be seen by the GI. She does an endoscopy, finds minor issues and I'm back on protonix with nausea, pain and bowel problems AGAIN! I was in the ER just a couple of week ago for x-rays because the GI thought she had torn my esophogus during the endoscopy. No she had not and the ER doctor said he THOUGHT it was GERDS related and told me to be sure I took my medicine because I would need to be on it for the rest of my life.

P.S. I am off Protonix again at least temporarily while I try to sort out all these issues. I'm seeing my doctor on Monday to try to figure out what to do from here. I may need to go back on the PPI but it may have to be a different one.  However 2 days off the Protonix which is a PPI and my nausea and lower chest/upper abdominal pain is gone and bowel movements are back to normal! ???

Post Edited (Hopes) : 4/29/2006 6:48:40 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/30/2006 5:58 AM (GMT 0)
The symptoms you describe are very common with protonix which is why when people tell me they are taking it, I advise them to ask their doctor about how long they'll be taking it. My internist is luckily a family friend so I get to see him more often than most people should. However, he's told me repeatedly that protonix should NOT be used in anyone for more than a month at most because symptoms like that either develop or come out after a month. I myself had horrendous abdominal pain and gas with protonix and would NOT ask my worst enemy to take it.
Posted 5/10/2006 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
What about other ppis?  Is it only protonix that should not be taken for more than a month?  My doctor acted like it was ok to take Nexium for life.  But all the ads and literature talk about it being for short  term use and talk about 4-8 weeks.  Who are we supposed to believe?

Posted 5/11/2006 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Nexium 40 mg per day for 3 and 1/2 months. It took awhile for it to start working, then it worked great for a while.  Now it seems to be reversing. My chest hurts and my throat burns most of the time. It's making me crazy.  All I do is worry, which I'm sure makes it worse.

My GI said I could take antacids also.  I'm scheduled to have a scope soon.

I know my GERD is caused by my medicine for high blood pressure.  I don't know what to do anymore. I'm tired of feeling sick and scared.

Posted 5/11/2006 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
I think most GERD is a side effect of other meds. A side effect that lingers LONG after you have quit the other meds. Gotta be an answer out there!!
Posted 5/11/2006 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Anyones elses ppi's quit working just wondering??
Posted 5/12/2006 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
yep mine did too..was on prilosec otc and it stopped after a year, was then perscribed prevacid and it stopped, was switched to nexium and after 6 months it stopped..now I am taking it minimally and altered my diet seriously..started on probiotics and gut healing herbs, aloe, dgl licorice root, chamomile tea, ginger, magnesium supplements and meditation. all of this has helped alot. I'm hoping through lifestyle change I wont need to take ppis anymore. this week has been great but a few flare ups at night, like right now im have moderate acid reflux but I will go drink some ginger tea and magnesium before bed.
Posted 5/14/2006 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was taking nexium 2xs a day and it seemed to be controlled. Then they switched me to one pill a day and everything ws still ok. But then I started to get a chemical taste in my mouth and saw the gastro doc. He gave me an endoscope without a sedative. I live alone and did not have anybody to drive me home. They gave me alot of squirts of stuff in my throat to try to help me but I felt like they tore up my throat and could not sleep. Had to take pain pills and feel wackey. I am so scared and disguested with all my medical stuff. I am overweight and drink coffee but those are my only GERD sins. I have asthma, depression, ibs, arthritis, high blood pressure, and foot problems. I have difficulty walking and a lot of standing on my feet becomes very painful for me. The doc said I am very inflamed. He wants me to call tomorrow morning. Usually the medical offices are super busy and it is really hard to get through to anybody. I am worried about letting this go but also worried about treatment. I am allergic to drugs and can't just "try" stuff. Thank you for your patience in reading my lament!

