Back in February of 2010, Fabgrandpa was going to the VA in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, getting all of his health checkups and tests done. One of those tests was a colonoscopy, done by a private doctor outside of the VA. They did not have a doctor who does colonoscopies at the Tuscaloosa location.
The doctor who did the colonoscopy also did an endoscopy, looking down from Fabgrandpa’s throat into his esophagus and stomach. Dr. Brown diagnosed him with Barret’s Esophagus, and prescribed Prilosec, or omeprazole, for acid reflux to prevent the Barret’s Esophagus getting worse.
As you all know, unless you are a brand new reader, Fabgrandpa started feeling off balance last year, and finally started going to a series of what seems like never ending doctors appointments, trying to find out what has been causing him to be off balance, walking like a drunk man, looking like he may fall any minute. His other symptoms include muscle cramps all over his body; ear pain without ear infection; sore throat; trouble swallowing; tingling in his feet, hands, face; headaches; anxiety; depression; just to name a few.
We saw the primary care doctor; and ear, nose, and throat doctor; a neurologist; and a vascular surgeon, who operated for an ulcerated carotid artery that was found while looking for the cause of the off balance feeling.
After all of those doctor visits, and tons of money out of pocket for the doctor visits and tests that were done, there has been no cause found for the off balance feeling, or any of the other symptoms.
Every now and then, when I can’t sleep, I search for causes by googling Fabgrandpa’s symptoms. Now, in all this time, I have only googled one symptom at a time. And with my google searches, I have ONLY focused on diseases that may be associated with the symptoms that Fabgrandpa has been having. There are many many different diseases that COULD have one or two or three of the symptoms, but I have not found any that could have them all. Things like Parkinson’s Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; to Ear Infection, to Toxic Shock Syndrome. But, he does not have any of these things.
Last night, I was googling yet again trying to find out what is wrong with my husband. I decided to type in this search: “off balance, muscle cramps, tingling, numbness, ear pain, anxiety“. The 4th search result was for this:
PRILOSEC: Side effects, ratings, and patient comments. After nine months of doctor visits, tests, and googling symptoms looking for a DISEASE, I found evidence of the problem being a reaction to a common prescribed medication that my husband takes. I’ll let you be the judge. Read the pages and pages of patient symptoms and notes from taking this drug. Leave me a comment to let me know what you think.
Dee says
June 7, 2015 at 12:48 amYears ago my dad was prescribed Tagamet for an ulcer And heartburn. He started having hallucinations. One day he looked at me wide eyed and said “I know it’s not real but I see a big hole in the floor”. Another time he saw my mom sitting naked on the TV trays. I spoke with a friend who’s a nurse and reads everything she can. She told me he was prescribed too much for his age. She’d just read an article that Tgamet can cause hallucinations on the elderly. I got my PDR out and sure enough at the end in small print was the warming. He cut back on the amount he was taking and the hallucinations stopped.
Sadie Slays says
June 7, 2015 at 5:16 am1) Whatever you decide, don’t quit Prilosec cold turkey. After years of reducing stomach acid, Fabgrandpa’s stomach is no longer capable of holding a normal, un-medicated amount of acid. He’ll be in for a world of hurt if he suddenly stops taking the medication. If he decides to quit, then he needs to gradually taper off it to avoid further problems.
2) Have you considered that Fabgrandpa may have a severe vitamin deficiency? Prilosec affects the absorption rates of vitamins due to the reduced stomach acid, so even if Fabgrandpa is eating a balanced, healthy diet, it’s still possible that he has severe vitamin deficiencies. Calcium and Vitamin B deficiencies are both common with long-term Prilosec usage (tingling and numbness are both common calcium deficiency symptoms).
3) Have you talked about any of these issues with your pharmacist? They are far more knowledgeable about drug interactions and side effects than your average doctor. They may have some valuable insight into the cause of Fabgrandpa’s health woes.
4) Start reading the fine print on every single medication Fabgrandpa takes. If it’s not the Prilosec, it could be a different medication causing the problems. Or the symptoms could be the result of Prilosec interferring with other medication. In any case, start researching EVERYTHING.
5) Doctors do a poor job of warning patients about the risks, so it’s easy to underestimate how strong and damaging medication can be. ALWAYS research any drug your doctor prescribes before taking it. ALWAYS read the fine print.
Lisa Samples says
June 7, 2015 at 7:37 amI suck at taking my medication, but a few months ägo I started taking my prescription Prilosec. last week I finally had to stop cold turkey. I didn’t realize it at first, over the past arthritis in my knees have gotten so bad it barely walk or stand from a seated position. One night I was talking about the probability of needing knee surgery I realize this all started when I began taking Prilosec again.
leah says
June 7, 2015 at 9:19 amI took Prilosec years ago and it was making my hair fall out in clumps. I stopped taking it and my hair stopped falling out.
lorraine williamson says
June 7, 2015 at 10:15 amunfortunately I take a drug that causes extreme acid reflux so I take prilosec to cut that down but have been having odd little cramps when I walk to much talked to the doctor about prilosec causing cancer and she said no but now in light of these cramps which I’ve been checked for can’t find anything maybe its the prilosec will be bringining that up and by the way the other drug can’t stop taking its an ms drug and I would end up in a wheelchair
Elizabeth says
June 8, 2015 at 12:12 amIt is a good idea to get off things gradually…under doctor’s orders I tried to drop my blood pressure meds a tad and got awfully sick. So be careful…but in a word, yes meds can made us sicker too…hard to find a good doctor. If you can find a naturopathic doctor or one like that, you may be able to get healthier…
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
June 8, 2015 at 1:59 amI have had some bad reactions to medication before, but how terrible that the doctors missed it in your husband’s case. Poor guy.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
June 8, 2015 at 11:38 amThis doesn’t surprise me at all. When you listen to medication commercials on television, the side effects list is long. I mean one of them actually says, “This medication is known for deaths.” Really?
