You would not believe what I just found out!

[darlingleslee]

I was diagnosed with GERD about fifteen years ago. My doctor at the time prescribed Zantac 150 mg twice a day. She advised that I would have to take it for the rest of my life. Needless to say I have been obedient since. Over the years I have had some serious panic attacks (fear of food allergies, irregular breathing, etc), some causing me to go to the emergency room. About ten years ago I started having SVT ( heart rate jumping to 225 for no reason). I would have it twice a year until I decided to have a corrective surgery two weeks ago. Since the surgery (which the anesthesia gave me horrible reflux) I have had major panic attacks (thinking the surgery went wrong, allergic reactions to foods I have always eaten, etc) and have again, visited the emergency room. Of course, I was always diagnosed with having another panic attack. About an hour ago, after I had taken my Zantac and eaten dinner, I had a huge panic attack. I was preparing to go once again to the emergency room while trying to convince myself that it was just another panic attack. I hadn't done anything differently or eaten anything differently so I calmed myself enough to go online and do some research. Would you believe that Zantac, my trusted medicine for over fifteen years, can have side effects such as  ANXIETY, IRREGULAR HEARTBEATS, CONFUSION, DEPRESSION, HALLUCINATIONS, AND SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS?! Looking back, including tonight, I realize that almost everytime I have had a panic attack its usually about 20-30 minutes after taking my Zantac!    OMG!  Has anybody every experienced anything similar to this? Have you ever even heard of this? I AM COMPLETELY SHOCKED! I have seen several doctors and noone could share this bit of information with me?! Whats the deal? What do I do now?  

[kuttandra]

If you are suffering from GERD i would suggest to use natural organic Cabbage Juice, cabbage curry  .Cabbages are good for curing problems of stomach ,Eat small small meals around a day insatead of heavy meal .Hope you have checked for H-Pyori Bacteria which will cause these stomach issues.

[gardener352001]

Wow!! I have taken zantac for about 10+ years . About 3-4 years ago I noticed After eating dinner & taking my second zantac , I felt like my throat was closing , which of course gave me a mild panic attack . It was also hard for me to breathe after eating & I assumed something I ate didn't agree with me . I would always take a breathing treatment as I also have emphysema .  I took the rapid heartbeat as a side effect of the breathing treatment .  I quit taking  zantac when I heard about how good the raw  unrefined vinegar was . No more heartburn  & didn't realize until reading this , but no more  feeling like my throat was closing , although I still have to take a breathing treatment after eating , but no more rapid heartbeat either . Thank y'all for  posting . I am now taking meds. for osteoporosis & am not suppose to take the vinegar anymore :( But I don't have heartburn like I used to . Before zantac I would drink baking soda water 3-5 x a day . Now when I do get it , which is not very often , I just take a couple of tums .

[gassylassy]

So glad to hear that you have gotten relief.  I had surgery, so I don't need meds for heartburn......I had a large hiatal hernia.   If you think about surgery, DO LOTS OF RESEARCH>  Not sure I would have gone thru with it if I'd know how extreme it would be......post here if you'd like more info.  Stay healthy and happy!

[specialmom]

I love your user name, gassylassy!  love it!  Did surgery solve your issue? What happened leading up to that as in I'm sure that isn't the first thing they went to.  How long was your whole ordeal from beginning trying to figure out what to do to doing it?

[gassylassy]

Hi specialmom.......just saw your comment-sorry for the delay.......Yes, surgery seems to have solved the  reflux problem which my MDs said could lead to cancer due to damaging my esophagus......the procedure is MAJOR surgery......leading up to it I tried a restricted diet and elevating the top of my bed.......I had NO reflux burning with Prilosec.....which is what MDs said causes the onset of cancer conditions because the problem is masked with Prilosec......please submit another comment if you are still there and have questions about the surgery.....DO RESEARCH IF YOU PLAN ON HAVING IT DONE........WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEOS......BE PREPARED.......IT IS MAJOR SURGERY!

[Edger1]

It is real they normally prescribed a low dose and have you later change to every other day every third day. It's to be used while you change your diet know if you use menthol products especially in tabacco it does the same thing.

[Mdo891]

I just started takin Zantac twice daily and have noticed the same thing. Panic, feeling of throat tightness, jittery etc. I thought I was going nuts until I read this!

[Mdo891]

I just started takin Zantac twice daily and have noticed the same thing. Panic, feeling of throat tightness, jittery etc. I thought I was going nuts until I read this!

