One doctor told me I had acid reflux (only based on a dry cough and chest pressure and shortness of breath) without ever checking me. He prescribed Aciphex....which I noted on this forum no one has ever mentioned. He prescribed 30 pills with one refill. How long does one have to stay on this program? Do these PPI's correct the problem permanently after so long, or does one have to stay on them forever. I am going to see a new doctor about this problem and will probably ask him the same question, but it would be interesting to see what the forum has on this matter. Thanks.

Alex24--I was also put on aciphex when I first started for 30 days and had to call for next refill. I changed doctors and went on Nexium. The second doc did an x-ray type test that saw how bad your reflux is and how fast your stomach would empty and a H-Pylori blood test. They said mine was mild, I can't believe that. The doctor said to try Nexium every other day and I said no way because I would be burnt up everyother day. So I have now been on Nexium for 7 years 40mgs once a day. Sometimes I will still have break through events.

They told me that I would have to stay on this program for the rest of my life because GERD is a disease and it only progresses. It never gets better even if you fell better. You must have a *Lifestyle* change. PPI's don't really fix anything. They even cause problems i.e., malabsorption do to low acid production. This can cause anemia and B-12 deficiency along with other vitamins. My absorption is fine after 7 yrs.

I have also read that you need to be scoped after 5 years of problems. I told them before that I wasn't ready for this procedure. This past June I finally had a Colonoscopy and a Endoscopy to make sure there was no internal bleeding due to my anemia. All was clear. Don't be afraid to be scoped it's very easy and only takes 10 minutes. Then they give you pictures of your insides and you know if there is any damage. They found that I have a hiatal hernia. This may very well be my problem. Do see a GI doc not just a PCP. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Flflowergirl....thanks for the come back. You info was great. I have an appointment with a pulmonologist on friday. The other p...doctor was the one that said I have acid reflux and prescribed Aciphex. I guess I can follow up with this new p..doctor. Or should I go see a gastro...type of guy. I have been to so many different types of doctors lately, I am really getting quite tired of it. Anyway...thanks again.

Alex--See what the pulmonologist doc says first then you will know where to go next. Good to rule out these things and it takes alot of money, time and worry. Sounds like you are on the right track. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

I would have to disagree with the statement that GERD only progresses. I had it 15 years ago and it went away for 14 years. I have a friend that had it for 6 months and now it's been completely gone for 4 months. My GERD is also way better then it was when it originally started so don't believe this is something you have to live with, it is not true.

Hello Neddyflanders--I hope you are right. That is just my experience, what I was told by a doctor. I didn't know that it could actually go away. Are you sure? Maybe you just don't get symptoms, I know that can happen??? I'm just asking, I don't know other than what I've have been told. That is why we are here to get informed and get ALL opinions. Thanks! FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Neddyflanders....exactly what did you do therapy wize that fixed your GERD. That information would be great. Did your GERD ever give you shortness of breath?

Hello.......Spider here..............I have had acid reflux for 15 years and have been on prilosec, protonix and now nexium. My Gerd has only gotten worse over the years. I beleive the PPI's only aleviate the problem , NOT cure it. I have now experienced problems from the malabsorption. I am having to give myself B-12 injections from low levels. My tongue started tuning white and started burning. I do have more energy and my tongue is slowly returning to normal. I have resigned to the fact that I will have this for the rest of my life. Bummer.................

My doc told me forever. PPI'S only help neutralize the acid I had but did nothing for the reflux. It actually made it worse. That is why I'm off PPI'S .

My doc told me forever. PPI'S only help neutralize the acid I had but did nothing for the reflux. It actually made it worse. That is why I'm off PPI'S .

At least you have an honest doc. I don't think you have any chance to overcome GERDS using the methods of conventional medicine. I'm not 100% convinced everyone can beat it with diet or by naturopathic means but a number of people have had success with these methods.

