*ALERT* Popular medications linked to higher risk of kidney failure

[tomm2thumbs]

Source: CNN

Taking one of the most-prescribed medications in the world -- proton pump inhibitors -- might dramatically increase a person's risk for kidney failure and kidney disease, new research suggests. Patients take PPIs for heart burn, ulcers and acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The study was released Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Doctors prescribe proton pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs, to help people who suffer from regular heart burn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux. They are sold under the names Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex and others. <snip>

Looking at data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the study's authors found 173,321 people who used PPIs and 20,270 took a PPI alternative known as histamine H2 receptor blockers. The authors, who work at Washington University in St. Louis and at the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, analyzed data from these patients five years later. They found that a large percentage of those patients who were taking PPIs were now having more kidney problems than those patients who took the alternative histamine H2 receptor blockers.

Patients who took PPIs had a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure and a 28% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared to the patients who took the histamine H2 receptor blockers.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/14/health/proton-pump-inhibitors-kidney-failure/index.html

---

Posting for those that take these medicines -

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

They are sold under the names Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex and others.


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


more at the CNN link....

[tomm2thumbs]

1. these are pushed constantly alongside network news programs et al

figured it was worth an alert

[Human101948]

2. Yeah, but acid reflux is really unpleasant...

and sometimes unbearable without medication.

[tomm2thumbs]

4. sounds like the alternative histamine H2 receptor blockers

referring to the article

[angstlessk]

21. I take Tums (Used to take Rolaids)..I never trusted those types of

medicines...I did take them for awhile, but I always wondered exactly how they worked..I know how Tums work...they simply add alkaline to an acid stomach...works long enough, and I can take several a day if needed.

[Aristus]

33. But by using Tums, you are increasing your risk of hypercalcemia - elevated blood calcium levels.

Hypercalcemia can include symptoms such as kidney or gallstones, bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and pancreatitis. All medications come with risks. Just because a medication is available over-the-counter doesn't mean you shouldn't be wary.

[angstlessk]

35. No more gallstones...had gall bladder removed...gallstone size of ping pong ball!

I suffered since I was 17...went to hospital at 18 years old and they thought I was a drug addict cause there was some yellow tinge. My sisters M-I-L being a nurse and knowing me, said it sounded like a gall bladder problem..well 30 years + latter, after much pain, upper and lower GI's, and swallowing a camera, the doctors discovered what my sisters M-I-L knew instinctively..it was my gall bladder!!!

[Marty McGraw]

41. nothing works faster

than a (teaspoon) heap of baking soda with a water chaser

[angstlessk]

44. Oh, yes...I should go back to that...I agree!

I used to gag at the taste of baking soda but now it's not a problem...when out of Tums I do use baking soda...pour a little in the palm of your hands, plop it into your mouth, drink it down with a little water...INSTANT relief.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Marty McGraw]

45. Precisely what I do too

sometimes, just press the tongue onto the filmy palm, then - gulp, gulp, gulp

[angstlessk]

49. I really need to get back to that as the most use, and Tums for

if I wake at night with heartburn (the old fashioned term for acid reflux)

[Marty McGraw]

76. for me

it tends to be the opposite to handle those nocturnal choke-worthy fireballs. - b.soda for the emergencies tums as the suppressor. whatever gets ya through the night. that's what's important!

[Zira]

95. Just stick to 9 or less a day, or that will give you kidney failure. Tums and rolaids have dangerous

side effects if you use them very long and go over the recommended dose.

[harun]

73. Raw cucumbers seem to work great for me.

If you don't want that much water, or just can't, you can eat some of the cucumber skins.

[Marty McGraw]

74. Thank you

For that Advice. I'll try that. I need to pop open my bottle of papaya pills too and see if this helps over the long run as well

[Laffy Kat]

102. Wow. Cucumbers can actually CAUSE reflux in some people.

Ya never know, I guess.

[harun]

133. I am sure it can

You can get reflux from a too acidic condition in your stomach or a not acidic enough condition. Both manifest with the same symptoms so it is difficult to fix.

Cucumber skin, which is alkaline, helps me along with eating unsalted soda crackers. (Not at the same time)

I can usually go to either of those for relief.

[revbones]

126. Thanks for the tip! nt

[Zira]

94. They are VERY dangerous. You get Calcium carbonate poison, can damage your liver, and

start having muscle twitches and then loss of muscle control including bowels if you take more than the recommended dose - about 9 tablets a day, very long. Go for the Slippery Elm tablets for acid reflux. Google as Slippery elm has no side effects and Tum/rolaides have scary side effects.

