Generic Name: Protonix for GERD (pantoprazole)
"I started taking Protonix 40mg once daily after they took Zantac off the market. I started having a lot of stomach pain, gas, bloating, and watery diarrhea. It took me a while to figure out it was the Protonix. I stopped taking it and replaced it with Pepcid Complete once a day. Almost immediately those symptoms went away. I would be very careful taking this drug."
"I have GERD. I couldn't eat anything. I was given Protonix by the ER. Pain stopped. I changed my diet drastically and slowly weaned myself from Protonix. Prior to this, I tried Zantac, Nexium, and Prilosec, however, I choose not to take these meds anymore and stick to my diet of low fat, low carb, no salt, no sugar, and no fast, frozen, or processed foods. I have lost weight and feel great with no pain. I also avoid smoke. When I was first prescribed these medications, I didn't like any of them. I don't feel it's a good idea to inhibit the body's natural processes, so I make better food choices."
"I have had acid reflux disease for four years. I tried Prilosec. I lost thirty pounds to try to help my reflux, I changed my diet, and I took an extreme amount of Rolaids. Nothing worked, and I was miserable. Finally got my GP to listen and put me on this stuff after a family member recommendation. It is wonderful. It is like I never had reflux to begin with. It helped me get my life back. My only concern is the side effects for long-term use seem scary. But if I don't treat the reflux, I will end up with Barrett's esophagus, which puts me between a rock and a hard place."
"I've been on Protonix for about 6 years and, to put it simply, it works perfectly for me without any side effects. If I don't take it, I have constant, severe heartburn (I have a hiatal hernia, gastritis, and GERD that resulted from an H. pylori infection that went undetected for what I assume is several years). When I do take it, I can eat literally anything and not get heartburn."
"I have taken it for about 7 years now. I never had stomach problems but got what they thought was an ulcer. Later endoscopy showed no ulcer, but signs of Barrett's esophagus. I also had hoarse voice, especially in the morning. pH study pointed to GERD. Long story short, no more hoarseness. Subsequent scopes show no signs of esophagus damage. Now for the bad. Very rarely, when I eat fast, I do get choking sensations that I did not ever have before. Also, if I run out of the medicine and/or miss a dose or two, wicked bad heartburn. Never had heartburn before. As long as I stay on it, I am good."
"I have both IBS and Gastritis. Protonix has been a complete game changer for me. Without it, I have chronic nausea, difficulties tolerating food, vomiting, low energy, and headache. My days were very difficult prior to being prescribed this med. I feel incredibly better."
"Unfortunately I have suffered with very serious GERD for 28 years, and it has been awful. I have tried every prescription medicine out there, and none of them work for me like Protonix does. I feel very close to a normal human being on this medication, but none of the others lived up to Protonix. I received a horrible notice from our health insurance provider this past week, and after December 31, 2015, they will no longer cover this drug. Their only suggestion for me with severe reflux is to try something else. I have tried EVERYTHING else on the market, and nothing works but Protonix. NOTHING! I am so sick with the GERD when I am off this medicine, I am pretty much housebound because I am so sick. For me, it is a miracle drug!"
"This was the worst medication I have ever taken. I was just prescribed this medication last week. After being on it for only 2 days, I stopped. Headache was unbearable. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital to get a CAT scan until I realized it was probably the Protonix. Then there was the nausea that came along as well. Five days later, I'm still nauseous, but used ginger to help with that. Overall, I will never use this medicine again."
"I took this for about 2 and a half months. Halfway through, I told my Dr it wasn't working. He said I was under stress. Not. Then I developed a hot, itchy rash on my arms and face. They told me to stop taking it and start Nexium. I didn't because, to me, they seem to have the same risk. Being off Protonix is almost as bad as being on it. Terrible acid reflux. I am sleeping sitting up, I can't eat very much, I can hardly wake up and start falling asleep around 7 PM, and I have had a headache off and on for 3 days. Going to an internal medicine specialist next because I’d like to know the reason for the reflux I have had for 1.5 years, not just take a medication."
"I had heartburn and a history of an ulcer, so my doctor put me on Protonix. When taking it daily, I feel great. However, with the new information about this kind of drug being linked to dementia and also that it can cause one to be addicted to it and cause rebound acid, I decided to stop it. I am on day 4, and now a mild constant burning is in my stomach and often backs up to my chest. I was given them for heartburn, but the doctor wrote gerd and later I developed GERD on days I tried not to take it. So, I am concerned about this all coming back by ten times worse. I am looking into a natural alternative first, as dementia is all around in my family, and my new holistic/medical doctor says this type of drug is dangerous."
"Worked at first to bring heartburn/acid reflux under control, however I had to stop taking it because it started causing severe stomach & abdominal pain. Now control through diet & Tums EX. The pain from the Protonix side effect was terrible when it started happening."
