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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kekehuhu on May 21, 2008, at 12:37:44
I've been having stomach burning for several months and my doctor prescribed proton pump inhibitor, which is a strong antacid.
To tell you the history of GI complications in past, I was infected by helicobacter pyroi. 4 years ago and was successfully treated on 2nd attempt (The first trial didn't work somehow, so I was treated again after a few weeks).
The antacid I was given was Lansoprazole (Prevacid). After being on it for several days, all my existing anxiety and depression got so severe that I actually felt like I'm dying. The physical symptoms I get along with the psychological distress got 1000% worse. They are severe muscle aches all over the body, fatigue (I spent half of the day in bed), Cholinergic Urticaria, and nightmares.
Those are the symptoms that I'm used to get when my anxiety was super high. The only thing that I usually get daily was some minor muscle pain that goes away when I take anti-anxiety med.
Another interesting thing is that the anti-anxiety med that always does wonders for me did almost nothing when I was on the PPI. When I take clonezapam 0.25mg it lasts for 24 hours with calm feeling. I've even tried 1mg (4x higher than usualy dose!), and the physical symptoms I get stayed the same. It's not benzo tolerance. I've been off benzo for the last 6 months and recently started taking it a few weeks ago.
My primary doctor tested for helicobacter and the result was positive. I'm going to see GI next week for endoscopy and treatment.
What I want to ask is if there is any chance that my stomach issue is actually causing my psychological problems. I did some homeworks and there were many different opinions. Some say low stomach acid is the reason for recurrence of helicobacter and it also causes many psychological problems because low acid inhibits essential nutritions like B12 and so on.
Some say its low chloride in diet because low chloride causes low stomach acid. Others say it's fungal infection and so on.
It's been 48hr+ since I stopped the PPI and I feel so much better. My stomach is still uncomfortable but it's better than those symptoms I get.
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2008, at 13:11:56
In reply to Antacid drove me crazy, posted by kekehuhu on May 21, 2008, at 12:37:44
I thought this was a bacteria which when treated with antibiotics went away. That ulcers were bacteria induced. I take Tums and works well for indigestion. Realize yours is more serious. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on May 21, 2008, at 16:55:58
In reply to Antacid drove me crazy, posted by kekehuhu on May 21, 2008, at 12:37:44
Yeah, it's scary how so many unsuspected meds can mess with us in profound ways. When I was prescribed Doxycycline (antibiotic) for a boil, side effects in literature appeared tame, doctor said it was well tolerated, and pharmacist said it might cause nausea but that's about it. Well, oh my, much worsened depression, ringing in my ears got twice as loud, muscle aches, ahhh.
Anyway, sorry about your experience. I can relate. As you said, when it comes to stomach problems, it is hard to nail down what's going on. Lots of theories but few facts. Actually, I guess all medicine is like that. That's why doctors are in "practice". :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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