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Acid Reflux acting up! Help!

Started by Liz D., April 27, 2009, 05:23:12 AM

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Liz D.

April 27, 2009, 05:23:12 AM
Hi All,

This past week, my GERD has been acting up terribly.  I have been just miserable.  I am going to call the doctor today and see if I should increase my 30 mg. Prevacid to twice a day instead of just one.   I am curious as to if anyone has had to increase their GERD meds and found relief and what is the highest doses people are on?  I was getting panicky with the pain and halved my Naprosyn too.  But of course, my joints hurt more.  There is no winning!

Thanks for any responses.

Liz D.
60 year old female
Sjogrens Syndrome (diagnosed 2004), Hypothryoidism, Asthma, Osteoporosis
Meds:  Plaquenil 200 mg; Levoxyl 100mcg; Evoxac, Symbicort, Flonase, Protonix 40 mg.,  Prozac 40 mg. Naproxen 500 mg., vitamins, calcium, flaxseed/cod liver oil, L- lysine, iron

Linda196

#1
April 27, 2009, 05:39:29 AM
Sorry you feel so rough, Liz.

I don't have excessive problems with GERD, and my single dose of Losec works well for me, but have had occasion to pop a couple of OTC calcium based antacids to help it out. You may also find that supplementing your reduced Naprosyn with some Tylenol type pain meds helps the joints without undue stomach reaction (but also without anti-inflammatory effect).

Twice a day dosing with 30 mg of Prevacid is possible but shouldn't be done on your own, but it's worth a call to the doc. Another option is a different PPI (proton pump inhibitor), sometimes when one drug in a classification isn't doing the job, another similar one will.
Please check out our home page at http://www.sjogrensworld.org/index.html {{INCLUDES A LINK TO AMAZON SHOPPING!!}}
; and live chat at https:https://sjogrensworld.org/index.php?board=30.0

JannaLee

#2
April 27, 2009, 07:21:35 AM
Liz,

I really want to know what you find out on this. 

My son (22 years old) has terrible GERD and sometimes he says the Prilosec doesn't help him at all.  I never know what advice to offer besides the obvious...to see the doc about it...which he doesn't do.  He just waits it out.

Janna

ohiolady

#3
April 27, 2009, 07:32:45 AM Last Edit: April 27, 2009, 07:34:16 AM by ohiolady
Liz,

I've struggled terribly with GERD since coming down with Sjogrens.  I take Prilosec but if eating anything questionable add a Pepcid later in the day.  This is on the advice of the doctor.  I, RARELY,  had heartburn before Sjogrens.  Maybe twice a year.  The Naproxen is definitely not helping the issue.  I work for a general surgeon and have seen many patients scoped and with ulcers due to another doctor prescribing too many anti-inflammatories.

Hope you get relief soon.

Anna
SJS  Hashimoto's   Mild Raynauds  GERD  Gastroparesis
Restasis, Evoxac, Dexilant,  Domperidone, Zofran and Synthroid. Fish Oil, Vit D and B12  R lipoic acid,  Acetyl L Cartnine, Vitamin B1, and The Perfect Food Green and Fruit supplement

Kidney Cancer Survivor   
Female   Age: 62

wednesday mc haggis

#4
April 27, 2009, 08:18:47 AM
my ex had GERD, and since i changed my diet mine sseems to be under control.

make sure the head of your bed is higher propped up by a few books or block of wood this helps alot!

What as a nurse i found the best drug for it was is nexium, one tablet and instant releif, those on losec didnt find as much releif , it one fo the newer ones, and i know from reading posts here many who use it swear by it, might just be the one your on just sint working for you now, hope it sorts soon, horrible is GERD

T x

Liz D.

#5
April 27, 2009, 09:53:14 AM
Just got a call back from my rheumatologist.  She says 30 mg. of Prevacid is a high enough dose and that I should see a gastraenterologist.  I hate the thought of going through an endoscopy!!  I might go try some of the calcium based antacids first along with the Prevacid, then call tomorrow if I am still miserable.

Liz D.
60 year old female
Sjogrens Syndrome (diagnosed 2004), Hypothryoidism, Asthma, Osteoporosis
Meds:  Plaquenil 200 mg; Levoxyl 100mcg; Evoxac, Symbicort, Flonase, Protonix 40 mg.,  Prozac 40 mg. Naproxen 500 mg., vitamins, calcium, flaxseed/cod liver oil, L- lysine, iron

Dolly Dimples

#6
April 27, 2009, 10:01:40 AM
    Liz , am so sorry that you are feeling so miserable.. do you drink plenty of water? 
                 It's good in helping digestion, along with your meds..
                     
                  Re an Endoscopy, if your very nervous of having one, ask for the sedative and you will be fine...
                    I have had 4 and all been good...
                                                                hope you get relief soon, Dolly

Liz D.

