Antacids symptoms and conditions

Hi everyone, I read some of the posts here and thought to share my experience with you.
About 15 years ago I started having heart burns and started taking Tums, Gaviscon and some other antacids and they seemed to work for a little while. But my heart burn slowly got worst and worst until I went to my family doctor. He sent me to a specialist and after sending the scope in my stomach (EsophagoGastroDuodenal (EGD) endoscopy), he said that I have H. Pylori infection in my stomach, as well as LES malfunction (LES = Lower Esophageal Sphincter). He prescribed some antibiotics and 20mg/day of Losec for 8 weeks.
After 8 weeks I ran out of Losec, and my heart burn returned again. I went and saw my doctor again and he said I can continue taking Losec and that I can take it as long as I need it and that Losec has been in the market for over 19 years and no one had any side effect from it and it's one of the safest drugs that they have come up with. So I kept on taking it regularly 20 mg/day for 15 years now. Until about 6 months ago I switched to Omeprazole because my insurance company wouldn't cover the cost for Losec but covered the generic brand Omeprazole. I've had none of the side effects mentioned here, BUT PLEASE READ THE REST OF THIS.
Losec is also called Prilosec and Omeprazole is a generic brand with the same active ingredient but different fillers.
About 2 months ago, I went to a Nature's Source store (here in Canada) and was looking around. An employee of the store offered his help to me and I told him about my case. He said you have totally shot down your digestive system and told me to go and see a Naturopathic Doctor.
I found one and went and saw him. His recommendations were: have 2 tablespoons of an Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I use Bragg brand) 10 minutes prior to each meal. Also gave me some Probiotics pills as well as some Digestive Enzymes pills.
Prior to this, if I missed taking Losec in the morning, I suffered a great discomfort in my stomach with heart burn (a lot!).
I followed the naturopathic doctor's advice and did what he told me. After about 1 month, today is the second day that I haven't taken Losec. I haven't had discomfort in my stomach yet. I'll have to see how long I can go without it. I will post and update this again. BUT PLEASE READ ON!
Losec, Prilosec, Ranitidine, Omeprazole, Nexxium (the purple pill), and all of this family of drugs are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). Which means, they stop the production of the stomach acid. Therefore, no acid reflux or heart burn....
But when there is no acid in the stomach, the stomach becomes the biggest target organ and a paradise for bacteriums, microbes and other microorganisms, which otherwise can not survive in it's very high acidic environment (H. Pylori is an exception). We can not digest our food properly any more. Our bodies suffer from lack of Calcium (regardless of the amount and type of calcium intake), because it can not be processed any more. Meat can not be digested properly any more. Therefore, lack of Amino Acids which are the building blocks in our bodies. Guess what, NO AMINO ACIDS = JOINT PAIN WHICH LEADS TO ARTHRITIS. And lots of other problems later in life.
NO SIDE EFFECT, MY A*S.
If you're suffering from heart burns, indigestion, reflux, or GERD, stop eating: ANYTHING THAT HAS WHEAT IN IT, TOMATOES OR ANYTHING MADE FROM IT (i.e. ketchup, tomato sauce/paste...), DAIRY FOOD, COFFEE/TEA, ALCOHOL. NO CHEWING GUMS, SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, FRIED/OILY FOOD, STARCHY FOOD. STOP SMOKING AS SOON AS YOU CAN. These are all irritants to the stomach and esophagus.
I'm still educating myself about this. I read this book about stomach acid called: Why Stomach Acid Is Good For You by Jonathan V. Wright, Lane Lenard. Read it and you will be surprised.
I hope this will help some of you.

God bless.
S. AA (Toronto, Canada)

I had horrible side effects (body aches, joint and muscle pain, headaches, hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, etc.). I did some research and I am currently trying to detox using calcium (tums or vitamins), magnesium (liquid antacids or vitamins), orange juice, apple juice, and grapefruit juice which all limit the absorption of the drug. A high protein and high fiber diet with no refined sugars is suppose to help. Drink plenty of water and add a B-Complex to help with Anemia (another side effect). Apparently, it takes three weeks to eliminate from your system. Good Luck and God Bless.

