Wondering if we could talk about acid reducers...

[Guest guest]

Hi there. I have been reading up on acid reducers a little. Mainly

because my 6 year old daughter very suddenly started to have acid

reflux.

What I found out was....frightening. My husbands GI precribed

Protonix after his last bout of Pancreatitis. We didn't question it

because I had read that they often precribe acid reducers for

pancreatitis.

One of the side effects for Protonix IS pancreatitis! Soooo I decided

to read othwer side effects for the same class of drug. None of the

other had this for a side effect!

I was wondering if you all could share what you take, and what your GI

says about long-term use of these things......we are between GI's

right now

Thanks everyone.

&

[Guest guest]

,

In spite of this rare side effect, I've been taking Protonix for the last year

and a

half. My GI is aware of the precaution and discussed it with me before he

prescibed it. He felt that it was the BEST acid reducer, since as a proton

pump inhibitor, it's more effective than Zantac or Prevacid. I've never had any

kind of pancreatitis problems with it since I started.

Everyone is different, though, and a decision to take it or not is entirely

personal. I will say that I haven't had any problems with reflux, or any

pancreatic upset after meals like I used to before without it. I take it

because I

take Viokase enzyme supplements, and they require an acid reducer prior to

using them.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina Rep.

Southeastern Reg. Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

Howdy,

I have decided long ago NOT to take any meds that have the side effect

of pancreatitis. My specialist said if I choose to do that that I would

be cutting off alot of useful meds. But the way I see it...why would I

take something that could cause me an attack or more of what I already

suffer from.

Also, I take pancrelipase enzyme supplements and they require no use of

a PPI or acid reducer to be effective according to my specialist. Of

course, if I were to take one, it is said that they could be more

effective than they already are.

Just my opinion.

Sandy in Ca

or wrote:

>One of the side effects for Protonix IS pancreatitis! Soooo I decided

>to read othwer side effects for the same class of drug. None of the

>other had this for a side effect!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I take Protonix. I just started on it about a month ago. My last visit to

the hospital they put me on it. I have not had any problems with it and it does

seem to help. I don't have much heartburn but my doc said it would help the

enzymes work better. It sometimes seem to me to help with the nausea.

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Antacids are all most always prescribed with digestive enzymes and

also after abdominal surgery. A good deal of digestive enzymes that

we take are enteric coated. That means that they will not begin to

dissolve until they have passed from the stomach to the intestine.

Some enzymes are not enteric coated and will begin to dissolve in the

stomach itself. By taking antacids it reduces the stomach acids thus

reducing the risks of the enzymes being broken up too quickly;

increasing their efficacy.

you are quite right about doctors who pull out a prescription

pad for the answer to every problem. I also have issues with that as

you had said. I also agree that a change in ones diet can decrease

the chances of haveing acid reflux or indigestion. However, relux

can be caused a by more then just ones diet.

I was put on Protonix after my last surgery. I quit taking it some

time ago as my enzyme is creon and that is enteric coated. However,

the last few weeks I have had terrible reflux and have resumed taking

the protonix. The relux has nothing to do with what I consume. I

think it is because the hernia is putting pressure on my stomach

causing the symptoms of relux and gastroparesis. I have also been

expereincing an increase in nausea and have been throwing up the last

few days.

christina I think it is always a good idea to understand exavtly why

we are prescribe a medication and what the side affects are. Doctors

are people too and are not always correct. What works for one

patient may or may not work for another. I think they forget that

sometimes. Ask your doctor why he prescribed an antacid for .

Being your own, or your husbands, adovate is very wise. The more we

know about how we are treated medically is always beneficial.

Warmly,