Hi,
My ENT put a scope down my throat and diagnosed me with a "proabably new and not very severe" case of silent reflux. My symptoms are a slight burning in the throat and mucus coming up throughout the day. I was initially diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Not sure if that diagnosis even holds now and I have both conditions, or just the SLR.
My doctor prescribed Nexium 40mg 1 a day for 2 months, then see him again. I think he said take it 15 min. after breakfast, but the Nexium site says 30 min before meals. Can anyone guide me here on when to take it?
2. Anything to worry about with this medication? I'm researching now and seeing some comments about "beware of the reflux medications your dr. prescribes because they can do more harm than good." Does that apply here, or should I just follow doctor's orders?
I've used meds for over 10 years. Very important to take BEFORE meals (20 mins is usually recommended.) I've been taking Zegerid (OTC) because my insurance won't cover Rx medications for acid refulx and even when they did would not cover taking two pills a day. I would check with the Pharmacist.
I followed orders and it got me nowhere. But, I can't speak for anyone here. You have to research. I have a weak sphinter muscle there at the base. But, I am laying low until I can understand more....been long enough but I don't want the operation. No one has recommended it to this point.
Never did Nexium. Keep us posted.
I had suffered for years with acid reflux. It seems that the best doctors can offer is to block stomach acid production so that the stomachs contents can slosh upward without damaging the esophagus. But, there is a reason to stop the sloshing completely. When stomach liquids come upward when a person is sleeping, it can be inhaled into the lungs. This could actually cause a person to suffocate before they are able to restart their breathing. This happened to me, and I immediately got a wedge to sleep on. But, there is another way to deal with the reflux.
By drinking 8 to 10 oz of cabonated water. It can even be seltzer or sparkling water. When you get the urge to burp, you stop it. It may feel uncomfortable the first few times but soon you will be able to hold down the burp for 30 minutes or more without effort. The idea is to strengthen the esophageal sphincter. The job of the esophageal sphincter is to keep the stomach contents in the stomach at all times. It is usually in a closed position. For various reasons, the esophageal sphincter stops doing its job. Whatever the reason, strengthening the esophageal sphincter will solve the problem of acid reflux and the accompaning sysmptoms. Do the exersize 3 to 4 times a day. And keep at it. It will work. Let me know if you have any questions, and keep me updated if you want to try this.
Regards, Jonathan
Walter, all I can say is that I was prescribed Nexium - for a totally illogical reason as far as I am concerned - and it turned my system around completely. I stopped after a couple of days (the prescription was the same as yours) and it took me a year to get my system back to anything close to normal. Stay away from this ghastly drug if you possibly can help it.
So this therapy worked for you? Can you give us a timeline on how many weeks you had to do it before seeing improvement? And do you continue to do it? I'm not sure I'd be disciplined enough to do that 3 times a day permanently. But then, if it really works...
And how did you hear about this? Have others tried it?
Oh no. What do you mean "turned your system around"? What symptoms did it bring on?
Jonathan57679
Thank you for that possibility. I have suffered now for close to yrs...life has changed, depression, have seen now 15 doctors...of all kinds, including Mayo Clinic. Been through endoscopy, bravo, ct scans, mri of the brain, sputum testing, metal testing...etc. I have taken their drugs...now this new doctor (as I am now dealing with a hypothyroid increasing upwards on test) said to me, take the zantac (my last prescription, didn't work) and galviscon, inbetween. Day two today! I am going to try your script on the burping...although I don't burp and have never had to deal with reflux as my past has been clean with right living and foods...but? I have drank wine over time...no fried foods (rare)junk foods or sodas. 4 yrs of this come Oct. Depression has set in at 66 yrs old. I could care less if I continue to live, honestly. My new doc wants me to see a psycologist. Wow I say! Thanks for your recommendation and I will try it~
If you have a hernia I would not recommend Jonathans excercise it may put too much pressure on the diaphram/esophagus/stomach area. Just a FYI
The three times a day would be just until the sphincter starts holding down the acid. I am now down to once a day. Others are trying it at this time but I have little feedback so far. This is my own recent discovery. But, it is just logical that it should help most people with acid reflux. If a persons heart becomes weak from a sedentary lifestyle, excersise is usually "prescribed".
I know that acid blockers are not all that safe. They damage the stomach by making chemical burns, cause acid revenge when you try to stop, cause osteoporosis, and possiblly damage all muscles by reduced protein assimilation. Everyone taking acid blockers should also be taking an enzyme capsule with every meal so they can digest their food. But, doctors never tell their patients that information.
I am not a doctor but before surgery was common, people would drink a large amount of regular water and then jump up and down to reposition their stomach back down where it belongs. Apparently it would pull the hernia down below the diaphram. I did try that a few times, but it was uncomfortable as I was already nauseated from acid reflux, gastritis and bloating. Its possible that the carbonated water may also reposition the stomach to its proper location and push the diaphram up where it belongs.
Most of my symptoms were caused by a "safe" steroidal nasal spray (Flonase) that I had used for years. I stopped it, and use another type now. Many people have stomach problems from drugs they have taken.
I wish someone had told me about the carbonated water treatment, then maybe I would not have suffered so long.
Carbonated water is not dangerous and no one has ever been injured by it.
I'm sorry that you have suffered so much. It can make anyone depressed. If acid reflux is your main problem, then I hope the carbonated water treatment helps you.
When you do this, you need to really focus on holding down the burp. It may be uncomfortable at first, but then any excercise usually is. It really is not the burping that exercises but the holding down the pressure. Eventually it will become very easy as the sphincter gets stronger.
Keep me posted as to your progress.
The dr.s told me not to drink carbonated water because of the acid. I used to drink it and I was fine.
Walter I have the same issues as u, and I am also on nexium. My symptoms haven't gotten any better, mucus in my throat after every meal. It's just depressing
Thank you for that Jonathan, it's wotprth a try. Mine has gone on for years and although the acid is much better, I still have the nasal drip and throat clearing. It drives me mad. Best wishes,
Mine too was caused by a steroid nasal spray. It also caused a long session of oral thrush so stay off the srpteroud nasal sprays
And now the new asthma inhalers are also steroidal and cause more digestive issues more more people. The pharmaceutical companies are getting away with poor testing by putting whats called A to Z side effects on eveything so they can't be sued. I try to take as little medications as possible now.
They are concerned that people will be burping all the time from the carbonation and that burping might splash acid upward. But, actually burping is natural and has never caused acid reflux. Acid reflux is caused by a weak esophageal sphincter that lets acid flow upward when we sleep. That is what causes the damage. But, my method involves holding down the burp and strengthening the sphincter so that it holds shut while we sleep. It is the only method I've heard of that prevents the reflux. Then things can heal. I was cured by this method. I have no more reflux problems, and I can even eat spagetti and pizza, which were my "trigger" foods.
One more bit of advice. When you take an acid blocker, always take it with food. Otherwise, the chemicals will disolve and burn your stomach, making things worse, and can even cause gastritis. Always open the capsules and take the tiny pills with lots of water. Don't chew them up. Also, do not chew up acid blocker pills, they are timed release.
I would suggest taking the acid blocker 20 to 30 minutes after dinner. That way it will protect you from night time reflux, which is when 90% of the damage occurs. You must also sleep on an incline or wedge. You must protect your stomach and esophagus at all times. You will benefit yourself by being very careful not to cause any further damage. This can get really bad if it's not handled correctly.
How long have you been on Nexium? Are you taking it twice a day?