Sadly, I am just another case among many it seems. I am a 26 year old female who was prescribed ciprofloxacin for a UTI at my urgent care center. I have health problems to begin with and did not want any more. You know, I’ve had to take all kinds of meds over the years, including harsh ones, but it was never so bad as to prompt me to write comments on the internet about it. What does that say about Cipro? When I got home from the doctor I read the paper before swallowing the pill, which included the description of side effects. Unfortunately, it did not include the truth about what could happen to you while even taking this drug for a short time. If there had been some kind of warning about the strength and potential risk of taking this drug, I most likely would have steered clear from it since I am sensitive to medications and already suffering. The paper led me to believe false information, listing some common antibiotic side effects, and I ended up starting treatment. Some of the negative effects I experienced while on this medication for only 2 days were: severe muscle/overall body weakness, difficulty breathing, fatigue, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, anxiety/nervousness, restlessness, mild carpal tunnel pain, slight vision change, stiffness, pain, an overall feeling of terrible heaviness, including of the chest, and possible heart palpitations. It felt like the medication was damaging my body; like it was eating away at my muscles or something. I've never had chemotherapy before, but some how that's how I would imagine it. It felt like it was doing damage to every cell in my body. The worst part is the weakness and altered thinking right now. I hope these symptoms go away completely. I felt better after quitting the drug, but not completely. I am just thankful for my hope in Jesus Christ. Even if things don't improve, I am comforted that He cares for me. I am going to be praying for this terrible situation where doctors are just handing this out for common problems without giving proper warning. May fewer and fewer people have to suffer because of Cipro and this class of drugs. I am also going to report this to the FDA and hopefully to my doctor’s office. I would like to see clear and extensive warnings on this drug, if not for it to be taken off the market. My personal advice to any one who is currently on this medicine and experiencing side effects would be to: drink milk or eat other dairy products to lessen the symptoms. It seemed to temporarily help me.

I've been taking fosomax for 16 months. In the last 10 months I have developed a hoarse, cracking voice that has become progressively worse. An evaluation finds a blister on one vocal cord. I don't know whether it is related to fosomax or not -- but am wondering if anyone else has a similar story.

I'm not sure if this is a side effect but since I've been taking this drug my face has broken out in these small red bumps. After reading this blog I can finally figure out why I was always scratching my arms and legs especially at night and why I'm so tired all of a sudden. Is the drug worst than the heartburn???

I have been taking doxycycline for about 4 days now. Last night I took it right before bed, with water, and upon waking at about 1 am I felt that the pill was stuck in my esophagus. And then my stomach starting burning and acid started coming up. I still feel like the pill is lodged in there, and it is very uncomfortable. Along with this issue, I have felt rather depressed, dizzy, yeast infection, and am extremely tired. I don't really know what to do at this point. I was prescribed it for pneumonia and a double ear infection. My chest is still killing me from the pneumonia and still have trouble breathing. My doctors have not been helpful what so ever through this process. I had to actually go to the hospital for the proper diagnosis. I don't even know if it is even working for me, but I don't have health insurance and have been out of work for over a week. Can any one give me ANY advice PLEASE???!!!!!

I have been on this antibiotic for pneumonia for a week. I already have a possible ulcer and have a prescription for zantac. I am on 100mg BID for two weeks. Since taking this medication my ulcer has become much much worse with frequent heartburn and a lot of drowsiness/lethargy. I feel like I float through my day and am confused and using the wrong words a lot, and just not paying full attention to anything. I have a constant pain right under my sternum that flares up and a lot of mid to lower back pain, esp. at night. I have had a headache for the last four days. I did some research and found that ANTACIDS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN WITHIN TWO HOURS OF DOXYCYCLINE!!! Bummer for me, since I have been drinking Mylanta like it was my only source of hydration.

I've been taking Doxycycline for about a month now. It seems to be helping my acne pretty good so far. I haven't had any nausea, vomitting, stomach pain or dizziness. Although, if not taken with a full glass of water this med will definately make you feel as though it has become stuck in your throat. I just now figured out why. I kept thinking I was just swallowing it wrong, and it felt like it had gotten stuck, and it gave me terrible heart burn that wasn't soothed by antacids. It's been much better now that I drink lot's of water when I take it. Make sure to drink plenty of water with this drug!

My husband and I were prescribed this med for sinus infections. He still has his infection. Extreme muscle fatigue that comes and goes along with a burning sensation in the neck has been a common side effect for us. It almost feels like you cannot hold your head up. This same sensation was felt in our legs as well. We were not informed by our doctor that you should not take antacids while using this product!

