Nexium question (Wind, maybe???)
#225258 - 11/15/05 04:24 PM
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anlikerm
Reged: 09/16/05
Posts: 1320
Loc: NC
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Hey gang! For all you Nexium gurus out there....I have a hiatal hernia (newly diagnosed) and have been prescribed Nexium 40mg and it's been 5 days and I don't think it's helping at all. Maybe a little bit, but I'm still having a really hard time with this reflux. I'm still taking a ton of Gaviscon to keep the acid down, on top of taking the Nexium. Should I give it more time or is it supposed to be working by now. Help???
Thanks in advance!!
Michelle 
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
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I'd still give it some time. I didn't really feel the difference until after 2 weeks had passed. Like you, I still used/use tons of other over the counter stuff, but much less!
I find also that taking intensive enzyme pills with food really helps too. It just "organizes" the process of digesting food. I know that when I take them in conjunction with Nexium, I have less reflux/acid.
Also, I note that Nexium wears off by the end of the day...for me, it only lasts about 10 hours. Perhaps that's what you're experiencing?
Kate.
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Wow, you responded quick! I was reading some prior posts that you made about the Nexium so I was hoping you would read this before it got lost in the shuffle.....Okay, good. I will wait it out, then. I have tried all the others (PPI's) and I experience too many bad side effects from them to be able to continue taking them. But, the Nexium I don't experience any negative side effects. I just feel like it doesn't work.
I take it in the morning, wait an hour before eating and as soon as I put something in my mouth, the burping begins. Probably because my system is so empty by then. It's not as bad as it has been before Nexium, but it's still frustrating.....and after I get all the gas out of my stomach after taking a few gaviscon then I feel better and can finish eating. Have you ever experienced something like this??? I can't tell if it's heartburn or not. I taste the food when the gas comes up, so I figure it's my hiatal hernia.....I don't know.
The GI guy said my endoscopy did not show any esophagitis or gastritis but sometimes I swear it feels like my esophagus is so irritated......wierd, huh?? OH, yea and by the end of the night, I'm popping 4 Gaviscon just so I can lay down and sleep. It definitely wears off by the end of the day, I can tell.
Thanks Kate!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Yup--that sounds like me. It's funny that you mention the burping thing--I get that too. Or, a sort of "hiccup." It's like there's a frog or a troll trapped in me.
I have that "raw" esophagus feeling, too.
On those days, I only consume kate-friendly foods, kate-safe foods. I know you have your own stand-by list of safe and sure foods.
Sometimes, it takes awhile, I think for the Nexium to "dissolve." I'm not sure about this theory, though. As far as PPIs go, it's the best one I've used. It's weird--somedays it works (actually most) and others are just "lost" somehow. I know I simply cannot eat as much in one sitting. Do you get that fullness feeling faster than before?
I know that if my transit time is lagging, acid builds up. Normally that's not too much of a problem, though.
Sometimes, I get these waves of nausea, but I'm not sure if that's Nexium related or not.
My WORST time is around 2-4 a.m. I literally wake up NAUSEATED and ready to vomit, but my stomach is empty (it's just acid) and so I down either Rolaids or take Pepto. or Malox or Gaviscon or Pepcid.
Sometimes, I think that for some people, it never goes away.
This isn't very helpful, I know and I appologize. You're not alone, especially with that burping thing, although mine includes the hiccups. It's probably asthma-steroid and drug related, too, I think, for me.
Kate.
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I know that taking intensive digestive enzymes hugely helps.
When I take them, the chances of me having acid/reflux are probably reduced by over 80 percent. It basically organizes the process of digesting food--the right "juices" for the right foods, i.e. amylase for carbs/starches, protease for protein, cellulase for fiber/cellulose, etc., etc.
I'm referring to something more potent that Beano.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that. Honestly, when I use them consistently, in conjunction with Nexium, my upsets are significantly reduced. I still get those croaking burpy hiccups and they're really weird/annoying.
Kate.
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Yep, last night I woke up really sick at 3:00am! I took 4 Gaviscon and 4 pepto and I felt better after about an hour. I hate doing that. It messed up the rest of my night.....I'm so tired!!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I have digest gold, but they seem to burn my system right now because of the protease. I used to take the 3 times a day when I was stable and now they are upsetting my stomach so I have laid off of them for now. I also found that if I took them with my meals that I would get acid reflux but if I took them between my meals on an empty stomach, I wouldn't even feel them in my system at all. The lady at the health food store told me to do that since I had so many digestive problems. She said it would be better for me to take them in between meals and my body would store the enzymes for later, when I needed them. Ever heard of that???
