Effectiveness of PPI's

[Toeboy]

Further to an earlier posting on 06/12, I found that a dose of 2000mg (400mg with meals and at bedtime) a day of cimetidine was inadequate to reduce the pain in my stomach (duodenal ulcer, erosions of the stomach lining, HP-ve, not using NSAIDS) and control the heartburn (which has started since I finished helicobater treatment that I didnt need) and diarrhoea.

I am now taking 30mg lansoprazole twice a day and I am taking it properly before meals to get the best results.

The problem is that if I take a tablet at 7am before breakfast, by 2pm I am already starting to get burning in my chest and abdominal pain. When I take my second tablet at 6pm the pain has gone within an hour and seems to last until morning.

I should only have to take 1 dose of 30mg a day to eliminate all the symtoms so how come it only seems to last a matter of hours??? I read that it should last 24-72 hours!! Has anyone else experienced such a short benefit from a PPI?

[Valerie940311]

A related discussion, Gastritis was started.

[Concerned lady]

Thanks, Needabreak, for sharing your experiences with the DGL, etc.

I'm going to do a "cut & paste" of some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers!).

The DGL does not have a laxative effect. DGL can be bought at health food stores and good pharmacies. (See the "tips" below!)

It takes a different amount of time to see good results, for each person. The tips below have more ideas, in addition to the DGL.

**********************************************************

Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):

GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)

LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)

Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.

SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com   and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.

PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray

[Abbey]

Where would someone buy DGL...thanks.

[Toeboy]

Does DGL have a laxative action?

[needabreak]

Hi nanci,
First of all, yes, you can take DGL with your PPI. I take two DGL (chewed slowly to mix with your saliva) before each meal and when I first started taking it, also took 1-2 before bed, depending on how my stomach was feeling.  The aloe vera juice, I mix with a little diluted juice (or TANG), usually an ounce or so in the evening before bed.  Aloe is VERY healing also for your digestive tract.   How long it takes before you notice an improvement probably is different for everyone.  For me, because my system was so screwed up from the PPI and I was having some pretty nasty stomach pain, it took me longer, (3 weeks?) because I was also weaning myself off the Prevacid at the time...and it took awhile to get it all out of my system.  I think "feelbetter" got results much quicker.  The DGL tastes very "different" and a bit "yucky" at first (like strong licorice) but I really am used to it now and don't mind the taste at all.  I really hope you find relief with this.  I believe it is the way to go.

[nanci]

How long did it take before you noticed the effects of DGL.  Can you take this while on PPI medication.  I would love to
wean off Nexium.  I have gastritis and little reflux.  

Can you share how you took DGL and aloe juice.  And how long does it take?

[needabreak]

I have to tell you, I was taking Prevacid and had terrible side effects, one being stomach pain which I didn't have before the medication!  I am now taking DGL, thanks to the advice of Concerned Lady, and just yesterday had my endoscopy done.  There was NO sign of irritation, inflammation, gastritis,or ulcers in my esophagus or stomach.  I'm not sure that I can make the claim that the DGL and aloe juice I've been using (along with Probiotics) "healed" me or not, but I know from my own research that DGL stimulates the production of prostaglandins, that promote healing to the whole gastrointestinal tract and especially the stomach.  If you're curious, do a little research of your own on the web.  I haven't had any reflux in a long time, except for maybe once, when I used Gaviscon and was fine.  But, that was my fault for eating something I shouldn't have.

[Toeboy]

DGL is Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice. It tastes bad and did nothing for me.

[dabadew]

What is DGL? What exactly does does it do? I have the really tight feeling in my throat & a rubber band feeling around my upper stomach. Nothing can touch my stomach (clothing)  & if there is a breeze it makes my throat really tight & uncomfortable,my stomach too. Does any of this sound famaier?

[hounddog]

I also take 80mg of Nexium per day, plus 250mg of Zantac. I started at 20mg Nexium and worked my way up to a dose that actually made me feel better. My doctor told me people metabolize these meds at very different rates, and that it is not uncommon for younger women (20-35) especially to need more than the one-pill-per-24-hours regimen. I, too, wonder how we are ever supposed to cut back on these..."Concerned lady" may appear and post some of her tips about acid reflux and indigestion...

[feelbetter]

Hi. I was on prilosec for 3 years with little relief and nasty side effects. I found this forum and I saw a Concerned Lady post and I learned about DGL. I stopped taking prilosec in Feb. and I have almost complete relief from my reflux. I no longer suffer with pain that could ruin my whole day. I can make plans without worrying that I may have an "attack". (my reflux was more pain than actual acid backing up) I know some remedies that you hear about seem too good to be true (and of course, many of them are) but I would swear by the DGL. It has really helped me and I cannot wait to see my Gastro doc and let him run his tests so I can show him how well I am doing. (he was skeptical when I asked him about DGL and told me it would raise my blood pressure which it does not and my blood pressure is still perfect)All I am saying is it is worth trying other routes if the meds give you trouble. Best wishes to you all.

[nanci]

Yes, Me!  I am taking 80mg of Nexium a day plus over the counter acid blockers.  40mg of Nexium is suppose to last 17 hours (it's time released).  I take one in the AM and one around 5:50PM.  I wake up with burning and pain which will last most of the morning,  Have some relief in the afternoon for a few hours.  The burning is tolerable but the discomfort in my stomach, like a gnawing pain, will last most of the day.  I've had a particularly bad day today in the office and been suffering all afternoon.  

I have a doctor's app't in a few days so hopefully, he can shed some light.  I don't want to take PPI's forever, especially at the dosage I'm on now.