Reply #27: Untreated acid reflux can kill

[tomfodw]

I began suffering from acid reflux in early 1999. After a few months, the heartburn was unbearable. I couldn't fall asleep at night, if I did I would awaken vomiting stomach acid.

I started taking Prevacid (I now take nonprescription Prilosec), and my heartburn has mostly abated. (I also undertook lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, eating differently, drinking less alcohol, not eating 3 hours before going to bed, etc.) Before starting this regimen, I was suffering from erosive esophagitis, which untreated might have led to Barrett's Esophagus, which untreated might have led to esophageal cancer.

A risk of pneumonia is nothing to dismiss lightly; neither is anything that might lead to esophageal cancer. Medications such as Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium not only reduce acid reflux; over time, they actually can heal the lesions in the lower esophagus caused by acid reflux, reverse erosive esophagitis and even Barrett's Esophagus. This is a definite GOOD THING and also not to be dismissed lightly, especially if you suffer (and I mean suffer) from serious GERD, as I did before starting my treatment.

These drugs can literally be a life-saver.

In any case, the proper way of being cautious is not to stop taking these medications, if you need them, but to (of course) ASK YOUR DOCTOR.