Acid reflux ?

[Rich]

I have had a problem with excessive gas and burning in my stomach.
Also have somewhat of a raw feeling in one side of my throat.
This has been going on for the last few weeks, and have had an episode at least once per day. I do have an appt. with a gastro guy in a few weeks.
It also causes some heart palpitations.
I am guessing this may well be acid reflux disease, I will find out in a few weeks.
Doing some research on meds like Prilosec, the first thing mentioned is the interaction with Coumadin.
Anybody have experience with this combination?
Would it most likely raise my INR?
I understand the prescription form of Prilosec contains something to help heal the throat and esophagus, the OTC version does not.
I also read that it can only be taken for 14 days, every four months.
Rich

 

[Mb]

Hello!

Yes, my husband (dual valves), has GERD. He started with acid refulux at the same time as he went into heart failure. I believe it is a symptom of heart disease, and not all that uncommon.

Let's see.................he has taken Prilosec for about four years, daily. He was taking only one a day, until recently, has graduated to two a day. Morning and evening. Obviously his Dr.'s know about it.

He has had a TEE done, to check the esophgus, and heart. They worry about permanent damage to the throat, and the resulting consequences.

His INR is generally in range. Probablyt like most of the folks here, if everything is stable, so is his INR.

He generally sleeps with 5 pillows. (Don't laugh). There have been times when he had to sleep the night sitting up.

He is much better if he eats early, and small quantities. He NEVER overeats, and never drinks.....well almost never.

It has been one of the most nagging issues for him, daily. But, as long as he takes his meds, uses the pillows, eats smaller quantities, and eats earlier, he is OK.

Good luck with the gastro guy! - Marybeth

 

[catwoman]

Rich:

About 5-7 years ago I had GERD. Was having nausea, vomiting, acid in the throat, rolling waves of abdominal pain sometimes, couldn't tolerate coffee @ dinner or even alcohol at night. Had difficulty sleeping. I didn't have problems every night, but when I did, I felt miserable.
My PCP Rxed Prevacid, which resolved the problem. I stopped the Prevacid after about 4-5 months and have never had a recurrence. My PCP had said that if the Prevacid didn't work, he'd send me for an upper GI. (I wanted to try the Rx first, then go through testing.)
My guess is the GERD had caused severe irritation, and using the Prevacid allowed the irritated areas to heal.

I don't know about Prilosec's side effects, but those with Prevacid can include diarrhea. This is because Prevacid stops production of digestive acids, thus causing the diarrhea. I did have this side effect, but the results were worth the side effect.
If Prilosec's side effects include diarrhea, you could see an increase in the INR. Al Lodwick would know if this is correct.

My dad had severe GERD in the mid-1960s caused by a diaphramatic hernia. The only cure back then was surgery. The surgeon went in through the back & the abdomen, and I remember my dad being home recuperating for about 3 months. Since then, he's had digestive problems. About a year ago, I was told that the surgical "cure" was a gastric bypass procedure!!! No wonder my dad's had digestive problems -- has to drink beverages AFTER getting food on his stomach, can't eat much at a time, etc. He's always been a string bean, and that "cure" has only worsened the problem. He's 76 now, and his internist said recently that he MUST put on weight. Duh, he can't!
Shame there wasn't anything like Prilosec, Prevacid, etc., back in the 1960s!

 

[Mary]

Rich,
I went into the PCP last week due to severe upper abdominal pain that was radiating into my chest with every breath.

He put me on Prevacid for one month. I returned Monday, and although I didn't think I was having any pain, when he poked around, there's still one place that's very tender.

PCP thinks it's probably acid reflux, and I'm to continue with the Prevacid until I run out. If the pain is still there, I'll have to see a GI doc for a definitive diagnosis.

You might check Prevacid for any counterindications with coumadin.
Mary

 

[hensylee]

I have not been feeling well - figured it was ulcer symptoms or hiatal hernia (which causes GERD). Had a fever so he figured I have some sort of infection. He rxed Amoxycillin and Cimetidine (Tagamet - cheap - does the job). I still feel nauseous but it took awhile to get here and will take awhile to go away, I guess.