Thanks Kate!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
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I just thought I would pop in my two cents. I have a hital hernia that was diagnosed about 5 years ago and I was the same way it would wake me up at night. I started off taking Prevacid and that worked for a while but then it started up again. I then started taking Nexium and it really does work. It does take awhile but it will help. Something else you might try is lifting the head of your bed. I know they tell you to do that and you don't think it will work but trust me it does. Laying down flat causes more acid to build up and if you are elevated there won't be as much to build. Try that and see if it helps.
It does get better and I am now taking Achiphex as my insurance doesn't cover alot for the Nexium and I can't afford to buy it anymore.
I hope this helps and you do start feeling better.
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Michelle
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Wow, this post is helpful!
So I have GERD too.  Can I join the club  
I'd like to try enzymes...but where to start?
I'm trying Sweetish Bitters...is that considered enzymes?
Thanks!!! 
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Thanks Mitch! I ate a bowl of rice cereal last night before I went to bed because I was starving to death. That's what woke me up so sick. I also take Elavil at bedtime and I think that contributes to the acid. It hurts so bad......I don't like waking up feeling sick like that in the middle of the night. Anyway, thanks for your two cents and the advice about the Nexium. It's day 6 and I'm still not feeling too much better. Better than yesterday, but not a whole lot. I still can't eat much without hurting like hell an hour and a half later.....
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
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AWW, you poor thing! You have GERD, too?? I don't think I have GERD, I just have a hiatal hernia and acid reflux right now. The GI doc didn't say that there was any esophagitis or gastritis or anything like that. He just said that I had acid reflux and a hiatal hernia. It doesn't matter.....both of them suck!!
I am taking Enzymedica Digest Gold. It worked really well last year but I can't take it right now because of the protease. It is burning my system......so, maybe I can get back on them when my system isn't so sensitive. They're awesome for preventing indigestion but they are really expensive!! I paid $70.00 for 180 caps. I never had these problems when I was taking them last year, but I got better and quit taking them and low and behold, here I am again!!!
Worse than ever before!! Once I can get back on them, I will never go off of them again. Man, I feel like crap. I'm going back to bed with my heating pad......major cramps! Menstrual week.....IBS.......it never ends!!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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What kinds of things am I supposed to be eating to keep the haital hernia from getting too bad. All of this IBS food that I have been eating seems to cause more acid build-up. Veggies are good for alkalizing stomach acid but they trigger my IBS really bad, right now. I can't even tolerate bananas. I tried to eat a banana and now I have reflux problems again, today. My stomach hurts, crampy, nauseated, gassy, bloated......the list goes on and on. I'm on my 4th Gaviscon and 3rd Pepto!! It's not going away.......
What do you guys eat??? Crackers?? Pretzels?? Anything like that?? I need easy to digest foods right now with my unstable IBS.......it's probably got alot to do with the acid in my system, too. When I'm able to eat more, my IBS gets A LOT more under control.
Thank you!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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My nightime meds. give me the WORST acid reflux vulnerability/nausea at that time. I swear that they must be completely metabolized or digested by then.
So, you're not alone in your 3 a.m. pepto. dash! My a.m. meds. hugely nauseate me as well.
Does Nexium give you D? Just curious. It gives me D.
Kate.
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Seriously? Stuff like bananas and potatoes and most fruits/veggies are the only things that stay down. Weird how something alkalizing for one gives another acid. That is just how individual bodies are!
I have read, as well, that veggies/fruits are good for alkalizing the body.
Put meat/fish/soy in me and it's reflux-city.
I'd eat whatever stays down, if I were you, Michelle. Have you looked at the list re: what to eat if you cannot eat anything?
IT IS SO FRUSTRATING. FEEDING ME, OFTEN, IS QUITE LIKE FEEDING A CHILD, lol!
Kate.
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Enzyme therapy is for more than digestive disorders. It is true that they need not be taken in conjunction with meals in order to be effective. Other things enzyme therapy is helpful for include asthma, arthritis, cancer, peridontal disease, fibro., rosacea... Enzymes are food supplements.
Perhaps a vegetarian digestive enzyme might be more gentle?
It is recommended that if stronger enzymes cause reactions to try weaker ones.
However, if they are causing more harm than good, I'd skip them all together as well.
I'm pretty sure that Nexium has gelatin in it. Could that be causing you a problem? Hmmm, maybe we should look at some of the non-medicinal ingredients of these thing???
Kate.
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It gave me D the first day, but I don't have it anymore. But, I was having problems with C from the Remeron that I was taking. I don't take that, anymore, because it gave me the worst acid reflux in the world. I couldn't take it anymore....so, maybe my BM are somewhat normal now because of the Nexium.