[angstlessk]

99. WOW, thanks! Think I will go for baking soda, but will

check out slippery elm...never heard of it, but everything is worth looking at.

[Zira]

101. I've gotten the calcium biocarbonate poisoning from tums - just recovered a few weeks ago

It took months of taking to many to get that - my eyelids wouldn't quit twitching and fluttering - the first systems and very common if taking more than 9 tums a day for months. And, I got the sore point at the base of the spine from Prilosec because it sucked the calcium out of me like it does everyone. That's going away now finally. Prilosec started fine and then I started having many of the long long list of side effects and can't take it anymore. Google and see all the horror stories of people who took that.

I don't know about baking soda but I suspect it masks the systems and doesn't heal you.

Slippery elm heals you. Google please.

[drm604]

27. It's not just unpleasant. It can be dangerous long term.

Over time it can damage your throat and even lead to throat cancer. Unfortunately this may be a case of "which is the lesser evil?" Is the risk of kidney problems greater than the risks of throat cancer or chronic swallowing problems?

[navarth]

85. Yup. Cancer of the tonsils was what scared me into using prilosec.

But cucumbers and all the other things mentioned in this very useful thread (thanks!!!) sound very interesting too.

[Zira]

97. Don't do either. Take Slippery Elm bark tablets. Google it. No side effects.

Everything else is scary side effects including rolaids and tums if you take them very long - and go over the 9 tablets a day recommended dose - kidney damage, muscle twitches, lost of muscle control including bowles - that's tums and rolaids.. I'm doing slippery elm now. Google everything. I had to look for the safest thing to take.

[drm604]

110. It's nice that there's no side effects but I know of no evidence that it actually works.

And do you know for certain that long term use of slippery elm has no side effects?

I had extensive surgery on my digestive tract as a child. It simply doesn't work right anymore and so called natural remedies don't fix it, and I have VERY BAD reflux without the Omeprazole.

The literature shows that interstitial nephritis from Omeprazole is rare and can usually be reversed if it does occur.

http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUarticles/omeprazole.htm

The risks of not treating my reflux are greater.

I agree with you about chronic use of antacids like Tums.

[Zira]

113. Google. I'm using slipper elm, that's how I know.

I tried omeprazole and prilosec and pantoprazole. Google side effects and listen to peoples stories. I had no issues then suddenly I started suffering from extreme shortness of breath and I've never had shortness of breath before - it's a common side effect, but the people on the board where I went when I googled it trying to find out what happened where suffering badly from all kinds of symptoms and complaining that it should have never been on the market. The side effects of all 3 of those are listed on internet, most people just ignore that a whole friggen lot of people are seeing them and are online to tell you about it. You'll also find that they are all linked to liver damage, failure and death if you use them long term.

Anyway, if you google slippery elm you'll see it doesn't do anything but coat your digestive track to protect it so it doesn't get damaged. The prilosecs and prazole families don't do that at all, they regulate signals sent from your stomach and produce less stomach acid. They only mask the problem and you're likely doing more damage. It's up to you to google and see what is what, or choose not to see. Good luck.

[drm604]

115. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Zira]

116. What are we disagreeing about?

I'm talking facts. You disagree with facts?

Yes, you can choose to ignore them. Good luck.

[Zira]

118. By the way. I apologize for being pushy, I re-read my posts and their pushy rude.

I won't bring the subject up again.

[womanofthehills]

120. Slippery elm coats and soothes

Here is some info on it from the Univ of Maryland Medical Center

Overview

Slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) has been used as an herbal remedy in North America for centuries. Native Americans used slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation. It was also taken orally to relieve coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems.

Slippery elm contains mucilage, a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. It also contains antioxidants that help relieve inflammatory bowel conditions. Slippery elm causes reflux stimulation of nerve endings in the gastrointestinal tract leading to increased mucus secretion. The increased mucus production may protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity.

There has been little scientific research on slippery elm, but it is often suggested for the following conditions:

Sore throat
Cough
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Diarrhea
Wounds, burns, boils, psoriasis, and other skin conditions (external)

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/slippery-elm

[Zira]

93. Slippery elm bark. Pill form from health food stores. It's the natural remedy

that fixes the gerd - it coats the stomach lining from the acids so the stomach heals.

Anything else only masks the acid reflux.

I took priolsec for a year so I'm worried. I'm doing the 2 months of slippery elm now because I started having bad side effects with Prilosec. It does a ton of bad things to you. Google it.

Many people who have gerd for years take slipper elm for a few months and it's gone. I'm hoping that will be the case for me. I've only had gerd for a year and a half of my life.

