Acid reflux questions

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Question:

  My doctor gave me a prescription/samples of  Protonix about a month ago. He thought that my chest pains were acid reflux so we should give it a try and see how it goes. He also gave me Xanax for a week becasue I was having panic attacks! I think because I was freaked out about the chest pains. I thought I was dying!(Yes, i went to ER and cardioligist and heart OK) I took the protonix for 3 weeks and then stopped becasue I had no more pains in a long time. Really a few days after I started the meds. Well Last Friday went out for mexican food and my pains started back up again Saturday. I started taking my Protonix again on Sun, I had a about 10 days worth left.   Well by Thursday my chest pains were minimal. I have been taking some Malox chewables a few times a day since Tues with the Protonix. I want to describe my symptoms to see if anybody has any advice. I was having and still occasionally have an ache or heaviness in the center of my chest that sometimes spreads wider. Usually it seems after eating. I noticed the other day that when I swallowed it kinda felt "raw" going down. So i washed it down with some cold bottled water I had it it seemed to aggravate my chest/throat more. I sometimes get a real high pressure feeling in my head and ears like im in a airplane and my ears need to pop or something and i get kinda "bristled" all over like Im panicking or something. This usually happens when im lying down. I sometimes wake up at night with this feeling. Kinda scary! Im about 25# over wieght and when i bend or squat or like when Im on my computer with my legs propped on my desk it seems to aggravate my condition. This all started Dec 30 after eating mexican food. My chest hurt BAD! i thought I was having a heart attack. It died down but since then It was a dull ache. i have been through hell since this started. I started having panic attacks and every doctor out there tried to give me Paxil, Zolft, Effexor for depression and anxiety. I feel like i was having those problems becasue I was scared to death I was dying! When i took those drugs I was completely out of my mind. They made me worse! So i quit taking those things and have been better since. However, this past fri the pains came back. Once again after mexican food! So I think my MD was on to something with the Acid reflux. Everybody else tried to treat it like was my head and I beleive it all stemmed from a physical problem i was having.   I kind of think i aggravated a wounded esophegus this past weekend. I didnt take the protonix for even 3 weeks when I stopped. Maybe I didnt heal and reaggravated it? Should i be taking the chew tabs with he protonix? Anybody experience any of this?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->   My doctor gave me a prescription/samples of  Protonix about a month ago. > He thought that my chest pains were acid reflux so we should give it a try > and see how it goes. He also gave me Xanax for a week becasue I was having > panic attacks! I think because I was freaked out about the chest pains. I > thought I was dying!(Yes, i went to ER and cardioligist and heart OK) I took > the protonix for 3 weeks and then stopped becasue I had no more pains in a > long time. Really a few days after I started the meds. Well Last Friday went > out for mexican food and my pains started back up again Saturday. I started > taking my Protonix again on Sun, I had a about 10 days worth left. >   Well by Thursday my chest pains were minimal. I have been taking some > Malox chewables a few times a day since Tues with the Protonix. I want to > describe my symptoms to see if anybody has any advice. > I was having and still occasionally have an ache or heaviness in the center > of my chest that sometimes spreads wider. Usually it seems after eating. > I noticed the other day that when I swallowed it kinda felt "raw" going > down. So i washed it down with some cold bottled water I had it it seemed to > aggravate my chest/throat more. > I sometimes get a real high pressure feeling in my head and ears like im in > a airplane and my ears need to pop or something and i get kinda "bristled" > all over like Im panicking or something. This usually happens when im lying > down. I sometimes wake up at night with this feeling. Kinda scary! > Im about 25# over wieght and when i bend or squat or like when Im on my > computer with my legs propped on my desk it seems to aggravate my condition. > This all started Dec 30 after eating mexican food. My chest hurt BAD! i > thought I was having a heart attack. It died down but since then It was a > dull ache. i have been through hell since this started. I started having > panic attacks and every doctor out there tried to give me Paxil, Zolft, > Effexor for depression and anxiety. I feel like i was having those problems > becasue I was scared to death I was dying! When i took those drugs I was > completely out of my mind. They made me worse! So i quit taking those things > and have been better since. However, this past fri the pains came back. Once > again after mexican food! So I think my MD was on to something with the Acid > reflux. Everybody else tried to treat it like was my head and I beleive it > all stemmed from a physical problem i was having. >   I kind of think i aggravated a wounded esophegus this past weekend. I > didnt take the protonix for even 3 weeks when I stopped. Maybe I didnt heal > and reaggravated it? Should i be taking the chew tabs with he protonix? > Anybody experience any of this?

