Reflux and Drugs

Let me start off by saying that I hate taking drugs. I do not even like taking aspirin which usually I don't because I rarely have a headache. Even if I did have a headache I would use some natural method to treat it like acupressure to the point on my hand between the thumb and the first finger. So, it was with great reluctance that I decided to fill my doctor's prescription after keeping it attached to the side of our refrigerator with a magnet.

One Sunday afternoon, my wife and I went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription. There were two drugs that my doctor prescribed for me; Dexlansoprazole Dexlansoprazole and Domperidone Domperidone. Dexlansoprazole is designed to reduced the amount of acid in your stomach. It part of a class of drugs referred to as proton pump inhibitors. Dexlansoprazole works by arresting the final step in acid production in the stomach thereby reducing acid in the stomach. Domperidone is used to help empty the stomach after eating.

I took one Domperidone before lunch and it seemed to help. I took another  one before dinner and it had a similar effect. For the first few days I took three Domperidone and two Dexlansoprazole every day as prescribed. After a few days I realized that although my stomach was feeling better and my reflux symptoms seemed to be getting better I was experiencing a constant low grade headache that did not go away and I realized that I was experiencing a constant elevated heart rate, it was as if I was constantly exercising.

I decided to cut back on the Domperidone, instead of three a day, I only took two a day. My elevated heart rate was less noticeable but the constant headache did not go away. Then I had the experience of taking the Delansoprazole too close to the time when I was practicing Qigong  in the evening. After about five minutes of practice I felt the pill rise back up into my throat. I lost most of the contents of the capsule in the bathroom sink. After that, I took the pill after my practice.

The Dexlansoprazole and the Domperidone seemed to be working well for me for about two weeks and then it just stopped working. All the symptoms came back. In fact, taking these drugs actually seemed to make my condition worse. I woke up one night about two in the morning coughing. I got up and went to the bathroom where I vomited the contents of my stomach. I was really beginning to think that this medication was not working for me. It was about this time that I decided to go back to the literature on these drugs and read the sections about side effects. I was a little surprised by what I found.

Long term use of Dexlansoprazole is not recommended by the FDA because of the side effects. Because Delansoprazole works by reducing acid in the stomach it also interferes with the absorption of iron, calcium. magnesium and vitamin B12, all are important minerals in our daily lives. There is also a risk of contracting pneumonia because the reduction in stomach acid makes it more likely that hostile bacteria can attack your system. There is an increased risk of C- difficle for much the same reason, disrupting the environment of the gut makes it more likely that bacteria like C - difficle can attack the body.

I am not saying that you should never take Dexlansoprazole or any other proton pump inhibitor. What I  am saying is that you need to fully aware of the benefits and the side effects of these drugs before you start taking them and then use these drugs with caution. You should never use these drugs longer than necessary.

Here is another delicious recipe that I find very easy to eat with reflux.

Potato and Kale Soup
1 slice of bacon, cut up small
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered.
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon thyme
salt & pepper to taste
1 box chicken stock
4 cups water
1/2 bunch of kale, sliced
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Cook bacon in a large pot until brown.  Add potatoes and leeks.  Stir until the leeks are softened.  Add garlic, thyme, salt and pepper, stir until vegetables are slightly wilted.

 Add water and chicken stock.  Bring it up to a boil, turn down to simmer for about 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

Add kale and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until kale is wilted.  Stir in Worcestershire sauce.  Carefully puree soup in a blender until smooth.  Serve topped with sour cream.