Diagnosed with Silent Reflux, prescribed Nexium. Some questions...
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Hi,
My ENT put a scope down my throat and diagnosed me with a "proabably new and not very severe" case of silent reflux. My symptoms are a slight burning in the throat and mucus coming up throughout the day. I was initially diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Not sure if that diagnosis even holds now and I have both conditions, or just the SLR.
My doctor prescribed Nexium 40mg 1 a day for 2 months, then see him again. I think he said take it 15 min. after breakfast, but the Nexium site says 30 min before meals. Can anyone guide me here on when to take it?
2. Anything to worry about with this medication? I'm researching now and seeing some comments about "beware of the reflux medications your dr. prescribes because they can do more harm than good." Does that apply here, or should I just follow doctor's orders?
2 likes, 37 replies
tata40402 walterw
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walterw tata40402
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Jonathan57679 walterw
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I would suggest taking the acid blocker 20 to 30 minutes after dinner. That way it will protect you from night time reflux, which is when 90% of the damage occurs. You must also sleep on an incline or wedge. You must protect your stomach and esophagus at all times. You will benefit yourself by being very careful not to cause any further damage. This can get really bad if it's not handled correctly.
walterw
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JFWski walterw
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walterw JFWski
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As an aside, I have one unexplained symptom which is that when I start to become tired, I get overwhelmed with sleepiness. I used to stay up till 2AM too, but now I feel like someone is injecting me with a sleep potion. My doctor said I'm getting old, but I know what getting old feels like. This was a change that happened like someone flipping a switch. One day I was normal, and then suddenly I started not being able to keep my eyes open to finish a movie at midnight.
rex_44766 walterw
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Jonathan57679 walterw
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walterw
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After about 10 days, I've been taking Nexium 2 x day and eating mainly oatmeal, bananas, canteloupe, bread, rice, grilled chicken, pasta and seafood, as well as elevating my bed and not eating before I lie down. One of my two symptoms (throat clearing) seems to have improved. My other symtom (burning in the throat, especially when I speak) has not, and seems to have gotten worse.
Does that make sense for what other people have been through? Just trying to figure out if this diet is working. I know it can take 2-6 months to start feeling relief, but Dr. Kaufman says people improve after 2 weeks. I just started drinking alkaline water today, so maybe that will help too.
JFWski walterw
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I'm looking at the Nissen Diet which is recommended after NF surgery. It omits anything acidic along with anything that would cause gas or distension. So those are foods I would consider eliminating. (They include all citrus fruit, fruit with seeds, vegetables like spinach, brussel sprouts, asparagus etc.) I would also suggest keeping a food diary and note when you feel bad and compare that to see if there is a certain food that triggers your symptoms.
walterw JFWski
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rex_44766 walterw
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walterw
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After two weeks on Nexium 40mg 2x, I have cut back to 1x a day and will quit taking it altogether in a week. It was making my throat burn ten times worse than before. Since I cut back to 1x a day, my throat is already back to where it was before I started treatment (burning a little now and then but not really affecting my quality of life.) It was getting to where I couldn't go out with friends because my throat would become hoarse from talking. It took me awhile to realize it was the Nexium causing it.
Any ideas why this is?
Could the burning in my throat possibly be candida? The ENT said there were no traces of candida in my mouth or throat, but I had oral thrush a couple of months ago. I can't figure out why a PPI would make my throat burn MORE. Could I have candida that is thriving when there is less acid around? No idea what to think at this point.
rex_44766 walterw
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walterw
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After a little trial and error, I realized that it was not the Nexium that was making my throat more hoarse, but alkaline water. When I was diagnosed with LPR, I started taking Nexium and drinking alkaline water (9.5ph) about the same time and when my hoarseness got worse, I naturally thought it was the Nexium. Now I'm back taking Nexium and off the alkaline water. If anyone has an opinion on why that would happen, I'd love to hear it.
rex_44766 walterw
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