Hi @gloria811, were you able to taper off with the help of a physician? I just want to mention to other readers that the safest way to come off of a medication is by consulting your physician first so they can monitor any symptoms or reactions you are having due to the reduction of the drug. I am so happy to hear that you were able to successfully get off of the medicine. Are you still having reflux issues? Can you share what you are doing now to counteract any discomfort?
Yes, I consulted with my doctor. I am on Carafate & ranitidine which help with acid reflux but not for the other digestive issues. Since I have started the digestive enzymes (supplement) I am noticing that my symptoms for both conditions are a bit better. I am taking things one step at a time and will see if this is a possible solution to be able to taper off of the medicines mentioned.
Is this acid reflux?
I have been having severe pain in my central upper stomach for several months. The pain is debilitating and accompanied with nausea. All the usual stuff: bloating, no appetite, losing weight, mostly eating chicken soup… It's the kind of pain that requires all my energy just to cope and prevents me from doing almost anything. Endoscopy in October showed a stricture, which was repaired. No other signs except as I described. My PCP has started me on Nexium and Tums. Too soon to see much of a difference. I really don't know anything about acid reflux, but I know I want this pain to go away. Does anyone have experiences or thoughts about what might be going on? I hope you are having a good day! Thank you, Sue.
@ashby1947 – Welcome to Mayo Connect! You sound totally miserable- you are not alone! My initial thought is that you need to see a Gastroenterologist. If nothing changed with Nexium and Tums and you are losing weight and you can't eat much, a Gastroenterologist could change the medication and/or also do more testing.
It does sound like severe reflux- I have had it as well as many members in this group. I remember the constant nausea.
However, it is very important that the diagnosis is confirmed and other treatments started if needed.
Can you please get back to us?
Hi Sue @ashby1947, I know the feeling of having debilitating pain that just won't go away. My heart goes out to you. It's never easy to be in pain. You will notice that I moved your comment to a popular discussion about acid reflux and possible symptoms. I did this so that you could connect with people who have shared experiences.
@ashby1947, Did your doctor suggest anything other than reflux? Is it a burning pain?
@mwarenski ..My husband and I both have acid reflex. Sometimes I can be sleeping at night and then all of a sudden I feel it coming up into my mouth. The one thing that we have really saw a difference when we take is papaya. You can get this at health food stores and I believe is much healthier, then Tums, Rolaids etc. My mother-in-law introduced it to us many years ago and we swear by it. You can take fives, six, seven tablets at a time.
Hi Gloria – what kind of digestive enzymes are you taking – just OTC? Do you also take probiotics? I agree with Amanda about working with your doc when stopping medicines. I am taking so many medications, not only for reflux, but also for anemia, plus a ton of meds for HB pressure. Some have the same side effects, so multiplied problems. I am so exhausted waiting for the right drug or combination of drugs, that I think I should quit them all and "get clean". I won't of course, because I would probably die, but I know other people get this notion, too. I hope this is a good day for you! Sue
@654321
You don the have the acid reflux anymore.