So today in the NYT there is an article stating PPIs such as Nexium are related to kidney diseases. What are your thoughts?

I developed acid reflux after my sleeve and have been taking Nexium once or twice a day for a year now. I'm very concerned, as I only have one kidney.

Here is the article http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/heartburn-drugs-tied-to-kidney-problems/?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone

There are side effects to all medications. I would hope at people who take these will have the necessary blood work done to ensure proper kidney function.

Untreated acid reflux can cause Esophageal cancer. My dad has to be checked yearly to be sure cancer cells have not formed. His esophagus has deteriorated some.

You have to weigh the risk/benefit from both sides.

Edited January 16, 201610 yr by cindyw41

I have been taking Prevacid for 2 years, insurance not covering it, unless I see the Dr., who I will see in 4 weeks. Till then I was told to buy over the counter. Taken daily this is expensive. I heard about these meds causing kidney disease and am now trying to figure out how to treat it myself. Charting when the burning starts; what I have eaten and so on.

Noticed that mine starts usually 2 hours after eating, and of all things sips of Water help most of the time. Also, Cheerios or other simple carbs. If it gets worse I take Rolaids. I do have to say that my symptoms have not been as bad as in the past.

Hope to find what works and have things like Rolaids, baking soda and Mylanta on hand.

I take meds for pain and anxiety, so one less would be great.

PPIs also interfere with calcium absorption. This causes your body to draw calcium from your bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. So if you are a long term PPI user, you should be taking significant calcium supplements (taking Vitamin D and vitamin K at the same time can help with calcium absorption) and have bone density scans to assess your status. Blood calcium levels do not reflect what's really happening with the calcium levels in your bones.

"H2 receptor antagonists" (another class of antacids that used to be Rx only, but are now over the counter meds) don't have any negative effects on kidneys.

Ranitidine is one of those. There are others.

Just sayin'.

@@VSGAnn2014 Really? Good info, thanks!

"H2 receptor antagonists" (another class of antacids that used to be Rx only, but are now over the counter meds) don't have any negative effects on kidneys.

Ranitidine is one of those. There are others.

Just sayin'.

I called my nurse at the Bariatric program and she told me the same thing. She said if I'm concerned take H2 receptor like Zantac. As of today I will be switching.

PPIs also interfere with calcium absorption. This causes your body to draw calcium from your bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. So if you are a long term PPI user, you should be taking significant calcium supplements (taking Vitamin D and vitamin K at the same time can help with calcium absorption) and have bone density scans to assess your status. Blood calcium levels do not reflect what's really happening with the calcium levels in your bones.

I didn't know that! My bariatric nurse told me that I should probably switch to H2 receptors like Zantac. As of today I am switching.

Ugh my few days with Zantac has not gone well.. While taking Nexium my acid reflux was 90% controlled. And would on most occasions last me 24 hours. Zantac didn't even come close to helping me. I had terrible acid reflux all throughout the afternoon and night. Today I switched back to Nexium. I have an appointment with my doctor in 2 weeks. I would prefer not to take Nexium due to the relation to kidney disease but that pill does the trick with my acid reflux. I'm so confused as to what to do.

As already stated, long term use of PPIs have been associated with bone thinning (due to calcium loss or not being fully absorbed?)

Ulcers and GERD are also a serious issue too.

Everyone is different. Get you surgeon, PCP and nephrologist all on board for what is best for you given your medical condition(s) and history.

If you need to take PPIs for the long term or permanently, maybe calcium supplements could help (there are also studies done linking large long term dosages of calcium with cardiac and other diseases ); they could also perform periodic bone density tests to make sure there isn't any bone thinning.

Edited January 21, 201610 yr by 4MRB4PHOTO