Dont see how anyone can beat it,because gerd is caused by a malfunction of a muscle that opens and shuts a flap between the esophagus and the stomach.Its called Les sphincter muscle i believe.Short of surgery it cant be corrected But there are things that some people can do to help with the symptoms.I have seen a few posts where people on here have claimed that there gerd has been cured ,but i dont see how that is possible.Unless they know somekind of way to repair a muscle in your body that you cant get too short of surgery.As for gerd there are many different kinds of symptoms.Also something called silent gerd,where you can have it but show none of the classic symptoms.Im really wary of anyone who says there cured of it,just because your not showing the classic symptoms doesnt mean it still isnt doing damage.There are people on this board who have some symptoms that you might not associate with gerd.Ive had gerd for 31 yrs of my life been on many meds,till i finally found one that worked for me..I now live a fairly nomal life,rarely experience reflux.The moment that i miss a pill for a day,its back full force.So if anyone on this forum has cured their gerd id like to know howww.Because i dont want to stay on ppi's till i die.Please dont tell me about diet cause i been down that road,and it didnt work.Please Take Care:(

I have had Acid reflux for 4 years now. I have once stop taking meds for it and it hurt like crazy; I guess I forgot how painful it was. 4 years ago I was having pain in my chest like something heavy was on it and sometimes I felt like I was having a hard time breathing, well one day it got really bad I also started getting pain in my left shoulder and arm, so I went to the emergence room and the doc said I had acid reflux, (they did do a few test to rule out heart attract and stuff like that). I couldn’t believe it was acid reflux, I was even a little made and embarrassed, but I took the meds and 2 to 3 days later I was better, I was very surprised. Well unfortunately I am going though a lot more stomach problems, but that is another story on its own. So I would gather I would have to live with it for the rest of my life, but I am just glad that they have meds that do help sometimes unlike what they did many years ago. I was on Aciphex, but the base stop carrying it, so they switched me to Nexium, which is doing great for it too. Have you tried to see if it works? It took 2 to 3 days to work for me.

My doc told me forever. PPI'S only help neutralize the acid I had but did nothing for the reflux. It actually made it worse. That is why I'm off PPI'S .

Yes forever....I have been on some sort of medicine for 12 years now.....Zegerid works pretty well for me.....it came out in 2006...

shan06--I've been on Nexium for the last 7 years and sometimes I get terrible burning in my esophagus from reflux. My question to you is does the newer medicine like Zegerid also heal the esophagus like nexium claims? My husband was recently put on a 30 script of this same medicine because he was having trouble swallowing sometimes but says he doesn't have reflux. The doc said if this doesn't fix it then he gets scoped. My mom also has Barretts and I don't want to get to that point. She didn't even know that she had it until a routine scope exam for gastritis. Now that's scary. I cringe when I hurt thinking of the fact that we really can't tell how much damage is being done. I was thinking about asking the doctor to change my meds, he made a comment to my husband stating that he was not a big believer in nexium, that made me stop and think. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

I have been off and on Nexium for the last 4 years, I try to stop and then get a bad throat , so I start again. There was one year that I was fine....now I'm back on the Nexium.
I don't know the answer------wish someone did.

shan06--I've been on Nexium for the last 7 years and sometimes I get terrible burning in my esophagus from reflux. My question to you is does the newer medicine like Zegerid also heal the esophagus like nexium claims? My husband was recently put on a 30 script of this same medicine because he was having trouble swallowing sometimes but says he doesn't have reflux. The doc said if this doesn't fix it then he gets scoped. My mom also has Barretts and I don't want to get to that point. She didn't even know that she had it until a routine scope exam for gastritis. Now that's scary. I cringe when I hurt thinking of the fact that we really can't tell how much damage is being done. I was thinking about asking the doctor to change my meds, he made a comment to my husband stating that he was not a big believer in nexium, that made me stop and think. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

it does heal erosive esophagus too, its great because it is a rapid release drug and it also has sodium bicarbonate that netrualizes stomach acid in addition to the omperazole and it lasts 24 hours just like the other meds

Hi Guys, I am new to this board and have a question...FLFLOWERGIRL...Your situation sounds very similar to mine. I too have been taking PPIs for 7 years. Nexium 40mg/day for at least five of them. I have a question for you...Recently ...about the last year or so, I have been having a lot of other awful GI symptoms. Stomach pains that just recently came with anything and everything I eat, horrible bloating, or if not bloating than the opposite...you get my drift. Anyhow, do you ever experience any of these symptoms bc I think they are from taking PPIs for years. I stopped my nexium this past weekend and my life has been ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE. There is severe burning pain in my throat 95% of my waking time. However...I have not experienced one stomach pain, bloating, gas etc. So it's a lose lose situation :( Take the drugs have pain. Not take the drugs have pain :( I am miserable. If anyone on here has successfully gotten off these drugs after a long period of time or knows of one that has minimal side affects but actually works, PLEASE post a reply. Oh and side note...I have tried everything...herbs, acupuncture, digestive enzymes, dgl, applce cider vinegar(worst PAIN EVER), zantac, tums. I'm starting to lose it. Please help.

