GERD: What helps long term?

Posted by littleonefmohio @littleonefmohio, Apr 19, 2018

Does anyone know what I can take for GERD long term? I never had it until they removed my gallbladder. Since then I have been living in hell. I cannot take pain medication, antidepressants, of course certain foods. I have tried prilosec, nexium, and now take tums and zantac. I have severe GERD where I feel i am having a heart attack. I think it was in October of last year I was taken to the hospital with it because it seem much worse than before. At that time they ran every test for heart problems and thank God I do not have heart disease. I Cannot bend over to work in my yard like I love too mostly because of that. Also wanted to ask if anyone heard that Tums would give you Alzheimers? I will have to take 3 or more sometimes to get the pain to stop. That is the only thing I found that works with the Zantac but I am worried about the Alzheimers since my grandfather had it. I also need to get my teeth pulled but am scared to death of the pain since I cannot take pain killers.

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I think my GERD medicine effects my eyes. Does anyone else have this? I take Famotidine 40 mg 2x day.

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@cindychesler

I too did the food testing in 2019 and it changed my life in a very positive way. I did the MRT / LEAP testing while working with a dietitian. It’s pricey but it was worth it. Good luck.

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How accurate is this test? I had a skin allergy test done in Sept. It found I have a dust mite allergy. They also tested me for a few foods. I didn’t have a notable reaction. I did do the Everlywell test at home. It showed that I’m slightly reactive to a few things. But I’m not sure how accurate that test is either.

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@mikaylar

I think my GERD medicine effects my eyes. Does anyone else have this? I take Famotidine 40 mg 2x day.

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Does it make your vision blurry? I read it could be a side effect. I had a bunch of side effects with the ppi meds. I took myself off because I couldn’t handle the headaches, dry mouth, and just an off feeling.

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@kbro2010

Does it make your vision blurry? I read it could be a side effect. I had a bunch of side effects with the ppi meds. I took myself off because I couldn’t handle the headaches, dry mouth, and just an off feeling.

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Yes bluffy vision and the constipation is unbearable.

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@mikaylar

Yes bluffy vision and the constipation is unbearable.

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blurry I mean

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In reply to @mikaylar "blurry I mean" + (show)
@mikaylar

blurry I mean

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There are so many:
Rare

Anxiety
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
bloody, black, or tarry stools
cough
difficulty breathing
discouragement
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
feeling sad or empty
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
noisy breathing
pinpoint red spots on the skin
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
seizures
swelling around the eyes
tightness in the chest
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unusual bleeding or bruising

Agitation
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chest pain
chills
clay-colored stools
dark urine
diarrhea
difficulty swallowing
dizziness or fainting
fever
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
high fever
hives, itching, skin rash
hoarseness
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
nausea
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stomach pain
swollen glands
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
upper right abdominal pain
vomiting of blood
yellow eyes or skin

Less common
Difficulty having a bowel movement

Rare
Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
bone or muscle pain
change in taste
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty in moving
dry mouth
dry skin
feeling of warmth
hearing loss
inability to have or keep an erection
lack or loss of strength
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
muscle pain or stiffness
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
redness of the white part of the eyes
stomach discomfort
unusual drowsiness

I read the pamphlet that came with it and it made me so afraid to take it. The side effects are crazy!

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The manufacturer has to list all side effects reported. That doesn't mean you will get any of them, but you can count on several.

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@mikaylar

The manufacturer has to list all side effects reported. That doesn't mean you will get any of them, but you can count on several.

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I ended up with quite a few of them. That’s why I stopped taking it.

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@kbro2010

I ended up with quite a few of them. That’s why I stopped taking it.

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What was the medicine? I just stopped Famotidine and am taking Tums. Not working too well. U cannot ignore the disease.

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I stopped taking Famotidine and pantoprazole 40mg twice a day. I had bad rebound reflux for about 2 weeks. Now I’m back to how I was before. I had no improvement while taking the meds and the side effects were worse than the silent reflux. My symptoms are Globus, gurgling in my throat and congestion. I actually I do have EGD w/Bravo scheduled for Jan. I had to get off the meds for the test anyway. I just did it 2 months early. I use Gaviscon advanced from Amazon and also Gaviscon extra strength chewable. My GI doctor was the one that suggested the Gaviscon advanced from Amazon. He said to use it after meals and at bedtime. I’m hoping the test shows when I’m actually refluxing since I can not tell. I never get heartburn. But my esophagus showed damage from reflux when I had the EGD in August. They also dilated it. But unfortunately that didn’t help my Globus.

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