Pantoprazol

[Constance13]

I’m sure this has been discussed before but I can’t find the link (as usual).😏

I have been taking this drug for over 6 years but read recently it should not be taken for longer than 3 years. I still have GERD. Advice please.😎

[SheffieldJane]

You need to see your doctor Constance. If you still have GERD it’s not working anyway. I know you have to come off it very carefully otherwise the symptoms come back with a vengeance. I am fortunate in that live Greek Yoghurt has kept me more or less comfortable and anything else is mopped up by Rennies .

[Soraya_PMR]

You probably need to discuss any changes with your doc. But it may be that Ranitidine (Zantac) might do just as well. A different breed from the -azoles with fewer side effects/concerns.

You may find threads if you search for PPI or maybe lansoprazole or omeprazole.

You still have gerd after 6 years of meds? You might need to look at your diet, the amount you drink in the evening, add an extra pillow for sleeping, or add gaviscon.

But def speak to Dr if meds aren’t achieving what they should.

[Constance13 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Diat is good (had to be after all these years)😏 What IS the correct amount to drink in the evening?

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Constance13]

I don’t think there is a ‘correct’ amount. It’s just a physical thing, if you have reflux and have a mug of tea, then immediately lie down, physics says that tea will spread up your oesophagus again!

I would never advise anyone to drink LESS, just watch the timing.

[Constance13 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

That’s the problem with long time GERD, the oesophagus.😡

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Constance,

Think you need to discuss this with your GP, reading the leaflet it looks as if it’s meant for short term use, but if you still have GERD then obviously you still need some sort of PPI. My late hubby was on an other PPI for his hiatus hernia for lot longer than 6years, and didn’t seem to have any adverse affects but who knows for sure.

I did notice it did refer to loss term use and the affect it can have on Vitamin B12 absorption. So check next time you see GP, sometimes I think they just let things roll on and you have to query if you still need the medication, or if there’s something better.

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

I did ask my doctor some time ago but he asked what syptoms I had and then said “just continue”. Think I’ll have to knock it on the head, reduce slowly, then use Greek joghurt and Gaviscon.

Thanks! Have a great weekend.🍷🍾🍸 We daren’t go out of the appartment, it’s just too hot and humid. We wait until 8 pm or so, but even then it's not cool. Never thought I’d moan about sunny weather.😏😎

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Constance13]

Not much point “just continuing” if they’re not helping! There are many PPI’s, maybe a change to an alternative preparation might help? Or a change to Zantac. Or as you say yogurt and gaviscon.

Are you on gastric resistant pred? I had awful trouble with plain pred, solved by GR. occasional gaviscon for me only now.

[Constance13 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Yes! I have been on Lodotra for a couple of years now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

It isn't gastro-resistant. The coating breaks down in the stomach 4 hours after taking it with a suitable food "bed" which is essential to create the right conditions. The entire dose of pred is released all at once, just the way it would taking plain pred but 4 hours later. It could still cause irritation.

But it may well be that the PPI doesn't work for you - it doesn't work at all in about a third of patients.

And has your doctor checked for hiatus hernia or other such physical problems?

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I had Omerprazol at first then the doc changed it. Could be the AOK wouldn’t pay for it - they keep getting the doctors to prescribe cheaper drugs. The doc prescribes Talvisolon but I can only get 20 tablets each time (they costs €14.50 a time x 5 - €72.50). I have 100 tablets every six weeks, what a fag that would be!! I pay privately - 100 tablets €23 - can you believe that? It took the doc ages to find the correct tablets for BP, PMR and GERD and I hate changing them when I find they do/did me good.

Had a hiatus hernia - can’t remember what the hospital did with that

Is the weather sending you mad in Italy? It’s terrible here high high temperatures, storms, floodings, etc etc. yuck! Although it’s the humidity which sends me barmy.

Have a great weekend.

C. 💥🍷

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

No, not as wet as you although it has rained somewhere in the region every day for over a month and 28 consecutive days of lightning! We live at 850m so it is cool overnight, no tropics here! The were still saying last night it would be low 30s Sun-Wed but that has changed - warmest day today (but it's rained so it won't be so warm after all) and then all downhill to under 25C by Wednesday. They said 28C today - it touched about 26.5C and has fallen to 20C now.

[Hollyseden in reply to Constance13]

Interesting re heat. I find I can't cope with the heat these days. I literally have sweat dropping off my nose when doing next to nothing. Today was doing some gardening and my specs slipped right off my nose.Never ever had to mop my brow (even when on holiday abroad) but jeezo, I'm struggling these days. Not even terribly hot,I do live in Scotland 😂 but I'm struggling.

[Constance13 in reply to Hollyseden]

Strange thing is - I don’t sweat - at least only very rarely, I just find it difficult to MOVE.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

That may be part of the problem - we sweat less as we age and so don't cool down properly. That is why it is important to keep cool in this weather.

[Angiejnz in reply to Constance13]

Oh heat....bliss! It's winter in New Zealand, thankfully a mild one but cuddled up to the log fire on a Sunday afternoon 🔥

[Constance13 in reply to Angiejnz]

I’d just love to have a log fire (not at the moment though)😂😂.