Question:
Have Pain? Here is a Suggestion

I have experienced severe pain under my chest plate and near my back as well. I do not vomit, have trouble eating food or anything. Just pain that would come and go all times of the day and night. My doctor did Cat scans, MRI you name it. Only pain killers would stop the pain until now. There is a new drug out called ZEGERID, no side effects or pain medicine in it. For a wekk now I feel great. God bless this drug. Once a day in the morning, usewd for acid, gas etc... Not even gas x would help. Got it from my GI Dr., worth asking him about it if you have the same pain. Might save you too. Good Luck...    — MikeL (posted on April 5, 2006)

April 5, 2006
Thanks! This drug is quite interesting for WLS patients. I hadn't heard of it and because I take Nexium, I looked up some information. Zegerid is the only immediate release PPI. What this means to us is that we may benefit better from this type of drug because all other PPI's are time release; and because the jury is still out on whether we fully benefit from time release meds, this eliminates that problem. My question was more geared to healing of problems already in effect, as that is why I take Nexium. This drug offers short term treatment/healing options for duodenal and gastric ulcers as well as erosive esophagitis. (good news for me) The only downside is that there are no studies past 12 months for long term healing effects, but the drug was only initially approved in June of '04. Unfortunately, this is yet another drug developed using tax dollars and the rights purchased by a drug company charging two left appendages for 'research'. By the way, Mike...grats on your success, you look great!
   — RebeccaP

April 5, 2006
Heh, I guess I should have done more research before I posted. Zegerid is omprazole (prilosec) and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Omprazole was shown to be less effective than esomeprazole (Nexium) in many studies. It is my understanding that the omprazole works the same with this drug as it does with Prilosec, its just that the sodium bicarbonate lowers the pH of stomach acid allowing for the omprazole not to be destroyed before it can be absorbed. The sodium bicarbonate also gives quick reliefe of heartburn due to the same pH altering properties. Basically, you can take prilosec OTC and an alka seltzer and be receiving the same ingredients as Zegerid and both are over the counter meds. However, Alka Selzer also contains asprin, and that isn't good for many reasons. So essentially, Prilosec OTC and a bit of baking soda is all that Zegerid is.
   — RebeccaP