I Don't Get This?? (DH Vent)

[Wish I lived in Fl]

When I got pregnant with dd, I quit smoking and I also quit drinking Diet Coke. Smoking was a piece of cake compared to giving up the caffeine and the minute that kid was popped out, I fell off the wagon with a resounding crash. I had my ex running around the hospital trying to find a vending machine.

But good thing you did give up caffeine (in major amounts) for the pregnancy.
Years ago one of the squadron wives mas a major soda drinker and didn't give it up while pregnant. When her baby was born he went into caffeine withdrawal. The Military Hospital accused her of illegal drug use and did blood tests on her and the baby.

 

[SillyMe]

Well, when you take Nexium, the drug turns off your proton pump (which is the third line acid producer in the stomach). When you reduce the acid in your stomach, it sends a signal to produce more acid (but the Nexium doesn't allow). This raises your serum gastrin level. So, for those that take these meds, you will always have a high serum gastrin level and very low stomach acid. The minute you stop taking Nexium (or Prilosec, or Prevacid), you have so much serum gastrin in your bloodstream that when it signals the proton pump to produce, you get an oversecretion of acid. When a patient tries to come off the medication, they find their reflux "is worse than ever" when, in fact, it is the hypersecretory response of withdrawal. This goes away eventually, but it is VERY tough to deal with in the meantime. There is a method to withdrawing from Nexium and it is a very slow process. I started it this week. Yesterday I didn't take one--missed my dose--and was burning so bad I couldn't take it and had to take the pill last night. Of course, I didn't "fix" my diet either. I will try harder in a few days. I really want off of this stuff.

So, the meds do not heal or cure the problem? They just control the symptoms while you're taking them? I'm taking Prilosec 2x/day. I've only been on them for about 3 months. They don't completely get rid of my symptoms, but they alleviate them immensely. Am I going to be on these darn things the rest of my life?

 

[Cantw8]

I have to tell you, if I don't have my Coke everyday...I get nasty I know that's hard to believe If I even go one day without it, I get a nasty headache

 

[Christine]

So, the meds do not heal or cure the problem? They just control the symptoms while you're taking them? I'm taking Prilosec 2x/day. I've only been on them for about 3 months. They don't completely get rid of my symptoms, but they alleviate them immensely. Am I going to be on these darn things the rest of my life?

This is tough. The meds heal the damage caused by acid reflux (erosive esophagitis, etc), and as long as you take them they will keep your acid at a lower level. BUT, they do not cure reflux. Reflux is predominantly caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). But reflux or excess acid can also be caused by a hiatal hernia, anxiety, stress, eating improperly, and being overweight. Some of these things can be corrected with diet or lifestyle changes. A weakened sphincter can only be corrected with surgery, although improving your diet and overall health can help with dealing with the effects of the weak sphincter.

Prilosec/Nexium should really only be used long-term in people who have a proven weakened LES and have tried all other means of controlling the reflux. The drug was invented to cure people who had either Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (kind of like a cancer) or Barrett's Esophagitis (which is pre-cancer). It is a very powerful medication that works wonderfully but was never intended for lifetime use. Usually if you are young and diagnosed with a weak LES, they recommend surgery so you don't spend a lifetime on this medication. If you are older (and not so many years left in you) you can stay with the meds.

Anyway, I started taking this in my 30s. I had a *somewhat* weakened LES and some mild esophagitis at the time. My main symptoms was nausea and feeling of fullness. I think I should have used the Prilosec for maybe a year or so and then worked around it.

I have tried to stop this medication many times and I get the horrible rebound. Terrible acid like I never had before I started. I didn't know about the "rebound" though until last year, so all the other times I tried to quit I just thought that my condition was worse.

 

[Pam]

I can totally understand his unwillness to give up the coke. Maybe a slow shut down will be better for him

Me, too. I don't drink (have never tasted alcohol), never did drugs, smoked one cigarette when I was 12.... but I am totally addicted to Pepsi.

 

[SillyMe]

This is tough. The meds heal the damage caused by acid reflux (erosive esophagitis, etc), and as long as you take them they will keep your acid at a lower level. BUT, they do not cure reflux. Reflux is predominantly caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES). But reflux or excess acid can also be caused by a hiatal hernia, anxiety, stress, eating improperly, and being overweight. Some of these things can be corrected with diet or lifestyle changes. A weakened sphincter can only be corrected with surgery, although improving your diet and overall health can help with dealing with the effects of the weak sphincter.

Prilosec/Nexium should really only be used long-term in people who have a proven weakened LES and have tried all other means of controlling the reflux. The drug was invented to cure people who had either Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (kind of like a cancer) or Barrett's Esophagitis (which is pre-cancer). It is a very powerful medication that works wonderfully but was never intended for lifetime use. Usually if you are young and diagnosed with a weak LES, they recommend surgery so you don't spend a lifetime on this medication. If you are older (and not so many years left in you) you can stay with the meds.

Anyway, I started taking this in my 30s. I had a *somewhat* weakened LES and some mild esophagitis at the time. My main symptoms was nausea and feeling of fullness. I think I should have used the Prilosec for maybe a year or so and then worked around it.

I have tried to stop this medication many times and I get the horrible rebound. Terrible acid like I never had before I started. I didn't know about the "rebound" though until last year, so all the other times I tried to quit I just thought that my condition was worse.

So now if you stick with it, will the rebound symptoms eventually lessen? Or will they always be that bad for you?

 

[Disney Doll]

you know, over the past couple of months. DH & I have been trying to cut back on diet drinks. I buy seltzers now...flaveored and unflavored. I but Tropicana sugar free non-carbonated ornage drink which is quite good. They have a lemonade as well. I have to say, I think my stomach is less "agita-ish" without the diet cola.