All that and your doctor hasn’t even made a diagnosis yet. That’s a shame. You need an EGD, esophageal manometry, and ambulatory pH testing. HMc

Response:

Sounds like GERD. have you tried a low carb diet.

Response:

A low carb diet made my GERD so bad that I ended up in the emergency room with severe chest pain. Low carb is not good for me, perhaps most GERD suffers because the carbs or starches help neutralize the acidity in the stomach. Smaller portions are the key to losing weight and avoiding/reducing sweet foods such as deserts.

: Sounds like GERD. have you tried a low carb diet. :

Response:

Acid reflux and diabetes connection?

Nexium is a medication used to treat gestational acid reflux disease (GERD). Buy order Nexium and feel better today!

Question:

Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? — Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself

on a

Response:

Chuck, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday and many more that are healthy and full of joy. Diana

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? > — > Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself > on a

Response:

>Chuck, I hope you have a very Happy Birthday and many more that are >healthy and full of joy.

Me tooooo!  Sorry so late!!  Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuuuuu! Don’t eat too much cake!  <G> Linda Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet /server irc.undernet.org — /join #Diabetic-Talk More info: http://www.diabetic-talk.org/

Response:

63 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Happy Birthday Chuck, how old are ya? > — > Cheri >Thanks Sleepy. My wife gave me a beautiful card that she make herself > on a

Response:

Chuck, I didnt know it was your birthday until 11 pm on the l9th,  Hope you had a great day,  Many happy returns of the day. Loretta — In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This post not CC’d by email >Is there an acid reflux and diabetes connection? >I have periodic bouts with acid reflux. I take the meds for a couple of >weeks and it seems to go away for a time. My doctor said that it is not >unusual for diabetics to have nerve damage in the esophagus and the >valves that are supposed to keep things in place. Often if have food, >liquid and even saliva go "down the wrong pipe". >Is this unusual? I have no apparent nerve damage anywhere else. >Chuck >-

Vomiting while being depressed

Question:

I am absolutely sure that it is not a  medication side effect and no gastroenterologic disorder. It comes from my brain and always disappears when the depression is over. Robert – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > It’s a symptom of anxiety or a medication side effect (try chewing on a slice > of fresh ginger), or you could have a gastroenterologic disorder. > Viscount of ASDM >Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while >being in  the depressive state. >That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is >a common symptom of depression or not.

Response:

If you want to vomit talk to Fred Davis he makes everybody in this group sick. He is aka Visecount ,   Manic Fantasy among others.   He morphs a lot because everybody has him on filter. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while >being in  the depressive state. >That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is >a common symptom of depression or not.

Response:

Robert,   I think you have brought up an interesting topic. I found that as the years went by, there seemed to be a definite correlation between my bipolar cycles and my acid reflux/ irregularity. Sometimes I feel superb, with no problems either emotional or physical. Then other times the dual symptoms appear. It should be noted that the gastrointestinal distress often occurs first, while I am possessed of a wholesome attitude.    Unfortunately, the bipolar meds which are able to normalize my attitude, haven’t affected the physical symptoms which preceeded my depressions. Mark of the Forest Mark

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while > being in  the depressive state. > That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is > a common symptom of depression or not.

Response:

> I am absolutely sure that it is not a  medication side effect and no > gastroenterologic disorder. > It comes from my brain and always disappears when the depression is over.

this exactly happens to me… but it could be from the meds too…. but i hate it!!! and ginger doesnt help ) > Robert

– "if you hear that same sweet song again, well you know why anyone who sings a tune so sweet is passing by… laugh in the sunshine, sing, cry in the dark, fly through the night….. dont cry now…. dont you cry…. -hunter/garcia "blessed am i to dwell in this beautiful temple"

Response:

> Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while > being in  the depressive state. > That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is > a common symptom of depression or not.

