Aciphex and prilosec

I had been on Aciphex for about 4 years because Nexium, Prilosec, and all the other meds did not help my heartburn. I started having problems wtth my bowels, I thought I had IBS but with the diarrhea effects. It was so bad some days that I could not drive to work. I would have strong urges to go to the bathroom which literally gave me less than a minute to find a toilet. I never thought it would be the Aciphex. I recently switched to Zegerid and have not experienced quite the problems I had in the past. Last night I took my 1 remaining Aciphex and this morning the problems returned. I am sure now that the Aciphex has something to do with it. I am wondering if there is any long term damage/effects from it.

ALERT!!!

If you have been having any one of these side effects, then AcipHex may be causing nerve damage.

-- tingling or numb hands or feet
-- confusion / "fuzzy head"
-- ringing in the ears
-- vision changes
-- anxiety
-- depression
-- apathy
-- fatigue

It may be serious. In my case it certainly is. I can barely use my hands. Why it happens:

AcipHex cuts down on stomach acid. Sometimes it cuts down too MUCH acid. In that case, you are unable to break down animal products enough to absorb vitamin B12 from it. Without vitamin B12, your nerve sheathing erodes. My advice would be to stop AcipHex and get a good vitamin B12 supplement (sublingual -- the type that dissolves underneath your tongue, and at least 1000 mcg). I would also advise to get the book -- Could It Be B12? By RN Sally Pacholock. Before starting supplements, insist on a urinary MMA test. It is the only B-12 test that does not give false positives or negatives often.

This book has literally saved my life.

My doctor started me on Aciphex because I coughed quite often. It was thought Iwas having acid reflux. I took it for ten days and had gas a lot. Then yesterday I had a large bloody (probably 2-3 oz of blood) stool. I had 3 bloody stools altogether, then this morning just tarry stool, but no blood. My doctor said to switch to Prilosec

I was having terrible heartburn and would start vomiting this acid stuff from my stomach in my sleep. It was awful...actually coming up my nose as well. My doc gave me prilosec and after about 10 days my face was so swollen I couldn't even open my eyes. Now my doc gave me about 30 days samples of aciphex and I am having severe prickly feelings in my legs and arms. I still don't have a diagnosis for my problem....guess it's GERD or something. This has been six months for me and I am just at a loss what to do. For now I think the prickly feeling is better than choking half to death in my sleep.

Hi!
I had an Ulcer last December & was told to take Prilosec. After several weeks, I developed extreme leg cramps or soreness from my kness down. I thought maybe I had a blood clot or something. I stopped taking prilosec & started taking randitane ( same as Zantac 150) Ulcer went away......

well, I have been told I have acid reflux -I knew I always had it but took medication as needed, instead of daily. My EN&T Dr. put me on Aciphex. Sure enough, about 2-3 weeks after taking it daily( meaning up to a few days ago) I once again developed those awful leg cramps....I called my pharmacist to see if it was similiar to Prilosec & he said yes!!! - I stopped taking Aciphex about 3 days ago. Legs are still crampy - but not as bad - I have to find another solution - the GERD is pretty bad - but I can't handle the leg cramps to - it has definately caused some anxiety being so sensitive to these medications.

Anyone have any other suggestions? The pharmicist mentioned prevacid. I am just so tired of these aches & pains & complaining everyday ( sorry to take it out on you!!)

By the way - I always have frequent chest pains and a sore throat - I have had everything there checked out - I couldn't believe what I am feeling is GERD.

I had headaches with prilosec and nexium so I switched to aciphex which is great for my headaches but I still get frequent heartburn which I guess could be a result of my esoph. ulcer which is not yet healed. I have chapped lips, sometimes anal pruritis, pins and needles in my legs and I was having very large b.m.s in the beginning but now am contstipated.

I was switched to Aciphex to see if my side effects were from the pharmacy switching me from Prilosec to the generic Omeprazole but I have a dry mouth, seems like I'm in a cloud and my memory isn't as sharp and the least of my problems I noticed is dry chapped lips. I'm swithching back to prilosec. I was also taking DHEA and will discontinue that to see if it makes a difference. Any other thoughts please contact me.