Protonix Proton Pump Inhibitor Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

LauraBelle
South Elgin, IL

Makes Me Feel Like Normal

gastrointestinally challenged, an IBS sufferer, Acid Reflux Sufferer

Pros

Only one time a day, Easy to swallow

Cons

Not tested for use longer than 1 year

JUL

2007

Protonix Proton Pump Inhibitor —

Intro
It's hard for me to take medications for my acid reflux or IBS, because my case it a little more unique. I had surgery to stop my acid reflux and repair a hiatal hernia 20 years ago, and I hadn't had any heartburn since, but did pick up a nasty case IBS somewhere along the line. The IBS has suddenly gotten worse and the heartburn/acid reflux has returned for the first time since that surgery 20 years ago. Typical IBS drugs are not effective, as they make me feel like I'm exploding, but somehow the acid reflux has to be stopped, before I burn out my esophagus yet again. Telling my internist of my woes, he fired off a referral to the gastroenterologist, and also gave me a prescription to a proton pump inhibitor (sounds much worse than it actually is), Protonix.

Usage
My doctor gave me a five day supply of Protonix to try before I buy, knowing I have trouble with some of the more common medications. The great thing about this is that it's just one time a day. It's not something I have to take every time I eat or every time I have heartburn or indigestion. Also good news, is the pills are small to medium size. Pills that look like horse pills are hard for me to swallow, being that one of my symptoms of the first 20 years of problems was a difficulty swallowing.

The Benefits
Yet, just that one smaller Protonix pill a day does the job. I haven't felt any heartburn or indigestion on the three days I've used it, and I also haven't been bothered by my IBS. I'll be filling the regular prescription for it. Still, though, I'll need to see the gastroenterologist, as there's clearly something else going on in there, if this started up after a 20 year absence, but for right now, this is great.

Conclusion
As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather just stay on the Protonix the rest of my life and not have to worry about it. But there is that little disclaimer on it that it's meant for 8 weeks of use until the problem clears up, and while it's been proven to be okay for a few 8 week terms, it's never been cleared for people to be on it longer than one year. This means something else will have to be done eventually, but for right now, it's good, and I'll take it.