ps people are asking about marijuana, it helps me with nausea more than anything. i have -debilitating- nausea. pots the only thing that really touches it sometimes. — "if you hear that same sweet song again, well you know why anyone who sings a tune so sweet is passing by… laugh in the sunshine, sing, cry in the dark, fly through the night….. dont cry now…. dont you cry…. -hunter/garcia "blessed am i to dwell in this beautiful temple"

Response:

>  i have -debilitating- nausea.

~~~~ I have debilitating boredom. Weed is good for that too. m

Response:

Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while being in  the depressive state. That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is a common symptom of depression or not.

Response:

It’s a symptom of anxiety or a medication side effect (try chewing on a slice of fresh ginger), or you could have a gastroenterologic disorder. Viscount of ASDM – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Does anybody know a bipolar person who feels sick and is vomiting while >being in  the depressive state. >That`s what often happens to me and I would like to know whether this is >a common symptom of depression or not.

Response:

Prilosec 20mg

Question:

I have been taking 40mg of Prilosec for about a year and I take 150 – 300 mg of Zantac at night. I had a mild case of Barrett’s Esophagus when I began the intensive treatment 12 months ago. On my last scope about three months ago the Barrett’s had disappeared and my inflammation was significantly reduced. I will be scoped again in 9 months. — Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sometimes there is a dramatic difference. One will work where the other > does > not work at all. Talk to your doctor first about taking 40 mg of Prilosec > a > day. If you are still not getting results then ask about trying Prevacid. > If > this is not effective then you will have to undergo some tests to see > exactly > what the nature of the problem is. > Hi >    I’ve had GERD for the last 2 yrs. My GI doc put me on Prilosec 40 mg/day > and it did nothing after a month of being on it.Then I tried Pantoloc which > is also a PPI, it also did absolutely nothing.My GI doc then sends me  for a > surgical consult but before going for the consult I end up at my family doc > for another problem and while there I told him about the ineffectiveness of > the PPI’s and the fact that the GI doc referring me on for surgery. My > family doc wants me to try another medication called Axid.Within 48 hrs of > starting the Axid all my GERD symptoms disappear. This drug is not a PPI but > is in the same catagory as Zantac and Pepsid, the Histamine 2 inhibitors. > So just because the more potent PPI’s don’t work don’t assume the weaker > Histamine 2 inhibitors will not work. Try those out before trying something > more drastic such as surgery.We are all chemically different and I’ve spoken > to others with whom the PPI’s didn’t work but weaker meds did. > Roseanne

Response:

Hello, I have taken 20mg Prilosec for 3 weeks, not doing a damn thing.  Anyone else with similar exp? Is Prevacid a comletely structurally different drug? Freddi

Response:

Prevacid is in the same class of drug as Prilosec. They are both Proton Pump Inhibitors but achieve the acid suppression by using different compounds. People react differently to the compounds. Sometimes there is a dramatic difference. One will work where the other does not work at all. Talk to your doctor first about taking 40 mg of Prilosec a day. If you are still not getting results then ask about trying Prevacid. If this is not effective then you will have to undergo some tests to see exactly what the nature of the problem is. There are several questions about Prilosec and Prevacid on the Ask A Doctor message board located on www.heartburn-help.com that might be of interest to you. Heartburn and Gastro Esophageal Reflux web page: http://www.heartburn-help.com

Response:

> Sometimes there is a dramatic difference. One will work where the other does > not work at all. Talk to your doctor first about taking 40 mg of Prilosec a > day. If you are still not getting results then ask about trying Prevacid. If > this is not effective then you will have to undergo some tests to see exactly > what the nature of the problem is.

Hi    I’ve had GERD for the last 2 yrs. My GI doc put me on Prilosec 40 mg/day and it did nothing after a month of being on it.Then I tried Pantoloc which is also a PPI, it also did absolutely nothing.My GI doc then sends me  for a surgical consult but before going for the consult I end up at my family doc for another problem and while there I told him about the ineffectiveness of the PPI’s and the fact that the GI doc referring me on for surgery. My family doc wants me to try another medication called Axid.Within 48 hrs of starting the Axid all my GERD symptoms disappear. This drug is not a PPI but is in the same catagory as Zantac and Pepsid, the Histamine 2 inhibitors. So just because the more potent PPI’s don’t work don’t assume the weaker Histamine 2 inhibitors will not work. Try those out before trying something more drastic such as surgery.We are all chemically different and I’ve spoken to others with whom the PPI’s didn’t work but weaker meds did. Roseanne

