Kate--Librax?

[susu]

Hey Kate,

I read that you took Librax for a while. Are you still taking it? Did it help? Were there any side effects? Thanks for any info you can give!

Susu

[Katenyc]

Hi Susu,

I did take Librax for almost 2 weeks. It did help. I have to admit, it really did -- either that, or my heartburn just got significantly better on it's own while I was taking it. I don't know if it was a coincidence or not. I also took it with a PPI.

I stopped taking it, only because I'm a bit of a weirdo with medications -- I basically don't like to take them on a continual basis. However, I was wondered if I should not go back on Librax again for a short time [maybe a month] and see if it makes me feel better.

The doctor that prescribed it for me was not my regular GI doc but one that I went to for a 2nd opinion, who said that he thought I had "sensitive" esophagus and not gerd. He said to take Librax 2/day for 6 weeks and stay away from all foods high in fat. The only thing that really worried me about taking Librax is that I read it can become addictive, and that's basically the biggest reason why I stopped it. I had no side effects from it.

Are you thinking of trying it? Let me know if you do.

Kate

[susu]

Kate,

Thanks for telling me about the Librax. I may take it. I'm getting tired of taking all these meds. I'm already on Lexapro, Aciphex/am and Zantac/pm. The Lexapro has calmed me down some, but it hasn't affected my GI symptoms.

I was at Walmart today and the pharmacist told me he dispensed Librax about 2x/month. I was just curious. He said that Prevacid was the most common ppi he dispensed. Told me to try that.

Can't figure out exactly what my triggers are. I drank some generic Ensure--need to gain weight-- yesterday afternoon and I burned all afternoon and all night. Maybe it was the sugar.

Librax is category D, and pregnancy is out if I have to take it a while. Will have to think about it some more.

Are you doing Stan's diet. I'm having difficulty with the low carb. Low fat is easier for me for some reason.

If I try Librax, I'll let you know.

Thanks again,

Susu

[Katenyc]

Susu,

Yes, Librax is out of the question in pregnancy. If I tried it again, it would be for short-term only. As for diet, I am trying to implement the low-carb thing myself. But I also need to shed a few pounds -- roughly 5-7. I find that anything high in fat [cheese, for example, or nuts] will set my burning off almost immediately. And sugar will, too.

I'm working pretty hard these days to get this under control. At some near future point, I will try to get pregnant and I'll be switching over to Zantac. Would like to go into a pregnancy with this gerd more controlled.

Good luck, and let me know.

Kate

[susu]

Hey Kate,

I am going to pick up the Librax this afternoon. The GI nurse said I could take it before meals or just twice/day. How often did you take it? Did it make you sleepy? I really hope this helps! Thanks!

Susu

[Katenyc]

Susu,

Let me know how it works for you. I had absolutely no side effects from it. At first, I worried that it would make me a bit drowsy, but it did not. I took it in the a.m. and then right before bed.

Good luck. You do know that you have to be weaned off of it -- I read it's not a good idea to stop taking it suddenly. Check with your doc about that.

Kate

[susu]

Kate,

The Librax is helping alot! I have noticed a significant lessening of my symptoms. I only feel a slight burn when I lean over to pick something up. Still working on trying to stop doing that, it's hard when I have to pick up after the children.

I am taking it 4x/day. I'm about to go to 3x because in the morning I have a very hard time getting up and my 3-year old is ready to play.

I will let you know if I anything changes as I lower the dosage. If you already have it, I would try it again.

I am going to a counselor this evening. I've had some eating disorder issues (chronic dieting) in the past and I'm so thin now my husband/parents are very concerned. If anxiety has a lot to do with my gerd then hopefully this will help. At this point, I'm open to anything.

I will also see a nutritionist tomorrow. If she gives me any new advice, I'll let you know.

Hope you're feeling better!

Susu

[Katenyc]

Hi Susu,

So glad that the Librax is helping. It did help me also. I'm thinking of going back on it for a month. I'm not sure about taking it long-term, but maybe it's okay to take for a while and then be weaned off of.

I forgot -- what were/are your gerd symptoms? Burning, right -- and where? I burn in my esophagus and tongue. Sometimes the throat. Those are my symptoms. I can' t put a finger on when it happens, unless I drink coffee [which I don't anymore] or eat cheese or anything else high in fat. But sometimes, it just starts -- for the sake of starting. I could eat nothing, or just drink water, and it starts.

I think that anxiety may be playing a role in my gerd, too. Not all of it, but it may be a factor there. Anyway, I'm glad you are feeling better. Please keep me informed -- I may copy you and try Librax for a while.

Kate

[susu]

Kate,

I burn in my chest (esophagus) and stomach and sometimes I feel a slight burn up toward my throat. The esophageal burning is the most painful for me. That area can feel very tender and inflamed.

I have a hard time connecting the attacks with food as well. I do know I will have some difficulty after I eat bread, tough meat, etc.

Before the Librax, whenever I bent over-even to unload the dishwasher or dryer-I would feel some burning.

Seems like anxiety makes it worse too. If I am running late,etc.

Let me know if you try the librax and it helps. I hope to take it only 1-2 mos.

Take care,

Susu

[Katenyc]

Susu,

The espophageal burning is the worst for me, too. The tongue and throat, I can deal with much better.

I haven't started Librax yet -- probably will tonight. I also thought of taking Prozac, but don't want to take the two together.

Hope your success with Librax continues!

Kate