Feedback on Nexium Side Effects and Usage, page 32
Nexium Side Effects
If you’ve used Nexium, please help others by sharing your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Nexium is dangerous
Date: 6/25/2009
Nexium is dangerous…dr’s and the print out of the side effects are not telling you everything…I been on nexium for over 2 years…no problems in the beginnning but gradually to this day I start to feel ill effects of this drug…had endoscopy two years ago everything is fine … I have hiatal hernia …so thas why I was taking nexium. It is now giving me stomach discomfort and up set feeling in my stomach along with being a little dizzy…plus it was robbing me of my vit d which was causing slow absorbtion of calcium…giving me bone loss…stopped taking it 2 days ago and I am starting to feel alittle better each day…no more. I am doing apple cider vinegare and good digestive support.
Gale
Subj: Nexium dosage
Date: 6/25/2009
I have taken Nexium for a lot of years. Due to high co-pays I have tried other medications for reflux, but I have not found any other medications that work for my reflux like Nexium does. I started taking Nexium 40 mg 2 times a day due to severe reflux, with reflux during the night causing me to aspirate the acid into my lungs when I was sleeping. Is it safe to take it 2 times a day?
Mary
AskDocWeb: Sometimes a 40 mg dose twice a day is required but, don’t change the dosage of any medication until first consulting with your doctor. The symptoms of an overdose with Nexium include reduced motor activity, difficulty breathing, tremor, uncoordinated movements, and convulsions.
Subj: Anecdotes from Reg
Date: 6/27/2009
I have used Nexium for years with some ill effects that can be controlled by intelligent reduction in food and by the variation of the type and timing of intake. I had a serious hietal hernia and chose the long term medication (Losec)over the operation, which included tying a loop in the upper intestine. Bearing in mind that Nexium greatly slows the rate of digestion, it should be obvious to all that gorging is going to cause serious upper stomach congestion and great discomfort. There are other drugs as well that can result in stomach problems for which Nexium can have a calming effect. Crestor is one of these. Then there is Naproxin Sodium, Aleve, which is well known for eating through stomach linings. All these drugs require individual monitoring and prudent use, and I advocate cautious variation of drugs casually prescribed by some doctors.
One piece of information that all takers of medication should be interested in, is the half life of the drugs you are taking. Nexium has a HL of about 12 hours so it is obvious why doctors may prescribe it 12 hourly. It’s cousin Periet has a HL of 1 to 1.5 hours. Finally, if you intend “pigging-out,” don’t take Nexium. Wait until you have regained prudent control of your eating habits.
One final anecdote. Prior to being correctly diagnosed as have a hietal hernia, I discovered quite independently, that the agony of reflux could be alleviated by swigging a glass of pure vinegar. Yes the doctor got angry when I told her, so I knew she had the wrong mind-set for me and never went back.
Reg
Subj: Shoulder pain
Date: 6/28/2009
I have been using Nexium for the past 3 months. Presently I am experiencing severe pain on my left shoulder. Is this normal? I am still having heart burn.
Joyce
AskDocWeb: There are reports of abdominal pain but not shoulder pain.
Subj: Fibromyalgia
Date: 7/6/2009
I had been taking Nexium for about 3 years. I stopped taking it because my reflux symptoms went away. within 3 months of stopping, I began aching all over my body. It was if I had severe arthritis. I couldn’t walk when I first got out bed and when I would sit for a period of time, I could not get up without holding onto something to pull me up. My joints hurt etc. Had all kinds of bloodwork done and everything was negative. My Doctor diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I started thinking back and the only thing I could come up with is that my syptoms started when the Nexium stopped. So, I started taking it again. My pain when away!!! Now I feel like I’m stuck taking this Medication for the rest of my life and at $75 a month I really cant afford it. What shoud I do?
Trista
AskDocWeb: You might tell your doctor that you can’t afford it and want to explore less expensive alternatives that may work just as well.
Subj: Rebound affect
Date: 7/5/2009
I was Nexium for 6 months for possible gastritis. I had no signs or symptoms of acid reflux just unexplained stomach/abdominal pain. Once my prescription was completed I stopped taking the Nexium, within 3 days I had a burning in the back of my throat which became progressively worse. My physician put me back on the Nexium. I went through this cycle several times for almost 2 years. I’m unable to stop taking the Nexium with out this rebound affect. Is this normal? My physician told me to stay on the Nexium. I dont get it.
Tony
AskDocWeb: If a PPI is discontinued abruptly, the cells that produce acid may go into overdrive producing more acid than normal.Studies show this rebound effect lasts between four weeks and three months. Although there is little information about how to stop taking PPIs, some doctors suggest a gradual tapering off of dose and using weaker drugs such as Tagamet, Zantac or Pepcid during the transition.
Subj: Joint pain and stiffness
Date: 7/7/2009
I started taking Nexium for reflux approximatley 3 months ago and have been experiencing stiffness in my finger joints causing limited range of motion, pain, stiffness and clicking. It may be totally unrelated, but maybe not. Is joint pain and stiffness associated with Nexium?
Dana
AskDocWeb: Joint pains (arthralgia) or muscle pains (myalgia) are rare but they are possible side effects. These side effects affect less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Subj: Reflux is worse
Date: 7/10/2009
I have been taking nexium for six months. I was told that I could get cancer if I didn’t. I have been having days when I feel sick and have pains in my stomach, and the reflux is worse then before I stared taking nexium.