Response:

Digestion Problems?

Question:

Hello a.s.s-s! I am 31 years old and have been off of cigarettes since January 1st. This is my 4th or 5th quit and the longest I have ever went without relapsing is 9 months. When I smoke, I have no indigestion, unless I’ve overeaten or have eaten very spicy foods. I am also completely regular when I smoke. Everytime I quit smoking (including now), I suffer from chronic indigestion and irregularity. Just about everything I eat gives me heartburn and I belch constanatly. Even the mildest of foods will give me heartburn and stomach gas. It feels as though when I smoke, food travels through my system at proper speed…….but when I don’t smoke, everything just lays in my stomach much longer than it should. I also become so irregular, that even Metamucil hardly helps. The thing that concerns me is that even when I quit for 9 months, my digestion did not improve over all that time until I started smoking again. As silly as it sounds, when I smoke, I feel perfectly healthy. When I don’t, my digestive system is a wreck. It’s as though my digestive system has become completely dependant upon smoking in order to work properly! Can anyone with similar experiences relate to what I’m talking about or am I just a strange case?                                Thanks for reading,                                            Gene Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Response:

Same here, only I have quit for 6 years, before finally deciding that smoking does help my digestive speed, the trick however is to keep it to as little as possible: 2-3 cigarettes around mid-morning is all I ‘need’ until they come up with better meds (prepulsid does not do much for me). I have tried everything else, a good diet helps, light exercise ditto, but no amount of fibre in the diet or exercise or laxatives keeps me as ‘happy’ as having a couple of cigarettes each morning, without them my regularity slips and everything else follows; bloating, reflux, etc… I only wish the incompetent doctors (many specialists) would have warned me about this instead of pushing me to quit when I was having mild heartburn problems. quitting only made it worse and i have paid for it dearly, since for  a number of years I had to spend inordinate amounts of time and money caring for my uncooperative digestive system, instead of focusing on my career and other interests. So I will die a few years early , but what choice do i have now? I would not encourage anybody to start smoking, but for some of us who did smoke for a number of years, the choice seems to be between two evils, I chose to cut off a few years off my life and trade them for a better quality of life NOW. Again, the challange is to use tobacco as ‘medicine’, it IS addictive and it’s easy to slip into smoking too much. Hopefully I will find something else that work as well, but so far i haven’t found it. chris

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello a.s.s-s! > I am 31 years old and have been off of cigarettes since January 1st. This is > my 4th or 5th quit and the longest I have ever went without relapsing is 9 > months. > When I smoke, I have no indigestion, unless I’ve overeaten or have eaten > very spicy foods. I am also completely regular when I smoke. > Everytime I quit smoking (including now), I suffer from chronic indigestion > and irregularity. Just about everything I eat gives me heartburn and I belch > constanatly. Even the mildest of foods will give me heartburn and stomach > gas. It feels as though when I smoke, food travels through my system at > proper speed…….but when I don’t smoke, everything just lays in my > stomach much longer than it should. I also become so irregular, that even > Metamucil hardly helps. The thing that concerns me is that even when I quit > for 9 months, my digestion did not improve over all that time until I > started smoking again. > As silly as it sounds, when I smoke, I feel perfectly healthy. When I don’t, > my digestive system is a wreck. It’s as though my digestive system has > become completely dependant upon smoking in order to work properly! > Can anyone with similar experiences relate to what I’m talking about or am I > just a strange case? >                                Thanks for reading, >                                            Gene > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Response:

Throat irritation from inhalants?

Question:

>Specifically, I have been using beclovent and Serevent for just 3 months, >and starting about 2 months ago I developed a severe inflamed irritation in >my throat.  It impedes breathing somewhat, especially at night, and even >produced an occasional laryngo-spasm where the throat closed up completely.

Same thing happened to me. When I discontinued the inhaled steroids, the throat eventually (several months) resolved itself. >The pulmonologist says no cause and effect;  the ENT doc says no cause and >effect.  Both want to treat me for acid reflux, which I have never had in my >life.

They mentioned reflux to me but I it turned out not to be so. Jo.