I just called my doctor because I have a gallbladder hida scan appt on Friday and I'm supposed to fast after midnight the day before and I told her that right now, I cannot do that. I told her about my 3am calls for gaviscon and pepto and she said "you cannot reschedule this again." She told me to double up on the Nexium and take it twice a day and take as much gaviscon and pepto that I can handle at midnight on Thursday to get me through on Friday. This hida scan appt is supposed to be more than 2 1/2 hours long. I honestly don't know if I can make it right now. I have to take pepto and gaviscon as soon as I get up or I will throw up......AND if I double up on the Nexium, that might make me sick, too, do you think??? I really don't like this doctor. She's such a "B@#$H"......:)
Anywhoo, she said to eat nothing but white rice tomorrow, too. Is this a good idea???
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Well...my doc diagnosed me with an ulcer )without proof though!) and with GERD..
I KNOW I have a hital hernia cause it showed up on my endoscopy...
Whatever it is, it comes and goes, and it HURTS!
Can this stuff make you nauseous btw?
Ok, GOLD...got it! I'll have to look into it...but YEEPS...that price is STEEP! My pocketbook and I are smaller than all that
WOW! I am telling ya...we spend more in this house on medical than on our monthly rent (only about half an exaggeration!!!)
We need paid vaca for each illness we are diagnosed with! Say...a year per diagnosis? PAID!!!!!!!! (I would be up to several years already for all the stuff I got!!!)
*hugs* Ruch
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I tolerate Nexium better than any of the other ones actually. As far as side effects go. All of the other ones made me really nauseated. The nexium doesn't make me nauseated but it is taking alot longer to kick in than the Protonix and Prevacid. I don't know....have you tried Protonix. I did very well on Protonix for 5 days. Could eat normally.....then on the 6th day, I took the Protonix and started eating my breakfast and I couldn't take another bite. I got really nauseated and sick and had to put it down. I took pepto and it seemed to only make the matter worse. I kind of felt like the Protonix completely dried out my stomach, like there was no digestive juices to break down the oatmeal. I don't know.....it hurt and I quit taking it after that.
It's still hard to eat, but I can get it down eventually.
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I believe the hital hernia is what causes all of my nausea. I'm not sure......but, I get nauseated a whole lot!! Especially when I get on the road to go somewhere. That's part anxiety, too. I get so worried about the acid reflux that I believe I make it worse. What are your symptoms besides nausea??? Do you have a hard time eating??? That's my biggest problem right now. I get so much gas that it makes me really nauseous and I can't eat until I get all that gas out of my stomach.
The Digest Gold is really steep!!  But, I like it. It's just too strong for me right now, so I bought some of that Gas Stop by Renew Life and it's alot weaker than the digest gold. I haven't tried it yet, but I just got it in the mail today. I will try it out tomorrow. It doesn't have that much protease in it, which is what makes my system burn.
Do you work?? I had to quit because this got out of hand and I got too sick. I weighed 116 lbs at my first doctor's appt with this on August 2nd. Now I weigh 104 lbs. and I just keep losing because I cannot eat hardly anything.....
I love eating, too. This sucks!!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
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PPI's supress acid. Acid is required to breakdown food. So, what you said re: your oatmeal experience makes sense.
I also find that I have the most "dried out" stomach. It literally gets tight like dried skin on the outside.
Kate.
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Does it make you feel sick when your stomach is so dried out like that??? I just took a 1/2 tsp of Baking Soda for my heartburn instead of Gaviscon and Pepto and I will never do that again!!! I feel horrible right now!! My whole body feels like it's a big salt pool!! Yuck! It used to work really good but this time was a horrible experience. I keep drinking water to wash it through my system quicker.
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I'd keep it bland and simple and ultra safe and plain white rice is exactly that. I've had days when all my stomach wants is bananas and potatoes. Easy going, bland, soft, babyfood. Just plain steamed rice.
I've had days when doing the same is tempting and who knows, I may start just doing precisely that!!!
I just feel bad about letting all my food go to waste. Somedays, though, it is just so tempting.
Do what you have to do, what makes you feel good.
Kate.
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Okay, I will just eat rice tomorrow, then and see how it goes. I'm not going to take my second Nexium tonight since that baking soda made me feel so horrible.......BLAH!!
I can't get the salt taste out of my mouth!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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I hope you ladies dont mind my saying so but...it just amazes me how much we get to know our bodies when we have illnesses!
Seriously!
the fact that we can tell when our tummies are tight and dried out! AMAZING!!!
Sorry if I'm weird...just had to comment...
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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