GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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Just Diagnosed with GERD, Medication?

hollie9
hollie9
I have been getting congestion at night or at any time I lay down (like floor exercise), I don't have digestive problems, rarely have heartburn. I have been awakened at night with mucous (white opaque) all over and coughing but never during the day.

So I was surprised to get a diagnosis of GERD from an ENT.

He told me to not drink/eat coffee, tomatoes, chocolate, etc. and prescribed PROTONIX (pantoprazole). I tried only 1/4 of a tab for 2 days and could not do anything, I was so tired, sore, and generally felt like crap.

So I'm not going to take this kind of medicine anymore. I looked up some natural stuff, DGL Licorice, Slippery Elm.

Do any of you have my kind of symptoms, no heartburn or belching?

Can you guys handle these types of meds? And if not, what to do?

Thanks
prayinglots
prayinglots
Protonix is a time release pill, with a special coating which somehow releases the medication over time. If you crush or break it you are making it ineffective over the 24 hour period for which it is designed to release, it is more or less released all at once. You may want to try the pill as diagnosed. Sounds like you have silent reflux which is hard because you really don't have the feedback on what foods don't agree with you. I found my biggest help was not to eat three hours before bed. You will have to limit your food intake before exercise too. It's hard discipline but completely worth it. Because as you have already figured out, you don't want to be on this medication for the rest of your life.
Good luck.
hollie9
hollie9
Thanks Prayinglots, I had no idea I was messing things up by cutting the pill. Still, I feel the effects for more than 18 hours after I take the 1/4 pill. I can't imagine what I'd feel like with a whole pill.

Do you ever notice it making you tired and rummy?
prayinglots
prayinglots
No i didn't really notice any side effects. I tended to sleep better because i wasn't waking up with reflux. M
I took it for about five months. Progress was pretty slow, but it, or perhaps time itself, helped me heal.