Response:

>>"Is there any evidence that long-term use of inhaled steroids and

broncho-dilators might be the cause of esophageal inflammation? <snip> Both want to treat me for acid reflux, which I have never had in my life."<< Yes, they can cause irritation of the throat. Acid reflux is also very common and can produce the symptoms you describe. I would address both by using a spacer, rinsing your mouth after meds, and treating the reflux. If you feel beter you can always reduce or stop the reflux meds and see if it comes back. — CBI, M.D. Please note: It is impossible to accurately diagnose medical problems without seeing the patient and reviewing the entire history. These posts are intended to be helpful and informative. Always check with your doctor before following any advice given.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Is there any evidence that long-term use of inhaled steroids and > broncho-dilators might be the cause of esophageal inflammation? > Specifically, I have been using beclovent and Serevent for just 3 months, > and starting about 2 months ago I developed a severe inflamed irritation in > my throat.  It impedes breathing somewhat, especially at night, and even > produced an occasional laryngo-spasm where the throat closed up completely. > The pulmonologist says no cause and effect;  the ENT doc says no cause and > effect.  Both want to treat me for acid reflux, which I have never had in my > life. > Is there any literature on this?   Thanks. > Joel

Response:

Is there any evidence that long-term use of inhaled steroids and broncho-dilators might be the cause of esophageal inflammation? Specifically, I have been using beclovent and Serevent for just 3 months, and starting about 2 months ago I developed a severe inflamed irritation in my throat.  It impedes breathing somewhat, especially at night, and even produced an occasional laryngo-spasm where the throat closed up completely. The pulmonologist says no cause and effect;  the ENT doc says no cause and effect.  Both want to treat me for acid reflux, which I have never had in my life. Is there any literature on this?   Thanks. Joel

Response:

Propulsid and Motility

Question:

Hi everybody, I want to report that Prevacid has been a Godsend for me. I have been suffering from acid reflux for 15 years taking OTC meds and antacids and having bouts of severe reflux when I forget. Now with Prevacid, no more acid reflux at all, just reflux. I can eat anything I want without fear of having heartburn. The down side of this is some old habits are coming back and am eating more of my beloved foods like chocolate, etc and gaining weight. Anyway went from 30 mg to 15 mg dosage and works great. I just had an upper GI done and they found that the stomach is not emptying like it should. So now they gave me Propulsid 20mg to help with motility. Why is there not enough motility? You would think they would do a lower GI to see if there was on obstacle or blockage. What can I expect with Propulsid? The doc said I have a small HH and if meds can’t get a handle on this reflux then surgery may be the best option. Why do I need to correct my reflux if there is no acid problems anymore? Is there something that can go wrong if reflux is left to go? Like I said before I still notice the reflux especially when laying on left side, but it is not painful or obtrusive in anyway. Oh, I had a H-pylori test today and it was negative. Fritz

Response:

     Fritz, the one thing I worry about with Prevacid or Propulsid, is that these drugs havent had 30 yrs or so of testing to see what they will do to your system in the long run..      As for the causes of Motility problems and gastric emptying problems,, which are basically in the same boat, they are both movement problems. My doctor really doesnt seem to have any answers.      Here are some theories Ive heard for motility problems, but these are all the ideas of others.   1. Vitamin Deficiencies ( diet)   2. IBS-IBD-COLITIS (various other                                  diseases)   3. Nervous Gut (brain-bowel connection)   4.Allergies ( Wheat-milk-etc)   5.Genetics   6. Hiatus Hernia ( but most say it doesnt                             have much of an effect                             on anything)

Response:

Newly Diagnosed Type 2 – Questions

Question:

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago.  Looking back on the symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years!  When I was diagnosed my blood sugar was 286.  The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day.  This evening my blood sugar tested at 138.  I feel better already and am surprised at how much my appetite and thirst have decreased. Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? – Thomas

Response:

> I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago.  Looking back on the > symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years!  When I was > diagnosed my blood sugar was 286.  The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg > twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day.  This evening my blood sugar > tested at 138.  I feel better already and am surprised at how much my > appetite and thirst have decreased. > Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? > Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? > Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds?