When I first was dxed w/GERD, dr said raise the head my bed 6 inches (can't - you slide out the bottom ), never eat after about 4 pm, eat several small meals a day, no large meals at all, stay away from spicy foods, wear loose clothing (not binding around the waist, particularly), use extra pillows, use antacids (Maalox liquid is instant relief and you can use it a few times per day), try not to get upset about things (easier said than..., well, you know).

 

[Guest]

One of my patients had abdominal pain and had a thorough exam from a very good doctor. He gave her Prilosec. A few days later the pain was very intense so she went to the ER. Her ovaries were huge and full of blood. She had to have them removed - her kids were college age fortunately. Whether or not the Prilosec caused it couldn't be proven.

The non-Rx type has a 14 day warning on it so that people won't keep taking it without going to a doctor. Other than that, they are the same.

 

[Rich]

Thanks to all,
Ann I hope you are feeling better soon.
Mary the same goes for you, I did have severe abdominal pain many years ago.
It turned out to be gallstones. People think the pain should be on the right side with gall stones but it was dead center.
Al, how bad does Prilosec interact with Coumadin and would it raise my INR?
Well folks getting old really sucks but I guess it beats the alternative.
Rich

 

[Birky]

Gerd

Gerd

I too have GERD since my surgery in 2003. I was on Protonix but now I have been on Prevacid for 3 mos. and seems to be working. I haven't had any heartburn and acid backup since I have been on this. My INR has been up and down which I do not know if this cause. Last week I was too high. I am going to try to go off of them by fall. I couldn't even lay down without getting the acid backup. Hope you all get to feeling better.

 

[Guest]

Other than that on woman, I have never seen any ill effects from warfarin and Prilosec.

 

[Christina L]

I would be curious to know

I would be curious to know

how many people on this VR.com board who have had heart surgery are dealing with GERD or hiatal hernia.

I was just diagnosed with a small hiatal hernia and GERD a couple of months ago, having had a cough since last December that I now know was from the GERD.

I have done a lot of reading on GERD. I don't think it is caused from heart failure from all that I have read, as I am not in heart failure (per my cardiologist). A lot of my reading suggested a hiatal hernia can be caused by major surgery or trauma - hello!!!

Also my cough (and probably my hiatal hernia) started right after I had the deep tissue massage that caused me all the pain last November. Did something happen to my diaphragm with all that manipulation or did the extreme pain after the massage cause me to tense up and hence bring up my stomach into my diaphragm??

Anyway, I was on Nexium for a while, but have refused to keep taking it - I HATE to take medications and want to fix this naturally. I am still having some burning but the cough is much better and also the inability to talk without coughing is better. I am looking into having SET work done (don't ask me what this stands for) - which is a sort of deep tissue massage and energy work combined.

I also believe that my digestive system is out of whack from years of SBE prophylaxis before dental work and while having a cold, etc., to protect my faulty mitral valve.

I do try to eat less at a time because of this danged thing, but I won't give up my green tea, chocolate, or tomatoes, which trigger the burning at times. I am also taking food enzymes and probiotics.

Again, I would be very interested to know how many others on the board are dealing with GERD/hiatal hernia.

Christina L.

 

[Christina L]

P.s.

P.s.

The heart palpitations and arrhythmias can be caused by a hiatal hernia - something about the nerve that runs through this area - also a hiatal hernia is almost touching the heart if the hiatal hernia becomes too big.

Just goes to show how the systems in our bodies are all interrelated - but you wouldn't know that from talking with a cardiologist, or a gastroenterologist - they know nothing about any other system than their specialty.

That is where Eastern Medicine comes in....of course, the Chinese believe that all health or illness stems from the digestive system. Of course, we who were BORN with faulty valves know that this does not always ring true.

Christina L.

 

[Harpoon]

Heehee...

I've been taking Prilosec for entirely way too long....

Don't ask when I started on it, close to a year ago now I think, maybe longer.


The best my docs can say is that all the meds I'm on cause some acid reflux and the Prilosec helps to reduce it. I do notice a difference when I go off it for one reason or another (usually running out of pills on a weekend when I can't get more from the store.)

