Sweetie, the study that Steve mentioned was written about in the December 27, 2006 edition of the Toronto Star. I've reprinted a summary below:

Taking such popular heartburn drugs as Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec for a year or more can raise the risk of a broken hip markedly in people over 50, a large study in Britain found.

Hip fractures in the elderly often lead to life-threatening complications. As a result, doctors should make sure patients have good reason to stay on heartburn drugs long-term, said study co- author Dr. Yu-Xiao Yang of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec are members of a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. The study found a similar but smaller risk of hip fractures for another class of acid-fighting drugs called H2 blockers. Those drugs include Tagamet and Pepcid.

Not sure what you're supposed to do if you need to be on these meds longterm. I guess it's a catch 22 between eating and walking. Frankly my dear, I'd rather see you at a healthy weight.

Many hugs,

Kat

A life lived in fear is a life half lived.
"Strictly Ballroom"