So long story short, for the last year and a half I've been on 40mg of pantoprazole that I take twice daily for extreme stomach acid issues. I ran into some problems with getting a refill so I cut back to just one per day to buy time, but I'm already feeling it - which brings me to my question:

Is anybody else out there an acid factory? Is there any correlation to UC, surgeries or adhesions that would account for my issues? From what I've recently learned this is a pretty strong medication and I take it twice a day. I asked my doctor about it and was told that 'some people are just acid factories' but now I'm not so sure.

As always any help is greatly appreciated.

Todd

This is a very common ailment so there is no reason why you shouldn't have it. Your surgery would not do anything that would cause it, particularly since it is a completely different area of the abdomen. Adhesions also do not increase acid production. It is regulated by the autonomic nervous system.

Jan

That's good to hear. I wasn't concerned so much that i had it, but with the extent it developed in a a relatively short amount of time. The pharmacist told me it was a high dose of an already strong medication which got me thinking about it (aka worrying). I also had some surgery up higher when i had a mass removed. Anyway it's nice to be reassured.

Sounds like I shouldn't worry, thanks for the help Jan.

Hi Todd,

As soon as I had my colon removed I immediately started having problems with tons of stomach acid. At first I thought the pain was just related to the surgery, but after a couple of weeks it was obviously something else.

My doctor has me on a Pepcid/Mylanta/Tums cocktail twice a day and it has worked wonders, although he has me increase it to 4X per day when I have to have a vitamin D bolus.

Well, one thing I failed to mention is that the stress of chronic illness and/or major surgery can definitely be a cause of dyspepsia and even lead to ulcers. Also, treatment with steroids can cause ulcers too. So, while it is not strictly IBD related, this can be related to all that has happened in a general sense.

Stress and trauma definitely has a physiological effect on the body, and not in a good way in many cases. Hopefully, over time, this will settle down with you, but I suppose it also could be an uncovering of a latent tendency that was always there, but not fully manifesting.

Jan

I have had very strong acid problems as well since getting UC. Not sure if its related to the UC or the meds. It was really killing me for a while. Over the counter antacids wouldnt help. My GI prescribed Nexium and it really helped. I took 1 a day and 2 on extra bad days. I needed it for months and now just take it once in a while.

In addition to having UC for 20+ years until by j-pouch solved that, I have had GE Reflux Disease. The acid factory gene seems to run in my family because my dad and sister both have the same issue (although, thankfully, neither have ever had UC.) All three of us have to take Prilosec (or another equivalent such as Aciphex). I have to take it twice a day, every day. I can drop to one a day, but starting feeling it after a day or two later so the the 2x/day is really necessary. I've been on this for years now without any side effects from the drug.

Thanks for all the information.

Unfortunitly none of the OTC stuff can touch what i have, I've tried them all. I was on prescription previcid for awhile but also had less than stellar results. The only medication I've found that works is the pantoprazole which i have to jump through hoops to get. I've also been given a carafate oral solution that i dug back out and started taking at night. It seems to help, but I need to get back on the pantoprazole or I'm going to be a very sad panda.

This has been an ongoing problem for me for many years, i should really lose some weight and try some other environmental changes but I think this is something I'll be dealing with for a while. My fiance has been carrying around Maalox for me in her purse for as long as I've known her (one of the many reasons i love her).

I was completely healthy with no stomach problems and no UC before my surgery. Since my surgery I've been on pepcid and reglan and can't seem to do without them. I also have other stomach problems since my surgery. Very disappointing.

Just as an FYI, the over the counter medicine is the same thing only half strength. My best friend has GERD, and he had to take Aciphex. The doctor told him he can just buy the over the counter stuff, and take 2 instead.

Actually my chronic gastritis ( that is what the doctors call it) preceded my UC by about 20 yrs. I too take Protonix everyday and it helps, even though occasionally I get stomach pain and chalk it up to the gastritis.