Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Since my insurance, United Healthcare, aggressively advocates taking Prilosec OTC instead of prescription PPIs, and is now eliminating coverage of Nexium, I am curious - has Prilosec OTC worked for anyone reading this board who has chronic GERD or LPR (by chronic I mean bad symptoms every day without adequate treatment).
I'm interested in pure experience - please let us know if it worked or if it didn't work, how long you tried taking it, and what the dosage was.
My doctor was the one who informed me that Prilosec OTC isn't even manufactured by Astrazenca, the makers of prescription Prilosec. But before I go shooting off at the mouth again about my truly horrific experience with Prilosec OTC, I'd like to know if anyone had true, longterm success with this drug.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I have not had any true long term success with any PPI for LPR. I have used Prevacid (taken away by the ins. co), switched to Nexium with little to no results, and OTC Prilosec--again little to no success.
I was diagnosed with LPR about 2 years ago. My best success has been with a diet rich in healty stuff, veggies, fruits, whole grains and lots of fiber to keep digestion moving. I stopped Nexium over a year ago and my LPR has slowly diminished to where it hardly ever bothers me at all any more.
Good Luck to you. LPR is one of the most miserable things I have ever been diagnosed with, and the medical profession seems to be baffled with what to do about it!
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I have the exact comments almost as lisman, only that I'm still struggling with that infernal tickle and cough, which makes me crazy
it comes out of nowhere and my part time job dealing with the public makes it very annoying and embarrassing
But other than that I feel better this last month than for the last 10 months when I was trying different drugs and dosages.
it IS the worse affliction I think I've had to deal with and I have a few.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
My sister was switched from Nexium to Prilosec OTC 2years ago for GERD by her Doctor and is doing OK with Acid reflux --But, her biggest problem is --She has cancer -- non Hodgkins Lymphoma.
My wife has taken Prilosec OTC for nut cracker syndrome a swallowing problem that comes and goes -- took Prilosec for 6 years then Magnesium/calcium supplements for 2 years and is now back on Prilosec OTC-- most of the time. Nexium gives her diarrhea and nausea.
Prilosec (been on the market since 1990-- first PPI) and Nexium(been on the market since 2001) are both made by Astrazeneca a London based company and registered trademark of that Company. Prilosec OTC is made by Proctor and Gamble under an agreement with AstraZeneca.
As you may know the Prilosec OTC is a tablet and the presription is a capsule-- my wife says she gets the same results with both. But, I know others don't.
I think it's best to let your PCP decide what is best for you to take depending on your Problems -- we are all so different. in age, condition, health, and what we eat and drink--- do these make a difference? I think so.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Harry,
Yes I agree with you - it's best for your doctor to help you decide what to take - not the insurance company!
For those who already posted, please elaborate about the Prilosec OTC experience - for example, the sister who is taking it who is doing "OK" but who has cancer, is she only "OK" with the reflux, or is her reflux control great?
I'm basically trying to see if for those with chronic GERD/LPR, if Prilosec OTC is AS GOOD AS the other PPIs? I personally don't believe that, based on my experience with Nexium (Fabulous) and Prilosec OTC (Terrible), but I'm trying to get more answers from the community.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I've been taking Prilosec OTC because I don't have prescription coverage. Up until the past week it wasn't working too well. It took alot of the pain and symptoms away, but I still had alot. Last Monday I started taking the two pills together in the morning and it has made a big difference. It took a few days to start working, but I feel better...as long as I watch what I eat and drink. The lump in my throat feeling is gone. The pain in my back is gone. The major refluxing is gone. The only symptom I have right now is the feeling that something fuzzy is in my throat.
I can't compare it to other meds b/c I haven't tried any of them. It's still annoying, but I do feel soooo much better than I have for awhile.