[greymouse]

117. also it can lead to esophageal cancer

I couldn't manage without Prevacid. I've been taking it for fifteen years, and there's nothing wrong with my kidneys.

[arikara]

123. Try a quarter teaspoon baking soda

In a small glass of water. It's also important to drink enough water throughout the day. I used to have acid reflux until I realized that.

[Chakaconcarne]

50. PPIs are not intended to be used long term...

But docs still prescribe them anyway mostly because their patients demand... 2 weeks. What I don't think gets communicated to patients is that these over long term use cause rebound and can make the problem worse. (Pharmacists at minimum should be counseling patients on this point.) People respond to rebound by taking them longer and more often. You never want to get to a rebound point because the necessary transition to an alternative will be more difficult. Yes, I am an Rph.

[shanti]

81. long term use

hmmm, my doc told me that when i first went on them for GERD, i'd be taking famotidine for the REST OF MY LIFE. they're OTC, and yes, i've tried to get off of them, but the pain was too much, so i went back on them. i have regular lab work done, so they'd probably pick up on any kidney problems if they should come up.

[hereforthevoting]

3. Oh man, I have a lot of clients on the first two mentioned

One reason I don't trust big pharma. They simply don't study these drugs before conning drs into prescribing them.

[MuseRider]

5. I think I will call my doctor.

I have to take twice as much of the usual dose since my gastroparesis diagnosis. Man, I don't like this at all. I would rather die from the malnutrition of poorly managed GP than kidney disease.

[tomm2thumbs]

6. histamine H2 receptor blockers

sounds like an alternative (from the article)

[Orrex]

8. Are you a doctor?

If not, I'm curious as to why you're handing out medical advice on an anonymous internet forum.

[tomm2thumbs]

9. I'm noting from the article that it sounds like an alternative

[Orrex]

31. A poster indicated the intent to call their doctor...

and you immediately responded with medical advice.

Does it not seem likely to you that they read the article?

[tomm2thumbs]

32. -

[Bernardo de La Paz]

34. 1) Informed patients have better outcomes, 2) It wasn't medical advice

The poster was reiterating information from the article. An informed patient can better understand their symptoms and course of illness and be better equipped to communicate with the doctor and better receive information and ask better questions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2628520/

The information was not medical advice. The poster did not say "take this". The poster did not say "your case suggests this". The poster simply wrote that there are alternatives to consider.

I like posts that offer information and suggest further inquiry. The alternative of ignorance is not very effective and tends to be much more dangerous.

[Orrex]

40. 1) No shit, and no one has suggested otherwise, 2) Whatever.

[womanofthehills]

55. Anger problem this morning

People are just throwing ideas out there. Chill!!

[womanofthehills]

54. The internets are where you can find all the good medical information

Many drs are too busy to read the latest research. I would never do or take anything my dr told me to without researching it first.

[C Moon]

106. It was in the article. Plus, there's been a lot of advice from others in this thread.

[MuseRider]

28. I will ask about this.

I am not entirely certain I need any of that now that I am finally learning how to control my diet in a way that needs less digestion (blech! but that is another story). As long as things move right on through I have no pain or gut twisting so....I think I will wean myself off of one of those doses and see how that goes then call the doc.

[tomm2thumbs]

29. you mentioned you were going to call your doctor

so figured it was worth a mention ahead of that

good luck with the call

[MuseRider]

30. Thanks! n/t

[womanofthehills]

52. my boyfriend tried histamine H2 receptor blockers

but did not like the side effects - mainly constipation. Could be an alternative for some though.

He has had good success on the low FODMAP diet.

[womanofthehills]

46. More side effects besides kidney failure

Ring of Fire has more info and videos on this. Connection between cardio events and low magnesium levels caused by these drugs.

http://trofire.com/2016/04/05/nexium-purple-pill-shutting-kidneys-taking/

they also have a drug safety link to the lawsuit.

The most serious potential side effects, problems and risks caused through the use of Prilosec and Nexium are bone fractures, kidney disease and renal failure. People who take multiple daily doses of Nexium or Prilosec for a long period of time (a year or longer), especially those 50 years of age or older, have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. Additionally, people who use Prilosec or Nexium appear to have a 20 percent to 50 percent higher risk of chronic kidney disease compared with nonusers.[div class="excerpt"

https://www.levinlaw.com/prilosec-nexium-lawsuit-lawyer-side-effects-recall-help

My boyfriend went off these drugs and on the low FODMAP diet (a popular diet that eliminates carbs that are difficult to digest) suggested by his dr. It made a big difference.

