Acid reflux: Anyone out there?

Posted by artist28374 @artist28374, Jul 7, 2011

Anyone out there? I have this bad. But also have been throwing up and diarrhea. Am trying to find out what causes the second situation. Thanks. T in Pinehurst NV

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Profile picture for standinginfaith @standinginfaith

Bless your heart!! I use pantoprazole ( script from DR and works very well.. also supplement with a Pepcid once in a while.. tho not suppose to)..I'm also interested in your comment about that Vargus nerve.. I never heard about it until my GI referred me to a neurologist for that for ongoing extreme nausea.. I heard a guy on TV say "you have 2 brains...your brain and you gut and they are connected to that Vargus nerve..so I'm having an appt. in Dev to get an MRI of my head.. prayers for you!!

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Yes, the vagus nerve is connected to the brain. When stressed, can cause acid reflux followed by vagus nerve pain. When I have the vagus nerve pain, the pain is severe and I become dizzy and I feel like I am going to faint. I have not been referred to a Neurologist but maybe I need to see one.

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Profile picture for susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52

Windyshores,
I have been on Protonix for years. When I told the gastroenterologist that I wanted yo get off of it, he reduced it from 40mg to 20mg, but was negative about completely getting off.
I am in the throes of a pretty intense GERD attack now.
I think I might finally have to go on the FODMAP diet to see if I can figure out diet
triggers better. I’m a 39 year vegetarian and already have a pretty clean diet.
And, sore throat from GERD - yes!

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@susanfalcon52 this is what the site says about Protonix:
"Pantoprazole is usually given for up to 8 weeks at a time while your esophagus heals." Omeprazole is 14 days!

I don't know why doctors keep patients on these drugs for so long. Maybe a dietician could help (sounds like you might have one). I succeeded in getting off a PPI by slowly-very slowly- replacing with Zantac (at the time) and yes, enduring some rebound even with that.

I don't eat after 5, avoid certain foods, and take Pepcid every once in awhile. I am having a flare right now and have taken it for 5 days but for years I barely took it.

I sympathize with the intensity of your GERD. Cutting in half is what MD's often suggest but that is a pretty dramatic change and I did it more slowly. You could do 1/2 for two days a week then increase. A pharmacist or dietician might offer advice: I am only recounting my experience.

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Profile picture for pinkhydrangea @pinkhydrangea

Has anyone experienced a sore throat from acid reflux. I have had a sore throat for a few weeks and ENT thinks it is from my acid reflux problems, but I have never had that symptom before with the acid reflux. I take two Omeprazole capsules daily.

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Are you doing a lot of regurgitating with your reflux? This is when I get a very sore throat. I often drink V-8 juice when I have a sore throat. It is thick and kind of coats the throat and it feels better. Luckily, the sore throat doesn't last long, but if you are regurgitating, I can guarantee you will have sore throats with your reflux. From my experience, anyway! Sorrty to tell you that!
P

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Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

@susanfalcon52 this is what the site says about Protonix:
"Pantoprazole is usually given for up to 8 weeks at a time while your esophagus heals." Omeprazole is 14 days!

I don't know why doctors keep patients on these drugs for so long. Maybe a dietician could help (sounds like you might have one). I succeeded in getting off a PPI by slowly-very slowly- replacing with Zantac (at the time) and yes, enduring some rebound even with that.

I don't eat after 5, avoid certain foods, and take Pepcid every once in awhile. I am having a flare right now and have taken it for 5 days but for years I barely took it.

I sympathize with the intensity of your GERD. Cutting in half is what MD's often suggest but that is a pretty dramatic change and I did it more slowly. You could do 1/2 for two days a week then increase. A pharmacist or dietician might offer advice: I am only recounting my experience.

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I cannot decrease the two tablets a day my Gastroenterologist has me on. I tried to but acid reflux caused my severe vagus nerve pain so I have to stay on the Omeprazole. Some days I have so much problems that I also have to use Pepcid or Tums.

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Profile picture for susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52

Windyshores,
I have been on Protonix for years. When I told the gastroenterologist that I wanted yo get off of it, he reduced it from 40mg to 20mg, but was negative about completely getting off.
I am in the throes of a pretty intense GERD attack now.
I think I might finally have to go on the FODMAP diet to see if I can figure out diet
triggers better. I’m a 39 year vegetarian and already have a pretty clean diet.
And, sore throat from GERD - yes!

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I had not heard of Protonix medication. What is that?

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Profile picture for pinkhydrangea @pinkhydrangea

I cannot decrease the two tablets a day my Gastroenterologist has me on. I tried to but acid reflux caused my severe vagus nerve pain so I have to stay on the Omeprazole. Some days I have so much problems that I also have to use Pepcid or Tums.

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@pinkhydrangea what exactly does vagus nerve pain feel like? I have never heard of it. I have episodes of afib that may be related to the vagus nerve. Curious what you are describing.

Have you tried switching one night of Omeprazole to Pepcid? It sounds like you are stuck. The body responds to PPI's by making more acid which requires more meds and makes it impossible to stop.

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Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

@pinkhydrangea what exactly does vagus nerve pain feel like? I have never heard of it. I have episodes of afib that may be related to the vagus nerve. Curious what you are describing.

Have you tried switching one night of Omeprazole to Pepcid? It sounds like you are stuck. The body responds to PPI's by making more acid which requires more meds and makes it impossible to stop.

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Have you ever had the dentist hit a nerve when working on a tooth? It feels like that but pain is worse and I will have continued pain for up to 5 minutes. My Gastroenterologist says for me when I have acid reflux that my esophagus is vibrating so hard that it causes pain on my vagus nerve. This is a rare side effect of acid reflux but that is problem I have if this happens.

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Profile picture for pinkhydrangea @pinkhydrangea

Have you ever had the dentist hit a nerve when working on a tooth? It feels like that but pain is worse and I will have continued pain for up to 5 minutes. My Gastroenterologist says for me when I have acid reflux that my esophagus is vibrating so hard that it causes pain on my vagus nerve. This is a rare side effect of acid reflux but that is problem I have if this happens.

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Where is the pain located @pinkhydrangea?

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Profile picture for pinkhydrangea @pinkhydrangea

Has anyone experienced a sore throat from acid reflux. I have had a sore throat for a few weeks and ENT thinks it is from my acid reflux problems, but I have never had that symptom before with the acid reflux. I take two Omeprazole capsules daily.

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Yes I have and sometimes still do I have done ppis as well as prescription Pepcid. And now I take Maalox or Mylanta. I also watch my diet. Stay away from high fat foods as well as tomato products and spicy foods and walk everyday. Much much better! Good luck

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Profile picture for pinkhydrangea @pinkhydrangea

Has anyone experienced a sore throat from acid reflux. I have had a sore throat for a few weeks and ENT thinks it is from my acid reflux problems, but I have never had that symptom before with the acid reflux. I take two Omeprazole capsules daily.

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I suffered from acid reflux for years, treating it with Tums. A year ago I had throat issues and was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. This year, I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus and needed ablation.

If the throat issues persist, do not ignore.

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