I'm Only 51?

[Martha H]

oh oh ... now I have to choose between heartburn and AD? gasp!

Martha

[janeslk]

In regard to the antacids, I can only say that my FIL has taken these for years because his blood pressure medicine gave him gastric problems. I would not be surprised if there is a link there somewhere.

Yes, I tend to look at medications first when there are problems of any type. My husband had pain for years and we only discovered by chance it was related to Lipitor. He is pain-free for the first time in years. He was prescribed drugs to ease his pain, but the source of his pain did not seem of interest to his doctor. Sometimes you take one medication and then have to take another to counteract the effects of the first and then you have to take something else to treat the problems created with the second medication. You can become a real mess.

Jane

[Martha H]

My father, who died at age 74, always said, "if you can still walk, walk away from the doctors!" Of course there are times when you need their help. but I also find that they treat symptoms far too much, and do not look for causes.

I have lost weight here, partly due to the long walks (you get so lazy when you have a car!) and my heartburn has reduced dramatically. That happened before - when I went on a diet and lost 20 pounds, in 1999. Those pounds nearly all sneaked back on, and sure enough, the heartburn reappeared, but I blamed it on stress and AD mother-care.

I think something like Tums is pretty safe since it's mainly calcium, which we need anyway, but I am suspicious of the strong prescription acid reducers. Mom was put on those after her heart problem in 2003, and shortly after that her memory went haywire. I blamed it on the statin, but maybe it was the antacid she got to reduce the stomach irritating side effects of the heart pills ..a vicious cycle.

Here in Europe people use more natural medicines like chamomile tea or arnica drops ... I also think weight loss and exercise do more than medicines, as well as a positive attitude.

Looking forward to my trip home in just over 2 weeks - and NOT to my next dental visit ...

Love,

Martha

[lily1954]

Mm? Let me think. I take Lunesta for Sleep, Wellbutrin for depression and lethargy,Lexapro for depression. Then 900mg of Neurotin for pain and tremors, Nexium for GIRD,Multi Vitamin for vitamin D Def, B12 shots. That's what I take. LOL Lily

[Martha H]

Dear Lily,

That's quite a lot. It is certainly possible that your memory problems are side effects of some of those meds, especially neurontin. My daughter's MIL took that after a back operation and the first time she drove her car, she forgot how to get back home. After switching to over the counter pain pills, her memory was normal again. I have only recently heard that Nexium can also cause Alzhiemer-like symptoms. I too have GERD, but for now I'm trying to combat it with Tums, losing weight, sleeping with my head on a wedge shaped pillow, eating nothing for 3 or 4 hours before bed, etc.

I would ask your GP to take a look at all your meds and see what he thinks.

Love,

Martha