Help!!

[glassd18]

I have been re-trying Cytotec for the last month, but I'm having terrible acid reflux still. I can't figure out why I'm still having reflux even though it's suppose to be an anti-ulcerative med. I stopped taking it for a day or two, but I flared and now think that it is possibly helping me so I went back on it, but once again terrible acid reflux. I am suppose to take Nexium for GERD, but stopped it. Does anyone know anything about this?

[SoTiredofIC]

Hey!

You might want to check with your doctor about the Nexium. I take Prevacid 30mg every morning. However, I kept having problems with continuing GERD so when I talked to my doctor, she told me to take my Prevacid the first thing in the morning with a little sip of water. NOTHING ELSE for 1 hour. That gives the Nexium/Prevacid/Aciphex/Protonix ample time to do it's thing. I then take my other (numerous!) meds. I have not had any problem with GERD since I took my doctor's advice.

Try the Cytotec, it made SUCH a difference to my situation! When I have flares now, they last a day or two instead of a week or two. I've heard of some people who are able to stop taking some of their other meds for IC when the Cytotec kicks in. I haven't been that lucky unfortunately, but I sure do feel better on the Cytotec than off.

Take care and good luck!

[glassd18]

Thanks!! I have stopped all anti ulceratives for the moment. I came down with a really bad flare after starting Bactrim, and Nexium so I decided to go back to basics. I am feeling much better for the last couple of days taking Quercetin, Fish Oil, and Prelief. I just started taking Cystoprotek too so I will drop the quercetin, and do only the Cystoprotek since it has Quercetin in it. I'm not so certain the Cytotec was helping me at all. I would have to reintroduce the Nexium, and see what happens, and then the bactrim again one at a time so that I can figure out what flared me soooo badly!!! I also started Culturelle (probiotic) too to offset the antibiotic. Any one of these could have been the culprit as I'm very chemical sensitive. I have trouble with even regular Tylenol.

[aprilchen]

Just a question about Cytotec. At first when you instill the crushed tablets into your bladder, does it burn or hurt after you hold it and then urinate it out? I am finding I still need my pain medication, Darvocet, and Valium or some kind of muscle relaxer still...but I have only been on it for about a week.

April

[kathleentopor]

I have now been on Cytotec for 2 & 1/2 months. Although it gives me a stomach ache sometimes, I have never noticed acid reflux symptoms. Cystaprotek definitely can cause that problem and many who take it, including myself have had heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux symptoms. They recommend that you freeze the capsules, and I found that it helped some, however, since I never really noticed an improvement after 8 months of therapy, I chose to discontinue it, and I am still doing really well. For me, the cytotec was a big improvement, and I noticed a difference after the first week, and I am still doing well on it. I don't think it is a problem to take your reflux meds with it , but I would do a trial of stopping the Cystaprotek to see if that helps. There are other ways to get what's in Cystaprotek if you thing the Glucosamine and chondroitin are helping you.

[glassd18]

Ya Cystoprotek gave me acid indigestion pretty badly. I still am not taking anything except an occassional Tums for my acid reflux (I have GERD anyway because I have a small hiatal hernia) I now am doing only Prelief and Fish Oil. I upped the amount of Prelief I was taking and that along with diet has seemed to help quite a bit. I'm not symptom free, but definitely better than I was. I also dropped milk out of my diet, and that seems to have helped too!!! My symptoms have dropped considerably since these two things. I would like to give Cytotec a go again, but my uro refused because I had issues the last time with diarrhea (sp?) and cramping, but I'm going to try my regular PCP, and see what he says.

[aprilchen]

I would like to give Cytotec a go again, but my uro refused because I had issues the last time with diarrhea (sp?) and cramping, but I'm going to try my regular PCP, and see what he says.

By the way, I wanted to let you know that when I spoke to my NP at the Cleveland Clinic, she said Cytotec really does not cause Diarrhea if it is ONLY instilled into the bladder and NOT taken orally. If you DO have to take it orally, you could perhaps take some fibercon or something to "bulk up" your bowel movements so you don't have diarrhea. Just a thought. Hope you can get your PCP to agree...because even though my urethra is just plain sore, I can make love to my husband...FINALLY...without being in severe pain. I can also eat some chocolate and caffeine which I was NOT able to tolerate before.

Good Luck. Please keep us posted and let us know how it goes.

AC