GERD / acid reflux and vitamin b deficiency

Anybody else see this??

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/12/11/popular-stomach-acid-drugs-may-increase-vitamin-deficiency-risk/?intcmp=latestnews

I get heartburn from foods like pizza, tomatoes, eggplant, cheeze, kids’ Haloween candy, too much coffee, etc.

Its aweful, though better since I discovered at target you can buy cheap OTC “omeprazole” (I don’t remember the brand name. Seems to work great).

Now it looks like I am supposed to watch out for Vit. B deficisncy too! Getting old sucks.

Man I feel your pain. I’m 24 and have Crohn"s and acid reflux. I can eat an apple and feel like crap. Anything greasy, spicy (even as simple as seasoned foods), or chocolate based will destroy me. It has it’s good days but usually 2 or 3 days a week I will just feel like crap. I haven’t come across anything vitamin related but it’s never a bad idea to take a multi vitamin daily.

Have you guys taken a test to see if you E Pylori bacterial infection?

Fixed it for you.

I don’t think so but I’m not too sure. Is it tested through blood or with a scope of the GI?

H. pylori has no causative role in reflux disease. In fact, it may provide some protection.

Either by biopsy at the time of a scope, or by breath testing (less accurate). Blood testing can only determine if you’ve ever been exposed, not whether or not you have an active infection. If you’ve had a scope, they would have biopsies if they thought H.pylori might be relevant (i.e. if you had a peptic ulcer).

I’ve got GRD and my doc has me taking Prilosec (generic from Costco) to keep it under control. I have incentive to keep it suppressed since I had a cousin who died at 36 from esophageal cancer. He had GRD and dipped tobacco.

My doctor has me taking extra vitamin D since lower stomach acid decreases absorption.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-pump_inhibitor#Adverse_effects

H

I had similar problems until I went gluten free. Through blood tests and endoscopy it was determined that I had Celiac. ALL of my troubles have gone away. Something else to consider.

Unfortunately, there’s no good data to support the concept that controlling acid in the stomach decreases the risk of Barrett’s esophagus and therefore esophageal cancer.

Barrett’s esophagus isn’t the only risk factor for esophageal cancer.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/esophageal-cancer/DS00500/DSECTION=risk-factors

GERD is listed a a risk factor for developing Barrett’s esophagus. But, controlling acid reflex isn’t really a treatment if you’ve already developed Barrett’s esophagus.

H

Erosive esophogas, and general bad stomach here…

The purple pill(Nexium)solved all my problems. No more acid indigestion problems or the erosive esophogas problem(stuck food above the stomach that needed two trips to the hospital to push through)and can eat what I want. Trade off is you can’t miss a day and it is $3.00 a pill.

I like to eat spicey, whatever… As long as i take it, I’m fine. But you don’t want to even think about skiping.

Might help, might not, just throwing my experience to you. Hope it helps.,

Reflux can cause Barrett’s esophagus and Barrett’s esophagus can cause cancer of the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus caused by GERD is by far the most common cause of esophageal cancer.

Bile reflux is listed as another common cause. When you suppress acid in your stomach, which is what Nexium and similar such drugs do, the only thing left to reflux is bile. IOW, Nexium and that entire class of drugs will increase your bile reflux. Bile reflux doesn’t hurt the way acid reflux does, so symptoms are improved, but the risk of esophageal cancer remains no matter how much Nexium you take.

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B12 specifically. As acid, enzymes, bile, etc, etc are required to absorb nutrients, both macro and micro, altering them via meds is likely to cause secondary issues, such as various nutrients not getting well absorbed. Antacids for example can reduce absorption of various nutrients and some meds you may be taking. It may be of value to take various meds and or supplements at a different time than meds that address GERDS.

Consult with docs and or pharmacist.

Yep. My doc has me taking a vitamin D supplement specifically because of the acid reducer. I also usually take 1g of niacin for cholesterol control, but the doc has me trying a statin for 3 months and wanted to see what effect that has alone. I’ll probably go back to niacin + the statin once my labs are in in March.

H

I believe they are learning that PPI’s may cause an increase risk for heart disease and hypertension.

http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health-news/heartburn-heart-disease-ppi/2013/07/12/id/514747

I did have a really good article at work on this if I can find it. I have cut out gluten as well and my reflux has seemed better. If I would quit dipping it would probably go away entirely.

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The worst kind of medical speculation-without-evidence. The cited article in Circulation proposed a theoretical mechanism by which Acute Coronary Syndrome might be exacerbated if they only had clinical evidence that the relationship even existed. Classic case of mental masturbation on the part of that segment of the medical profession. It would seem more logical to try to establish that a problem exists before proposing a mechanism for it, but in this case, indicting the world’s most often-prescribed drug is good press. Most doctors will look at that article and think its bullshit, but it does make a splash in the general public.

Yes. As well as significantly reducing your risk of oral cancer. That’s a party you’d just as soon skip, I promise.

Did your doctor actually check a vitamin D level on you?

As I said I had a much more in depth article at work if I saved it. I could see it being a possibility know how they work; which is why I have always stuck with Pepcid.

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Was your vite D status (via 25OHD levels) found to be low? If so, was it tested before the addition of the acid reducer? Regardless, best to test vite D status - if that was not done already - to know if (1) you need additional vite D, and (2) to know if the dose being taken is correct for you as there’s a wide range of responses to D3 supplementation. More info:

Vitamin D – what’s the optimal level and how to achieve it?