Prevacid for decongestion?

tk · Post by tk » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:09 pm

After 7 weeks on my Remstar w/c-flex (pressure at 20), my dr. is switching me to an auto titrator (yippee!). But she also is having me take prevacid, which is a antiacid med, in the evening to help with my congestion. Anyone heard of this? I was congested at first, she gave me flonase and a prescription for an antibiotic and a decongestent, to make sure I didn't have a sinus infection. That cleared up two weeks ago, I don't feel congested but she had me breathe through my nose and I guess she thjinks it sounds like I'm congested. When I asked why prevacid she said that the stomach acid contributes to the congestion. Sounds weird to me, but she's been a super dr. so far. Just wondering if anyone else knows anything about this.
thanks,
tk

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 7:14 am

I've heard of people having acid reflux so bad, the acid makes it's way all the way up to the sinuses and can even cause tinnitus.

Apparently, it can even cause lung damage.

Thiscould be what your Dr. suspects.

If it is only to treat a stuffy nose, I've never heard of this use.

Regards

sharonokc · Post by **sharonokc** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:44 pm

acid reflux can damage your esophagus and may make it harder to breath. He may be trying prevacid to see if it will help.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:17 am

That's not what the Dr. is trying to do since TK indicated he was prescribing it for congestion.

snoozin' · Post by **snoozin'** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:26 pm

Don't know about congestion, exactly, but my Dr. has prescribed antacids for breathing problems before. Something about the acid reflux can cause/contribute to respiratory problems, trigger or contribute to the severity of asthma attacks, things like that.
Debbie

SleepyGuy · Post by **SleepyGuy** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:37 pm

Gabatril has been really helping my congestion. Some drugs have this effect I guess even if they are not intended for that.

I have constant back pain due to stenosis. (I'm probably going to need epidural cortisone eventually.) My doc put me on the Gabatril, an anti-convulsive that is often used to relieve back pain. I was really surprised how much it opened my sinus.

Before that we had tried TopaMax, another anti-convulsive. It opened my sinuses for a few days, but it got worse again. I had to stop taking it completely because it was making me feel awful. The Gabatril makes me spacey, but is not nearly as bad as the TopaMax. Because of this, I doubt it is a permanent solution to my sinus problem.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 10:47 am

If she is prescribing it for congestion, then she better get you in for a PH Study. If you have that much acid going that high, it is a serious medical problem. (Look up barrett's esophagus) The acid can also cause breathing problems. Get it checked out!

guest - unclebob · Post by **guest - unclebob** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 12:10 pm

I tried to post a reply but appears it was lost - will try again.

I have been taking Prevacid for a few months due to acid reflux that I didn't even know I had.

Was hauled away by ambulance one day as had just about passed out and had difficulty moving. They scoped my throat and found the bleeding. It stopped and they took biopsies which were negative. Have had 2nd scope and throat uncer had healed and biopsies again negative.

Was diagnosed with Barrett's Syndrome caused by acid reflux which leads to a propensity of cancer in the esophagus. Need to be scoped annually for a couple of years then bi-annually and finally periodically if all negative.

My understanding is the Prevacid controls the acid reflux, it has not provided any relief for my nasal congestion. I do not think it would be prescribed only for nasal congestion.

This is unclebob. Am at my daughter's home so did not sign in - computer illiterate!! I had made another post under sinus congestion re adding eucalyptus oil to the humidifier. Has anyone done this or have any ideas as to why not?

Thanks

unclebob

apneaNP · Post by **apneaNP** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:01 am

I am new to this forum,
I do have some thoughts on the prevacid issue. I have seen many people who have a wide range of complaints that are related to acid reflux or GERD. Some people dont know they can have reflux without suffering indigestion. Reflux is also a common problem that is aggravated by sleep apnea. There are studies that show this relationship. As far as reflux and the respiratory system, the acid can cause chemical burns to the treachea and vocal cords. This can contribute to difficulty with breathing. If the acid reaches the soft palate it can also cause inflammation to this area and feel like congestion due to the swelling.

Just some thoughts.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:39 pm

An emerging problem with PPI's which include prevacid is that it causes rebound which causes a viscious cycle. Imposible to g et off it.
The mfg have marketed something better than crack cocaine.

My wife had coughing and the doc thought it may be due to reflux. Problem was that she absolutely had no reflux.

I suggested she get off it and guess what? she could not because it CAUSES reflux in addition to preventing it.

Not many docs are aware of this.

My first posting

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:59 pm

There are 2 problems that can cause reflux. 1 being overproduction of acid. The 2nd is weakness in the lower esophegeal sphincter. With the second, it doesn't matter how little acid you have, you will still have reflux. IF you have the second type you have a few options, nissen fundo, stretta, or Enterex. (the first is major surgery, the second is scarring with RF waves, and the third injects a polymer into the LES to help close off the LES.) I had the Enterex procedure done in January and have no reflux symptoms at all.

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