Pauline
Subj: Difference between Prilosec and Nexium
Date: 7/11/2009
I have had acid reflex desease for the past year I have been taking Prilosec, and it works well.. I am concerned regarding the long term use of Prilosec. I also want to know what is the difference between Prilosec and Nexium – should I use nexium instead?
Angie
AskDocWeb: Nexium costs a lot more than Prilosec. Nexium is prescription only where Prilosec is available both by prescription and over-the-counter. According to court documents* “there is no pharmacodynamic reason why a dose of (S)-omeprazole, i.e., Nexium, would interact with the stomach’s parietal cells any differently than would an equal dose of omeprazole, i.e., Prilosec”
*United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Civil Action Numbers 06-2084, 06-2089, 06-2155, 06-2157, and 07-0041 (all RWR)
Subj: What other side effects?
Date: 7/12/2009
I have been on Nexium 40 mg two times a day and Zantac 300 mg at bedtime for better than 10 years for terrible gerds. What other side effects can this dosage cause. I just keep getting sicker over time and I am unable to stop the use of these meds?
Jeannie
AskDocWeb: The possible side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence (gas), abdominal pain, constipation, and dry mouth. Side effects that should be reported to your doctor include confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, nausea, and flushing (feeling feverish). Serious side effects that can indicate a serious problem are reduced motor activity, uncoordinated movements, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions. If you experience any of this later group seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately.
Subj: Side effects that tell you to stop
Date: 7/18/2009
I have only been on Nexium for 5 days & have had severe nausea, fluid on my lungs, bad upper abdominal pains, mind foggy, joint aches, & a terrible rash after vomiting & constipation, now diarrhea My Dr. told me to stop taking it right away. I also have had sharp pains in my lung area. One of my friends was hospitalized for a week after taking Nexium. I am now on Protonox 1st day.
Allean
Subj: Food & alcohol digestion
Date: 7/19/2009
I recently had two and one-half 6 oz glasses of wine over 3 hrs. time and while at the hospital due to collapsing and being in and out of consciousness for over 2 hrs. (probable neurological issue), my blood alcoholic level was .16. I read on a govt. website that PPI’s can interfere with food & alcohol digestion and may cause a higher than normal b.a.c. (blood alcohol concentration) I’ve been on Nexium about 2 years.
Linda
Subj: Cramps worse than the original pain
Date: 7/20/2009
Diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia 12 months ago after an endoscopy and was put on ranitidine 150mg twice daily. All was fine until a stressful event in my life caused stomach to act up again. Increased ranitidine to 300mg twice daily but with little effect. Was then prescribed nexium 40 mg once a day to take with the ranitidine. Since starting I have had worse stomach cramps that bring me to tears in my upper and lower stomach, gas pain, Diarrhea etc. Even the pharmacist noted that the nexium with the 300mg of ranitidine was a bit of an overkill. I have only been taking it for 2 weeks. I have another scheduled endoscopy, but that is not for at least 10 to 12 weeks. I have previously also taken Somac, where I had immediate anxiety attacks and my mouth and tongue became swollen. I have read that nexium is a close cousin of somac, Is it possible that I just can’t take these PPI meds? I have not taken a nexium today to see how I go. I had no trouble on the ranitidine previously. I just can’t stand the cramps. It feels like someone sticking a hot knife into your stomach. Worse than the original pain.
P
AskDocWeb: A few people have reported that because of the side effects they just can’ take PPIs.
Subj: Possible dangers of Nexium
Date: 7/21/2009
I have been on Nexium over seven years, prescribed by my ENT for acid reflux effecting my throat. It has helped the acid reflux greatly, but as the years have passed I have gained over 40 pounds, with no changes in my diet (except eating less than I used to) and no changes in my exercise habits. I had begun to have such awful joint pain and muscle pain that the doctor thought I had fibromyalgia and worsening arthritis. Several months ago I was also hit with a bulging disc which knocked me down for weeks, bone-density loss, terrible ringing in my ears, severe tiredness — all making me feel as if I had barely enough energy to function and then I would be so stiff and sore that it was hard to do the things I needed to do everyday. In addition I stayed bloated and swollen, and very uncomfortable much of the time. On top of that, I was having some foggy mental/memory problems at times. All this with shortness of breath and periodic dizziness and occasional sensations of “spaciness” too… It did not occur to me until recently when I stumbled upon an article about possible dangers of Nexium that the reason my quality of life had gone down so far was possibly a side effect of my taking the Nexium.
Three weeks ago, as an experiment, I took my last Nexium and switched to Zantac, and I also began taking Apple Cider Vinegar after I eat, plus being more careful about what I eat. Yes, I have had some trouble at times with acid reflux during these three weeks, but all in all I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my whole body. My ears have stopped ringing to a great degree, and the stiffness and soreness in my joints and muscles has lessened with each passing day. The bloating and swelling have delightfully gone away. I am thinking more clearly and my energy level is increasing day by day. I can’t believe the difference in my whole quality of life since I stopped taking the Nexium. Although I have always been very sensitive to medicine and I am allergic to many medications, it just never occured to me that Nexium could have been contributing in such a large way to the serveral problems I had been experiencing, which grew gradually over the past years since I started taking this medication. I will never take this medication again, but I will work with my doctor to find alternatives. So far Zantac, apple cider vinegar, and Gaviscon occasionally plus being careful about what I eat seems to be keeping the acid reflux away most of the time fairly well. Thank you very much for this website. It is a great service to folks. Bless you!
Peggy
AskDocWeb: Thanks Peggy. The apple cider vinegar may seem strange at first but many people are having good results with it. And no, it doesn’t burn, although most report taking it before meals.
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