Anyone experience bad side effects with PPI,S

jenny sc · 11-28-2005, 11:50 AM

Hi,
Could anyone tell me if they have experienced bad side effects whilst taking Zoton (Prevacid) and what were they.
I suffered with unbearable chest pain and it made my indigestion twice as bad as it was before taking them. I also felt dizzy, drowsy sort of like a fuzzy head feeling and extremely tired all the time. I had to stop taking them for 2 weeks which led to my upper endoscopy on Friday. Results of which I have reflux oesophagitis and a candida infection of my oesophagus and several biopsies taken. My consultant recommended carry on with the Zoton, however I won't take them as I actually feel better without them. I have been given some Omeprozole instead, wondered if any one has had bad experience whilst taking these.
I'd appreciate anyones comments

convncer · 11-28-2005, 07:38 PM

Try Zegerid. all the others gave me the same pains as you. this works for me

miche31 · 12-02-2005, 06:34 PM

what in the world did they suggest for your candida infection? That is not good either, and I've read that a candida infection can actually cause the acid reflux, along with numerous other side effects. Good luck, Michelle

Alex8 · 12-02-2005, 10:33 PM

I started Nexium six weeks ago and three days into it, I had severe chest pains which lasted for two weeks. Since then I've had intermittent chest chain and almost constant dull ache on the left side. I have mentioned this to the ENT, GP and Gastro and they all shrug. They don't seem to think it's related to PPI use. I HAD to get cardio testing and see a cardiologist because the Gastro won't do an endoscopy on me until my heart is okayed for sedation. More $$$.

I was switched to Protonix last week and it is easier on my bowel movements than Nexium was. I spent all morning at the cardiologist and did my fourth test on the heart. I scored above average in the stress test. My ekg, echocardiogram and chest x-ray all came out normal.

I'm done. I'm not taking anymore PPI medication until my endoscopy and colonscopy (which I'm positive will be fine since I've stopped the Nexium). I don't know if the PPI are causing my problems, but I have the next 10 days for my experiment. I didn't take Protonix this morning and yeah, my throat is sore. The ENT diagnosed me with silent reflux because of this one symptom. The PPI seem to help with the sore throat somewhat, but never got rid of it.

I'll update and let you know if the chest pain does indeed subside without the PPI.

jenny sc · 12-07-2005, 06:16 AM

Hi there,

Thanks for your comments.
For the candidia I have been given nystatin, which is a liquid which I take for 7 days after meals, they say it is probably caused by my steroid inhaler as I suffer from asthma, which I might add has got worse this year and after reading all these postings I think it may actually be the GERD.
I have decided not to take any more PPI's, I can definately say in my case that they were the cause of all the pain as I no longer suffer with any of the symptoms I first mentioned, no chest pain which is a big relief as originally I thought I was having a heart attack and had to have 2 ECG's which of course came back fine. I now just take Gaviscon when I need it. I also have bought some apple cider vinegar to try to see if that helps but I must say since being treated for the candida my heartburn has improved slightly which is a result.
Under no circumstances will I ever take another PPI, I have had 3 diffrent ones and they all had pretty much the same effect on me.

Good luck with you endoscopy, let me know how you get on without your PPI's. I would be really interested to know if all your pain etc stops. Mine was certainly the tablets.