[MuseRider]

51. Thank you!

I don't really need the FODMAP diet, boy is that a hard and awful diet I am sorry he has to do that. I did it for a while but seem to have little problem with fermentation foods so went to a strict GP diet. It isn't much better food wise, still no fresh fruits or veggies mostly baby food kind of so not much different actually but allows me a few more items to eat. My fermentation problem is with lack of digestion in my stomach and the food sits there because it can't get out then it gasses up, the stomach cramps and twists and it all comes up because it can't go down. The more I think about this the more I realize I probably do not need Prilosec at all anymore. More reason to call and check. I hope your boyfriend does well. It sure sucks more than I ever even thought it would at first. You certainly can't get much in a restaurant and the choices all seems so awful and tedious.

[womanofthehills]

56. There are some studies saying people just need more acid to digest their food

I have to drink something acid with my food. I eat organically but drink Kombuchi tea or Mexican coke with my meals. My allergy doc said to have acid with your meal and then baking soda an hr later.

In Mexico, many meals are served with limes - could be for the same reasons.

[MuseRider]

65. Interesting.

Something to think about and try for sure. I simply do not want to deal with this. I am angry even now about it, lol, like that helps! I figured that I will hopefully be one of the few that recovers, maybe by vagus nerve was jangled during surgery? If not I may consider a gastric pacemaker, a pain I am sure but to be able to go out to eat or to a party and not have people ask why I don't eat (its good try it you will like it) and then feel sorry for you when you finally have to explain that you simply cannot eat any of what they have. I hate the focus. I just stay home anymore. They try to be nice and I appreciate it but I just don't want to deal with it.

I will try what you say and see how it goes. I am slowly learning that there are a few things I can eat but I have to do them differently and frankly the baby food route was not something I could stomach at all.

[shanti]

86. vinegar

some have suggested a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water daily.

[shanti]

84. yikes

sorry to hear that. i had a short bout of GP once, it was awful! can't imagine it as a chronic condition.

[Zira]

98. I've said it over and over on this thread.

Go for what doesn't damage you. Slippery elm bark tablets. Google.

I did Prilosec and tums and rolaids and all cause kidney damage. Slipper elm bark causes no side effects.

It coats your stomach so your stomach will heal so you only need to take it a few months. It takes away the acid reflux but it takes 20 mins instead of instant relief with tums. It's the safest. Eveything else only masks heart burn and doesn't heal you. Google. Always google medications and if there is a natural cure that is better.

[yourpaljoey]

7. Switch to Pepcid, an H2 inhibitor... works great... even to treat GERD

[csziggy]

17. H2 Blockers (Acid Reducers) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

For informational purposes only - talk to your doctor about these products:
http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/h2-blockers-acid-reducers-for-gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-gerd

[n2doc]

25. Pepcid doesn't work for me

The Blockers do. I try not to use them unless reflux gets really bad, but letting your esophagus get shredded isn't good for you either. Tums and the like only provide short term relief.

[yourpaljoey]

36. Living with GERD is unacceptable, and I really had it bad

I sucked more Pepto Bismo than the winner of a jalopy pepper-eating contest

[mopinko]

10. ok, can we refrain from playing doctor here?

please. even if you are a doctor in real life, the patient is not in front of you.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. The patient is not in front of us, but the studies are. . . nt

[womanofthehills]

57. Why can't we play doctor? I wanna play doctor!

People here are helping each other with ideas. Doctors often do not have the answers.

[mopinko]

77. because it is offensive to many.

people w chronic illnesses get a lot of unwanted and even flat out wrong advice.
believe me, we get sick of it.

[womanofthehills]

80. This thread might save someone from dying of kidney failure

Suggesting less toxic alternatives sounds like something positive to me. I like to see what worked and did not work for someone. I see this threat as people helping people.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. Best medication for heartburn, acid reflux, etc., is Franklin's advice

I'm sure this was originally via Ben Franklin (and is likely even older since there is a French version that is old), but one site attributes it differently:

"Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper." -- Adelle Davis (1904-1974)

If you eat a large dinner, you are usually inactive after and the food just sits in the stomach getting acid and churning. Whereas a good breakfast gets moved out of the stomach quickly (particularly if you walk, such the dog or to transit) and fuels the whole day.

Poor Richard's Almanack (by Benjamin Franklin) has "Rather go to bed supperless, than run in debt for a Breakfast."

To Lose Weight: Eat Breakfast Like a King, Dinner Like a Pauper

https://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://o.nouvelobs.com/food/20140210.OBS5720/petit-dejeuner-comme-un-roi-et-diner-comme-un-pauvre-le-dicton-qui-marche.html&prev=search (translated)

Many people don't feel like having a healthy sized breakfast because they habitually eat too many calories at dinner the night before.

