Prilosec/ acid reflux

[3princesses4us]

I was diagnosed with acid reflux right before Christmas. Dr. turned me on to Prilosec OTC. You take it for two weeks, then you're supposed to be covered for 4 months. It worked like a charm the first day and for the 2 1/2 months since. It has apparently worn off as I've been up for 4 nights in a row with horrible heartburn.
My question is: has anyone else out there experienced this? Would it be okay to start another 2 week supply of the Prilosec even though it hasn't been 4 months. The Prilosec box isn't terribly helpful, all it says is "take a 2 week supply every 4 months". What if the relief doesn't last 4 months?!
And I can't ask my doctor his opinion as he's since been diagnosed with colon cancer so he's in the hospital dealing with that and has shut down his office... Help!

 

[moniot]

My husband suffers from Acid Reflux also.. He takes a daily does of Prilosec. Everyday. If he misses a dose he knows it that night.

For a while his Dr. even prescibed 2 tablets a day (right after his gallbladder surgery).

It was also recomended we raise the top of our bed (where your head is) buy a couple of inches. We just put a piece of a 2X2X4 under the wheels.

DH needs to make sure he does not eat to close to bed time. Stomach needs time to digest before laying down.

He suffered for many years and with in the last year has finally got a handle on things.

Good luck to you.

 

[Marseeya]

Have you had an endoscopy? Maybe you should talk to your doctor about it. This stuff is nothing to fool around with! I have a condition called Barrett's Esophagus and between Prilosec and Nexium, I'm going really well.

I've been taking one or the other since 2001. I take them pretty much every day, but I do skip days here and there.

Don't take it every day without talking to your doctor first.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have been suffering for a long time. My doc's thought I was crazy...as my symptoms were not textbook.
One of the reasons was because I had taken Prilosec, Nexium, and a couple of other things that did not work.
My primary tried to get me on anxiety meds.
(My reflux feels like someone's foot is standing on my chest, kind of like anxiety.)

OK, my dd was prescribed Prevacid and one day I took it out of desperation and BINGO it WORKED!

So I knew now indeed I had reflux. Just a couple of weeks ago I went and had a colonoscopy & an endoscopy...It was confirmed FINALLY. However I have been suffering for years now and I have to repair alot of damage.

Here is my PSA....go get medically tested!!! They found a polyp in my colon as well, not cancerous, but would have become so. I am 41.
Go get tested!!!!!

 

[AMcaptured]

I have terrible chronic GERD and the beginning of cellular changes... And I am on protonix 2x a day for basically forever at this point. You really do need an endoscopy. If you're up four nights in a row in pain, you need to be further tested. Heartburn isn't always "just" heartburn and chronic GERD is not a little problem that some mylanta or OTC medication can help.

I am sorry your PCP is ill, you either need to go to the ER today or find a new doctor in the morning.

As others have mentioned, no eating for 3 hours minimum before bed. No drinking, no smoking, lose weight if you are holding onto a few extra pounds, limit caffeine and carbonated beverages, stay away from tomatoes and raise the bed a few inches at the head.

Good Luck but find a new doctor ASAP!

AM

 

[chris1gill]

I haven't heard of this notion that if you take prilosec for two weeks, it works for four months. That's not how it works... It's a daily medication, that if you have chronic reflux or GERD, you take it daily. If you don't take it, you know it. I too have atypical GERD & it took forever to get diagnosed. I take two Prevacid a day, and that's down from three....

If this is a chronic problem for you, you really should be seen by a gastroenterologist, this is what they deal with... Meanwhile, I'd start the Prilosec right away as it takes a few days to really reduce your problem...

This is one of the reasons I wasn't so big on having Prilosec OTC.... because people take it when they don't exactly know how the medicine works & even many doctors don't understand how it works or what the ramifications of having chronic heartburn are (Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer & a host of other problems)....

 

[Christine]

First off, Prilosec does NOT work for 4 months. The box is stupid and wrong and they put it on there so that people who DON'T go to the doctor at all will not use it longer than 2 weeks.

I have been on Prilosec since 1998, everyday. This was before it went OTC. I cannot use the OTC--it is not the same as the "old" Prilosec and does not work for me. But if it works for you--go for it.

You can take this stuff everyday and if your heartburn has been acting up, then I would for darn sure use it.

In the meantime, make an appointment with your doctor and let him know that this heartburn you have is not episodic--it is long-term.

 

[lsyorke]

First off, Prilosec does NOT work for 4 months. The box is stupid and wrong and they put it on there so that people who DON'T go to the doctor at all will not use it longer than 2 weeks.

I have to agree! Prior to this drug going over the counter it was prescribed daily by doctors. Prilosec's halflife is 1 hour. Which means that 1/2 of the dose is gone within one hour of taking it. How they would expect it to last 4 months is beyond me.

