I have never posted here before but I have some questions that I am hoping you guys can answer. I have a 9 month old baby and during my pregnancy was the first time in my life I have dealt with heartburn. After I had the baby I didn't have any problems until about a month ago I started feeling a lump in my throat. It is there constantly. When I wake up, go to bed, and no matter what I eat. To make a long story short... I went to several doctors and finally was diagnosed with acid reflux by my ENT. I am still Breast-feeding so there aren't a lot of meds I can take so he prescribed Prilosec. i have been taking it now for a couple weeks and nothing has changed. I was taking it once a day now he wants me to up it to 2x a day. The thing is I don't understand how I could never have any problems and then all of a sudden I have them everyday. I am really worried. I have to go back to the ENT in a couple weeks and then possible get a scope. My brother has Barrett's so I am wondering if I have it. What could be wrong? Is there anything I can do to get relief? Also, I think the Prilosec is giving me headaches and cramping. When should I be taking this? Before eating or after? Thanks for the help!!

The lump is a major symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), where the the upper esophageal spinchter is weak and the acid leaves the esophagous and goes into the throat. LPR usually must be treated with 2 PPIs per day.

Prilosec is the oldest PPI on the market. All the other PPIs are by prescription only. You need to try each PPI until you find the one that works for you best. There is no general concensus on this board for the best PPI - as everyone seems to respond uniquely. Nexium is probably the most different of the PPIs, and is also the latest to market. There is some thought that it may be better for LPR patients, but everyone is different.

The prescription PPIs that are available are Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex and Protonix.

Motherisk, a Canadian organization in Toronto, has done studies on PPI use in pregnant and lactating females, and has found zero correlation between PPI use and increased defects in infants. There are no US-based studies that I am aware of.

I personally have used Nexium 2x a day for 3 years to control LPR and I am doing very well.

You need to be taking the Prilosec 30-60 minutes before you eat.

i was the same way as you healthy one day and sick as a dog the next and it has not stoped for me i was on 4 40mg protonix a day and still had heartburn this has been 5 years now for me i had the nissan fundo done which only made me worse i suffer from bad complications from it but to make this shorter you need to keep going back to the doctor until you get something that works for you and headaches and stomache pains are a side affect of most of the ppi protonix is the only one that didn't give me a blairing migraine

I agree, all this can start out of the clear blue-it happened for me that way as well. Talk to your OB-GYN about which other PPIs are suitable for nursing mothers. I know Zantac is also an option-could you supplement the Prilosec with something? Keep asking your docs and don't give up, you will find something that works. Also, did you know that stress is a major culprit in acid reflux? Also certain foods can worsen symptoms, so read up on "triggers" and try some of those things. Good luck, Skylar

pregnancy itself is a common trigger of acid reflux. The pressure the baby puts on your stomach and such causes it. It's possible it may still heal over time. For now I would try taking the meds and also sleeping slightly elevated at night. Many people get their worst reflux at night without even knowing it. You can get a wedge pillow or sleep with several pillows.