The biggest side effect of glucophage is diarrhea.  It is more likely at the beginning of the therapy, and most people get over it (altho I have to tell you, I still get it every morning).  Your kidneys can suffer damage so tests should be done once a year (according to the PI – package insert).  I can’t speak to the Glucotrol. Be aware of the various side effects from undiagnosed diabetes — changes in your eyesight, neuropathy (numbness in your hands and feet, loss of sexual feelings), and take care of your heart and circulatory system.  You should have started a lifelong meal plan and a regular regimen of exercise.  Neither of these has to be drastic, but both are extremely important.  More carbohydrates require more insulin; if you don’t have the insulin, you will have to take more medications. It is in your best interest to reduce the amount of medicine because it can cause other problems.  Diet (lifelong eating plan) and exercise are known to reduce the need for medicine. Many diabetics are healthier after their diagnosis than they were at any other time in their life.  It’s up to you.  You can do it, just ask in this newsgroup!  You will be surprised at how many persons have changed their lives to live healthy! Good luck to you. Jude —         Crouch Enterprises – Telecom, Internet & Unix Consulting       Oak Park, IL  708-848-0134  URL: http://www.pobox.com/~jcrouch

Response:

It sounds like you are on your way to controlling your diabetes. Your progress is similar to my own and you should see other good results if you are careful about your carbohydrate intake. Glucotrol is a very effective drug and I had almost no side effects from taking it other that a little diareha (spelling) in the beginning. As the other response noted controlling your diabetes through diet, exercise and medication is the key. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago.  Looking back on the >symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years!  When I was >diagnosed my blood sugar was 286.  The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg >twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day.  This evening my blood sugar >tested at 138.  I feel better already and am surprised at how much my >appetite and thirst have decreased. >Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? >Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? >Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? >- Thomas

Response:

70 to 90 is normal. Sounds to me like your doing great.  As you lose weight you will have to watch for lows. Always keep something sweet at hand espicialy when excersing . Try not to go to far past meal time. I am 39 have had diabeties since I was 34. I am on the exact same medication and dosage.  Good luck .                             teresa

Response:

> I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 3 days ago.  Looking back on the > symptoms, I was probably suffering undiagnosed for 10-15 years!  When I was > diagnosed my blood sugar was 286.  The doctor has me on Glucophage 500mg > twice-a-day and Glucotrol XL 10mg once-a-day.  This evening my blood sugar > tested at 138.  I feel better already and am surprised at how much my > appetite and thirst have decreased. > Is it unusual to have my blood sugar level drop this far so soon? > Should I be encouraged by this or is there something I should watch out for? > Is there anything I should be aware of with these meds? > – Thomas

Dear Thomas Wooded, I believe you should be encouraged by this.  Glucophage and Glucotrol have an onset of action of 1.5 hours and 1.0 hours respectively.  An acceptable level of fasting blood glucose is 140 mg/dL, and normal is 115 mg/dL.  For postprandial plasma glucose (after meals) acceptable levels are 175 mg/dL, and normal levels are 140 mg/dL. You should be aware that Glucophage can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, and heartburn.  Glucotrol  can cause headache, as well as those side effects listed for Glucophage.  You should avoid drinking excessive alcohol.  In addition, be sure to  check your blood glucose often, eat regularly, get your eyes checked  at least twice a year, and keep your feet clean and dry.  For futher information, check out the American Diabetes Association website at www.diabetes.org/. I hope the information I suggested will be helpful to you, but I cannot make any guarantees as to its accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or relevance to your particular situation.  There is no substitute for having an ongoing, two-way dialogue with a licensed health professional who you know and trust. Good luck. sanjay Before you buy.

Response:

Esophagitis after fundoplication

Question:

Hi, I done fundo surgery in january this year, this time I had mild esophagitis + hiatal hernia. Now I done a gastroscopy because I was felling so much nausea, the result was mild esophagitis and possible reflux ? Is this common, like I done the fundoplication to cure the esophagitis? Thanx Liane

