GERD medication: What medication works for you?

Posted by kgossay @kgossay, Nov 20 2:04pm

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

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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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@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. 🙂

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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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@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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@kgossay

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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