I had been on Yasmin for 1 yr/1.5 yrs. I just stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago due to horrible side effects. In the first 3 months I had the dizziness, mental confusion, vertigo,etc. I told my OB and she just said to take it at a different time of day. I did and seemed to be ok.

However, then the next set of side effects came into play! The horrible GI problems! I'm talking about the severe nausea (like motion sickness that just doesn't go away no matter what you eat or how many antacids you take), bloating, horrible abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and the smell of food makes you sick. I went to a GI specialist and had the whole series done, barium upper GI series, ultrasound, HIDA scan (my gallbladder was only functioning at 24%!), and a gastric endoscopy. They diagnosed me with esophagitis and gastritis due to the lesions/ulcers in my throat and stomach. I've been on Nexium for over 2 months and was still having problems. My GI specialist was great and told me that she was not convinced that it was my gallbladder causing all of the problems. I could tell that she was racking her brain trying to figure this all out!! Nothing was making sense.

That's when I started doing my own research. This is the only medication that I take! I thankfully came across this site and saw the responses of other women who had my symptoms and worse. I stopped Yasmin the next day and switched back to Loestrin. I had switched to Yasmin due to insurance and the recommendation of my OB.

I have been getting better every day but have to get Vit B12 shots once a month and now have too much potassium in my system (hyperkalemia). I drink a ton of water each day especially when it is "a bad day" and I'm on a low potassium diet. Each day I get stronger and am able to exercise (not just get through the day!) and feel more like myself, young 34, active, sexy and happy to be alive! My heart goes out to all of you and hope that you are all getting better and getting the help that you need to get better.
Well wishes to all!
B

After taking DOXYCYLINE 110 MG I get a bad case of sour stomach. Today I was just short of vomiting.
I've taking antacids all day today.

hello everyone - i was prescribed levaquin on christmas eve for a severe sinus infection. i took one 500mg pill daily for 10 days. i had several of the side effects you've had - insomnia, loss of appetite, pain in my back (which i don't usually have), headache, bizarre dreams (the few times i could sleep), and others. i've been off the drug for over two weeks now and i still experience insomnia (though to a lesser degree), upset stomach, and my appetite is still markedly decreased. i went to www.levaquin.com and read the prescribing info and found all of what i feel is due to the drug. when will my appetite return and when will i feel like myself again??? the sinus infection was awful but the levaquin side effects are almost worse!! i'll never take this antibiotic again!! i've taken bactrim and keflex before and though i did have a few side effects, they were NOTHING like this. for all our sakes, i hope this won't be one of those drugs we'll hear about in a few months that's been withdrawn from the market and has been found to cause god knows what!!! no one ever told me to avoid caffeine and ibuprofen while taking it. i was told to avoid vitamins, antacids, and dairy products two hours before and after a dose, and was also told to stay out of prolonged sunlight. i did take advil on occasion during the course of treatment, however (neither doc or pharmacist mentioned not taking ibuprofen). physicians don't know most side effects of the drugs (especially the newer drugs) they prescribe anyway. they only know what the rep from the drug company tells them when they come to their offices. i happen to have a pdr and have mentioned side effects from other medications to physicians, only to hear 'where did you get that info from?' DUH! be educated consumers, my friends, it's YOUR body and your responsibility to ask questions as well as do your own research. keep safe and well. happy new year.

I was just given a prescripition for LEVAQUIN for a urinary track infection from kidney stones. I took 1 500mg tablet today. I hooked up to the net to read about this medication and dont like what I am reading at all. You people really got me scared so I will not take anymore. So after reading prescription information I read that Many antacids and multivitamins may interfere with the absorption of LEVAQUIN and may bind and preventing full absorptionand you should take LEVAQUIN either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking LEVAQUIN. So after 1/2 hour of taking LEVAQUIN I took 1 Centrum high potency multivitmin/multimineral supplement. I am hoping this prevents this shit from entering my system.

Just took Levaquin for 4 days for sinus infection and had so many of these side effects, severe joint pain, insomnia (followed by surreal & disturbing dreams when I could sleep), dizziness, nausea, worsening of my headache, chills.
Stopped medication.
Research in "The Pill Book" mentioned that Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) and antacids reduce the amount of the drug absorbed.
Taking bismuth subsalicylate helped ease my joint pain and other symptoms in a couple of days.
I hope this helps someone else!

Throat on fire... feels like throat is clogged up and something wants to come up through throat. Very painfull all day... antacids do not help.