Post Edited (Joan Mack) : 5/14/2006 2:11:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2006 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take both Prilosec OTC and Protonix. They effectively took away the heartburn, but gave me other problems (diarrhea, stomach pain), so I'm not sure if that qualifies as quit working.
Posted 5/16/2006 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, this is my 1st time on the chat room. Yes, my PPI stopped working a few months ago; I had been eating a lot of chocolate around Valentine's Day(that's the only thing I can remember I ate differently) I was diagnosed w/ GERD/Hiatal hernia 3 years ago. I had no problems with meds up till this point. Now I am doubled up on meds but still it's not working. I had another scope and the Dr said the opening had gotten larger and I need Nissen (laparoscopic). I am not too worried about the surgery itself, but after reading this I am scared to death to have the PH & especially the Manometry test this Thursday(my surgery is June 2nd).  I don't want a bloody nose or to gag. Don't they numb your throat and nose? Or wouldn't you be able to help swallow then? And I was told I wouldn't be able to burp or vomit ever after surgery. What happens then? You just feel nauseas and have a lot of gas until the feeling passes for the rest of your life? I would just pass on the surgery if I wasn't worried about Barrett's. Although I can't sleep well and therefore haven't much energy for anything and Chris-your surgery sounds like a success so I guess it's worth it.

I'm grateful to have found this chat room and hear what it is really like to go through everything. My last surgery(sinus) I wasn't told much at all and it took 3 months to recover. The nurse told me when I complained about it that if they told people in advance how bad it was, no one would ever have the surgery that really needed it. So it is good to be informed about what to realistically expect. I also had foot surgery in Oct and it still isn't healed right so I am scared about another surgery(this will be my 3rd in 1 1/2 years) with a long recovery.

Posted 5/17/2006 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lauper...sounds like you have been through the mill. I feel the same way...very scared. If it is an ulcer leaking into my esaphagus (spelling) then I have the problem of being allergic to anti-biotic drugs. If he wants me to stay this way...it is very hard. If he wants to go in for an operation, I'm very afraid.
I had cysts removed from my throat and deviated septum (nose) fixed. I have been a "known asthmatic" since 84 and I guess all those bronchodillators did me in. They dillate everything, it would seem.
Take care and I'm rooting for you.
Posted 5/17/2006 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I feel like I've been throught the mill, but I can see here that a lot of other people including you have too. Thank you for your reply and I hope you get some relief soon.

Cindy(lauper)

Posted 5/24/2006 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have noticed that the PPI I'm currently taking seems to be losing its effectiveness too.  I have been taking aciphex for 3.5 years.  I started off with just 20 mg/day, but last year had it upped to 40 mg/day and I now supplement with 300 mg of zantac every night.  I was told I would be on PPIs for life.  Everytime I try to back off of them, the symptoms return 100 fold.  I have never heard of PPIs only being temporary drugs.  The Nissan Fudoplication surgery is also an option for severe GERD.  However, I have read that the operation is only minimally successful for some, and then it's only a temporary effect.  The surgery is not something I would seriously consider. 

Posted 5/24/2006 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
My meds stopped working because my hiatal hernia became so enlarged. I was told by my surgeon that Nissen is now 90-95 % effective and that his personal rate is 100%(he's done alot of them) and that it lasts for 20 years. I am scheduled next Friday for the surgery so wish me good luck! My main worry is that I won't be able to burp or vomit again. I hope you get your symptoms under control and feel better soon-check into the Nissen on the internet-lots of free info. and ask your Dr about it.
Cindy
Posted 5/24/2006 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
My Dr said that he didn't want me to stay doubled up on PPI's for more than a couple months because then we'd be getting into unchartered waters. That there are no long term studies to show what the effects are of doubling up on meds. Anyone hear anything differently?

Cindy 

Posted 5/24/2006 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Lots of people take PPIS 2 times a day with a otc mainlyy for LPR,or to reduce flareups pretty common.Than again thats just from what ive read,and heard so take for what is.Anyways its ok to take it 2 times some ive heard of 3-4 a day.You gotta do what you have to do,to get rid of the acid so you dont get damage.That being said,im still gettin symptoms on doubling up sometimes they just quit working,thats been my cae in the past,and now. 
Posted 5/25/2006 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
GOOD LUCK LAUPER ON YOUR SURGERY....my big excitement is that I have just found out that ppi's have a 24 hour suspension life. That means you can take it before bedtime. My problem is that I sometimes forget to take it before eating. Then now I have a bleeding ulcer and have to take a med called carefate which is a sugar-based med to line the stomach before eating and that interacts with ppi. I have a little hope now to at least follow my new regime. BTW, a female pharmacist helped me with this not the doc or my usual male pharmie...not that I want to start a battle of the sexes.
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