 

[Dreamer04]

Ok I have acid reflux. I take 40 mg of Nexium everyday. If I run out, after a day or so-its almost unbearable.

 

[3princesses4us]

Wow! Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like I've been almost lucky to have lasted these last 2 1/2 months without taking it every day. I just turned 34 and am not overweight (okay, have a few baby pounds left to lose but nothing bad), I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and have the most bland diet known to man. I hate spicy foods! How I got this, I have no idea...
I will call a gastrointestinal doctor this week and see if maybe he can give me a stronger daily perscription. I knew 4 months of relief sounded too good to be true! Thanks everyone.

 

[elizke]

I have had this problem for years too. Suffered for quite some time before getting a prescription. And as others' said, I miss one danged dose and I'm miserable!! Nothing else makes any difference, like bed position or not eating before bedtime. And I quit smoking three years ago.

Try for a prescribed version if you have health insurance, as it's often covered.

I'm scheduled to see one of those specialists mentioned and will get the endoscopy done. Way overdue. Even on medication I have the lump in my throat feeling all the time now.

I asked the doc last week, why on earth is this problem becoming so prevalent, especially with women? I think there must be a reason! She agreed but has no idea why either.

E.

 

[Snowysmom]

My older DS has been on Prilosec every day for almost 5 years now. He had laryngospasms and was in the hospital for 4 days so he never misses a dose! He also has the head of his bed elevated, does not eat close to bedtime, limits coffee, chocolate etc, no spicy food which he hates anyway, and absolutely no mint of any kind. Have you been to see a gastroenterologist? I hope you get some relief from the Prilosec.

 

[Robinrs]

I was also told to take it everyday, just like a "birth control pill" every day until the day you die" is what my Dr. told me.....

And I did UNTIL...

My coworkers sister is married to a physician who specializes in liver transplants. She told me he is VERY BUSY now thanks to Prilosec and the like, the pills we are told to take EVERYDAY but are destroying our livers....

I went to a holistic doctor who taught me how to eat and WHEN to eat to prevent the horrific bouts I had at night. As long as I stick to it I have no problems and I've been off Prilosec now for 3 years.

Sure, acid reflux can erode the esophagus, but all medication makes it's way thru the liver and anything that is daily can be a risk. I thought the suggestion to take it for awhile was a good one.

 

[Christine]

I was also told to take it everyday, just like a "birth control pill" every day until the day you die" is what my Dr. told me.....

And I did UNTIL...

My coworkers sister is married to a physician who specializes in liver transplants. She told me he is VERY BUSY now thanks to Prilosec and the like, the pills we are told to take EVERYDAY but are destroying our livers....

I went to a holistic doctor who taught me how to eat and WHEN to eat to prevent the horrific bouts I had at night. As long as I stick to it I have no problems and I've been off Prilosec now for 3 years.

Sure, acid reflux can erode the esophagus, but all medication makes it's way thru the liver and anything that is daily can be a risk. I thought the suggestion to take it for awhile was a good one.

My doctor checks my liver enzymes every year. I've never had a problem. As long as you liver enzymes do not elevate, you won't crap out your liver.

 

[Christine]

Wow! Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like I've been almost lucky to have lasted these last 2 1/2 months without taking it every day. I just turned 34 and am not overweight (okay, have a few baby pounds left to lose but nothing bad), I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and have the most bland diet known to man. I hate spicy foods! How I got this, I have no idea...
I will call a gastrointestinal doctor this week and see if maybe he can give me a stronger daily perscription. I knew 4 months of relief sounded too good to be true! Thanks everyone.

For many people, it has nothing to do with weight or eating habits, although these can cause a temporary heartburn.

What mostly happens, in chronic reflux, is that sphincter muscle that is above your stomach gets "loose" for some reason and does not close all the way. They don't really know why this happens in some people. The Prilosec does not cure the loose sphincter problem--in fact--you still have reflux while taking Prilosec--it is just not acidic.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I went to a holistic doctor who taught me how to eat and WHEN to eat to prevent the horrific bouts I had at night. As long as I stick to it I have no problems and I've been off Prilosec now for 3 years.

My dh does not take meds and is very strict with his diet as well. However, his reflux is not like mine at all. His hits and he feels like he is having a heart attack.
Mine is constant dull ache in my chest and my biopsy of my esphogus showed alot of damage.
It is really better to get the endoscopy first to see what is going on.
I know that my gastro specializes in the liver too so I will ask about getting tested when I see her in a couple of weeks.

I am telling you....quitting all these foods and drinks is not EASY!!!!
Coffee, Soda, Chocolate, no tomatoes of any sort includes pizza, spaghetti sauces, NO CITRUS!, etc....No eating 3 hours before bedtime.