Monday, February 13, 2012

Friday, August 15, 2008 ppidoff asks

Q: New medications on the horizon?

Would like to ask an expert or a gastroenterologist if there are any new acid reflux medications being developed by the pharmaceutical companies. They continually promote the PPI's and other medicines that when taken keep me either bedridden or homebound, but no word of anything that would be more easily tolerated for the long term and that would allow me to travel, which I enjoy.

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8/16/08 10:53am
Hello! I hope Dr. Eisner will see you question and offer his feedback too. GERD is a common disease and there are many treatments such as diet, positioning and medication. While the vast majority of patients get better through the standard treatments, there are some patients who cannot tolerate the medication or do not benefit from the medication. We know that the PPI's do a great job reducing stomach acid and reducing if not eliminating symptoms. But the mechanical act of backwashing stomach contents (without acid) still can occur and may cause discomfort. There is much research going on to study medications, study the mechanism of reflux and look at new treatments-both medication and non medication approaches. Jen Rackley has discussed some holistic approaches in some of her SharePosts. It is interesting that the medication leaves you bedridden or homebound. Make sure you have discussed the side effects with the doctor to determine the cause. Perhaps there is a drug allergy or drug interaction-sometimes the medications work against each other. Keep checking the SharePost section for news of new treatments for GERD. Best of Luck, Jan Gambino The Reflux Mom Reply
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