Ugh - so frusterated!

[alwayshotroddin]

Hi guys,

I've posted on here a few times about ways to treat GERD and about weird symptoms from PPIs, I feel like I'm being annoying but I'm so frusterated at this point. I've been on Aciphex the last few days but I didn't take it yesterday because my anxiety was absolutey horrible, along with extreme nausea, tinnitus, and I keep waking up in the morning soaked in sweat. I know a couple of you have said that you have nightmares from Aciphex so maybe that is where the night sweats are coming from?

I'm considering going to the store to buy Prilosec OTC and try instead of Aciphex but since they are both PPIs I'm wondering if the Prilosec will just give me the same side effects (nausea, anxiety, night sweats?) I've tried calling my family doctor who prescribed the Aciphex but he is nearly impossible to get a hold of and I didn't take the Aciphex yesterday so my heartburn/reflux is coming back full force. I would like to take something ASAP but I'm not sure what to try?

I took a couple of Tums earlier but antacids don't really help. I've never tried Zantac OTC before or Gaviscon (sp?). Have any of you ever had luck with either of these alone without prescription meds?

Also, I now have basically a bad stomach ache in my lower abdomen. I'm wondering if maybe I have gastritis (I've had this before a few years ago). I've had acid reflux in the past also but never with so much nausea and stomach pain, usually I just have the burping/uncomfortable throat sensation.

Please let me know what works for all of you and doesn't give any side effects! I need a medication that makes me feel better and not worse! Thanks.

[South Paw]

There are various reasons for abdominal pain. If bad enough, you should go straight to the ER (i.e., how is the appendix these days?)

If it is acid reflux or digestive tract related, you should go see a gastrologist ASAP. Check with you insurance carrier on who you can go to. He/she will probably set up an upper GI test (endoscopy).

The OTC Prilosec and Previcid are typically only 20 mgs.... Depending on your condition, you will probably be prescribed something stronger.

If the abdominal pain is acid relfux, then you may want to also try a super strength Mylanta w/ your medication until you can see a gastologist.



Dave

[Godsend84]

Here are tips in the managment of GERD:
Eat a low-fat diet; avoid caffeine, tobacco, beer, milk, foods containing peppermint or spearmint, and carbonated beverages(like pop); avoid eating or drinking 2 hours before bedtime; maintain normal body weight; avoid tight-fitting clothing; elevate the head of the bed on 6-8 inche blocks; elevate the upper body on pillows.
Had you tried all of these before they put on medications? Usually after these are unsuccessulful is when they would prescribe medication such as the aciphex or protonix. For the nausea and vomiting, you might want to ask your doctor for a prescription for something such as reglan, bethanecol, or domperidone. Also, maybe the doctor can prescribe something for anxiety(because this might be causing the nightmares and then sweats because your adrenaline is soaring) such as alprazolam (Xanax),diazepam (Valium),lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium). I would consult your doctor and inform them about all of the symptoms you're experiencing. Good Luck. God Bless.

[CrazyLife414]

Hi..Gaviscon is one of the only things that helps me when I am having a really bad episode with my GERD..My GI doc says it is really a great product. Also, I take 300mg of Zantac twice a day. I have had no bad reactions from it, BUT the Aciphex was not good for me. I had many issues while on it, so for me it was a bad choice. Best of Luck to you, I know how it is and sometimes you truly feel as though you are all alone in this fight...Take Care!

[alwayshotroddin]

Thanks so much for all of your great replies! I went to my doctor today and had blood tests done to rule out anything serious that may be causing the acid reflux. He is also going to check for H. Pylori and Salmonella (I have bearded dragons so I may have contracted that somehow). He gave me Prevacid samples and said that I should try them but also said that I could try some OTCs first to see how they react.

It seems so silly, I'm only 24 years old and I took Aciphex, Prevacid, and Nexium for different uses several years ago to treat an H. Pylori infection and gastritis and I had no symptoms... it's like I turned 21 and now my body is so sensitive to all these meds!

I think I am going to have to check on the Graviscon, so many people are recommending it. My abdominal pain has subsided some and I was actually able to eat more this afternoon. I also had some pain up near my left armpit and extending done through my arm... I'm assuming that was gas or indigestion but it subsided as well. I have never had my appendix or any of my major organs checked before but I'm hoping the blood tests will show a lot.

I haven't tried raising my bed up on bricks or books yet but a nurse recommended that to me the other day. Thankfully I think the heartburn is better, it's just the sick/nauseated feeling I'm dealing with at the moment. I eat very healthy and today I forced myself to get back on the treadmill (I used to jog several miles/day before all this started). I think the acid reflux was due to me drinking 2 large bottles of Powerade and a glass of grape juice last weekend because I thought I was dehydrated (I started feeling nauseated/lightheaded last Friday).

My dad went to Lowe's today and bought a carbon monoxide detector as well. We had my furance/water heater/gas oven checked yesterday for CO and my oven emits 400 ppm of CO when in use.... which is life threatening! We're crossing our fingers that isn't what has made me sick but it's scary to think about, I definetely won't be using that oven anytime soon until we get it serviced.

Thanks again for all your help guys.