I take rabeprazole to help with my GERD, especially because of all the meds I take. It's been fairly effective.

Trouble is, my pharmacy screwed up again (they do this often) and recorded my dosage incorrectly. I take rabeprazole twice a day and they recorded it as one a day. I noticed the mistake when I picked up the prescription but wasn't worried because I know what the dose is. The problem I didn't forsee was that I wouldn't be able to pick up my repeat when I needed it. At one pill per day, the prescription would have lasted 90 days but as I take two per day, it lasted 45 days. I couldn't get the repeat prescription because the computer system said it wasn't due yet (because of the mistake). So I ended up going several days without.

Now the inside of my mouth is like a burn. It's just like it was three years ago when the GERD started. I think the stomach acid comes up into my mouth during the night. Even the corners of my mouth are affected. The doctor was not impressed and phoned the pharmacy! The trouble is my mouth is SO sore and last time it took weeks to improve. Plus it did untold damage to my oesophagus which has permanent scarring and narrowing. So I'm pretty nervous.

I didn't realize the problem would recur so quickly or I would have made a better effort to get a new prescription without waiting a few days. It's possible it was exacerbated by the decongestant meds I was having to take before bedtime when normally I don't eat or drink after 7 pm to help protect my stomach and oesophagus.

Oh, no! Is it from the antibiotics you had to take for your sinuses?

Wendy - bears out one of the reports I posted over a year ago re those GERD drugs. Once on em the body is 'hooked' and the moment one is off then one's stomach goes straight into overdrive and produces quantities of acid. It can take a couple of yeaers for the body to get back to any normalcy after being on those antacid drugs! Lot of information on the problem ot there. I refuse to have owt to do with those drugs - which are now found to *also lead to osteoporosis.

The side effects involved with so many drugs is real scary.

Hope that you are now back to 'control' mode. Take care me dear.

It's tough to balance these things isn't it, Molly.

The problem I have is that, before I took any kind of drugs for it, my GERD had caused such severe damage to my oesophagus that my doctor has warned me not to vomit in case it ruptures. So now, it's almost a life and death situation that I need to take GERD drugs to protect my oesophagus from any further damage. Also, I now have an increased risk of oesophageal cancer if I don't keep the GERD under control.

Hi Erica,

No I think it's a combo of problems - running out of rabeprazole and having to take decongestants late in the evening. Normally I don't eat or drink after 7 pm to limit the risk of GERD.

It sounds miserable

Very diff balance Wendy. Unenviable position. Did wonder about the oesophageal cancer... There is a small op that you can undergo. No, NOT the fundoplication (nasty op that one) but a banding that they put around the top of the stomach, made up of beads. Did post about it here begining of the year. Will see IF I can find it again. Procedure is dne under slight sedation with guided methods. The procedure is now being done in the USA. Facinating - and of course stops the need for those pesky drugs!

Thanks Molly! You are a wonder!

Here ya go Wendy -

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184874.php

Torax Medical Receives CE Mark For Its LINX(R) Anti-Reflux Treatment

(snip...) "About the LINX Anti-Reflux Device

The LINX device is a ring of interlinked, miniature titanium beads with magnetic cores. The device is placed around the esophagus just above the stomach using a standard laparoscopic procedure. The design is intended to augment the existing sphincter, preventing it from opening to acid and other reflux. When swallowing, the beads can momentarily separate, allowing food to pass into the stomach; magnetic attraction between beads helps the device to close. Patients are expected to resume normal activities and a normal diet upon discharge. In the U.S., the LINX System is not approved for commercial distribution and is currently limited by Federal law to investigational use."

Source
Torax Medical

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Looks good, non-invasive, simple procedure. Certainly worth checking out Wendy.

http://www.toraxmedical.com/patients/linx.php

Little video and some diagrammes on the procedure.