Oh yeah, I still get the annoying tickle in my throat.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Prilosec OTC relieves my heartburn with one pill, but the side effects are awful: stomach pain, gas, nausea, bloating, diarrhea. I've had the same problem with: Prevacid and Aciphex. Pepcid AC was working OK for awhile, but today I wasn't able to get rid of the heartburn even after taking a total of 80 mg. of Pepcid.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
When my insurance stoppped paying for prescription GERD meds, I began taking Prilosec OTC and my GERD seemed o.k. (the heartburn part); now I have developed LPR (the coughing part), so I think being on Prilosec and not something stronger caused the GERD to change into LPR. Long story short:
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I have a friend that lived on Tums,Rolaids, Mylanta , etc...for bad heartburn - for 20 years or more. He started taking Prilocec OTC last year (1 pill a day) & it works great - He can eat anything now too.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I take 20 mg Aciphex a day, but still have fits of cough...and trust me I know what everyone means about the public..they think you have some horrible contagious disease..I work in the court system, and in court I started to cough, someone haned me a peppermint drop..I don't hink so, as that makes me choke and cough more, but how do youtell some one..will it ever stop, or do we live with it best we can..and again, I have said it many times, if this is all I have to live with, not cancer, not something terminal, then I can do it..BUT most people don't understand what we are feeling
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
KPK,
Several things come to mind -- you may lack magnesium in your diet that is causing spasms and cramping in the area where you get a hiatal hernia. And, trapped gas causing diaphagm pressure resulting in vagus nereve irritation??
You could try taking a magnesium supplement to increase your magnesium at the cellular level -- every cell in your body contains magnesium and it is suppose to be readily available in many foods. But, some experts think 80% of people are defiecient.
There is a Sticky Thread by bluepumkin "GERD Suffers - I Feel Good Let me Tell You Why"-- at the top of the Digestive Disorders board -- about How taking magnesium changed his life with a diagnosed GERD problem -- I suggest you read it.
There is an excellent homeopathic remedy for muscle spasms/cramps-- Magnesia Phos that you can buy at a health food store~~~ take it as needed-- it takes 20 minutes to work.
Also, alot of bloating is caused by intestinal friendly bacteria getting out of balance and needs to be re-balanced.
Friendly bacteria can get out of balance for many reasons -- too much salt, sugary, spicy foods, alcohol a round of antibiotics and many other reasons. Just 1 alcoholic drink increases the magnesium in your next urineation by 5 times -- interesting Factoid but true.
Since intestinal bacteria is normally present in the Gi tract, when it gets out of balance --Doctors don't have a test for it--- So, you need to try to get it re-balanced it on your own!!
You could try eating a good brand of yogurt several times daily. Kefir is loaded with friendly bacteria and taking a probiotic supplement several times daily on an empty stomach may help.
You could have a yeast/candida infection that can be treated with an anti-fungal drugs like Nystatin, Diflucan, Sporanox and there are some OTC remedies that are pretty good.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Sunshine -
The Protonix, from what I hear takes a while (2 months or so from others here) to fully start to work. I have had some success with this med, and am hoping it becomes greater success as time goes on.
I experienced no side effects, but I am sure there are some as there are with any med.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
I have been on every PPI known to man. A few years ago I had my first case of chronic reflux. I took 40 mg of Nexium for about 2 weeks and it completely cured me. Then like, an idiot, I started pounding the beers again. After about 3 months of resuming my old, bad habbits I developed chronic reflux again. That was two years ago, and I never fully recovered. I have now been alcohol free for over a month, but continue to have symptoms of LPR. All PPIs do for me now is make me bloated which makes the reflux worse. It seems that my reflux is at its worst when my stomach is bloated. I assume this pushes up gas/acid. I now take pepsid ac 2x/day. One in the morning, one before bed. I have also found out that dairy products make me bloat and amplify my reflux problems. Right now I suffer from bloating, shortness of breath, relentless sinus drainage, and a tight esophagous. It's a blast. Hopefully we will all feel normal again soon.
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Hello,
I have been on Prilosec OTC for around 2 months now, felt better overall and not sure how long I have to continue it. The pains in the chest area reduced and felt better overall with the gas and digestion as well..(Nexium was not allowed by my Insurance, it worked a lot better though...used Doc's samples)
I stopped Prilosec OTC 3 days back, after being on it for 2 months (one pill every morning around 6:00am with a full glass of water) and now I feel like there is a lot of gas and don't feel like eating much. Feel like bloating and stomach is full of gas and after I eat a little bit I feel like being full.
How long can we keep taking Prilosec OTC at a stretch? Any suggestions..Are there any adverse affects if continued talking it for a long time? Also, if the body system gets used to it..what happens if we stop it? Or is it safe to take it for an extended period of time (6 months+)
Re: Hmm, has Prilosec OTC worked for ANYBODY with Chronic LPR or GERD?
Prilosec has been on the market since 1991 I think -- now it is OTC since 2003 -- no long term side effects have been discovered and published that I am aware of??