I'm wondering how often one can get endoscopies. Can't you get scopes every few years if you feel you are 'at risk' for Barretts? My endoscopy was a piece of cake. If heart patients can get stress tests yearly why can't one get more frequent scopes? What about the fundoplication? Wouldn't the benefits outweigh the side effects? Aren't you a candidate for that procedure? I've only been on NEXIUM about 4 months but I'm not considering stopping it now. My GI says to try to wean off it a bit but whenever I stop it a day, I get anxious and my symptoms get more intense.

Presently I'm looking into ways to keep my body from losing bone and looking to get a bone scan to establish a 'base' to see if Nexium has unusual prolong effects on Calcium absorption. My doctor, who is practicing for 30 years, 'has no idea' so that wasn't too encouraging. I'm trying to focus on weight lifting to keep my bones healthy. At this point I'm still a 'toddler' with this LPR/GERD, but I'm also thinking its NOT a disease but a defect in the sphincter so I don't expect I'll ever be totally symptom free without eventual surgery.

Thanks for the response. I have not met one doctor willing to even talk about the surgery with me bc they say if the meds work...take them. Unfortunately also, I am definitely not in a point in my life where I can have major surgery. I have endoscopies every 3-4 years. Im not really worried about barretts or cancer or anything. I guess I am just looking...searching...for someone or anyone who has taken these meds as long as I have and gotten off them daily just having to take them on occasion. That is my goal. I guess cold turkey is not the best way to do things. I knew that. Thing is last endo - everything was great. Hiatal hernia - GONE - it was small but what was the suspected cause of my gerd in the first place. I guess I just feel like I should be ok but the first day off these meds is a nightmare. I hate my doctors for letting me take this for so long. Just looking for some hope...and if not hope to get off the drugs then at least some support. Thanks :)

I've only been taking Protonix for a year and a half but started getting off of this slowly. At first I wasn't sure if my stomach problem or the medication was causing me problems. I had to do this really slowly but it seems to have worked. So far my stomach is giving me problems and I don't have the nightmares that the Protonix gave me. I am staying on a bland diet though. I hope you can get off the nexium slowly without having stomach pains.

Jade,

I saw a doctor today and complained about my symptoms. I told him (again) that the Nexium was not helping. He said (again):"Do you want to stop taking it? Fine! You'll get worse."
He knows very well I can't afford any more trouble than I already have. I work and deal with people all day long. I cannot imagine this getting worse. I guess it can. Another thing I was told was that I should not be so anxious because it's only making things worse and that my problems could be a result of anxiety. Hmmmm...yeah, blame it on anxiety. I had a choking attack at my friends' house while having coffee with her not a half hour later. I was NOT anxious. I think it's getting into my lungs sometimes. My girlfriend is a health care worker and said I looked and sounded as a person in respiratory distress during my attack. I never feel anxious when it happens at work or at home.
Jade, I am sorry you are having such a tough time. I had a bad night a couple of nights ago when I got no sleep. I was nauseous and awake all night. I get the pain sometimes. Sometimes just heaviness like there's a ton of bricks in my gut, dragging it down. While pretty uncomfortable, it does not hurt. Every night right after I lie down, I get the runny eye episode with a lot of swallowing. Last night I also felt it (whatever it was - tears or liquid) in my nose. I don't know what compells me to swallow repeatedly as if my life depended on it after I lie down in bed. Except for the teary liquid, I don't feel anything else or any other liquid.
Please hang in there, you are not alone with your problems. There are many of us dealing (or trying to) with the same miserable thing.

flowergirl

Flowergirl, thanks for the response. The nexium works for me pretty well. I mean sometimes if I drink too much coffee or too much alcohol I get breakthrough but it is rare. I guess Im just wondering if my recent stomach pains are from the meds or the Gerd. I am so young...I really dont want to deal with this the rest of my life. And, what happens when I decide I want to have children? Not to get all dramatic, but can you take these meds while preganant? Doubt it! Oh well...I will hang in there. How much of the nexium are you taking? If it is not helping then maybe...just maybe...you have another gi problem that is not gerd but has similar symptoms. I think the nexium should work. Anyhow...your doctor sounds super annoying. Gross.

