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Hi All

As Hawthorne said - although the PPI's work the same way, they have differing effects on different people. As do other anti acid medications.

Because I could not tolerate Nexium, Zantac and Pariet (violent stomach ache and constipation) I had to have a fundoplication, which was a complete failure.

Now I take Somac twice a day (another PPI), recommended by an acquaintance, not a Doctor), together with Gaviscon after every meal, and that works well for me.

If I had been given Somac in the first place I would have avoided a year of acid reflux on my Barretts Esophagus, (and my teeth) and saved $5000 on the failed fundoplication. Consequently my Barretts Esophagus is inflamed, I am hoping it is still benign. More biopsies this week.

cheers

Mars

Interesting! That is one side effect I hadn't heard of.

I can not take any GERD meds, so I take Maalox. All of the GERD meds caused terrible migraines, wacky dreams and gave me GERD symptoms. Prior to taking them I had no symptoms at all. There was damage, but no symptoms.

I was just wondering if the H2 blockers such as Zanatac and Pepcid(which I take) can cause the same hip and joint problems as the PPI's. I do have issues with joint pain and wonder if it might be related to the use of the H2 blockers. I have been using them for almost 2 years now and still have issues with GERD. I tried Prilosec and something else (can't remember the name right now) and both gave me horrible stomach aches and headaches. Does anyone have any info on this?? Thanks-Grumpygirl

I just saw my PCP yesterday, who wants me to switch back to Zantac if possible, because Prilosec has been known to worsen osteoporosis. As Prevacid is a similar med, she's concerned that it will worsen my osteoporosis. I was on 300mg Zantac twice a day prior to switching to Prevacid (twice a day). She said that if I'm still having symptoms on Zantac, to take Prevacid in the am and Zantac in the pm. And of course, if that doesn't work, to stay on Prevacid twice a day. My PCP also hasn't heard that Prevacid is going off the market.

Just reporting - my Rheumatologist has not heard that Prevacid is going off the market. She hopes it's a false rumor!

the 'damage' that Nexium and others can also do to some;
Reflux Drugs

Proton pump inhibitors, such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec) and rabeprazole (AcipHex), are prescribed for chronic heartburn -- also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- and ulcers.

Nutrient depleted...

Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is essential for producing red blood cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Deficits may cause fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, diarrhea, tingling in the hands or feet, unsteady gait, nervousness, cognitive changes and even dementia.

Vitamin B-12 is found in red meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods, but our bodies require stomach acid to release the vitamin from these foods. Proton pump inhibitors reduce the production of stomach acid, inhibiting the release and absorption of vitamin B-12.

Iron. Low iron reduces the amount of oxygen your red blood cells can transport to body tissues, leaving you feeling weak and fatigued. A serious iron deficiency results in anemia.

If you take a proton pump inhibitor: Ask your doctor about taking 500 mcg to 1,000 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily and for advice on the best way to increase your iron intake.

Caution: Never take an iron supplement without consulting your physician -- excess iron can accumulate in your major organs and cause severe damage. Most people, however, can safely eat more iron-rich foods, including liver, beef, dark-meat chicken or turkey, legumes and fortified cereals.

this can be read at: http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com
Popular Drugs that Steal Nutrients.

There are also lots of forums where other users of Nexium have had heaps of problems .

My husband B was using Nexium once daily (since july 2007) and was becoming very forgetful often asking the same questions within a two minute time lapse. He ceased taking them daily three months ago and now only takes the very occassional one . His memory is improving and he has stopped asking the same questions all the time.

Thanks for this information. I am going to try harder to wean off nexium. I have bad joint pain and it might be that. I have gone from 40mg/day to 20mg and 20mg every other day and zantac on the off day.

Untreated GERD is probably harder on our system (esophageal CA) than the joint pain though so it is a dilemma.