#7
April 27, 2009, 10:10:14 AM
Yes, I drink so much water I feel like I could float away!!  I also never take my Naprosyn on an empty stomach.  I suppose I shouldn't be so scared to have an endoscopy.  I know tons of people have had them and said it is okay.  But I know I would need tons of sedatives!!

You guys are all so great!!  Thanks so much for helping me.  I can always rely on this group!!

Liz D.
60 year old female
Sjogrens Syndrome (diagnosed 2004), Hypothryoidism, Asthma, Osteoporosis
Meds:  Plaquenil 200 mg; Levoxyl 100mcg; Evoxac, Symbicort, Flonase, Protonix 40 mg.,  Prozac 40 mg. Naproxen 500 mg., vitamins, calcium, flaxseed/cod liver oil, L- lysine, iron

Scottietottie

#8
April 27, 2009, 12:32:23 PM
Hi  :)

When my GERD got bad and I was scoped and it showed up esophagitis, I was taken off Naproxen and told I couldn't have it again. I take Tramadol and Paracetamol instead.

Two or three times I've had to double the dose of Omeprazole I take (always under doctor's instructions) After a month on the double dose the single dose is OK again - till the next time.

Take care - Scottie  :)
http://sjogrensworld.org/   (our home page)
http://www.sjogrensworld.org/chats.htm   (find our chat times here!)
https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.dal.net  (way to chat + nickname and #Sjogrensworld)


Never do tomorrow what you can put off till the day after tomorrow!

Liz D.

#9
April 28, 2009, 10:34:40 AM
Just an update -- I called my PCP to see about a gastroenterologist and she is going to try me on Prilosec and Tums 3x's a day first.  Then if I don't feel better in a month, she'll send me to the GI guy.  (Doesn't it figure I just submitted a mail order prescription for Prevacid yesterday and it is already being sent!!  Oh well.)

Liz D.
60 year old female
Sjogrens Syndrome (diagnosed 2004), Hypothryoidism, Asthma, Osteoporosis
Meds:  Plaquenil 200 mg; Levoxyl 100mcg; Evoxac, Symbicort, Flonase, Protonix 40 mg.,  Prozac 40 mg. Naproxen 500 mg., vitamins, calcium, flaxseed/cod liver oil, L- lysine, iron

Dolly Dimples

#10
April 28, 2009, 10:45:30 AM
   Well Liz, that's a good start.. Hope the new meds work well for you..
Let us know, but if you do end up needing the Endo, then go for it!   even if nothing was found, it does relieve one to know that>>
                                       Good Luck, Dollyx
                                         

Liz D.

#11
June 10, 2009, 12:23:48 PM
Hi All,

Thought I would update you on my acid reflux problem.

After following drs. orders and taking 2 omeprazole (20 mg.) a day, plus the Tums when necessary, I finally got it under control after a month.  Was feeling great.  Then because I wanted to save money (cheapo that I am), I decided to try the Prevacid again (since I just spent $50 on it before the dr. switched me.)  Well, within three days, I was miserable again!  Went right back to the regimen my dr. suggested and I am feeling great again.  I actually feel better than I have in years and I don't know if the acid reflux was causing more problems than I thought or it is springtime and it is a coincidence.

Anyway, now I am stuck with about 120 30 mg. Prevacid pills I'll never use!!!  Murphy's Law :)

Liz D.
60 year old female
Sjogrens Syndrome (diagnosed 2004), Hypothryoidism, Asthma, Osteoporosis
Meds:  Plaquenil 200 mg; Levoxyl 100mcg; Evoxac, Symbicort, Flonase, Protonix 40 mg.,  Prozac 40 mg. Naproxen 500 mg., vitamins, calcium, flaxseed/cod liver oil, L- lysine, iron

ohiolady

#12
June 10, 2009, 12:28:44 PM
I was just switched to Kapidex and am having better luck with it than the Prilosec.

Anna
SJS  Hashimoto's   Mild Raynauds  GERD  Gastroparesis
Restasis, Evoxac, Dexilant,  Domperidone, Zofran and Synthroid. Fish Oil, Vit D and B12  R lipoic acid,  Acetyl L Cartnine, Vitamin B1, and The Perfect Food Green and Fruit supplement

Kidney Cancer Survivor   
Female   Age: 62

Poochie

#13
June 10, 2009, 01:03:14 PM
Liz,
I was on Prevacid in the beginning of my GERD problems but never could get any where with it.  The problem kept getting worse, so my GI changed me to Nexium and I haven't had any problems since.

It might be that the Prevacid doesn't agree with your body chemistry.

Good luck with the new med, I hope it helps you real quick.

Hugs, Pooh

ruby52

#14
June 10, 2009, 01:54:12 PM
I'm having Gerd problems again too.I was on Nexium and yes decided to save money by taking OTC Omeprasole.It wasn't working acid keeps coming back up.I see the Dr. sat. and can't wait to go back to Nexium.The other brands never worked for me.If I had a stomach flu he added Protonex and that would work.
                               Ruby
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