What happens next if the meds aren't working? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

cl84 · 08-08-2007, 04:50 PM

I have been on treatment for LPR for a week and have not noticed any improvement ( I know I have to give it some time!). I have been reading that many here are not getting relief from meds. What happens next? My dr. mentioned that if the prescribed treatment doesn't work he may have to treat me another way. I didn't ask what that may be because I assumed the meds would work. I have to admit that it kind of freaks me out to read that sometimes it seems nothing works! I am afraid I'll have to get used to this!

Any thoughts?

Kellir · 08-09-2007, 02:30 AM

Well not every PPI works well for everyone. You have to try them all out. But you also have to change your lifestyle, eating habits etc.. Im really not sure because im trying to get through this too. You have to trust your doctor and follow his guidance. Good luck!

kimberlyrkb · 08-09-2007, 09:23 AM

I am at the same point, only I've been on Nexium for 6 weeks without any relieft for my LPR. From what I understand, it could take 6 months to work! I keep wondering how that can be. In the meantime, I think we could be undergoing some tests to CONFIRM LPR and see if there are any possible causes.

I just had an Uppere GI this morning but they found nothing.

BaileyJ.

Canyondweller · 08-09-2007, 11:07 PM

Have you changed your diet at all. The first thing I was told was to stay away from chocolate, alcohol and anything mint as these all make the LES valve floppy allowing the acid to back up. After that I stopped eating red meat, tomato sauce and citrus and all this has helped some. Some people will never be cured. Surgery is a last resort but not an option in my case due to other health problems and age. Try not only the PPI's, each one but also Tagamet and Pepcid. sometimes they just work better than the PPI's. I take a 2 Pepcid before bed and it helps.

yanksgirl · 08-10-2007, 07:20 AM

Hi,
I took Prevacid for 8 days, for what my doctor thought was 'gastritis'! I kept getting worse. My symptoms began with a full day of diarrhea, followed by acute upper/mid abdominal distress. I mean it hurt badly!! This went on for 3 to 4 weeks. Symptoms of gastritis from all I've read. I decided to go off the medication and go back on what I'd taken years ago for similar discomfort---Zantac and Mylanta. Well, I didn't get better quickly, but after about 2 weeks now, I'm so much better. I watched what I ate--not hardly any fat, no fried foods, etc. Now I'm introducing more and more to my diet again. I had an abdominal CT scan, and blood work to check out my pancreas--all normal. This week I had an endoscopy, and there was no sign of reflux problems, gastritis or inflammation of any kind! I think I had a bad 'bug' back 5 weeks ago and took meds that I didn't need (not the doctor's fault--as he was going on my symptoms), and I got worse. If this pain comes back, I'll have to have more tests but not sure where they'd go. Does anyone have a clue? I had my GB out 7 years ago. I know you can have problems even afterward but this has been 7 years! I do hope I'm 'home free'. We'll see. yanksgirl