acid reflux caused by antibiotic and vitamins?

[thinkfast]

Hi,
This is my first post. So I'll include a lot of history. Sorry for the novel. I have never had acid reflux problems or heartburn. I'm 42 now. Well, a couple months ago, I began taking a women's multivitamin in the p.m. after exercising, and with dinner. Sometimes rather late in the p.m.

I started to wake the next mornings with an iron/acidic taste in my mouth. Once I ate breakfast, the problem went away. Two weeks into that problem, I started taking Metronidazole to clear up a minor sinus infection/sinusitis. Each time I swallowed the pills, twice a day, I would get a severe burning down my throat that would not go away no matter how much food or water I took with them.

Toward the end of the 10-day dose, I developed constant acid reflux about 30 minutes after I ate anything. This went on for three days. Doc put me on Aciphex and tums as needed. That helped tremendously. I finished a couple weeks of the Aciphex now. I still feel that I have some residual reflux problems.

Has anyone heard of an antibiotic causing acid reflux? And, if so, how long can I expect to have to deal with the resulting reflux symptoms? I also recently had some bloodwork done for a separate health mystery. Had a high ANA titer (1:1280) and nucleolar pattern, which I understand goes with scleroderma. I have no muscle or joint aches or inflamation. My CPR came out normal and also my sedimentation rate was normal. I have no fatigue or any other symptoms. I had a borderline positive rheumatoid factor test. I have generalized adenopathy (hilar and axillary nodes/benign reactive), and also apparently a goiter of my thyroid gland, possibly hypothyroid. Docs also found lung nodules, which are indeterminant (some calcified and some not), but have not grown in 8 months. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Vanessa74]

Hello Think Fast,

I am very sorry for what you are going through. I am pretty new here myself, but I find that after (or even during) a course of antibiotics - my heartburn is very very severe. Currently I am in the middle of a Z-Pack, and even with Pepcid the heatburn and acid are TERRIBLE. It usually last 2 to 3 weeks after I stop taking it... I get the same type of acid and burning when I take a multi-vitamin. I think for some people these types of medications and supplements can be hard on the stomach.

Though I must admit I have lately developed a problem with acid and GERD and it never goes away.

Hope yours does soon -- and good luck with your health.

[Texas Tomato]

Yes, a course of antibiotics can definitely mess with your digestive system. I took six weeks of antibiotics back last May for a sinus infection, and while I really don't have severe heartburn, I do have other symptoms including bloating, shortness of breath, tightness in my chest, lump-in-throat sensation, and incessant belching. I'm STILL not back to normal!

I do better when I stick to a regimen of probiotics (yogurt, acidophilus) and make sure to get a lot of fiber in my diet.

You can read my previous posts for the continuing saga. My theory is that the antibiotics wiped out both the bad bacteria AND the good bacteria from my system, and it takes quite a while to regenerate the good bacteria.

In my case, I had scopes from both ends and was fortunate enough to have a finding of "normal." No ulcer, no h pylori, no esophageal damage, not even a hernia. I'm sure I'd feel better if I'd lose my excess weight though.

Hope your symptoms dissipate soon. It's nice to have people on this board to commiserate!

[thinkfast]

Hello, Texas Tomato!
Thanks for your thoughtful reply and wisdom. I went back and read some of your history and see that you've been through quite a lot with the reflux stuff. I wouldn't wish my condition on anyone, but it is nice to know I'm not the only one suffering with it. And it's great to hear that it's not all in my head and that the antibiotic and multivitamins could have done something to mess up my system. I hope you're feeling better these days. I'll be seeing an endocrinologist and rheumatologist next for my other symptoms. Hoping one of the docs can get me figured out!

Thanks again for your support--

[thinkfast]

Originally Posted by Vanessa74

Hello Think Fast,

I am very sorry for what you are going through. I am pretty new here myself, but I find that after (or even during) a course of antibiotics - my heartburn is very very severe. Currently I am in the middle of a Z-Pack, and even with Pepcid the heatburn and acid are TERRIBLE. It usually last 2 to 3 weeks after I stop taking it... I get the same type of acid and burning when I take a multi-vitamin. I think for some people these types of medications and supplements can be hard on the stomach.

Though I must admit I have lately developed a problem with acid and GERD and it never goes away.

Hope yours does soon -- and good luck with your health.

Vanessa,
Thanks very much for your reply. I have taken Zpacks several times and never had acid reflux. But that Metronidazole certainly was a doozy! If your reaction to the z pack was like mine to the Metronidazole, I know what you went through. I'll have to buy some yogurt and see if that helps! I have heard of others lately who are bothered by multivitamins, too. Of all things, you'd think they would be good for you!

I hope your situation improves. These boards certainly are great for finding very good information in between doctor visits!