I'll still have a diet cola in a restaurant or something, but cutting back on it at home has made a huge difference.

 

[Christine]

So now if you stick with it, will the rebound symptoms eventually lessen? Or will they always be that bad for you?

If I go on the slow "detox" program the rebound effects will lessen as my acid levels come back down to normal levels. I heard it takes about 2 months to do it.

 

[SillyMe]

If I go on the slow "detox" program the rebound effects will lessen as my acid levels come back down to normal levels. I heard it takes about 2 months to do it.

Ugh. 2 months seems like forever to deal with those symptoms. The worse one for me was the lump in my throat. Thank God the Prilosec at least took that away. As long as I eat anyway. I had strawberries one day and OMG, I was suffering for 3 days afterward.

 

[Christine]

Ugh. 2 months seems like forever to deal with those symptoms. The worse one for me was the lump in my throat. Thank God the Prilosec at least took that away. As long as I eat anyway. I had strawberries one day and OMG, I was suffering for 3 days afterward.

The strawberries are the worst. There were two times that I had Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian and I got the service that had the strawberries and cream. OMG. I was sick for the next few days. I guess it is the combination of the strawberries and the really strong tea because I can have a few (like 2) strawberries on my cereal in the morning and I am okay.

I can get the Afternoon Tea without strawberries and I'm only mildly affected but if I have those strawberries, it gets very bad.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I want to thank you for your explanation Christine, very good! I was "officially" diagnosed with reflux after my scope test. I had to be sure. My symptoms of reflux were VERY ODD. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. The doc's all thought it was anxiety & depression.
Finally saw a good gastro that believed me, God Bless her, she saved my life. I also had a colonoscopy and surprise, I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed.

OK, I have trouble giving up coffee, my real issue. I am to the point where I can kick the soda.

My question for you is.....
When you eat something that makes you go nuts and you are on the meds, what is going on?

 

[Maleficent13]

I am going to rename the thread: "Public Service Announcement for Acid Reflux".

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Who knew Christine was a wealth of info?

 

[SillyMe]

I am going to rename the thread: "Public Service Announcement for Acid Reflux".

In Honor of your husband's soda addiction.

 

[crz4mm2]

It is hard to give up something you love and may be "addicted" to.
I love diet pepsi. LOVE it. I gave up caffeine several years ago (thought it was one of my migraine triggers. Turned out it didn't make any difference for me). So now I drink caffeine free Diet Pepsi. I still love it. I don't drink as much though. Decaf coffee too and limited amounts of that.

I take previcid every day. It has been my lifesaver. If I miss a day, it is killer.

Dietary changes are really a necessity. BUT, many of us don't want to do it (or WON'T do it).

Good luck Mal. He probably won't give it up, but maybe he can cut down.

 

[3princesses4us]

My guess is, you dh is hoping that the meds and other changes will help- and that he can keep the diet coke. I know that would be the angle I would try if it was me. lol

This is me in a nutshell. I take my Prilosec (almost) daily and that way I can continue to eat chocolate (my vice, I'm a woman...) Garlicy food/ pizza are usually what set me off and keep me up at night.
I don't think I have it as bad as some. I only take Prilosec for 2 weeks every few months and that seems to be enough. Doc says I can take it every day, I just don't want to get dependant on it. I did have an endoscopy done recently and no permanant damage has been done yet.

 

[Snowysmom]

Thank you Christine for the explanation of the proton pump inhibitors. It made things clearer for me now. Older Ds has very bad reflux and will be on Prilosec for the rest of his life. He had it so bad he couldn't breathe one night and we had to call the ambulance. He has to avoid caffeine so he drinks caffeine free drinks, no spicy foods, no mints (he was eating the altoids before his big episode. I threw out the tin in the Emergency Room trash), and no chocolate. I will say he occasionally has a caffeine drink or a piece of chocolate but not often. This happened when he was 16 so we have gone the medication route. We felt that the surgery had too many complications and that he could decide as an adult if he wants to take the risk. As long as the meds work for him, he wants to continue with that.

 

[Christine]

I want to thank you for your explanation Christine, very good! I was "officially" diagnosed with reflux after my scope test. I had to be sure. My symptoms of reflux were VERY ODD. It felt like someone was sitting on my chest. The doc's all thought it was anxiety & depression.
Finally saw a good gastro that believed me, God Bless her, she saved my life. I also had a colonoscopy and surprise, I had a pre-cancerous polyp removed.

OK, I have trouble giving up coffee, my real issue. I am to the point where I can kick the soda.

My question for you is.....
When you eat something that makes you go nuts and you are on the meds, what is going on?

The meds do not stop acid 100%. They stop part of it. The PPIs do the best job at stopping acid but they don't kick it all. And, really, you don't want to get rid of all your stomach acid because it helps you to absorb vitamins and keeps the levels of bacteria in your gut in proper balance. So, remember that while the medication is stopping most of the acid, it is not stopping it all. You are still "refluxing" on the medication it is just that your reflux fluid is not as acidic and doesn't bother you. If you eat something "bad" or something that causes you to secrete more acid, you will still pay. Sometimes, I think that when you are on PPIs and you do have a setback, it is very bad because you are not used to the acid.

 

[Christine]

Who knew Christine was a wealth of info?

Hey, I'm an armchair physician!!

 

[arminnie]

Duck makes sense. Maybe you can ask the Dr if he can try caffeine free?

I have really bad reflux - had surgery twice and take meds twice a day. No one has ever mentioned Diet Coke being a problem. I know about caffeine avoidance, but I think that's it.