Acid Reflux Question!

Lubby23 · 07-05-2006, 06:20 PM

Hi
I have had Acid Reflux since I was a kid, although wasnt actually DX until about 21 yrs old when I finally decided to go to a doc. I have been on many different kinds of high strength Rx but I found that Prilosec OTC works the best. But then I went to the doc last month because I was coughing and she attributed the cough to Acid Ref, which I dont think it was, I have had it so long I cant see why I would start coughing now and my throat didnt hurt either, but anyways. That new med was a Rx Prilosec that I had to take 2x day. But it really threw off my temps making them super high so I stopped taking it because I want to O. I am back on the OTC but for the past 2 days I have been having constant heartburn, even when I woke up this morning. Any suggestions as to why or what to do??
I have tried zantac and that gave me a sore throat all the time.

msvon · 07-05-2006, 10:13 PM

Did they check to see if there was any damage to your esophagus?

My doctor told me my reflux was irritating that bottom part of my lungs and contributing to my slight asthma problems. Did your doc say exactly why your were coughing...it could be either one of those. My doc put me on Nexium and it has helped me tremendously.

Lubby23 · 07-05-2006, 10:22 PM

no, docs have never offered the endoscope, is nexum a Rx and how many times a day do you have to take it?
Also they didnt say why i was coughing, but as soon as she found out I had acid reflux she said thats it, and wrote a new Rx. I dont have her as my doc any more.

SurrenderedCyster · 07-06-2006, 12:05 AM

Have you tried Prevacid?

Headyfeady3 · 07-06-2006, 12:22 AM

My hubby had that same problem and they gave him nexium he had to take one a day for 3 months and that helped all of his symptons. Some of the problem might be and ulser that is aggrivated. If you are having really bad heartburn you should go see a DR. If you cant make it stop you might have a problem that is underlying your reflux.

shana0923 · 07-06-2006, 01:04 AM

I have acid reflux and they did an endiscopy and found 7 ulcers and he said uncountable erosions but they weren't in my stomach they were in my duodenum (the little pouch after your stomach). He said it was because I only ate once a day and I now eat 3 times a day with 2 snacks and I take Nexium 2xday. I have been on it for 4+ years and now he wants to do a surgery to tighten the sphincter at the bottom of my esophagus because of the damage. I don't want to but he said because I am only 28 and I have had it since I was 13 that I was at a higher risk of cancer because of the damage that is already there. So you should stay on your rx in my opinion. Good luck!

Lubby23 · 07-06-2006, 03:34 AM

Thanks for all the help, the reason I dont stay on the Rx is because the heart burn/ regurgitation is much worse than when I am on Prilosec OTC. I have basically tried all the Rx except Nexium. I know I should get an endoscope, but since I have a new doc I guess I have start all over again.
Have any of you been tested for h. pylori, in school we found out that the majority of GERD cases are caused by this bacteria, esp in older people. I was tested for it and it was neg, that sucks because if you have it you can just take an antibact and it will stop the GERD.

kelliet · 07-06-2006, 09:28 AM

I have a hiatus hernia and found that nexium really helps. You should definately have an endoscopy (sp?) to find out whats causing it. Weight loss has definately helped with the reflux and i only need the nexium now after spicy foods and white wine.

msvon · 07-06-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lubby23

Thanks for all the help, the reason I dont stay on the Rx is because the heart burn/ regurgitation is much worse than when I am on Prilosec OTC. I have basically tried all the Rx except Nexium. I know I should get an endoscope, but since I have a new doc I guess I have start all over again.
Have any of you been tested for h. pylori, in school we found out that the majority of GERD cases are caused by this bacteria, esp in older people. I was tested for it and it was neg, that sucks because if you have it you can just take an antibact and it will stop the GERD.

Not all the time...sometimes, you can have GERD and h.pylori. When my doc first prescribed Nexium, she did a test for h. pylori and the numbers came back twice as high as the highest number in the normal range. I had it pretty bad. She gave me the PrevPak (Prevacid plus two antibiotics) that you have to take twice per day. After I finished the PrevPak I still had GERD even though the test showed that my h. pylori numbers were normal. You definitely need to be tested for h. pylori and have the endoscope. Keep us updated.