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Suggest Remedies For Severe Heartburn
Question: I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis 5 yrs ago and take elm iron with flare ups a week or 2 at a time as it clears up . Have taken it over the past years without difficulties. The last few times I used it had severe heartburn.It took me to the next time I used it to figure out .it was thethen got the heartburn again.It wakes me up and is very painful. I have a hiatal hernia and not sure what to do.My Dr. Retired last year. Is there anything else I could try or should I try it again if I have a flair up? Thank-you!
Brief Answer:
Zantac.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There is no one treatment for interstitial cystitis that works for everyone with it. Some things work for some and not others. Elmiron is approved specifically for interstitial cystitis, and if it works for you other than the heartburn, what I'd suggest is continuing with it for flair ups, but also take Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day while you are on the Elmiron, and for a few days afterwards.
Taking a safe acid reducer like this may be enough to prevent the heartburn while you take the Elmiron. During the flare ups, do other acid reflux/heart burn prevention things such as decrease acidy foods such as tomatoes and citrus, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Don't eat for 2-3 hours before bed, eat smaller amounts at a time (but more frequently if you need to), and consider getting wedges to put under the posts of the head of your bed to create an incline. Many drug stores sell these now.
If, however, none of this works, and you still get bad heart burn, you may need a different medication for your interstitial cystitis. Some people get relief with antihistamines (decreases urinary frequency) or tricyclic antidepressants (can help relax the bladder).
But since the Elmiron works well for you, I'd suggest trying the Zantac with it before making a change.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if there is any further information I can provide.
Zantac.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There is no one treatment for interstitial cystitis that works for everyone with it. Some things work for some and not others. Elmiron is approved specifically for interstitial cystitis, and if it works for you other than the heartburn, what I'd suggest is continuing with it for flair ups, but also take Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day while you are on the Elmiron, and for a few days afterwards.
Taking a safe acid reducer like this may be enough to prevent the heartburn while you take the Elmiron. During the flare ups, do other acid reflux/heart burn prevention things such as decrease acidy foods such as tomatoes and citrus, spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Don't eat for 2-3 hours before bed, eat smaller amounts at a time (but more frequently if you need to), and consider getting wedges to put under the posts of the head of your bed to create an incline. Many drug stores sell these now.
If, however, none of this works, and you still get bad heart burn, you may need a different medication for your interstitial cystitis. Some people get relief with antihistamines (decreases urinary frequency) or tricyclic antidepressants (can help relax the bladder).
But since the Elmiron works well for you, I'd suggest trying the Zantac with it before making a change.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if there is any further information I can provide.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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