Taape, you said you weaned off protonix slowly...how slowly? And how exactly did you get the lower doses? My next script for nexium is 20 mg. She wants me to take it for a while before cutting down more or switching to zantac. Oh well...I am hopeful that one day I will only be taking nexium if I have a bad hangover. haha Thanks for the support.

Hi Jade,

An excellent point. These drugs seem to work for some people and not for others. Time will tell. I am on 40mg Nexium daily. I think the doc is annoyed because this GERD/hernia thing is just another condition/symptom I didn't have in the past that has to be dealt with. I have several not serious but annoying issues on top of my serious ones than should not be ignored. He told me he hopes these things will just go away. Well, so do I!!! :D

Good luck with your treatment!

I was placed on Prevacid today because my Dr. felt that the Prilosec OTC was not doing the job. Was having breathing problems at night that he thought were being brought on by acid? Does that sound right to you guys???

My big concern is that BEFORE taking Prilosec OTC I had 'some' symptoms of GERD but it was liveable - since being placed on it for about 20 days and then trying to go off of it for 5 dyas - the symptoms are HORRIBLE and all the time???? How is that possible???

Severe chest tightness, feeling bloated, feeling my stomach push up as soon as I eat - not sleeping at night because of breathing problems, buring from my stomac up to my esophogus, back pain, gas - just awful symptoms.

Could the Prilosec have made it worse???

I hope someone who's been through this can give us some insight. I am in exactly the same position. I've gone from having no symptoms before Nexium (except for nausea) to having ALL of them after I started taking this drug.
I am having an earache today and can't swallow. Each time I try to chew food my left ear starts killing me. My throat hurts but only when I try to swallow the food. It's a good thing we had soup for dinner, I couldn't get the bread down. I don't know what this could be (short of an ear infection) as I have no history of those whatsoever. What now? Just what I needed. At least I haven't had a choking attack today. I guess that's something to be grateful for. The day isn't over yet so one never knows.

Well, it seems to be the concensus here that things get ten times worse when you stop taking the meds. My doc said acid secretion will definitely be higher than normal when you stop taking a drug like this bc your body is not used to producing acid for a while. This all makes sense. But the excess acid can last for up to 2 months or more?!?!?! So, you tell me who could possibly survive 2 months of that and try to carry on with their normal lives. Im in sales and always traveling so this would never work. I have come up with my own plan/exeriment. I stopped taking nexium. I want to let my body prduce acid again but just not too much so for a couple months or so Im going to try zantac 150 2x day. This does work, but I really have to watch what I eat! Or else. I guess it keeps my diet in check as opposed to the PPIs when I can eat whatever. Then I will cut down the dose of zantac for another 2 months. The rebound from H2 blockers like zantac is 3-10 days no matter how long you take them as opposed to months. So this is my little experiement. I have no idea if I can tough it out. But its my thought for the week. Haha Anyone else have any input it would be much appreciated!

I stopped Protoniz 2x/day to 1 time a day for about 8 months. I was just careful not to seat spicy foods and some days there was more acid but I just drank water so something was in my stomach. Then started it every other day and same thing, at first there was noticeably more acid but kept food like crackers and water in my stomach and continued on a bland diet. Then skipped 2 days etc., Why don't you try a schedule like that. Plus I stopped the irritating medication and my ulcer had healed. We shall see since I haven't taken any in 11 days and I'm just being careful not to eat any spicy foods are take pain medications.

WOW - I had no idea the PPI's could make your stomach produce more acid for up to 2 months after stopping -- that explains A LOT -- no I am not sure I should start taking the Prevacid - but the acid related breathing problems are so bad.... If that is what is causing it.

I have said this before - you believe your Dr. and take a drug to make you feel better and have better quality of life - and it causes side effects WORSE than what you were taking it for?????

This acid is taking over my life - I never feel good all day and all night anymore. Maybe its worth a two month battle to try and get off the drugs???

WOW - I had no idea the PPI's could make your stomach produce more acid for up to 2 months after stopping -- that explains A LOT -- no I am not sure I should start taking the Prevacid - but the acid related breathing problems are so bad.... If that is what is causing it.

I have said this before - you believe your Dr. and take a drug to make you feel better and have better quality of life - and it causes side effects WORSE than what you were taking it for?????

This acid is taking over my life - I never feel good all day and all night anymore. Maybe its worth a two month battle to try and get off the drugs???

Yes, Vanessa its called "rebound reflux" when you stop your PPI and your stomach is all out of whack and produces more acid then one would need.