Painkillers & Acid Reflux Symptoms: Unhealthy Relations

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Posted by Sandi (Seacliff, South Australia) on 02/05/2007
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I take 2 ibuprofen at night. I have severe heartburn even when I eliminated juices, tomatoes, soft drinks and fatty foods.

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Posted by Joanne (Northboro, MA) on 02/05/2007
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I was diagnosed with acid reflux after I had been taking advil for several months on a daily basis for shoulder and neck pain

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Posted by Krissy (San Jose, CA) on 02/01/2007
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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!

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Posted by Michele (Los Angeles) on 01/31/2007
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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.

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Posted by Stephanie (Miller Place, NY) on 01/31/2007
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I have acid reflux (NERD) and only used ibuprofen because of all the terrible things I read about tylenol.

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Posted by C (PDL, USA) on 01/31/2007
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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)

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Posted by Rob (South Jordan, Utah) on 01/24/2007
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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.

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Posted by Leigh (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands) on 01/21/2007
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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.

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Posted by Suzanne (Prince George, BC Canada) on 01/21/2007
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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.

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Posted by Daytona, Beach, FL (Phil) on 01/20/2007
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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.

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Posted by Vicki (Mesquite, TX) on 01/14/2007
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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...

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Posted by Stacey ( Tucson, AZ) on 01/14/2007
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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.

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Posted by Heather (Portland, OR) on 01/09/2007
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One piece of information I did find helpful, was the link between pain medication and GERD. My GERD developed shortly after a 15-day hospital stay in which I was on a morphine pump that delivered a dose of morphine every 3 minutes. (I had a complication to a gallbladder removal surgery.) My theory has been that large doses of antibiotics & the lack of gallbladder & the bile it produced left my stomach vulnerable to h.pylori & unable to digest food properly. However, now reading about the pain medication theory - that would make sense too.

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Posted by Kathy (Vancouver, WA) on 01/09/2007
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I started having episodes of feeling faint and then chest pains and bowel issues this past November. At first it was occasional but this week has been daily and last night was the worst. Horrible gas pain and that feeling of food stuck. My dr put my on Protonix and for 8 weeks it worked but has since stopped working. I have never had a digestion problem. However, after reading Rosemary's comment on ibuprofen I think it may be my cause. I have severe headaches and usually take 3-4 200mg pills of ibuprofen to find any relief. Not daily but a few times a week. I can't take this any longer and turned to the internet in hopes of finding an answer and found Ted's formula. I just took my first glass of acv/baking soda. I'll write back with results as soon as I see them. Here's hoping..

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Posted by Michael (Mobile, AL) on 01/08/2007
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When the problem started (over a year ago) I had just finished taking several rounds of antibiotics and anti-inflamatories for a sinus infection that did not want to go away. The Antibiotics included Ketex, Ceftin, Amoxicillin. The NSAID was Ibuprofen based.'I have tried ACV, Nexium, Protonix, many others. Has not cured anything yet. I will try the yogurt, pro-biotic advise from Rosemary.