Response:

>I done fundo surgery in january this year, this time I had >mild esophagitis + hiatal hernia. >Now I done a gastroscopy because I was felling so much nausea, >the result was mild esophagitis and possible reflux ? >Is this common, like I done the fundoplication to cure the>esophagitis?

I am a board-certified gastroenterologist and this information is intended to be general in nature. It is not uncommon to suffer from reflux symptoms following a fundoplication surgical procedure. Many patients still require their anti-reflux medication even after surgery for reflux.  That is one major reason that if your symptoms are well controlled on Prilosec or Prevacid, even taken twice daily, you’d be better avoiding surgery.

Response:

>I am a board-certified gastroenterologist and this information is intended to >be general in nature. It is not uncommon to suffer from reflux symptoms >following a fundoplication surgical procedure. Many patients still require >their anti-reflux medication even after surgery for reflux.  That is one >major >reason that if your symptoms are well controlled on Prilosec or Prevacid, >even >taken twice daily, you’d be better avoiding surgery.

     As someone who had the Nissen two years ago, (reflux was not under control by any means) I wholeheartedly agree with this. If you are under control with meds, I would pass on the fundo.

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tagamet vs …..

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 I have the same symptoms,, and yet with me,none of the acid blockers ,like prev- acid or Prilosec work, even in the high doses, and Tagamet is a joke as far as even effecting me in the slightest..    Anyway I too have had a doctor ,that doesnt really address my complaints. I had to stop him and force the issue, and i suggest you do the same, or get another doctor.    A doctor that will not communicate with you is not a good doctor. he may be mis- sing key elements in helping you by ignoring your complaints, plus his non answering of your questions only serves to make you feel as though ,not all is being done to help your situation. And as all us Gerd or Ulcer sufferers know, its not good for us to be worried about too much,for ob- vious reasons..

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>  I have the same symptoms,, and yet with me,none of the acid blockers ,like > prev- > acid or Prilosec work, even in the high doses, and Tagamet is a joke as far as > even effecting me in the slightest.. >    Anyway I too have had a doctor ,that doesnt really address my complaints. I > had to stop him and force the issue, and > i suggest you do the same, or get another > doctor.

Moses here: Dolphsting, I think you should be checked for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome by a good doctor. This may require surgery and very very high levels of meds prior to the surgery to control the acid. Hopefully, I am just being  a worry wart but it is possible. sincerely Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Moses here again: A few comments >JG below > thanks. i will try some spinach every day to replenish iron (hey i get

Their are better sources of iron than spinach as it has a far amount of oxalate to bind its minerals and prevent your body from getting the iron.  some fiber too). i get my iron, i might at least have some energy. > I will also talk to my doc. > if i lose a little blood, maybe this can be seen on the scope.  I have > an appt with a gastroenterologist soon.  i think i will be getting the > tube. > maybe i have ulcers from this reflux. is that what would bleed? would > make sense. > i have to eat very little, like 1/2 cup of food or less, to avoid > getting ill. darn hernia. > yes i would like to try prilosec. it seems to get good reports. > and prevacid could cause stomach tumors from what i read in its > documentation and elsewhere. > -JG

Prilosec and Prevacid are chemically rather similiar so I’d guess large doses of either will cause trouble in test rodents. You will be taking a far lower dose in milligrams per kilogram of weight. The medical profession seems to have concluded this class of drug is safer than they thought they might be. If your worried theie is the surgury option…..different surgeons different results I hear. It a roll of the dice. Best Wishes  Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I took a book out of the library, "dangerous drug interactions." > Apparently, tagamet has some concerns with different interactions, as > most medicines do. > with caffeine, the effect of the caffeine is exagerrated. > in men, the same can happen with tagamet and alcohol; the blood > alcohol can be higher if you use tagamet than if you don’t, after 1 or > 2 drinks. > also, taking antacids after taking tagamet can reduce the absorption > of tagamet. i bet many of us have done that, too. > I am taking axid 150mg twice a day and prevacid 30mg once in the > evening. > This combo is not being very effective. > however, i find that when i take a single tagamet in the evening, this > helps a lot. if i do this, i take it