I take Protonix but find it has a number of nasty side effects, like admonimal cramps, stomach pain, diareah, etc. I asked the dr to switch me to something else, he refused. He said they were all the same, with very similar side effects. Is he right?

Well its kinda like deciding which side effects you are willing ot deal with. I am currently taking a GERD and Ulcer medicine that works well called Nizatidine that works well and no side effects that i have noticed. My mom likes Prevacid but the insurance won't cover it so she has to take Prilosec which makes her really drowsy so i dunno you shuld keep pressing your doctor, there is something for everyone and if you are unhappy with it i would try to get something else.

I have found Nexium to be most effective with no side effects. I had to stop Protonix because I was itching all over and it was not helping at all. I also take Maalox extra strength one hour after eating. I have Barrett's esophagus so really need to get this under control. It seems worse than ever since my Endoscopy. Didn't even know I had reflux till then now I know I have it cause it burns. My Dr. said it would take time. He and my regular Dr. said the meds are all the same. Not true. Differnt formulations an we are all different. So if they are same why won't he give you a prescription for one of the others to try?

My only thought is that Kaiser HMO only carries certain ones in there pharmacy. He said they dont carry Prilosec or Nexium. I guess If I insisted on a peescription and payed for it at another pharmacy myself they would do it. Maybe Ill try that.

Kaiser only prescribes Protonix now. All my friends that were on Prilosec were switched to Protonix. Nexium is very expensive as is Protonix and Prevacid.They all run about $3.00 a pill or more in the US. I got my Protonix from Canada and paid half what it would be here. Now I wish I had gotten Nexium as it was the same price and I can't use the Protonix without itching so am sort of alternating. Nothing much is helping anyway.

I live in the land of Kaiser(California) and here they are pretty good judging by the fact that all my friends are for the most part happy with them. I do not have them because I want more freedom with my problems. However, Kaiser switched all friends to Protonix about a year ago. It is very expensive as is Nexium. About $3.00 a pill. I got mine from Canada and it is about half price but still expensive. Wish I had gotten Nexium as it was same price and itch too much with Protonix. Prevacid is liked by some but it is more similar to Protonix. No, they may all do the same thingA(supposedly) but there are some difference is compound. Good luck.

I hate the restrictions Kaiser places on people and limitation of medications. My policy expires July 1, I will be switching carriers for sure. Before I go I plan to file several complaints against them. Kaiser has been totally incompentent in my opinion.

My experience with GERD has taught me that the choice of the best PPI is a completely personal one. I strongly disagree with your doctor as PPI's may all have the same objective, but not the same results from individual to individual. Achipex put me in the emerg. for 4 hours one night convinced I was having a gallbladder attack. It also made my hands and feet swell and tingle, along with dizzy spells. After being switched to nexium the problems disappeared along with the GERD. I have heard so many stories about a certain PPI's causing horrible side effects for one person but not another. My advice to you is to keep trying until you find the one that is best for you and if you have to switch doctors along the way, so be it! Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Cheers,
Dunk.

i've been on prilosec for about 8 years now. i don't think i'm having any side effects, except if i stop taking it, the reflux comes back. nexium and prilosec are basically identical and since prilosec is otc, go to sam's club or costco and get it at a discount rate. i can get it for about the same price as my hmo used to give it (my hmo won't pay for prilosec since it's otc).