TDPS: Nexium, Prilosec, & acid reflux meds dangerous, dependence forming & overprescribed

[celtics23]

Run time: 07:55 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8xCV4_d1c8   Posted on YouTube: August 30, 2011 By YouTube Member: MidweekPolitics Views on YouTube: 213   Posted on DU: September 01, 2011 By DU Member: celtics23 Views on DU: 1720

 
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[indepat]

1. Rats! Been on it for years

[Ganja Ninja]

6. I had been on them for years too until recently.

For years I had a terrible case of acid reflux. I recently went in for an infection and got treated with antibiotics. The first batch I was prescribed made me sick and I had to give up halfway through the treatment. The second prescription was different. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic that was easier on the stomach and worked deeper into my system. I can't remember the name of it right now.

While I was taking it I started a vegetarian diet. Boiled or steamed vegetables only. The only animal products I ate were milk based, Cottage Cheese, Yogurt or Milk. No coffee, tea or booze and no vinegar, you know things like salad dressing or pickles. Just vegetables and milk. I stayed on the diet for about 3 weeks, two weeks while I was on the antibiotics and one week after I stopped. As a side effect my acid reflux went away. Now I only use them occasionally usually when I'm drinking.

[indepat]

10. Maybe I should try this, but might be impossible to give up the home-brewed Star-buck's coffee

Thanks. :hi:

[formercia]

2. Over the Counter Proton Pump Inhibitors

are widely available. I wonder if that might be an even bigger problem.

[mike_c]

3. the problem is that NOT using them can be extremely uncomfortable...

...at least for acid reflux sufferers. I simply cannot get a good nights sleep if I don't take my daily omeprazole tablet-- I have to sleep sitting up to avoid choking on stomach secretions, which keep me awake for hours. During the day, it's nasty heartburn instead. Really nasty.

I wish I could get off this med, but every time I try the symptoms return and make life absolutely miserable.

[asjr]

4. I can't eat anything if I haven't taken

Nexium. It is expensive but at least it works most of the time.

[Ganja Ninja]

7. See my post #6 above on how I got off omeprazole. n/t

[spooked911]

11. sounds exactly like what they are talking about-- your body has built up a dependency

sorry

[mike_c]

13. well, but it was like that before I started taking them....

Really-- it was those symptoms, as I described them, that Nexium was prescribed for. Once omeprazole became available over the counter I switched to it because Nexium is so freaking expensive, but both do an equivalent job of suppressing the symptoms. I am familiar with the addict effect-- I get relief from symptoms that the substance I'm addicted to creates-- and while I certainly cannot rule that out, at least to some extent, nonetheless, the symptoms were present LONG before I started taking the proton blockers. I thought I was dying or something. Seriously.

[William769]

5. This guy is a quack!

Now if he were to also list the benefits (which I did not hear in this video) it would give credence to his claim.

I have barrett's disease, I take double dose of aciphex every day to control my acid reflux. I have been doing this for 5 years now. The treatment prescribed for me has been approved by 3 different gastroenterologist plus my primary Doctor.

In the beginning my insurance refused to pay for the double dose treatment of medicine until the four doctors above weighed in, after three months of fighting my insurance has paid for it ever since.

If this guy is to ever be taken serious, he needs to do both sides of the story.

I was told of the warnings of this medicine the the benefits to my health. I find it very strange that I was able to find 4 different doctors (all in the same city) that are in the minority. :eyes:

[lin_e65]

8. William, he's not a quack....

The gist of all of this is the fact that these drugs are so pervasive and easily abused and some can be purchased over the counter. You have Barrett's and you need this medication--all the time. You have a medical condition that warrants this drug. But there are many people out there who self diagnose and self-medicate with these very powerful meds without thinking. The information insert in a box of Prilosec tells you to just use it for 6 weeks (for normal indigestion) but people keep themselves constantly on this. When you do that, your body overproduces cells that secrete more acid so if you try to go off of it, you're going to really feel it! These medications should not be over the counter drugs. They are produced as lower dosage,but out there for the public to buy, but all you have to do is double up on them. Putting them over the counter helps drug companies still make money once the drugs go generic and really is a major public health risk.

I think we have to realize that we can't take a pill for everything. The poster above changed his/her diet and felt relief (probably from acid reflux). We need to do those things as well. Not just take drugs. But it's easier to pop a pill.

[izquierdista]

12. If they're not over the counter,

that would cut into drug company profits -- can't have that.

[ellenfl]

14. i possibly have barret's as well. glad to read about the

person below who has been on prilosec for a long time. i was initially worried but my doctor said there is no conclusive evidence that these are harmful . . . yet. not taking the omeprazole could lead to cancer in my esophagus. i think i'll continue on the drug.

btw, i found that the scrip is cheaper than otc. i pay $7 for 30 tabs vs $15 for 14 otc tabs.

ellen fl

[1monster]

9. My DH has been on Prilosec for more than 25 years due to precancerous lesions on his vocal

cords caused by acid reflux. He was also losing his voice, a disaster for a radio personality.

The prilosec stopped the acid reflux and gave his vocal cords time to heal. And while he is no longer in radio, he still makes his living with his voice.

Any medicine can be a problem is it is mis or over used. But without Prilosec (I buy him the generic brand these days), he most likely would have developed throat cancer, and would surely have lost his vocal abilites. It's a good medication used correctly.

edit: clarity