[Fiddlstix]

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[Viking2002]

I got put on them when I had an ERD attack so severe, my arm went numb and I ended up in the emergency room. The EKG said I’d gone into v-fib before I leveled off and they thought it was a heart attack. My blood work came back negative, so they did an ultrasound and found an esophageal lesion that was about to burn through. They can have my omeprazole when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

[MSF BU]

Fortunately ranitidine is enough for me.

[apillar]

...those taking PPIs had a 25 percent greater risk of premature death compared to those taking H-2 blockers.

Sounds scary and overly sensational! Until you realize your risk of premature death is 0.100% so even a 25% increase would only raise your risk to 0.125%

[BipolarBob]

A co-worker was on Prilosec and had an unexplained (to me anyways) heart attack. I’m not saying that was the culprit but this does make me more leery of such medicines.

[CGASMIA68]

BTT

[Wuli]

I don’t think the problem is so much the drugs themselves, but the medical-reflex of prescribing them on under-diagnosed “acid reflex” when old-fashioned “acid indigestion” is all it is and a Tums or the like would do just fine.

Yes, there are cases where more extreme conditions and more “advanced” medicines are needed. But my take is many people are prescribed and taking the more advanced drugs due to lazy doctors responding to self-diagnosed patient claims that they have “acid reflex” (why? - ‘cause it sounds just like the “Previcid” commercial).

[wtd]

Finally! My spouse had heart valve repair surgery four years ago and was put on medication regimen to regulate heart-rate. One particular med was increased as it became less and less effective. Both of us also complained that the PPI had a depressive effect on each of us, but there was no literature to back up/confirm our experience in the medical journals.

It was by mere coincidence that a dose of magnesium seemed to noticeably alleviate the heart rate disturbances.

We were at the point we considering further surgery to remedy the irregular heart beats but discovered - by accident - that PPIs inhibit magnesium absorption which explained the immediate relief felt after the dose of Milk of Magnesia. Magnesium is necessary for heart beat regularity.

We discussed this with both our Gastroenterologist and Heart Center physicians and they are following up on this information.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I only take pepcid. As needed. Most of the time baking soda mixed with water works just as well.

I don’t take advil anymore for arthritis as tumeric works even better.

[Drew68]

At 48, (and as one who could afford to lose 20 pounds) I've never had heartburn that Tums couldn't alleviate.

This being said, I eat the 1000 mg tablets pretty regularly, sometimes a half dozen per day. I keep them at home, in my car, my wife's car, and at work.

Fortunately, I've never felt the need to go prescription-strength (I'm surprised Big Pharma still allows Tums on the shelves).

[Mr. Jeeves]

What price pasta? ;)

Honestly, just lay off the wheat and you probably won't need any of this stuff. ADM and the pharmaceutical companies are bribing quite a few Senators to keep this quiet.

[Sarah Barracuda]

I suffer from very bad Acid Reflux, take Prilosec and Zantac(And sometimes Tums) without it I would get a very bad sore so there’s no other way around it for me. My Mom suffers from GERD, so does my brother and sister its a family thing

[Born to Conserve]

Jumping the pharmaceutical shark:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8d3SMxK40YQ

[wtd]

Update to post #16 in which I quickly described my spouse's and my experiences with PPIs. We both described our reaction to PPI's as 'depressive' and it likely had to do with the interaction of the PPI restricting Magnesium absorption. It affected my spouse more dramatically because of post heart valve repair surgery medication to regulate heart rate. Here are links to details regarding PPI's & Magnesium:

• FDA: FDA Drug Safety Communication: Low magnesium levels can be associated with long-term use of Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs (PPIs)

  "[3-2-2011] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs may cause low serum magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) if taken for prolonged periods of time (in most cases, longer than one year). In approximately one-quarter of the cases reviewed, magnesium supplementation alone did not improve low serum magnesium levels and the PPI had to be discontinued."

• 

  As stated above, both my spouse and I were prescribed PPIs (Protonix, initially by Rx) then OTC versions of PPIs as they were no longer covered by our prescription insurance. We both eventually became aware of a depressive effect of these PPIs and cut back on the dosage or resorted to alternate acid reducing OTC remedies when taking a break from the PPIs.

  It was during a course of preventive dose of Milk of Magnesia that we both noticed significant improvement in our health and explored this with our physicians after discovering the connection between Magnesium and PPIs.

[octex]

For many decades I’ve relied on a teaspoon of baking soda stirred into about 3 ounces of water. It neutralizes the acidity very quickly. I’m almost 75 now and seldom have had reflux or indigestion since my working years, which ended in 2001.

[LostInBayport]

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[tiki]

I use Equate Antacid with aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate and 80mg gas relief with simethicone. I take as needed unless I’m having heartburn often and then I take 2 of each after every meal.

My husband takes omeprazole every 3 days.

[thesearethetimes...]

Bookmarking

[deweyfrank]

later

[CrimsonTidegirl]

I suffer from IBS, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia & ulcers. For some reason, breakfast is the most uncomfortable meal of the day. If I drink Coffee for breakfast, I will be doubled up in pain for a while.

I will take my chances with the Omeprazole.