What Causes Acidity And Burning Sensation In Stomach Even After Pantoprazole Usage?

Posted on Thu, 12 Jun 2014

Question: Hi,
I visited my doctor for acidity/indigestion and heartburn two weeks ago. I had done CBC blood test, H Pylori test, diabetes test, etc and all results are fine. I get hunger pangs and burning sensation starts every 1.30 hours of eating. Doctor said it is GERD. I get sour taste, the burning starts from upper abdomin (above Navel) and goes upto Breastbone and heartburn. I am given Pantoprazole for 4 weeks and today it will be two weeks of taking this medicine. I still see there is no much improvement. I felt improvement few days ago where my nausea feeling had gone but again the acidic reflux has been more in last couple of days. Does medicine take time to cure these problems? If so, how long? What else do you suggest on diet and other inputs?

Answered by Dr. Guru (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it does.

Detailed Answer:
Answers to your questions-

Does medicine take time to cure these problems? If so, how long?
Yes, it does. Around 3 to 6 months, along with many life style measures like diet, exercise etc.

What else do you suggest on diet and other inputs?

Following is my suggestion on diet. I suggest to eat more fiber rich diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy vegetables and avoid butter, cheese, oily food and junk food. You may feel better. But, investigations like endoscopy would help in establishing proper diagnosis.

I also suggest to limit alcohol intake and also smoking (if present). Do regular exercise to control obesity. Do not lie down soon after having meal.

Hope I have answered your query. If you are satisfied, you may now close the discussion and rate the answer.

Wish you good health!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Guru (17 minutes later)

Thanks for your response.

Does that mean that heartburn, nausea feeling, hunger pangs will be cured after 3-6 months on taking this medicines? My question is any idea when I will start showing signs of improvement (3-6 months is long :-)).

I have read some people reviews and mostly they see improvement in 3rd week (21+ days) of medicine while they come back to normal in 4-6 weeks (though diet and life style also need change).

I wanted some inputs from you/doctor based on the experiences with GERD patients and how long it took for them to come back to normal after taking PPI medicine.

Kidney beans, black beans, split beans are rich fiber diet. Is it ok to consume them in smaller quantity (as I heard kidney beans take time to digest so need your inputs).

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Guru (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
within couple of weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

There is clarity in your question now. Thanks for update. If it confirmed that the symptoms are due to GERD, then you should start showing improvement in symptoms within couple of weeks if medications along with appropriate lifestyle measures are followed.

Regarding diet question- Fiber rich diet is very good for people with your kind of problem. You can take it. It not only helps now, but also in the long run.

Thanks!

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar