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Medication for acid reflux/GERD

Posted by kathyhg @kathyhg, Jan 3, 2024

I’ve been struggling with acid reflux/GERD for a few years and my doctor has just suggested I take a PPI proton pump inhibitor (such as pantoprazole). He was previously reluctant agree to this, despite recommendation by the gastroenterologist I saw.

I’m sure there have been discussions here related to taking PPI’s with bronchiectasis and Mac but wonder what others have experienced related to this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Nov 20, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia).The doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia.The) doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg, but it doesn't help.Another doctor wants to give me Dexlansoprazole, but after reading about it, I don't want to take it.QUESTION: Is there any other, " better" medication to take?Esoméprazole?Should I take Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PLUS Antacids?I have Stage 2 oesophagitis and really need to do something about it.Apparently PPIs don't help. At least not pantoprazole. I think 40 mg is the standard dose. Not sure if that can be increased.My doctor doesn't "talk" to me and doesn't "explain".Thanks for all your inputs and help.Best wishes,Katharina

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I have been on Protonix for a long time. I rotate between (when I'm really flared up) 40 mg and then I come back down to 20 mg when I get better. I have tried them all and this is the ony one that works for me.

I use Gaviscon cherry chewables (2 before meals) for breakthrough pain or during the day if I have a flareup after taking the Protonix in the morning. I also take 1 20 mg Pepcid AC at night to keep me from having back-up reflux, per my Gastroenterologist's suggestion. Nothing to eat after 6:00, bed elevated and nothing tight around my waist clothing wise. Also, I cannot eat raw onions...it makes reflux worse.
I need to lose a few pounds. Extra weight around the middle makes reflux worse and sometimes losing weight can get you off of a PPI.

PPI's are not that great for us in that they can cause bone issues and they can keep our bodies from absorbing meds and supplements. If you can take something else instead like Pepcid AC extra strength that would be better. I personally do not get daytime relief from anything except a PPI.

I wish you the best on this and praying for you. Blessings....

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Profile picture for Mistinguette
Mistinguette | @mistinguette | Nov 20, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia).The doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia.The) doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg, but it doesn't help.Another doctor wants to give me Dexlansoprazole, but after reading about it, I don't want to take it.QUESTION: Is there any other, " better" medication to take?Esoméprazole?Should I take Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PLUS Antacids?I have Stage 2 oesophagitis and really need to do something about it.Apparently PPIs don't help. At least not pantoprazole. I think 40 mg is the standard dose. Not sure if that can be increased.My doctor doesn't "talk" to me and doesn't "explain".Thanks for all your inputs and help.Best wishes,Katharina

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Hi there, thank you so much for your message. I wish you also the best. All the best. 🙂

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Scott R L | @scottrl | Nov 20, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia).The doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia.The) doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg, but it doesn't help.Another doctor wants to give me Dexlansoprazole, but after reading about it, I don't want to take it.QUESTION: Is there any other, " better" medication to take?Esoméprazole?Should I take Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PLUS Antacids?I have Stage 2 oesophagitis and really need to do something about it.Apparently PPIs don't help. At least not pantoprazole. I think 40 mg is the standard dose. Not sure if that can be increased.My doctor doesn't "talk" to me and doesn't "explain".Thanks for all your inputs and help.Best wishes,Katharina

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I had pretty bad GERD, especially while sleeping, for years. More than once, I woke up after aspirating stomach acid. Talk about an unpleasant night!

Then, coincidentally, I got treated for sleep apnea, and my reflux stopped completely. That was 25 years ago.

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1 reply
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Mistinguette | @mistinguette | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia).The doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia.The) doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg, but it doesn't help.Another doctor wants to give me Dexlansoprazole, but after reading about it, I don't want to take it.QUESTION: Is there any other, " better" medication to take?Esoméprazole?Should I take Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PLUS Antacids?I have Stage 2 oesophagitis and really need to do something about it.Apparently PPIs don't help. At least not pantoprazole. I think 40 mg is the standard dose. Not sure if that can be increased.My doctor doesn't "talk" to me and doesn't "explain".Thanks for all your inputs and help.Best wishes,Katharina

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Excellent! Thanks.

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Profile picture for Mistinguette
Mistinguette | @mistinguette | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @scottrl "I had pretty bad GERD, especially while sleeping, for years. More than once, I woke up..." + (show)
Profile picture for Scott R L @scottrl

I had pretty bad GERD, especially while sleeping, for years. More than once, I woke up after aspirating stomach acid. Talk about an unpleasant night!

Then, coincidentally, I got treated for sleep apnea, and my reflux stopped completely. That was 25 years ago.

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Thank you, Scott. 🙂

REPLY
Profile picture for nrocpop
nrocpop | @nrocpop | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia).The doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg,..." + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Hello,I'm having GERD due to a malformation of the cardia (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cardia.The) doctor prescribed pantoprazole 40 mg, but it doesn't help.Another doctor wants to give me Dexlansoprazole, but after reading about it, I don't want to take it.QUESTION: Is there any other, " better" medication to take?Esoméprazole?Should I take Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) PLUS Antacids?I have Stage 2 oesophagitis and really need to do something about it.Apparently PPIs don't help. At least not pantoprazole. I think 40 mg is the standard dose. Not sure if that can be increased.My doctor doesn't "talk" to me and doesn't "explain".Thanks for all your inputs and help.Best wishes,Katharina

Jump to this post

I can't really advise you about medicines, but I will tell you that some of the other methods they suggest do really help. I elevated the head of my bed and I avoid eating for several hours before bedtime. When I was keeping my weight down, that helped too. God help me, I need to get my weight down again.

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2 replies
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Mistinguette | @mistinguette | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @nrocpop "I can't really advise you about medicines, but I will tell you that some of the..." + (show)
Profile picture for nrocpop @nrocpop

I can't really advise you about medicines, but I will tell you that some of the other methods they suggest do really help. I elevated the head of my bed and I avoid eating for several hours before bedtime. When I was keeping my weight down, that helped too. God help me, I need to get my weight down again.

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Thank you. I really wish for you to be get your weight down. You will!

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2 replies
Profile picture for nrocpop
nrocpop | @nrocpop | Nov 21, 2024
In reply to @mistinguette "Thank you. I really wish for you to be get your weight down. You will!" + (show)
Profile picture for Mistinguette @mistinguette

Thank you. I really wish for you to be get your weight down. You will!

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Thank you so much. That is very kind of you.

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coffcoff | @coffcoff | Feb 11 2:25pm

I have silent GERD, a hiatal hernia and bronchiectasis ( with MAC currently in remission). Because I dont have excessive stomach acid I take no medication for the GERD. But I'm religious about the usual lifestyle modifications per Dr Huitt, ie, head of bed up, no food for 3-4 hours before bed, etc.

My question for the group: has anyone had a TIF procedure for hiatal hernia/ GERD? I'm desperate to keep from getting MAC again and would like to hear it TIF helped with the reflux.

Thanks!

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1 reply
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nadia25 | @nadia25 | Feb 12 4:59pm

My husband takes a pro biotic which is good for your gut, too much antibiotics kill all bacteria , need the good bacteria

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