Wondering if my acid reflux was a result of the gallstone issues or if the GALLSTONES caused the acid reflux? I have been on acid reflux prescription since around 2007, prescribed by my GP. Just last year, Feburary, began seeing a gastroentorologist b/c of lots of stomach upset. She's the doc who told me I had gallstones. I would never have known it since I'd never had a gallstone attack. But last weekend, I had one: the first and it was a whopper. I thought I was dying. It just so happened, I was out of town and didn't realize I hadn't packed my Nexium AND in the upheaval toward going out of town, had forgotten to take it the day we left on our trip and the day I ate "the bad stuff". That night went to bed at 11; and woke up at 12 in pain.
So which do you think it was, acid first or gallstones first?
My understanding of acid reflux drugs is they are taken for a short period of time so the esophagus can heal, and then they're to be discontinued.
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Let us look at some of the more popular over the counter treatments for acid reflux disease, what it is that they do and some of their side effects.
Antacids
This kind of treatment depletes the acid that promotes digestion and prevents the absorption of mineral. Without a sufficient quantity of minerals, we are vulnerable to many diseases, from depression to cancer. In addition, antacids often contain aluminum, which, collects in the brain and can contribute to early senility and memory loss. Using antacids that relieve the symptoms also causes a false sense of security ignoring the real cause of the distress, which can lead to dangerous consequences.
H2-Blockers
These drugs actually stop the stomach from producing acid, or reduce the amount of acid that the stomach produces. This has to raise eyebrows because these drugs actually prevent a natural bodily function, which the body saw a need to evolve over countless eons.
Another problem with H2-Blockers is that they compete with the body for the same detoxification enzyme. This means that the body cannot get rid of poisons that might have invaded its system, so these poisons will accumulate and eventually destroy or damage vital organs.
A very important consideration is that these drugs do not affect everyone the same way and while some people will get away without much worry for quite a long time some of us are quite susceptible to the side effects of these drugs quite soon.
Diarrhea, yes diarrhea is another side effect of acid blockers. If you are taking drugs like Tagamet (cimetidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Axid (nizatidine), Pepcid, (fanotidine) or Mylanta AR Acid Reducer (famotidine) and other acid blocker including some of the newer acid blockers on the market.
Another side effect is that they can intensify the blood alcohol level making it higher than normal, making one alcohol drink seem like two or three depending on the individual physical tolerance.
Proton-Pump Inhibitors
Prilosec (generic name, omeprazole): This is a much stronger type of Acid-Blocker but it cannot be sold over the counter without a prescription, in other words, it must be doctor recommended. Proton-pump Inhibitors actually stop the stomach from producing acid.
Its side effects include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, gas, constipation, reflux acid, and the development of cancerous tumors in the gut.
However, it does not stop there. Prilosec can cause fatal liver rot (necrosis), fatal pancreatitis, headache, back pain, hair loss, toxic epidermal necrolysis (a condition where your skin becomes red and scaly, then finally, painfully oozes and peels off), or it can stop the production of blood cells. Like Tagamet, Prilosec can severely distort or compromise the detoxification of other drugs.
However, Prilosec and similar drugs, which include Prevacid (lansoprazole), reach further into the workings of the cell to stop more normal function than other acid blockers. As proton-pump inhibitors, Prilosec-type drugs stop the stomach cells from producing acid altogether, curtailing normal stomach function.
Prilosec type drugs can also turn off other important stomach functions, which controls the absorption of B12 vitamin, which, in effect, can accelerate arteriosclerosis, depression, or fatigue to undiagnosable numbness, tingling and other nerve dysfunctions. If you happen to be a person with chronic disease, like diabetes or arteriosclerosis, you accelerate the side effects of that disease. Early aging, cataracts, painful neuropathy, even early death from heart attack, are only some of the side effects you may encounter. Why use these drugs when there are natural treatments for heartburn.
My understanding of acid reflux drugs is they are taken for a short period of time so the esophagus can heal, and then they're to be discontinued.
Another problem with long term acid blockers is B-12 deficiency.
Yes. Short time. Makes sense, because as we age we already have a problem with lower stomach acid, and therefor digestive problems. Antacid also means neutralizing stomach acid. Lower stomach acid means that you won't be able to absorb minerals and several vitamins - as you say b12 for one.
I find a good temporary relief of acid reflux is baking soda. 1/4 teaspoon in a cup of water and drink.
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- Jim
�Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.� Sir Winston Churchill
Gallstones can be due to a magnesium deficiency. Try taking some Magnesium chloride or magnesium citrate or magnesium malate and drink dandelion tea regularly. Lecethin will also help dissolve gall stones.
gallbladder: acid reflux cause?
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