GERD

June 18, 2001

Does anyone know which stomach meds have aluminum in them and which ones don't? I've done many searches on the Net and come up with nothing most of the time. Thanks

Shirley

June 19, 2001

Monday | June 18, 2001

Treating acid reflux 06/18/2001 You have heartburn, or reflux, when you feel a burning sensation in your chest, beginning behind your breastbone and moving up your neck and throat. It is caused when a muscle connecting the stomach to the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing acid from the stomach to move into the esophagus. People who have frequent episodes of reflux can develop erosion of the esophagus, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The severity of the disease depends on the type and amount of fluid brought up from the stomach and the neutralizing effect of saliva.

Related content• Study suggests pills better than surgery to tame acid reflux for the long term

WHO HAS GERD?

More than 60 million U.S. adults experience heartburn at least once a month, and about 25 million suffer daily bouts of the more serious form, GERD.

About 25 percent of pregnant women also complain of daily heartburn, and more than 50 percent have occasional heartburn.

Studies show that GERD is more common in infants and children than previously recognized.

SYMPTOMS OF GERD

Acid indigestion is the most common symptom. The burning sensation, pressure or pain of heartburn can last as long as two hours and is often worse after eating.

Lying down or bending over can result in heartburn. Standing up can reduce the symptoms.

Certain foods such as alcoholic beverages, chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods and coffee have been associated with repeated heartburn or GERD. Smoking, obesity and pregnancy also may contribute to the condition.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Most people try common antacid remedies available over the counter, which provide temporary relief.

Changes in diet and eating habits can improve the condition. These include decreasing portion sizes and not eating before bedtime. Elevating the head of the bed 6 inches can reduce heartburn episodes at night.

Medications known as H2 blockers, which inhibit acid secretion in the stomach, are now available over the counter, including such brands as Zantac, Pepcid AC and Tagamet.

A class of prescription drugs, called proton pump inhibitors or acid pumps, works by inhibiting an enzyme in the stomach's acid-producing cells.

Some severe cases of GERD may require a surgery called fundoplication using laparoscopic techniques. The surgery involves wrapping the stomach around the esophagus and stitching it to itself to reinforce the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach.

The positive effects of the surgery may be temporary, however. Most patients eventually return to using medication for recurring symptoms of GERD, a recent study has found.

SOURCES: The National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse of the National Institutes of Health; Dallas Morning News research

Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant FoundationDallas, Texas Headquarters

Purposes for which the Corporation (NSIF) is organized are to perform the charitable activities within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 501©(3) and Texas Tax Code Section 11.18 ©(1).Specifically, the Corporation is organized for the purposes of education and research of Silicone-related disease.

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June 19, 2001

Thanks e

I wanted to know more about the prescription meds like pepcid and prevacid and stuff like that too. I can't seem to find out anything about those.

Shirley

June 19, 2001

Shirley,

I know for a fact that Tums doesn't have aluminum in it,

but Rolaids and the others might. Just go to the store

and look at the ingredients.

e

> Does anyone know which stomach meds have aluminum in them and which ones

> don't? I've done many searches on the Net and come up with nothing most of

> the time. Thanks

>

> Shirley

June 19, 2001

Thanks e, maybe they don't have any aluminum then. I thought I read somewhere that they did and now I can't find where I read it.

Shirley

June 20, 2001

Shirley,

After I sent off that email, I figured that you were

probably thinking about prescription meds.

Anyway, I consulted my drug book and wasn't able to find

any info either about any meds that contain aluminum

except for sucralfate (Carafate). This one does contain

aluminum, but none of the others, including Pepcid,

Tagamet, Axid, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Zantac stated

that they did. The H2 receptor antagonists generally

state that they shouldn't be taken with antacids, but

other than that, there wasn't much info available.

e

>

> Thanks e

> I wanted to know more about the prescription meds like pepcid and prevacid

> and stuff like that too. I can't seem to find out anything about those.

>

> Shirley

January 31, 2008

Hi,

I take Prevacid which is similar to Nexium, and regular OTC iron.

Both 2x/day. My pharmacist said that Prevacid isn't an antacid, it's a

PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) so its safe to take it with other things.

I would ask your hematologist or your pharmacist though, just to

be safe. I hope this helps!

Meagan

>

> One of my asthma triggers is gerd, about a year ago I started taking

> Nexium twice a day (morning and bedtime). The morning dose became

> necessary for I'd be someplace and have a 'gerd' incident followed by

> one of those persistent coughing spells as I have a horrible throat

> gag reflex.

>

> I also am anemic and the hemotologist has me taking feosol twice a day

> (so much easier on the stomach than anything else over the counter).

> It took a long time but my levels are within acceptable range.

>

> A recent chest infection had me on a ten day regimen of antibiotics.

> The warning on the label said do not take with dairy, antacids or iron

> products. So I had to stagger them around my doses of nexium and

feosol.