[disillusioned73]

15. Thanks for this post..

ever since turning 40 a couple years ago I've been trying to curtail or adjust my eating habits and/or diet to an extent. This makes a lot of sense.. now I just need to figure out how to make the time for that king size breakfast.. most days I just run out the door..

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. I continually improve my diet incrementally

I weigh the same as I did 30 years ago and wear same size pants. Saves on clothing costs, let alone health care !

As to making time, go to bed a half hour earlier and get up a half hour earlier. Or make it an hour earlier and the extra half hour sleep will do you a world of wonders.

I used to eat lots of fried hamburger (over half pound a dinner), but over the years I've become more than semi-vegetarian. When I eat meat it is most often about the size of a pack of playing cards and usually only about 4 times a week (counting all meals). I used to get lots of acid reflux in sleep and burnt my esophagus but it has healed well since I shifted to more vegetarian eating and eating dinner earlier and eating a bit bigger breakfast.

The take-away point being (pun intended): Look to improvements in diet first before gobbling pills. Which does not negate the usefulness of medication after or in conjunction with good diet and healthy lifestyle.

[disillusioned73]

23. Very well said..

thank you..

[csziggy]

26. Someone posted the Third Class Menu from the Titanic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7223115
Supper was gruel, cabin biscuits and cheese. Earlier meals such as dinner (lunch) and tea were much heavier.

On the other hand the American working people tend to eat a small breakfast so they can get to work faster and a small lunch so they can get back to work quicker. Then they have to eat more at dinner to get their calories - but that meal sits as they wind down for sleep.

[enlightenment]

75. It's good advice in general,

but it won't stop GERD. Some people produce more acid than others and no dietary change will prevent that completely.

[shanti]

83. i agree

and i try to eat dinner before 7pm. that gives food plenty of time to leave the stomach.

[AxionExcel]

13. Why in the first place, one must ask, is there so damn much...

....heart burn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux.

Could it possibly have anything to do with crappy industrial chemical GMO corporate food?

/v1/fill/w_417,h_442,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/e8d057_59a96fd3c2484d7d91e62c50395ec975.jpg

[Bernardo de La Paz]

24. It's the factory food

Factory food (highly processed food with lots of additives) is obviously much more injurious than GMO which is almost identical to the non-GMO food to several decimal places.

I would much rather eat a GMO ear of corn than a non-GMO calorie equivalent amount of factory syrup or even canned corn, in a heartbeat.

[womanofthehills]

61. Agreed - it's probably the glyphosate in all our food

Damn - now they are putting it on wheat right before harvest. If everything you eat has a little glyphosate, you are going to have a lot of it soon. I only eat organic.

[harun]

71. It's the frankenfood. Food like manufactured ingredients.

Our bodies are looking to digest and get nutrition. When the body doesn't get it goes in to overdrive to digest more of the substances to get that nutrition. Just one of the many reasons for the issues like these.

[1monster]

14. My DH has been on prilosec since the eighties due

to severe acid reflux that csused pre-cancerous leisons on his vocal cords... I guess you pick your poison.

Looking up histamine H2 receptors...

[dhill926]

18. exactly my case....

morning Prilosec helps immensely...will have to ponder these findings...

[womanofthehills]

62. go over to Ring of Fire to help ponder

Mike Papantonio - voted America's best lawyer - has videos about it.

I love love love Mike Papantonio - he tells it like it is!!

[dhill926]

63. thanks....will give it a look...

[Hekate]

58. GERD cost me my place in the choir a number of years ago. I just knew it.

Anyway, the OP and this thread are giving me a lot to research and talk to my doc about in a few months. It's been a lot of years, but my blood panel last month came up roses. Still.

[Punx]

16. I have been told

by my doctor to take calcium supplements as these flush calcium out of your system. I wonder if that is somehow related to stressing one's kidneys.

If you are risk of Barrett's Disease or esophageal cancer then maybe the risk is ok.

[dbackjon]

67. I had Barrett's esphogaus Major damage down there

Nexium repaired the damage.

[womanofthehills]

68. over at Ring of Fire

it says the drugs lower your magnesium - and are bad for your bones.

[1monster]

72. A store brand of prilosec comes with added magnesium-- so I'm

guessing that the industry knows about this...

[leftyladyfrommo]

132. I take magnesium every nite

Lots of people are low on magnesium. I also eat Greek yogurt which is really high in calcium

[houston16revival]

20. How much is related to diet?

Out bodies can be alkalinized

with less coffee, soft drinks, sugar, more vegetables

Acid neutralized water

Coral calcium

Earlier generations

"Eat too much, drink too much?

