GERD & Omeprazole + less common side effects? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Mudiefeets · 08-06-2006, 01:35 PM

I am on omeprazole (generic for aciphex) once a day, 20 mg. for over a month now. I am still experiencing the common, normal side effects of GERD. (a feeling of lump in my throat, gnawing pain in stomach, burping, bitter taste in mouth, etc) Have most of you found on meds that the symptoms are just relieved or should i talk to my doc about possibly going to 2x a day because they are not completely gone? I am not sure really what to expect from this medication as I was just recently diagnosed and don't have much "experience" in the treatment area.

Also, I have looked around at the threads and havent really seen anyone mention these two symptoms as common with GERD but I am wondering if anyone has experienced this themselves? : I have a pain along the last 2 bones of my ribcage on the right side that almost feels like bruised bones or something (but have not bumped or bruised that area in any way)... it sometimes radiates closer to my sternum, sometimes closer to my side. I also sometimes feel the same sort of pain in my back on the right side. There is also a feeling on the further outside right side that I get on a regular basis that can only be compared to the feeling of a side-stitch you would get from running. Does this sound like something else that I should just chaulk up to GERD symptoms?
Also, what about a feeling of tight chest, like I am breathing too shallow or I need to get a deep breath but really can't?

Any help or opinions would be much appreciated!

Outlaw1979 · 08-06-2006, 03:09 PM

You may need another PPI,maybe aciphex isnt the one for you.For me it was but quit working after 18 months.Now ive been switching meds trying to find which PPI works the best for you,we are all diffrent.There is a bunch of them out there you have options.
The last 3 years I haven't found much that has worked..

About the pain yeah I get it eithier for me gerd,or anxiety related goes into the back.It could be esphoagus is just sore its going to ache.I still get symptoms everyday sometimes worse at night,or worse during the day depends.Diet is so key raising your bed,the little things..
Anymore help we are here..
Outlaw

Harry · 08-06-2006, 11:22 PM

Omerprazole is Prilosec--- Aciphex is rabeprazole.
I found Prilosec better than Aciphex.
And, for acid reflux --20mg daily is just as good as 40mg daily according to the manufacturer's literature -- there is very little benefit by increasing the dose.

According to their double blind study that I read.

The rib type of pain is usually caused my muscle spasms in the back-- taking a magnesium supplement may help.

Every cell in your body contains magnesium -- lacking it in your diet can result in muscle spasms anywhere in your body. I think it is causing a pinched nerve in your back that is radiated around the rib cage to your sternum!!

Mudiefeets · 08-07-2006, 10:48 AM

Oh you're right... I meant to say Prilosec, not Aciphex!

Ugh... Im just so tired of the tense throat/ lump in my throat feeling the most. I do notice that one in particular seems to be most connected to feeling stressed

tm3912 · 08-07-2006, 06:38 PM

Mudi

I also get the pains in the ribs and sternum and radiates to the back. Everything that you have described. I also suffer from anxiety somewhat and I think that causes some of the pain also.

Let me ask you does the pain go away if you take a NSAID or pain killer. If it does you might have intercostachondritis (sp) It's a pulled muscles that are inbetween the ribs.

I almost hate to say this but when I was having most of the pains you described, I did a lot of research on anxiety and to make a long story short I refused to acknowledge the pain that I was having all the time, or in other words when I had the pain I tried like crazy to get busy and ignore it. Well i'll be darn if after a week of doing that the pains lessened a great deal. I still have them but not near as bad. So all I'm saying is that for me I would dwell on every pain that I had and by dwelling on it I made myself nervous and tense and the pain got worse...etc.

Good luck.