D'oH!

[uberreiniger]

I will never learn. WHEN! WHEN will I ever learn!?

Being hopelessly addicted to crunchy, spicy, MSG-filled goodness, I treated myself to Chinese buffet last night before heading out to see The Grudge. Unfortunately, I made the foolish mistake of eating it BEFORE I took my acid reflux medicine, figuring that if I took it right afterward I'd be okay. This is a mistake I should have learned from in the past.

So after struggling with roaring heartburn for a couple of hours while hoping the medicine will finally kick in any minute, I finally caved in and took an antacid tablet. ("Why didn't you do that in the first place Tyree?" you ask. I say to you, "SHUT UP!") So I get to work and what happens?

"Hey Tyree, I'm done eating. Do you want the rest of these chicken strips with EXTRA SPICY BUFFALO SAUCE?"

Tyree: "SURE!" *gobblegobblegobblegobble*

STUPID Tyree! STUPID!

::DISCLAIMER:: I'm really just being dramatic. The heartburn hasn't surged back... yet. But I can feel it down there, biding it's time, plotting its every insidious move...

Comments

[mr-dark.livejournal.com]

I don't know what meds you're on, but if you can afford it, grab Prilosec from CostCo (if you have a membership) or Wal Mart. Take TWO pills a day. Yes, the instructions say one, but studies have shown that a 40mg does of Prilosec provides the equivalent relief as a 40mg dose of Nexium. Nexium is pretty much a miracle pill for most people. Prilosec isn't -quite- that good, but considering Nexium is about $200 a month without a prescription and Prilosec is about $30 a month for the same amount, that's quite a value. The regular dose of Prilosec, 20mg, just isn't enough for long term, lasting relief...but it's perfectly safe, and there's currently a large legal and medical debate regarding payments for Nexium when Prilosec in higher doses does almost the same.

I take two Prilosec a day, have ever since it hit the over-the-counter market, and I can eat pretty much anything I want. As long as I'm not exhausted, extremely stressed, or haven't eaten a shitload of fried food, I don't feel any symptoms. Even in those instances, two Tums does the trick.

[uberreiniger.livejournal.com]

Wow, I did not know that about Prilosec. I take it when I can't afford my Aciphex perscription (hopefully my new insurance at work will see an end to that,) but when I take Prilosec, it eventually stops working and I have to be off it for a while. When you take two, do you take them both at the same time or one at two different times.

Nexium works well for me for about two weeks, then I start experiencing pain in my lower esophagus. It's all in the way your body obsorbs the medicine, doctors say. What works like a miracle on one person may have no effect on another.

Once said insurance starts up I'm going to see a specialist, get scoped, and see if they'll recommend me for the corrective surgery for reflux. I got some info on it a while back from my doctor and apparently it's outpatient with very fast recovery time. It must cost an arm or a leg though, either that or they don't let just any reflux sufferer get it. Otherwise, I'm sure everyone would be having it, as I can't imagine anyone choosing to live with the pain of this disease if they know there's a way out.

[mr-dark.livejournal.com]

If you have that happen with Nexium, you'll have it happen with Prilosec. Checmically, they're almost identical. It sounds like you're doing the right thing, unfortunately. If it really is GERD and a doc says you need to have surgery, that probably -is- the only way you'll find relief.

[uberreiniger.livejournal.com]

Prilosec doesn't affect me *quite* the same way as Nexium, though. With Nexium it's a shooting pain, with Prilosec, just sort of an occasional tingle that after enough weeks becomes heartburn again.

I know I have GERD because it runs in the family. I'll need to get scoped in order to find out what they think about surgery. Personally, I hope they recommend it. I'd just as soon be done with it all.

[mr-dark.livejournal.com]

If you know that's the case, it's your best bet. I got scoped in 91 or 92, and my problem is just that my body creates WAY too much fluid. After an 18-hour fast and a 12-hour total fast (even liquids) there was STILL almost half a liter of fluid in my stomach. So, for me, it's all about suppressing that.

If your problem is inherited insufficiency in the esophageal muscles, yeah, you need surgery quick before the lining erodes and causes those pockets that become REAL problems. No pill's gonna help that.

But yeah: for keeping symptoms down in the meantime, taking TWO Prilosec a day is absolutely A-Ok, and what they're debating doing in many institutionalized health care systems, such as the UK.

[girlghoul.livejournal.com]

Doah!! That wasn't very smart mister man.

[rustie25.livejournal.com]

"I will never learn. WHEN! WHEN will I ever learn!?"
We never learn...if we did, what fun would life be? :)

Two Words: Prilosec OTC!!!!!

[drinkalizer.livejournal.com]

And the pharmacist lets out a little laugh.

*giggle*

Oh, and BTW...

[drinkalizer.livejournal.com]

Oh, wait. I am supposed to be a supportive friend...how could I forget?

Do you need some Prilosec OTC samples?? My office is filled with them. Seriously...free drugs. How many do you need?

(This IS legal because it is an over the counter formulation of a prescription heartburn medicine)

Re: Oh, and BTW...

[uberreiniger.livejournal.com]

Prilosec starts making me feel icky if I take it for very long :(

Re: Oh, and BTW...

[drinkalizer.livejournal.com]

O-tay. It was worth a shot. You know you can always drop me an email about medicine advice. However, it sounds like you know what is wrong and how to fix it in this instance. I am not worried for you since you have this figured out...just wanted to let you know that I am always willing to help out the "Uber Pack", a.k.a. the "Wolf Pack". :)