Painkillers & Acid Reflux Symptoms: Unhealthy Relations

Reader Feedback

Posted by Wynnie (Duncan, Canada) on 02/12/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I have had acid reflux in the past and found that yogurt worked well to put out the fire in my chest. Today is the first time in about seven months that I have the burning again. I did take an ibuprofen tablet two days ago for sore muscles. I would have to agree with Rosemary from Trenton, that ibuprofen wipes out the good bacteria. I had speculated that the sudden onset of the reflux may have been caused by a virus or bacteria. What Rosemary states makes perfect sense to me.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Barbara (Atlanta, GA) on 02/10/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Got acid reflux after two weeks taking 12 ibuprofen per day for pleurisy. Bought prilosec today but then found this site, so may try ACV. Thank you.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Thomas (Marathon, FL) on 02/05/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Just read your article about the effects of over the counter pain killers and acid reflux. I started taking Advil for arthritis last year and had to take rolaids everyday for acid reflex. I stopped taking advil and my stomach is much better. Now if I have acid reflex I chew a piece of gum and it helps.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Sandi (Seacliff, South Australia) on 02/05/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I take 2 ibuprofen at night. I have severe heartburn even when I eliminated juices, tomatoes, soft drinks and fatty foods.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Joanne (Northboro, MA) on 02/05/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I was diagnosed with acid reflux after I had been taking advil for several months on a daily basis for shoulder and neck pain

Reader Feedback

Posted by Krissy (San Jose, CA) on 02/01/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I know ibuprofen causes acid reflux. A couple years ago I was taking it daily and I was the lead In Beauty and the Beast and all through opening week I started feeling more and more nauseated and every time I would take in a breath in felt like a burp inside. It was awful. Not to mention the hoarseness it caused (and nervousness!). I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Finally my aunt told me that it was probably the Ibuprofen so I stopped immediately. My other aunt recommended acidophilus, probiotics and digestive enzymes to recover. Sure enough, over time it cleared. Now, I've started taking birth control and, once again, I've got the acid reflux and my voice is suffering. I've tried taking the probiotics and acidophilus with the birth control but it seems it doesn't work that way. I just have to get off the birth control!

Reader Feedback

Posted by Michele (Los Angeles) on 01/31/2007
0 out of 5 stars

The ibuprofen theory is intriguing, and I wonder if that is what started my problem. I've taken a lot of Advil over the years for mostly bad headaches. I have prescription migraine meds to deal with those now. The reflux I have doesn't give me heartburn so much as a constant clog of mucus in my throat. I didn't think about reflux until I read some articles last week about how larygophageal reflux disease (LPRD) often goes undiagnosed because it doesn't present with the typical heartburn symptoms that suggest reflux. I just went to the ENT this morning. He examined my throat with a scope and wasn't sure it was reflux. He gave me some Aciphex to try to see if the symptoms go away. I'm not real high on the idea of pumping PPIs into my system, as I've read they can have some bad side effects down the road. I think I'm going to try the yogurt and acidophilus suggestion in one of the other posts.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Stephanie (Miller Place, NY) on 01/31/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I have acid reflux (NERD) and only used ibuprofen because of all the terrible things I read about tylenol.

Reader Feedback

Posted by C (PDL, USA) on 01/31/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I wrote you concerning my throat problems, When I would swallow, my throat would suction shut, had acid reflux, apparently allergic reaction to antibiotic Levaquin, and also wound up having a yeast infection in my mouth, tongue, throat & esophagus from the Levaquin, As far as the acid reflux, they put me on prevacid, The interesting thing is I had never taken ibuprofen until couple years ago and I took it in the children's liquid form. No my doc says never take ibuprofen or Motrin again, because of my acid reflux, Also ran into a friend of mine and she had same problem, she was sent to Sacrid Heart Hospital, they told her to never take ibuprofen or Motrin again (she had acid reflux, allergic reaction to Levaquin and her throat suctioned shut after she swallowed, only other person besides your Mom that I have heard of having this problem)

Reader Feedback

Posted by Rob (South Jordan, Utah) on 01/24/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I think Rosemary is right. I have had the same diet for years, but started taking Ibuprofen all the time for my bad back. My throat started to hurt all the time, went to the Dr. and sure enough I have Acid Reflux.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Leigh (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands) on 01/21/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Acid Reflux. My husband and I started getting heartburn and acid reflex in the past few years. I thought it was due to age. The ibuprofen connection makes sense. We both have back pain and take alot of Advil. My husband takes at least 6 a day. I will now monitor the connection and send you the results.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Suzanne (Prince George, BC Canada) on 01/21/2007
0 out of 5 stars

I was recently on an anti inflammatory drug and Advil (Ibuprofen) for several weeks for a pulled hamstring. Right after this I got bronchitis and had to go on antibiotics. I now have esophageal spasms and acid reflux. I think Rosemary is right. There does seem to be a connection between the use of the drugs and the onset of this ailment. I will try her suggestion with the yogurt and acidophilus. Thanks for the advice.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Daytona, Beach, FL (Phil) on 01/20/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Started taking Motrin Ibuprofen for headaches and suddenly started having severe acid reflux. Nothing works except Prilosec OTC which your not suppose to take more than 14 days at a time. I am convinced the Ibuprofen caused the reflux.

Reader Feedback

Posted by Vicki (Mesquite, TX) on 01/14/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Wow! I have lived on Aciphex or Prilosec for almost ten years because my acid reflux is so miserable without it. I read your emails, and my only reaction is, "Wow!" Ibuprofen is the only other medicine I have taken since my reflux began. No more ibuprofen here! Thank you for posting...

Reader Feedback

Posted by Stacey ( Tucson, AZ) on 01/14/2007
0 out of 5 stars

Acid Reflux (cause) I was interested to read about your theory that ibuprofen causes reflux. Every month when I take alleve (for cramps) my reflux flares up. I'm going to try just using a heating pad next time.