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Suggest Treatment For Persistent GERD Despite Medication

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Posted on Fri, 11 Nov 2016
Question: I'm having trouble with GERD at night. The medications I take at bedtime are Pradaxa (150 mg), Topamax (100 mg), quetiapine fumerate (75 mg), gabapentin (2400 mg). I also take Protonix (20mg) earlier in the day. I take a number of other medications, but notice no GI or stomach upset during the day. The symptoms appear only when I lie down at night after I have taken my nighttime pills.My question is do one of these medications often cause such symptoms, or are several working together? Or am I possibly missing something that needs attention by my internist? Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Along with the medicine, follow few non pharmacological measures

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome.
When one consumed multiple drugs, gastric irritation is very common.
For GERD, acid reducing agent are used, protonix is one among them and you are already taking it.
To address GERD, along with medicines it is important to follow few non pharmacological measures.
I would recommend few non pharmacological measures, that will be beneficial.
I advice you to Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid eating too much in one sitting.Avoid spicy food, smoking and drinking. Lose weight if you are obese.
Raise the head of your bed by four to eight inches. This allows gravity to help keep your stomach’s contents where they belong.
Eat meals at least two to three hours before lying down on the couch or bed, and avoid bedtime snacks. Add more fibres to your diet.

Kindly follow the measures, you should see improvement.
Hope this helps
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (2 hours later)
Thank you for your helpful reply. I do not smoke or drink, although I could stand to lose about 40 pounds. I have elevated the head of my bed already and that does not seem to be enough. The past three nights I have sat up in my desk chair to sleep and that has avoided the symptoms but my sleep has been very poor. Fortunately, I am retired (age 63) so I don't have the burden of going to work during the day. Since I have taken these steps, do you have further recommendations? Kind regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly find the answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome
Good to hear from you.
Kindly follow the other measures also like eating few hours before going to bed. Avoiding spicy food, coffee, restricting the consumption of meat and adding more fibres to your diet. Along with this reduction of the weight is essential in addressing the symptoms of GERD.
Hope this helps
Take care
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent GERD Despite Medication

Brief Answer: Along with the medicine, follow few non pharmacological measures Detailed Answer: Hi Welcome. When one consumed multiple drugs, gastric irritation is very common. For GERD, acid reducing agent are used, protonix is one among them and you are already taking it. To address GERD, along with medicines it is important to follow few non pharmacological measures. I would recommend few non pharmacological measures, that will be beneficial. I advice you to Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid eating too much in one sitting.Avoid spicy food, smoking and drinking. Lose weight if you are obese. Raise the head of your bed by four to eight inches. This allows gravity to help keep your stomach’s contents where they belong. Eat meals at least two to three hours before lying down on the couch or bed, and avoid bedtime snacks. Add more fibres to your diet. Kindly follow the measures, you should see improvement. Hope this helps Take care