[specialmom]

I did know this about zantac and did not give it to my son because of this.  I also don't like PPI's, another class of drug to treat GERD, as I took it myself and it made me feel like I ate glass.  The thing that worked best for me was plain old 'pepcid', anti acid.  AND, the permanent solution for me was to lose roughly 10 pounds and to watch what I ate and when.  Things like spaghetti sauce increase the chance I'll have it (acid foods) and eating at night can result in it.  good luck!

[Mdo891]

Thank you so much! It’s been a nightmare so far, throat tightness that is constant, trouble swallowing etc. hopefully that will subside soon!

[gassylassy]

OMEPRAZOLE USE CAUSES OSTEOPOROSIS-
A Study from 2006, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Zang et. al, showed long-term use of PPI's increased hip fractures.
Zang et. al. concluded, "proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may interfere with calcium absorption through induction of hypochlorhydria but they also may reduce bone resorption through inhibition of osteoclastic vacuolar proton pumps." [2]

Hypochlorhydria is also known as low-stomach acid.
The FDA is now including a warning label on all prescribed PPI's linking their use to hip, spine and wrist fractures, with long-term use.

[judithmhol]

I just posted a question about long-term use of PPIs and the effect it has on low acid secretion. I have found out I have a number of serious vitamin deficiencies, and they are really putting me through some physical changes that are not pleasant. I simply can’t believe that there are published studies dating back 10 before I even started taking it. I didn’t even start taking omeprazole until 2015, and my doctor did not say  anything about long-term use and the side effects from it. Given all of the symptoms I’m going through I’m pretty sure my system has a really hard time absorbing any nutrients from food or supplements. I can’t sleep I sweat a lot, my skin is horrible my scalp is horrible. I have horrible mouth sores sometimes. And I know this is all from vitamin deficiencies. As well as some thyroid issues but the point is obvious. Hope thi given all of the symptoms I’m going through I’m pretty sure my system has a really hard time absorbing any nutrients from food or supplements. I can’t sleep I sweat a lot, my skin is horrible my scalp is horrible. I have horrible mouth sores sometimes. And I know this is all from vitamin deficiencies. As well as some thyroid issues but the point is obvious.  Well that’s my rant for the night

[Zues2221455]

Never take acid reducers.  They cut your life span in half and cause heart attacks.

[Tom_123]

That's a pretty bold statement. Care to elaborate?

[099jeg]

OTC acid reducers are bad. Really bad. Word is getting out on them now. Increases risk of heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, and dementia. Bad, bad medicine. Prescription acid reducers such as Pantoprazole have even worse side effects. Frankly, you're better off in pain. I know it sucks to read this, but it's the truth. Personally, for me, daily exercise helps the most. The more exercise you get, the better off you are with regards to GERD. And stay away from excessively fatty foods, fried foods, caffeine, salty foods, sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and drink a lot of water. No soft drinks or energy drinks at all, ever!!!! Finally, reduce your red meat intake, and eat more nuts(almonds, unsalted peanuts, pecans, etc.) and fish including tuna and salmon. Hope this helps. Good luck!

[sachi0022]

Hi , seems like your stomach producing excesssive acid . Before i suggest anything i need more info . You can contact me whatsapp [phone].

[EAD1018]

.  Same exact thing happens to me.  I mean exact.  Same racing heartbeat,  anxiety over food allergies.  Crazy right.  The most I ntense panic attacks always right after taking the Zantac.  

[selmaS]

U r welcome and I am happy that this is working for you. I do want to caution you about changing meds ...please see ur dr and inform him/her of ur changes.

Thanks for sharing that info...it may help someone else!!

"selma"

[darlingleslee]

Thank you for your response. I went to a natural health store and was told to try two teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar in a cup of water before I eat as a substitute for the Zantac. This is the third day and I have had no reflux. Hopefully this will be a long term solution because I hate to think of having to try another medicine.

[selmaS]

HI...I found it is best to talk with a pharmacist they have a better understanding of what the meds can cause and if u will have ne interactions.

If u have a small Pharmacy get to know the druggest..I had one yrs ago and he has since been bought out by a large drug store chain...I do miss the care I got, but I do still ask at the drug store....they can help u much more so than ur dr.

Always read the side effects on ur meds and if u r having them for more than a couple days...ask to get on diff meds.

I am sorry to hear u went thru this, but thank you for sharing an important issue with all of us.

Godspeed
"selma"