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Q. A gentleman wrote you that he had been taking a prescription heartburn pill for years. Through his own research he learned that he might have a B12 deficiency due to his use of the drug over an extended period of time. He had symptoms such as fatigue and mild depression.
Upon reading the article, I realized that I had similar symptoms and was taking Nexium. I saw the doctor for a routine blood work-up and he checked the B12 level. It turned out that I was extremely deficient! The nurse called immediately and I was put on a protocol of monthly shots.
When I visited my gastroenterologist, he said he never heard of such a thing. I was quite surprised and would like to educate him.
A. This issue has been controversial for years, but there is growing recognition that long-term use of powerful acid-suppressing drugs can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption (American Journal of Gastroenterology, March, 2009, Suppl.).
Calcium, iron and vitamin B12 are all more readily absorbed from an acid environment. The blood tests for vitamin B12 deficiency should include a measurement of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and not just serum vitamin B12.
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I mentioned that I was weaning myself of Aciphex last week to a medical person because of difficulty with calcium absorption. He poo-pood me and said that o.k. so it blocks the absorption of calcium as well as acid, that's o.k. because you still get SOME calcium. I do not believe this. I never had a problem with calcium absorption before I was on this drug for over a year.
I have also read somewhere that you should only take this medication for the short term for this very reason. Who is right here? I really feel that this medical person was simply saying what he needed to say to support the drug companies. Does Tums act the same way with calcium? I have been weaning my way off Aciphex and onto evening tums with the idea that eventually I will be able to wean myself off of tums too.
I wish people in the medical professions would research this stuff before giving it to people and when they do give it someone that they will listen to side effects (fatigue, mild depression etc). What can I do to help?
My endoscopy, manometry and Bravo ph tests 2 wks ago revealed my lower esophgeal sphincter operates a 2 (should be 10 - 40), I have a hiatal hernia and very active GERD. My gastro. MD said my alternatives are a surgical procedure to tighten the sphincter or 80 mg Nexium daily for life.
I have already lost over 3 inches in ht. due to spinal compression and fear that the inability to metabolize calcium on Nexium contributes. Due to my delicate digestive tract, I do not take boniva, fosomax etc. I eat lots of dairy and take calcium with Vit D and Vit D, along with a multi-vitamin.
Now I learn that dairy is contraindicated for my reflux condition! I also take Synthroid, on an empty stomach, which causes reflux.
I presently am trying Prelief, which does not provide relief by itself. I chew antacides - about 10 a day and take one 40 Nexium.
The surgical procedure, laparoscopic nissen fundoplication is apparently quite new and long term results are not available.
Any suggestions?
The laparoscopic nissen ... had it done about 10 years ago at the suggestion of my ENT. It was great for a bit more than a year, but then back to the same old problems. Interestingly enough, my ENT also had it done and he, like me, had relief from reflux/GERD for just over a year is all.