Take Brioschi, take Brioschi"

But there was a lot of sodium in that, which is another problem.

[killbotfactory]

22. "when you eat like a giant baby with money..."

[kimbutgar]

37. You know the old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away"?

It is true. But something I swear by is drinking apple cider when I get heartburn. Some people like to drink apple cider vinegar mixed with water but it is too yucky for me. Anyway I drink a glass of apple cider and about in 5-15 minutes everything starts to move and heartburn goes away. I am 60 and for at least the last 5 years drink apple cider whenever I get heartburn. It works. My hubby also drinks it and cut down on his tums use to rarely if ever. The acid in the cider increase the acids in the stomach to start digesting the food. As we get older the acid decreases in our stomachs which causes acid reflux. Increasing the digestive acids aids in the digestive processes to get waste moving to out intestines towards our bowels. I read this in an old health book from the 1960's!

[shanti]

87. interesting

i only knew about the vinegar part, but drinking cider is easier. any particular kind?

[kimbutgar]

88. I try to buy the Unfiltered no sugar added kind

[shanti]

89. thanks

i'll give it a try!

[womanofthehills]

108. Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is great - tastes good with a little bit of honey

Ingredients:

Certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and 5% acidity. Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.

Information:

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is made from delicious, healthy, organically grown apples. Processed and bottled in accordance with USDA guidelines, it is Certified Organic by Organic Certifiers and Oregon Tilth; and is Kosher Certified. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is full of zesty Apple Cider Vinegarnatural goodness. Non-GMO Certified. It’s a wholesome way to add delicious flavor to salads, veggies, most foods, and even sprinkle over popcorn.

Apple Cider Vinegar has been highly regarded throughout history. In 400 B.C. the great Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, used it for its amazing health qualities.

it's also rich in enzymes and potassium.

[libdem4life]

38. When I overeat, I get all of that. One teaspoon of baking soda

in a glass of water never fails to correct the issues almost instantly. Also, it's cheap and has no side effects.

The relief is immediate, usually accompanied by a, excuse me, burp or two.

[Hekate]

59. The one side effect to consider is high sodium. OTT, you have a good point.

[scottie55]

39. Eat To Live Diet = Don't Need This Crap

After eating absolute garbage and fast food into my 50's I got Type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar got real high, because I was sick and under stress, and ended up with horrible neuropathy pain in my feed. Had to take omeprazole every once in a while when I "cheated" and ate flour and sugar, and before when I got bad acid indigestion. Then I started getting arthritis and did some research on anti arthritis diets to go with diabetes diet. Found the eat to live diet.

Now for the last year I did the salads, beans, fruits, nuts, and veggies and really cut back on processed foods, and meat, dairy, and poultry. Also walked a lot every day, or night for exercise, or work. 20,000 steps minimum.

I feel better, don't need the "drugs" lost weight and don't even need metformin any more.

And best thing is my feet stopped hurting.

Hundreds of videos.

To hell with taking pills. Just eat right, and live good.

[scottie55]

42. American Diet = Deadly

If you are 100 pounds overweight should I have to pay your medical bills?

Fair question.....

[PersonNumber503602]

112. Yes!

My car payment too.

Thanks.

[PersonNumber503602]

111. I've done similar "diets"

I wouldn't really call them diets, but rather just my attempt to eat somewhat healthier. It totally made me feel a lot healthier while eating like. I still ate some "junk" food here and there, but it was pretty rare. I need to get back into that mode, but it's harder to do when around people who don't care to partake. Although I suppose that's a lazy excuse, as I always have full control over what I ingest. Perhaps today is a good day to start now that I'm thinking about it....

right after I eat this deep fried processed cheese on stick cake ice "cream" cookie dough hot dog sandwich that's coated with green corn syrup deliciousness.

[LittleGirl]

43. I cured my GERD

by cutting out wheat and oats. I used to consume a lot of wheat and ate oatmeal for breakfast and developed GERD. Once I gave up those two items, no more GERD.

[ErikJ]

47. An apple after every meal

has been helping me. Or even half a big apple. I've been eating more fresh chopped salad mix mixed with black beans as some meals too. I think it might have something t do with the enzymes in fresh food. Its been a couple weeks without acid indigestion.

[Helen Borg]

48. One should not mess with one's proton pumps, that's for sure.

[Faux pas]

53. Whoa!

That explains why my mom died of kidney failure. Never could figure that one out. Believe me, I'm spreading the word. Thanks for posting this tomm2thumbs.

[Blue_Tires]

60. Thanks...

Time to have a little chat with the doctor...