Catherine S says
June 8, 2015 at 3:51 pmI hope your husband starts to feel better. It amazes me the list of side effects certain medicines have. They are worse than the actual issue they should be treating.
brandyellen says
June 8, 2015 at 4:28 pmOh wow. I am always amazed at what meds can do to you, they really can sometimes make you super sick 🙁 Hope your husband feels better asap!
Jeanine says
June 8, 2015 at 5:02 pmI’ve heard of it happening before but I’ve never had anything make me sick. I for sure have had bad reactions but nothing too serious. How scary.
Pam says
June 8, 2015 at 6:07 pmMy daughter’s cardiologist always says “any medication can do anything to anyone.” Luckily most people will never have major side effects, but it’s miserable for the ones who do.
Marcie W. says
June 8, 2015 at 6:31 pmThankfully I do not need medication and rarely even incorporate things like Tylenol or Advil into my life. I am super scared of side effects and always start with all natural remedies.
Liz Mays says
June 8, 2015 at 6:36 pmWow I never would have expected that. I guess it’s pretty uncommon to know every side effect that goes a long with each medication.
Valerie says
June 8, 2015 at 8:56 pmIt is so common unfortunately for medications to cause side effects. I am glad you were able to find out what could be causing all the problems.
Felicia says
June 8, 2015 at 9:17 pmThis is scary. I’ve read about different drugs doing different things and it scares me so much!
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
June 8, 2015 at 10:47 pmI’m curious if he’s still taking Prilosec? If that is the source of all of his symptoms, I’d be so frustrated! On the other hand it would be a simple way to take care of many discomforts. I’m hoping you are seeking a second opinion with your newly discovered information.
Karen says
June 9, 2015 at 1:06 amHe stopped taking it as soon as I showed him what I found. He is not better but it has only been a couple of days, and he took it for 5 years. I am really hoping that I have found the answer to his medical problems.
crystal says
June 8, 2015 at 11:58 pmOh gosh, I’m glad you’re getting to the bottom of the problem. My daughter is allergic to many prescriptions, especially antibiotics, so we definitely suffer from side effects worse than the initial illness.
Pauline C. says
June 9, 2015 at 12:44 amThis is a wonderful read. Only someone who truly loves would find out every detail specially for taking medicine.
Dinner, then Dessert says
June 9, 2015 at 2:50 amThanks for the warning! My husband has some problems with acid reflux sometimes!
Christie says
June 9, 2015 at 9:02 amMedicine can be so tough to balance, especially when taking multiple! I hope he feels better now!
Crystal From Tidbits of Experience says
June 9, 2015 at 9:27 amMedicine causes many major side effects. This is an interesting read. I hope that you can get your doctor to help him gradually get off of these medicines.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
June 9, 2015 at 10:17 amI take prilosec. Now I am concerned about what I am taking.
Debbie Denny says
June 9, 2015 at 10:42 amhad a problem with one of the meds I used to take. Caused leg cramps and pain. Took months before it was determined that it was the med. Hope he gets feeling better.
Amy Desrosiers says
June 9, 2015 at 1:22 pmI was on antibiotics last month and they did make me very sick! I am going to be looking into natural health from here on out.
Ann Bacciaglia says
June 9, 2015 at 3:37 pmI have a hard time with medicine. My stomach is always so sensitive when i start any new meds.
Addi Ganley says
June 9, 2015 at 6:38 pmI take a medicine for asthma now that is really good and I don’t have any side effects. I used to take one that gave me horrible migraine headaches, they were more debilitating than my asthma.
Cinny says
June 9, 2015 at 9:19 pmThere are risks and benefits to all medications and procedures like everything else we do in life. The decision is a comparison of risks vs benefits.
casavilorainteriors says
June 9, 2015 at 9:53 pmThe side effects of medicine are often worse than the illness you are trying to cure. Healthy lifestyle is key
Kiwi says
June 10, 2015 at 1:16 amI will speak what I believe and I do not like modern medicine at all! Its too many man-made prescription that seems like it is fixing a problem but it could be causing another. I am more of an natural holistic seeking when it comes to healing myself. Good thing you are doing your research!
candyolivares says
June 10, 2015 at 2:05 pmYou know that is the scariest thing to me. I hope he’s doing better now!!
Carly Brydon Anderson says
June 11, 2015 at 3:23 pmIt’s scary the medicines that are supposed to help us sometimes lead to more problems in the long run. You really have to watch how you feel with any kind of new medicine or even medicine you’ve been on for awhile.