>

> I've been wondering about nexium and iron supplements. Should I not

> take them together (morning and bedtime with other medications)? I

> haven't read anything, but it occurred to me after last night's sudden

> gerd attack (that woke me up choking from fluid)... that since you

> shouldn't take them with antibiotics maybe I shouldn't be conveniently

> taking Nexium and iron supplement together. Anyone know?

>

January 31, 2008

>

> Hi,

>

> I take Prevacid which is similar to Nexium, and regular OTC iron.

> Both 2x/day. My pharmacist said that Prevacid isn't an antacid, it's a

> PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) so its safe to take it with other things.

>

> I would ask your hematologist or your pharmacist though, just to

> be safe. I hope this helps!

>

> Meagan

>

I sleep on a wedge and take Protonix twice daily. Also, I don't eat

anything 3 hours before bedtime.

It is very rare that I have GERD anymore.

Doug

February 1, 2008

About the 20% rate of respiratory infections on Xolair - the package

insert that comes with Xolair lists only side effects that occur at a

rate at least 1% more than the same symptom with the placebo and

respiratory infections are not on that list. So I'd conclude that the

respiratory infections that occur during Xolair treatment are not

actuallly due to the Xolair. They have to list all the reported

symptoms during the studies but many, like RI's in a population of

asthmatics, occur not just with the Xolair but with the placebo as

well. Does that make sense to you or is it gobbledegook??? My brain

is one big fuzzball this week since, speaking of gastros, I've had a

nasty gastro virus for the last 5 days!LOL - Fran

--- In , " Terry " <onabeach@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Joycarol and ;

>

> Had terrible GERD for quite a few years - popped tons of tums and

other antacids, until I found a gastro guy who said, " get thee to a

sloped bed and take these aciphex pills. Haven't had a problem

since. Pepcid also works to some extent, but Prachol was terrible

for both myself and spouse. With Aciphex, I can drink all the booze

and beer I want, eat pizza and all the other no-no foods. My last

encoscopy revealed I was clear of polyps, so I'm in great shape now,

thanx to Aciphex - I'll probably drop dead next week. HOWEVER, if I

get into a lot of coughing, the asthma and wheezing will return. Of

course, the wheezing is much worse when I lie down, but the Xolair

coupled with the Foradil and Pulmicort (they're designed to work

together) have gotten me to the point where I don't have much of a

problem unless I get another damned sinus infection - like I have

now - fungus, e-coli and pseudomonus - for which I'm on daily

infusions of an antibiotic plus oral antibiotics. Which brings me to

the question I have - the Xolair website mentions that one of the

side effects of Xolair is upper respiratory infection - at a 20%

rate. Perhaps I'm in a situation where the cure is worse than the

disease. Who knows.

>

> Ohldepharte

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: JoyCarol and

>

> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 8:20 AM

> Subject: [ ] Gerd

>

> One of my asthma triggers is gerd, about a year ago I started

taking

> Nexium twice a day (morning and bedtime). The morning dose became

> necessary for I'd be someplace and have a 'gerd' incident

followed by

> one of those persistent coughing spells as I have a horrible

throat

> gag reflex.

>

> I also am anemic and the hemotologist has me taking feosol twice

a day

> (so much easier on the stomach than anything else over the

counter).

> It took a long time but my levels are within acceptable range.

>

> A recent chest infection had me on a ten day regimen of

antibiotics.

> The warning on the label said do not take with dairy, antacids or

iron

> products. So I had to stagger them around my doses of nexium and

feosol.

>

> I've been wondering about nexium and iron supplements. Should I

not

> take them together (morning and bedtime with other medications)? I

> haven't read anything, but it occurred to me after last night's

sudden

> gerd attack (that woke me up choking from fluid)... that since you

> shouldn't take them with antibiotics maybe I shouldn't be

conveniently

> taking Nexium and iron supplement together. Anyone know?

>

February 1, 2008

I sort've wondered about that (Xolair & upper respiratory infections)

but can't remember if there was really a blind study comparing those

on Xolair to those not on Xolair. I don't think I'm any worse re

bronchial infections - just odd that now colds are starting in chest

instead of head. I DO know that I'm not reacting to many of my old

allergy triggers and that is very good. Sinus headaches are GREATLY

reduced and asthma attacks are reduced. My doc feels Xolair is good

for me and I do too. I still have trouble with shortness of breath

but pft says I'm doing well. (?!?!)

Might also consider (have tests run) to see if you're absorbing

certain nutrients - B6, B12, Vit D. I'm talking about mainstream

healthcare too - not pushing vitamin or healthfood stores at all.

That was an issue for me - I was sick (upper respiratory infection)

for 5 months straight back in 2001-2002. Discovered I'm unable to

absorb some vitamins from food or from some cheap over-the-counter

vitamins. The proper Rx did help.