HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How Can GERD Be Treated?

I have been taking omeprazole bicarbonate (for GERD) for 20-plus years, along with clopidogrel (plavix) for more than the past 10 years due to receiving several stents and then a CABGx4 in early 2015. My Cardiologist has been aware of the reported drug interactions between these two drugs, but has kept me on the omeprazole bicarbonate because other GERD-related drugs, such as ranitidine, have not stopped my GERD symptoms. Recently, after losing my long-time Primary Care Physician (PCP), I have now been assigned a new PCP who has refused to re-authorize my long-time omeprazole bicarbonate prescription (due to the reported drug interaction with plavix. My new PCP has written a new prescription for Ranitidine, but after three weeks, I still now have GERD symptoms daily (while I had no GERD symptoms for the past several years while taking the omeprazole bicarbonate.) How do I reconcile this new disagreement between my long-time Cardiologit and my new PCP regarding which GERD drug that I should be taking? Thanks for any help! YYYY@YYYY
Fri, 23 Feb 2018
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Change habits

Making lifestyle changes is an important part of treating symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Quitting smoking, losing weight if you need to, and changing your eating habits can all help you feel better.

Take medicines

If you have been using nonprescription medicines to treat your symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. Stomach acid could be causing damage to your esophagus. If you have GERD symptoms often, or if they are very bad, your doctor may recommend that you use prescription medicines. Be sure to continue to take medicines as instructed by your doctor, because stopping treatment will often bring symptoms back.

Avoid your triggers

An important part of treating GERD is avoiding triggers. These things can include:
Spicy foods
Fatty foods
Drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol
Certain medicines

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Jagadish Golabavi
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 
Loading Online Doctors....
How Can GERD Be Treated?

Hello, Change habits Making lifestyle changes is an important part of treating symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Quitting smoking, losing weight if you need to, and changing your eating habits can all help you feel better. Take medicines If you have been using nonprescription medicines to treat your symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor. Stomach acid could be causing damage to your esophagus. If you have GERD symptoms often, or if they are very bad, your doctor may recommend that you use prescription medicines. Be sure to continue to take medicines as instructed by your doctor, because stopping treatment will often bring symptoms back. Avoid your triggers An important part of treating GERD is avoiding triggers. These things can include: Spicy foods Fatty foods Drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol Certain medicines Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Jagadish Golabavi