[OnionPatch]

64. If you decide to go off PPIs, be aware

There can be a terrible acid rebound if you stop abruptly. Not trying to play doctor but there's a lot of research out there on this you may want to read up on or ask your doctor about. Mine recommended that I taper off because stopping cold turkey basically opens your body's acid flood gates.

This happened to me and the acid was 10x worse than it was when I started taking them! So instead I tried tapering off over a period of a month or so. That worked well. Losing some weight and cutting out fatty foods and white flour helped me enough that I don't really need more than an occasional h2 blocker.

[LongTomH]

78. Check out this blog......

How to Quit Prilosec and Zantac.

Let me add quickly: Yes, I know Prilosec and Zantac are from two different classes of heartburn remedies.

[wolfie001]

79. Hey thanks!!!

Looks quite informative. Much appreciated!

[womanofthehills]

82. Hard to get off because they are causing the same problems

One aspect of PPIs has largely been flying under the radar, however. Several years ago, Danish researchers discovered that once patients begin taking PPI medications it is nearly impossible for them to stop. The reason has to do with a phenomenon known as “rebound acid hypersecretion.” Essentially, PPIs wind up causing the same symptoms they are intended to treat.

This was demonstrated in a 2009 study carried out at the University of Copenhagen. Subjects who had no previous history of acid reflux (heartburn, indigestion and acid regurgitation) were given prescription-strength PPI medication for two months. After the medication was discontinued, these otherwise healthy adult patients started developing acid reflux symptoms – and wound up producing stomach acids at even higher rates than before. The study, which appeared in the July 2009 issue of Gastroenterology, showed “...evidence that proton pump inhibitor therapy induces symptoms that it is used to treat.” At the time, Dr. Christina Reimer, who led the study, said, “We have known for years that long-term treatment with PPIs induces a temporary increase in the secretion of acid, but the thinking has been that this probably wasn’t clinically relevant.” Researchers found that the “rebound” effect can continue for as long as three months.

https://www.levinlaw.com/news/nexium-and-prilosec-addiction-hard-kick-and-causing-kidney-disease

[OnionPatch]

96. I believe it.

I was convinced I needed it because each time I tried to stop taking it or forgot a dose the acid was horrible. In retrospect I believe it was rebound I was experiencing because I got much better after a month or so off if it.

It's my understanding that since the drug cuts acid production your body tries to step up and make more acid in response. Then if you stop abruptly its like a flood gate opening. It takes a good while off the drug for your body to return to normal acid production. At least that was my experience. IMO, that drug is waaaaay over prescribed and should possibly not even be available OTC.

[LisaL]

124. I stopped taking prescription PPI and thankfully had no rebound.

Now I am just using natural remedies.

[Sunlei]

66. "a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure" Drug Corporation should pay for this disaster.

pay out of their fabulous profits

[womanofthehills]

69. There is a lawsuit

https://www.levinlaw.com/prilosec-nexium-lawsuit-lawyer-side-effects-recall-help

[HereSince1628]

105. Yes, they should pay if they've wronged people but 96% increased risk over what risk?

I have the feeling that such a report will scare a ot of people.

[NutmegYankee]

122. It's not a disaster.

If one person developed kidney failure normally and two did while using a drug, that's a 100% increase, even if thousands use it and don't get kidney issues. The actual rate of kidney failure in the study was 0.2%. So 20 out of every 100,000. Normally the rate is half that, or about 10.

The problem with these types of articles is people don't understand the math and freak out. The risk of not treating GERD is a 1% risk of cancer (plus misery). So without PPIs, 1000 people per 100,000 die.

[leftyladyfrommo]

128. I bet millions take that stuff

Now that it's over the counter.

I take it because the heartburn is just awful. My life w/o it is just pure misery.

I have been losing weight slowly and eating high fiber food and that seems to be making a difference. I was about 20 pounds overweight but that can make a diffetence.

[NutmegYankee]

129. I take it, and given the math, I'm still going to take it.

The quality of life improvements and the lower risk of esophageal cancer vastly outweigh the risks of kidney disease or dementia.

[jwirr]

70. Is Baclofen a PPI medication? My daughter had very severe

reflux for years until she weighed less than 60 pounds. We were trying to use baclofen to relax some atrophied muscles in her legs and arms and it did not work. BUT it did stop the reflux. We have used it ever since and it works. So far not side affects at all.

[saidsimplesimon]

90. tomm, I worked for Eli Lilly.

In the pharmaceutical industry, the side effects and lack of efficacy are often left on the shelf for profit.

[womanofthehills]

91. New study - Nexium & Prilosec - increased risk of dementia

MONDAY Feb. 15, 2016, 2016 -- A popular class of heartburn medications might raise a senior's risk of dementia, a new study suggests.
Called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), this group of drugs includes Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid. They work by lowering the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
But German researchers found that people 75 or older who regularly take the medications had a 44 percent increased risk of dementia, compared with seniors not using the drugs. The study only found an association, however, and not a cause-and-effect link.
http://www.drugs.com/news/widely-heartburn-linked-dementia-risk-study-60130.html

[Lodestar]

92. A good and thorough discussion about kidney disease and baking soda

or sodium bicarbonates.

The simple household product used for baking, cleaning, bee stings, treating asthma, cancer and acid indigestion is so effective in treating kidney disease that it prevents patients from having to be put on kidney machines. The findings have been published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Bicarbonate is a truly strong universal concentrated nutritional medicine that works effectively in many clinical situations that we would not normally think of. It is a prime emergency room and intensive care medicine that can save a person’s life in a heartbeat and it is also a supermarket item that you can take right off the shelf and use for more things than one can imagine – including diaper rash.

//

Bicarbonate ions neutralize the acid conditions required for chronic inflammatory reactions. Hence, sodium bicarbonate is of benefit in the treatment of a range of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Sodium bicarbonate is a well studied and used medicine with known effects. Sodium bicarbonate is effective in treating poisonings or overdoses from many chemicals and pharmaceutical drugs by negating their cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects.[8] It is the main reason it is used by orthodox oncology – to mitigate the highly toxic effects of chemotherapy.

Sodium bicarbonate possesses the property of absorbing heavy metals, dioxins and furans. Comparison of cancer tissue with healthy tissue from the same person shows that the cancer tissue has a much higher concentration of toxic chemicals, pesticides, etc.

Sodium bicarbonate injection is indicated in the treatment of metabolic acidosis, which may occur in severe renal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and circulatory insufficiency due to shock or severe dehydration, extracorporeal circulation of blood, cardiac arrest and severe primary lactic acidosis. The acid/alkaline balance is one of the most overlooked aspects of medicine. In general, the American public is heavily acid, excepting vegetarians, and even their bodies have to face increasing levels of toxic exposure, which help turn the body to acidic pH conditions.

http://drsircus.com/medicine/sodium-bicarbonate-baking-soda/healing-the-kidneys-with-sodium-bicarbonate

[Zira]

100. okay. I'll google that. Slipper elm has nothing that will hurt you and heals gerd. Nothing else

listed on this thread heals gerd. Everything else masks the symptoms.

[womanofthehills]

121. Zira is right

People all over the web claim slippery elm helped their digestive problems. It is also great for any urinary problem as it coats the bladder too.

It's basically a mucilage so it makes sense. I've used it when I had a bladder inflammation and it worked big time.

[Laffy Kat]

103. Bisphosphonates are the worst!

All those drugs they give women (and some men) for bone loss are terrible for you, and from what I've read actually do more harm than good. Plus, they are expensive.

[womanofthehills]

104. Agreed - bisphosphonates ruined my friends life

same thing. Bisphosphonates are now causing bone fractures and dissolving jawbones.

All these drugs are doing the opposite - causing the conditions they are supposed to treat.

[Deadshot]

107. What brand names are related to histamine H2 receptor blockers?

I take Prilosec every day. Ugh.

[nilesobek]

109. I had horrible heartburn for a couple of years.

I tried everything until a friend of mine turned me on to super hot peppers. The hot peppers hurt like death at first, then it cauterized my stomach wound.

[RichVRichV]

119. Peppers are extremely alkaline.

They counteract the acidity that leads to many of the issues. People think I'm nuts when I tell them to eat spicy foods to counter acid reflux, but it does help. Just don't eat spicy foods if your problem is too little acid in the stomach.



The reason milk is used to counter rubbing peppers in your eyes (or pepper spray) is because the acidity in milk neutralizes the very alkaline capsaicim (what gives heat to peppers).

[PersonNumber503602]

114. Prilosec made my tongue twitch painfully.

Although it could have also been a side-effect of hooking that TENS device up to my tongue while I slept the night before.

[Pauldg47]

125. I get severe charley horses and muscle spasms in my back.

[Scuba]

127. Add omeprazole to the list. Damn, I' ve been taking it daily for four years.

[NutmegYankee]

130. The risk of kidney failure is 20 out of 100,000.

I take it too. The article hypes the risk, since a doubling from 10 to 20 is a 100% increase but most people don't know that. For perspective, the gun and auto death rates per 100,000 are 10 per 100,000.

[BuddhaGirl]

131. DU rec