I have had nausea (just this symptom) on and off for a few months now. It is never too bad, bus sometimes lasts for a few hrs and hard to tell what triggers it. I was fine for the past 2 weeks and then yesterday and today it has come back. No changes in diet (I eat super healthy and exercise regularly).
I have had my yearly visit with my PCP last week and blood work was all normal. I was also able to see a GI doctor a few days ago. I have had some gas issues for years - they just keep saying it is IBS, it is sometimes uncomfortable but have learned to deal w it, I have had some tests to rule out other issues. When I started having some nausea issues, in 2017, I also had an EGD and the result was a bit of gastritis. The GI doctor at that time put me on an acid blocker for 2 months, said I could use one over the counter. It helped.
I try to avoid medicines as much as possible. But last week the GI doctor said to try Famotidine (Pepcid?) for 2-3 months, but to take the prescription dose (40mg) I have not yet started because I wonder if too high a dose? Would it be better to take the otc instead (20mg)?
I apologize for this long post, I just worry about side effects or if taking this medication for 3 months is actually safe? I am 52, no other issues.
Thanks to anyone for reading and your honest feedback.
Usually long term effects do not present after a 3-month course. Not an MD, but that is what I have been told.
Not an MD, but dietitian here. In IBS symptoms like nausea and other GI symptoms like bloating, loose bowel movements, constipation can be triggered by certain foods. Try keeping a diary and listing foods that could be related to your symptoms. The low FODMAP diet has been found to be helpful in symptom management.
Thank you for your reply. I am familiar w the low formal diet and have been very careful in avoiding trigger foods. I know that gas/bloating and some changes in bowel movements are usually part of IBS, but was not able to understand the queasiness/nausea. I understand that it could be acid, although there no other ger/acid symptoms... wanted to avoid the 40 mg famotodine, but I guess I should go along with it, to see if it relieves the nausea. Thanks again.
I am totally hopping into this thread bc the stress of covid has given me GERD. I never had it before but now every single day i have this sour taste in my mouth and esophageal irritation (not heartburn). its' super gross. the dr said take PPIs but I read they are associated with huge increases in risk for certain cancers so I am reluctant. Am I screwed? is there anything else I can do? taking pepcid already but it not doing much.
Hi, I am the original poster. I agree that PPIs have huge risks associated and this is part of what I had asked the GI doctor a few days ago, when he prescribed famotidine. Apparently this is an H2 blocker, a different principle - the doctor said there are no risks associated with it. My concern is more why I should take the higher (prescription) dose, instead maybe just the over the counter (20mg) as I would like to avoid side effects.
I agree that the pandemic (and in my case also being stuck at home in a bad marriage) has exacerbated these GI issues for many of us...
I hope you feel better.
I am an MD (not GI) who regularly prescribes famotidine. You are right that it's an H2 blocker, an antihistamine, and not a PPI. 20mg twice a day is the upper limit of normal dosing, and I would have absolutely no reservations about taking that dose for 30 days as a trial to see if your symptoms improve.
I would also not consider PPIs to have "huge risks" associated with them. Some studies suggest that long-term use of PPIs is associated with a higher risk of gastric cancer, but mostly in those with a history of H. Pylori infection. And yet PPI is part of the triple therapy cocktail for H. Pylori eradication, so there you go.
I mean this in the gentlest way possible, but you've posted many times about this here, and now you've seen a specialist who is available to you for questioning. Have you considered whether anxiety may be underlying your nausea? It can certainly manifest in your presenting symptoms. It's a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning any good physician would rule out other pathologic issues first, which it sounds like is being done. But just a thought.
I hope you find some relief soon.
not op but new hijacking p with GERD - thank you. I think I am going to have to go the PPI route bc I spend every day with this gross sour taste in my mouth and it's becoming v depressing . I wonder if maybe I have h pylori? IT'S ALL SO GROSS and i totally blame covid stress.
I can’t tell if it’s stress, a side effect of another med, or age (are we old now?!), but I was just given a month of higher-dose Prilosec in a similar situation.
What actually turned out to help most was Tums. In case anyone hasn’t thought of them yet.
The lead ingredient is just a chalky calcium, and I think it just mops up acid.
I was down to a really small list of safe foods—basically saltines and rice—by the time I asked a doctor what was up. Fingers crossed that we can all get back to eating our feelings.