at a different time than the > other meds. any known iteractions between tagamet, axid and prevacid? > i find when i get acid which happens every day, i get very tired. my > insides hurt (esophagus especially) but also my arms ache and i don’t > feel like doing much. i can;t think as easily. i had this when i was > taking no meds at all, so i am sure it is not that. i feel as if i > havent slept for a few days and like i swallowed a hot piece of > charcoal. > i try to tell the doc but kind of get brushed aside. > i want my energy back. > i want to drink orange juice again. > I guess I have an … axid.. to grind > > -JG >Moses here: Prilosec is the better drug. Try 40 milligrams in the >morning each and every day. If that doesn’t work have the dose raised. >It sounds like your doctor is pinhead. Tagamet and Axid are drugs of a >past era as far as I am concerned. It just HMO’s, pinheads, and >socialized medicine that prescribe them to people as bad off as you are. >Oh, I’ll bet your losing a little blood from the acid burn in your >esophagus and as result are short of iron in your red blood cells. >Sincerely Moses Clarke >Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

thanks. i will try some spinach every day to replenish iron (hey i get some fiber too). i get my iron, i might at least have some energy. I will also talk to my doc. if i lose a little blood, maybe this can be seen on the scope.  I have an appt with a gastroenterologist soon.  i think i will be getting the tube. maybe i have ulcers from this reflux. is that what would bleed? would make sense. i have to eat very little, like 1/2 cup of food or less, to avoid getting ill. darn hernia. yes i would like to try prilosec. it seems to get good reports. and prevacid could cause stomach tumors from what i read in its documentation and elsewhere. -JG

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I took a book out of the library, "dangerous drug interactions." Apparently, tagamet has some concerns with different interactions, as most medicines do. with caffeine, the effect of the caffeine is exagerrated. in men, the same can happen with tagamet and alcohol; the blood alcohol can be higher if you use tagamet than if you don’t, after 1 or 2 drinks. also, taking antacids after taking tagamet can reduce the absorption of tagamet. i bet many of us have done that, too. I am taking axid 150mg twice a day and prevacid 30mg once in the evening. This combo is not being very effective. however, i find that when i take a single tagamet in the evening, this helps a lot. if i do this, i take it at a different time than the other meds. any known iteractions between tagamet, axid and prevacid? i find when i get acid which happens every day, i get very tired. my insides hurt (esophagus especially) but also my arms ache and i don’t feel like doing much. i can;t think as easily. i had this when i was taking no meds at all, so i am sure it is not that. i feel as if i havent slept for a few days and like i swallowed a hot piece of charcoal. i try to tell the doc but kind of get brushed aside. i want my energy back. i want to drink orange juice again. I guess I have an … axid.. to grind -JG

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I took a book out of the library, "dangerous drug interactions." > Apparently, tagamet has some concerns with different interactions, as > most medicines do. > with caffeine, the effect of the caffeine is exagerrated. > in men, the same can happen with tagamet and alcohol; the blood > alcohol can be higher if you use tagamet than if you don’t, after 1 or > 2 drinks. > also, taking antacids after taking tagamet can reduce the absorption > of tagamet. i bet many of us have done that, too. > I am taking axid 150mg twice a day and prevacid 30mg once in the > evening. > This combo is not being very effective. > however, i find that when i take a single tagamet in the evening, this > helps a lot. if i do this, i take it at a different time than the > other meds. any known iteractions between tagamet, axid and prevacid? > i find when i get acid which happens every day, i get very tired. my > insides hurt (esophagus especially) but also my arms ache and i don’t > feel like doing much. i can;t think as easily. i had this when i was > taking no meds at all, so i am sure it is not that. i feel as if i > havent slept for a few days and like i swallowed a hot piece of > charcoal. > i try to tell the doc but kind of get brushed aside. > i want my energy back. > i want to drink orange juice again. > I guess I have an … axid.. to grind > > -JG

Moses here: Prilosec is the better drug. Try 40 milligrams in the morning each and every day. If that doesn’t work have the dose raised. It sounds like your doctor is pinhead. Tagamet and Axid are drugs of a past era as far as I am concerned. It just HMO’s, pinheads, and socialized medicine that prescribe them to people as bad off as you are. Oh, I’ll bet your losing a little blood from the acid burn in your esophagus and as result are short of iron in your red blood cells. Sincerely Moses Clarke Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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