Prilosec(GERD)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have GERD and asthma, the D being for Disease which means it is for my lifetime, both my sons, age 9 and 6 have GERD also, and asthma. They have had endoscopies and other tests to prove it. They will most likley be on reflux meds for life. There is also GER, which may not be chronic, or some people just get heartburn occasionally. All THREE of us take the Generic Omeprazole(prilosec). Dosed correctly, we have found it very effective. If it is not effective for you, my GI doc had said go to twice a day, and if you are on only 20mg, increase to 40mg, especially if you are over 100lbs. There is a great article on consumer reports rating ALL the PPIs out there, and prilosec is the best value and just as effective. I actually get it cheaper through my insurance company than over the counter for the generic, just $12 a month. My mother-in-law said prilosec didn't do enough for her, but she is only on 20mg morning and night, my 6yr old is on that dose.

Nexium is made by the same company that made prilosec, when prilosec went generic, they came out with Nexium, claiming it was better, but now they have a new prescription drug making them money. I lasts up to 16hrs in your body, while prilosec only 12-14, that's the difference. I have many articles on this if anyone would like me to post the links, let me know.

I know there is risks to every med, but we have to take these, without them, my kids got pnemonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections,worsened asthma, every year...the reflux aspirates into lungs and sinuses causing sooo many problems, so for us, we are preventing pnemonia by being on them. Now they get "normal" colds every year. The asthma was diagnosed 2nd for them. For me, the asthma came first, then after treatments never were enough, an endoscopy revealed I had GERD, also.

We also tried every natural remedy we could find, even going to a Naturapath, but no herbs helped, no vitamins, no probiotics helped.This disease wouldn't bow down for any of them. I still give my 6yr old natural honey candy to suck on when he doesn't feel good, popsicles to sooth his acid burned throat after eating pizza, stuff like that. Maalox helps him better, though. We do have all the heads of our beds up on blocks for sleeping, though.

Just thought you might like to hear our experience with it. We did try Nexium, Prevacid, and zegerid. Prilosec works just as well for us, cheaper, and no side effects.

Debbie