I recently upped the dose from one pill, once a day, to on pill, twice a day (at breakfast and dinner) and I haven't noticed much of a change. It doesn't seem to affect INR for me at all.


Was going to ask about prevacid, but the doctor I was seeing about the issue (an ENT) said Prilosec and Prevacid were about the same. I do have a scrip for prevacid, but it's wicked expensive and I don't have Rx coverage.

 

[Christina]

Digestive Enzymes.

Digestive Enzymes.

Acid Reflux/GERD is a digestive problem and instead of taking yet another prescription drug for relief consider going the natural way and get a good Digestive Enzyme Product from your nearest Health Food store. That might relieve the pain without side effects.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Harpoon]

There's an idea, any suggestions as to what to get? Contra-indications/interactions with other medications???

 

[Marguerite53]

just a thought

just a thought

When I found out that I needed a valve replacement, the first thing I did was start eating better. While I haven't completely eliminated high sugar carb items, drastically reducing intake of white bread, potatoes and white rice and pasta has significantly reduced my GERD sypmtoms! I notice, if I have a splurge of potatoes, or white bread -- back comes the gurgly throat and discomfort.

Another help for me has been to purchase a wedge shaped pillow. It is not terribly comfortable to sleep on, so I do not use it every night. But when my stomach (or snoring, for that matter!) is acting up, it does relieve the situation. Those foam pillows can be purchased at medical supply stores.

Sorry I know nothing of INR's at this point. Good luck!

Marguerite

 

[Christina]

Acid Reflux.

Acid Reflux.

Just go to a Healthfood store and let them recommend a brand of Digestive Enzymes. There are many brands and I don't of hand remember a name.
I also would eliminate all "white foods" from my diet (white flowers, white sugars, white rice, white noodles, white breads, pastries etc.). Drink plenty of water, herbal teas (iced or hot) and eat only whole organic grains and vegies. No artificial sweeteners. Drink organic milk if you like milk, and eat smaller meals 5-6 times a day instead of the three big meals.
Hope this helps.

 

[Georgia]

My doc said that GERD is so common after ohs that he wanted me on pepcid permanently. Have taken it for 2 years plus and have never had any problems. It's just one more pill twice a day.

 

[Christina L]

I wonder why

I wonder why

GERD is so common after OHS? I asked my cardio if he sees his patients getting GERD or hiatal hernia after OHS and he said "no."

My gastroenterologist told me that a hiatal hernia is purely structural, it comes with age, there is nothing that can be done for it, just take pills. (typical western medicine way of looking at things)

I did gain 20 pounds after my mitral valve surgery and my tummy was quite rotund. Since finding out I have the hiatal hernia, I have lost 10 pounds and want to lose at least four more.

I do believe that losing the weight has helped a lot with the gastric reflux and the hiatal hernia - I don't have all that fat pushing my stomach up through my diaphragm into my esophagus!!

Of course, there are MANY reasons for having a hiatal hernia and GERD - the most likely is a bad digestive system. I am kind of dumbfounded as I have always prided myself on eating "healthy" - no soda, organic dairy, lots of greens, but stress and too many antibiotics over the years have wreaked havoc on my digestion.

We can't leave out stress as a BIG factor - I read the other day that there is a belief that up to 80% of all illness is caused by stress. I wouldn't doubt it - I think we who are on this board have had more than our share of stress.

Christina L.

 

[Georgia]

Maybe it's so common

Maybe it's so common

because if you're on coumadin you can get in trouble really really fast??? I don't know - but I tried to convince my cardio to let me get off some meds and we went through them and she said they have good results with staying on pepcid.

And stress surely is deadly. amen to that.

That's why I retired early - and have felt much better. Sure sleep alot more.

 

[Cris N]

I wound up with an overnight stay in the hospital when I presented with intense pain when I took a deep breath. Dr. was convinced that I was experiencing a (probably) short term bout with GERD (never bothered by it before OHS). He put me on Prilosec for 3 months. I definitely feel much better and no trouble with INR from the Prilosec.

Cris