c184, I believe you mentioned that you were on Protonix. I had appt with "new" ENT lady last Monday and she put me on 40 mg Protonix in am and 40 mg Nexium in pm. Gave me couple weeks worth of samples then had instructions to take until out then continue on Nexium. I must say that my voice hasn't been this good in a long, long time. But, I've been sick as a dog past 4 days with virus or something that I believe is going to do me in. Do you think it could be the change in meds or the Protonix? Like I said, my voice is great but I haven't been able to barely raise my head. I have an appt with gastro on Monday and I did get up and about today. I'm wondering if this combination of meds is keeping the reflux below my throat but still not clear of my esphogus since I still feel like acid is churning aroound and I'm so sick at my stomach.

Charla

Hi, I have been on Protonix for about 5 weeks. My symptoms are still there sometimes (especially the throat clearing) and I still have a so-so appetite and nausea. Had a endoscopy done last week and CT scan done yesterday and will have results on Monday. This will be my third third trip to my GI. I am going to ask to try a different medicine since the Protonix doesnt seem to be agreeing to me. Are you able to eat at all?

I don't seem to have any side effects from Protonix but it is not helping me either. I have been on it for 3 weeks, 2 x a day. I'm glad to hear it is helping you. It's about time you experienced some relief!

Yes, I am very happy that my voice is good plus I've lost 12 lbs! I was able to eat yesterday and today but before then was too sick to care. I am feeling much better today. Still have cough in spite of strong cough meds given also. In fact, seems I reflux it up! I'm so scared I'll cough so much I'll get hoarse. Is this GERD/LPR crap the worst thing or what. I hate worrying about how I'm going to wake up the next day and after so long that is how I think.

Thanks for the replys and hope everyone gets better!

Charla

Gar,

I wasn't (or didn't want to) eat at all for about a week. Seem to get better yesterday and felt hungry. I've had this for 10 yrs though (don't want to discourage you!) but never was put on the protonix. Have seen many GI spec, family dr., ENT spec,
Asthma/allergy spec, have had every test known to man several times. Scope is probably the best to see what's going on but even when I get good reports, I still have this stuff going on in my throat. I really, really don't want to discourage you because I do know many people that respond to the PPI's very well. I did in the beginning but I do think one plays out and you have to try another at times. Or that's what the Dr's seem to do with me. There are so many things that can cause this that it's complicated to figure out and sometimes I can think of no reason whatsoever. I must admit that after this length of time, I usually eat about what I want other than fried foods. I can't say that it makes a lot of difference for me.

Good luck on your test results and keep me posted. I really feel that keeping each other informed and learning all we can will help us more than any Dr.

Charla

Char,

I actually had my endoscopy results and it showed gastritis and esophagitis. My CT scan results I'll know tomorrow. I think my loss of appetite has to do with the gastritis and GERD, all of my symptoms point to that (lump in throat, throat clearing, sore throat, chest pressure). However my docs PA says gastritis should not cause me feel like not eating, I think it does. Well find out tomorrow.

Char,

I actually had my endoscopy results and it showed gastritis and esophagitis. My CT scan results I'll know tomorrow. I think my loss of appetite has to do with the gastritis and GERD, all of my symptoms point to that (lump in throat, throat clearing, sore throat, chest pressure). However my docs PA says gastritis should not cause me feel like not eating, I think it does. Well find out tomorrow.

I think your Dr. is wrong because when I had my first scope I had gastritis, esophagitis, "mild" GERD, and Bacteria H. I'd lost 40 lbs from not being able to eat. My Dr. said my stomach was "pretty trashed out" as I didn't eat a very good diet. Nothing showed on my CT scans (don't think) and even the ph probe didn't show anything too bad. I think the problem with some of the test is that you may be doing good one day and bad the next. That's how I was a lot of days but got very, very sick and stayed that way for quite awhile. It takes more than 2 to 4 weeks to heal up your stomach, I'll grant you that. You will feel better getting things done. I think it's when we don't know what's going on that's scary. Let me know the results, but I must say even though mine didn't look that bad....I still thought I was going to die. LOL.

Charla

Yea its very scary, I just feel horrible somedays. I was given some Megace which is a pill to help you eat. Its working slowly, I ate pretty good yesterday.When this started, after about 3-4 weeks of these symptoms, it went away for about 5 days and then came back. I'll let you know my CT scan results when I come back this afternoon. Thanks for replying!

Well, CT scan was normal. However, my blood work showed my pancreas a little inflammed, so the doc says when that happens it could possibly be gallstones! Wow, I was surprised to hear that, he also said this may be causing loss of appetite and nausea. Gallstones run in my family big time, and it makes perfect sense. He says there a chance maybe the reflux disease is causing the loss of appetite, but he wont know for sure until I have my sonogram on Thurs! Ill keep you updated!

Look at it this way. If it is gallstones that's something they can do something about. Remove, disolve or whatever and hopefully you're done. Whereas with reflux, there is no real cure and it can occur on and off for years and years. I was almost hoping I had gall bladder problems at one time so maybe they could take it out and I'd be well.

Very interesting.

Charla

You are right on that. I wont find out for sure until probably next week. I guess that is possibly causing my indigestion and loss of appetite. Im so sorry to hear you are having a hard time with acid reflux. I hope you feel better and talk to you soon!

I've been on protonix for about 1.5 weeks - and still really trying to understand this whole acid reflux thing. I haven't been officially diagnosed yet but that's what it looks like...

I have more heartburn now (since taking protonix) than before and I feel I have to really cut down on what I eat to prevent it.

This could be a good thing - as a woman can always lose weight.

Still grasping the whol concept and I'm still taking asthma meds also since my original diagnosis was asthma.

I was first diagnosed with everything but acid reflux. Was so sick, hard time breathing, loss my voice for months and it's not the same today. I'd never heard of GERD. I also was told allergies and took shots for years and said I had asthma and was on lots of meds for that. I just stopped taking all that stuff as they didn't help anyway. I honestly can't say the PPI's help all that much but once I stop them, I get heartburn deluxe. Funny thing is that I never had heartburn before. It's a very frustrating condition for me that has affected my whole life. Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones that can find the right med and keep it in control.

Best wishes.

Charla

anyone read the marketing literature that the pharmacy hands out with protonix that states that protonix has been found to cause cancer in lab rat tests? just curious, i remember reading somewhere else that protonix may cause cancer so i stopped taking it