I also had GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disorder) at the same time. I do not recall having any side effects because this happened to me about 3-4 years ago.
I do remember having pain in my central chest, which I thought had something to do with my heart. Maybe that is why doctors tell us it is "heartburn."
Actually what happens with GERD is that a person's stomach contents, which are full of gastric acid) back up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation.
GERD is also known as Erosive Esophagitis. It is very important to have this treated before it starts scarring in the esophagus itself. Prilosec "suppresses gastric acid secretion" - it "blocks the final step of acid production in the stomach."
As I said before I was put on Triple Therapy (Prilosec/clarithromycin/amoxicillin) for a four week course at first, which I had to repeat for another four weeks because I was still having problems.
If your problem is GERD and your doctor has not advised that you be on Triple Therapy, you might tell him/her what I have told you here. This information is directly from the information which AstraZeneca (the makers of Prilosec) sent to me.
In my case, Helicobacter pylori was involved too. This is a bacteria which burrows itself into a person's stomach lining - and is now considered to be a prominent cause of ulcers.
So, Gina, it is very important to be well informed about your condition. "When you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), it is important that you get the proper treatment. "For many people, PRILOSEC provides complete 24-hour heartburn relief with just one daily dose. (20mg)."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Sun, 14 Nov 1999, Gina wrote:
>
>Hi Helen,
>I couldn't get there through that url for some reason, will
>try again in a second. Anyway, did you get diahrea from using prilosec?
>That seems to be the problem is started and now I stopped taking it,
>that problem (D) hasn't gone away :( So don't know if it was the
>prilosec or just coincidence?
>I took pepcid and zantac for about 6 weeks prior to being switched to
>prilosec. I find the pepcid works better.
>Gina
>
>At Sat, 13 Nov 1999, Helen Dynda wrote:
>>
>>Gina,
>>
>>I have also taken Prilosec (20mgs each day) - for Helicobacter pylori, a
>>bacteria that causes duodenal ulcers.
>>
>>Most patients heal within 4 weeks of omeprazole (generic of Prilosec),
>>clarithromycin and amoxicillin triple therapy - 20mg of Prilosec each
>>day. Some patients, which was true in my case, may require an
>>additional 4 weeks of therapy.
>>
>>Here is a web site which will give you the following information about
>>Prilosec: Uses, Instructions, Side Effects, and Warnings.
>>
>>http://www.planetrx.com/product/rx/drug_lib.asp?try=1
>>
>>1.) click the letter, P
>>
>>2.) click Prilosec
>>
>>At Fri, 12 Nov 1999, Gina wrote:
>>
>>>Doc had given me prilosec for my stomach problems and >ever since I took that, my bowels are moving again (too >well, diahrea now!). At least it's not IBS feeling (you know
>>>that crampy gotta-go-now urge with no results) I used to >have, still not painful and producing no blood. I did see >some mucous yesterday :( I am keeping a close watch on >the situation, and I didn't take the prilosec last night, to >see if that indeed was what caused this new problem. >Will know by tonight if this is the case or not. If it's not >prilosec will probably call the doc and see what to do
>>>because this drastic a change in BM's worries me.
>>>Only thing different is prilosec.
>>>Gina
>>>
>>>At Wed, 10 Nov 1999, Helen Dynda wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Gina,
>>>>Feel free to write to me for information about the colon.
>>>>
>>>>At Wed, 10 Nov 1999, Tina Shelby wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>Hi Gina,
>>>>>
>>>>>Here are some web sites for you - Helen Dyna had some good ones as well -
>>>>>but they have been lost on my previous hard drive.
>>>>>
>>>>>gastronews.com - look under A - atonic colon - but this only gives a
>>>>>definition. Helen had a GI site that went into more detail but I can not
>>>>>find it - maybe she can let us know the web address again.
>>>>>
>>>>>I also wanted to add - there are some prokinetic medications - such as
>>>>>propulsid - that can be tried to stimulate the colon but not all respond to
>>>>>it. This condition is usually in young (twenty's) females that also have
>>>>>severe bloating associated with long times - > 4 days - between BMs.
>>>>>
>>>>>I'll see if I can find further sites for you. If you have access to a
>>>>>medical library - you would be able to find a weath of info on the subject.
>>>>>
>>>>>Hope this helps
>>>>>
>>>>>Tina
>>>>
>>>>--
>>>>The 15th century proverb which summarizes the purpose of medicine is:
>>>>* To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always. *
>>>>
>>--
>>The 15th century proverb which summarizes the purpose of medicine is:
>>* To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always. *
>>
-- The 15th century proverb which summarizes the purpose of medicine is: * To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always. *