Heartburn - need help!

[ellynh]

I'm a newly diagnosed with IC. I also have vulvodynia. I've just started seeing a gyn who specializes in IC and related conditions and pain. I'm also seeing a gastroenterologist.

My problem is this - every time I try to take an oral medication, I get heartburn. The medication goes down well (no heartburn) for a day or two, then by the third day, I have heartburn that lasts for hours. By the fifth day I have to stop taking the med because heartburn is so bad. I've been through this with Elmiron, elavil, and now neurontin. I'm getting desperate - I'd love to be able to take medications that will help me, but am not able to because of heartburn. I take my meds with food, drink plenty of water when taking pills, take a Proton Pump Inhibitor (Nexium) religiously, but still have that heartburn! The gastroenterologist (I have a call in to his office for help) has not been a lot of help - I've been thorugh all of the tests and have found out that my stomach empties relatively slowly (I wonder if taking Reglan will help). I'm getting desparate - does anyone have any ideas on how to cope with this? I've been up two nights straight with heartburn!

I'd love to be able to take Neurontin or similar chronic pain med, but am not able to tolerate this medication in an oral form. Has anybody found anything that has worked for them?

By the way, I found a compounding pharmacy that made my elavil into a topical cream, but I still get heartburn with the cream> This may be happening because elavil (from what I read on the web) weakens the lower esophegeal sphincter muscle and causes the stomach to drain more slowly, no matter what the method of delivery. These two factors cause heartburn.

Thanks for reading. Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

- Ellyn

[Katrina]

well...some meds come in patch form...that may be something you need to try. It seems to me that because medications can take extra acid in your stomach your stomach is making more acid for you...which is backfiring.

For IC maybe you should be trying installations. I would recommend Heparin and Lidocaine in that field of therapy.

I also think you can try topical analgesics and see if you can get a presciption of lidocaine gel to use in that way.

I think if I were you I would try to do avoid oral treatments because they could be working against you.

I would also recommend treatments in Herb form...but as a tea.
Herbs (please be as careful with herbs as you would a med.) start with a very small amount….we never know how we may react to something….never give up searching for a way to feel better.
burning for me was 500mg Quercetin, 500mg Bromelain every 12 hours.
o Marshmallow root (althaea officinalis) helps sooth irritation and inflammation, can help spasms
Aloe Vera (Best kind Desert Harvest Aloe) both soothing and rebuilding http://icnshop.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl?command=goto&file=Alternatives.html
Flax seed Oil (soothing to any inflammation and a rebuilder) Best if taken with food…can be good for constipation
Mullein soothing, healing, and protecting
o Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra and g. uralensis) good for inflammation and anti allergic but should only be used short term
o Uva Ursi (arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is an antiseptic of the urinary track also used as a diuretic, also for inflammation…also only for short term use
o Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) not good for me since has similar effects to the hormone estrogen. Is used as a sedative and to relieve menstrual cramps. May have anti inflammatory effects. Avoid large doses. http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/herbs.html#black I have been warned, "Black Cohash and can cause strong uterine contractions " Pregnant women should not take this and should always ask doc before taking any herb.
o Catnip (nepeta cataria) eases menstrual pain, soothes the nerves, and as a sleep aid.
http://www.algonot.com/ Algonot-Plus®: Algonot, LLC, is the maker of a line of nutraceuticals specifically designed to help with the symptoms of IC, chronic prostatitis, and arthritis. Their latest products, CystoProtek and ProstaProtek, combine the original Algonot-Plus formula with sodium hyaluronate:
CystoProtek contains: chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, quercetin, sodium hyaluronate and olive kernel extract.
ProstaProtek contains: the anti-inflammatory properties of chondroitin and quercetin, and the added benefit of glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and sodium hyaluronate to help replenish the damaged mucosa bladder lining.

o Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) mild sedative, reduces inflammation, relieve menstrual cramps, can help bladder spasms http://www.ic-network.com/cgi-bin/ustorekeeper.pl?command=goto&file=Foods-Tea.html
cornsilk tablets are unreal!!!!! Good for burning but may up your frequency. Are mild dieuretics
Slippery Elm is soothing and therapuitic (used by Native Americans as a poultice for boils, ulcers and for wounds in general) puts on a protective coating, can also help Crohns disease, aside from risk of allergic reaction no warnings very safe!
Lavender Oil (the sent is a great for relaxing but to rub on bladder can also have a calming effect. Good for spasms)
Vitamin E (not really a herb but is soothing)
• Drinking almond milk (can also help burning….every four hours is recommended)
• Drinking baking soda and water mix or alka selser (about 1 teaspoon baking soda per glass) I personally will make capsules of baking soda with capsules from the pharmacy. This can cause gas so the water is important or a non prescription gas meds.

[Kathi]

I too take Nexium & still get heartburn with certain foods/meds. The only pain pill I take is Tylenol, hahahahaha, no help. I asked my gastro about nsaids, since they took the "safe" ones off the market & he said I could take them occassionally with a Prilosec(OTC). *sigh* I also, have Barrett's Disease & stenosis of the spinter to the stomach. Geez, this all came about with IC. Stress? I don't know. Hugs, Kathi

[brett]

hi..
I have Gerd as well and esophageal spasms.. I had surgery for my reflux 2 years ago but I still have throat problems when taking Elavil which the doc wanted me to take for bladder pain. I couldnt take Elmiron either.Now i am going to try Pamelor which is like Elavil but supposably does not have the side effects that would cause problems like the Elavil...

[ICNDonna]

Has anybody considered that Nexium could be the problem? It could be that another medication might be more effective for you. Also, have they ruled out a hiatus hernia; the reason I ask this is that your symptoms match my husband's with his.

Did you try emptying the Elmiron capsule into liquid and taking it that way (and discard the capsule itself)? Some have found the capsule itself to be the problem.

Donna

[kelly McC]

I also have Gerd I take protonix. I have the same problem stomach problems or heart burn
Kelly

[bunnykinb]

My doctor gave me prescription Zantac 150 mg. I am suppose to take 2 a day, but I find 1 helps right now. I started having heartburn after my IC started. I hope you feel better soon.

bunnykinb

[traceann]

Yep, me too, my chronic heartburn came back with the IC, ugh. 5 years ago, when I had the first inklings of IC (but no diagnosis, went into remission before I ever found the cause), had heartburn something terrible. (heh, I was even using Prelief back then, just for heartburn, had the granules I would sprinkle in my OJ! LOL). I was put on all sorts of meds til I ended up on good old Rx Pepcid. Now, since I don't have insurance I just use OTC Zantac, one in the morning, one at night (75mg each) and it has really improved the heartburn/acid thing going on! ;)

hugs,
Tracey :)

[melanie626]

Make sure you take your Proton Pump inhibitor 1/2 hour before your first meal in the morning, this will help. You may want to try some of the other options the ladies mentioned..or changing meds....

Reglan may help, but does have some long term side effects, so ask your GI MD about that. If they aren't being helpful, find another one....

I get really bad heartburn sometimes, especially if I am even a touch constipated, so that might also be something to think about. Good luck...
Melanie

[tpronti]

I was wondering if dexilant or it was called aciphex is okay to take?