"My stomach really started hurting on Dec 23rd. I’ve battled reflux many times over the years. I’m 57, but not like this. I started on pantoprazole on Monday, this morning my stomach is starting to feel a bit normal. I hope so, as I’ve had this gnawing nausea, although it has gotten slightly better at times since the 23rd. Even a few occasions felt like I never had it, but it didn’t last long. I have slight other symptoms, as you all know-heartburn, indigestion, slight feeling through-but it’s the stomach that worries me. Anyone have any thoughts about stomach nausea? I’d love to hear. And does it take the meds time to fully kick in? Thank you to everyone, nothing short of GOD's blessings always."
"Started taking this about 8 years ago after developing an ulcer from taking Aleve. Was fine for a few years, with only flatulence and loose bowel movements. For the last 3 years, I started developing asthma symptoms (phlegm in throat and lungs, coughing). Stopping Protonix cleared it up. Took 1 pill again and the asthma started again. Too bad, I really liked this medication."
"I would wake up coughing up fluids and constantly have acid reflux symptoms, which began to lead to swallowing issues and high anxiety. My doctor put me on pantoprazole (Protonix), and I take it once every morning: 40 mg. I am not someone who likes medicine and won't even take Tylenol for a headache. I love my pantoprazole (Protonix) and hope it continues to keep my issues away."
"If you don't get ahead of an attack, this pill won't work. I have been on it for years now and have had little problem with it until it didn't work one weekend, so I doubled up on it and ended up in the hospital a week later with a seizure due to hypomagnesia (or however you say lack of magnesium). Make sure you are getting all your electrolytes when taking proton pump inhibitors."
"I had the worst side effects with Protonix. I took it for 15 days and experienced increased anxiety and heart palpitations. I also had dizziness, nausea, and insomnia. Going off of it took 6 days to feel somewhat normal."
"Since my early twenties (I am in my mid 50s now), I have had great difficulty swallowing, with a feeling that something was stuck in my throat, followed by esophageal spasms, followed by projectile vomiting of stomach acid. Episodes could last for up to 10 hours. I've been hospitalized several times while having severe episodes of uncontrollable spasms/vomiting for hours. I was misdiagnosed for decades, had my throat stretched by laparoscopy/balloons periodically, and tried a variety of medications. Nothing helped. I was extremely underweight from not being able to eat for so many years. Finally, a doctor put me on Protonix, and it was a miracle. Unbelievably life-changing. My only complaint was I gained 20 lbs in the first year I was on it. I take it twice a day and can eat whatever I like with no reaction."
"This was not effective in reducing acid. Four days after stopping Nexium and starting Protonix the heartburn started and I had to take Gaviscon. I had a 3-month supply, so I kept taking it and ended up with a swollen, painful esophagus and difficulty swallowing with vomiting. I stopped taking Nexium because my insurance no longer would cover it."
"I started on Zantac, and it just stopped working for me. I've been taking this pill for years, and it does wonders! I have 0 noticeable side effects. It's important to take it both every day and before you eat, or it is not as effective."
"Best medicine ever! I have taken Protonix for over 5 years now with no complaints other than when I run out and have to use over-the-counter meds that do not work. I usually take the Protonix first thing in the morning. It lasts all day. There have been times I have forgotten to take it first thing in the morning, however, no matter when I take it, the pill still works within 15 minutes of being taken as if I had taken it in the morning."
"I took this medication until my HMO dropped it from their formulary. While taking it, I felt great. I took only one a day, and if I forgot to take it or forgot to refill it before running out, I could miss a day or two without the heartburn returning. My doctor subsequently put me on Prilosec, twice a day. If I miss one, heartburn returns with a vengeance. If I miss a whole day, it takes three to five days to get the heartburn under control, again."
"Protonix totally eliminates my throat pain, hoarseness, reflux, etc. After 6 years, my insurance decided not to cover it, so for the last few months, I've been on several other medicines, and they just don't work. My doctor is trying to convince them I need the Protonix. Wish me luck."
"I have had GERD as long as I can remember. It wasn't quite so bad before pregnancy that I decided against medication. Since becoming pregnant, it was to the point of throwing up stomach acid a few times a day, and I could barely move. We tried a few other medications that just did not work. I have been on Protonix for 1 month, and I have not had a single bit of heartburn since the very first day I took it."
"I had tried every other medicine out there, and none of them has worked for me like Protonix does. In combination with Carafate, I feel like me again. The chest pain, burping, and burning have almost completely gone away. No side effects at all. I highly recommend this medication."
"My GERD mainly affected my voice and was the source of mild chest pain. I started Protonix about a week ago and it's been a massive help already. I feel like I can finally breathe again. I've tried OTC drugs in the past such as omeprazole and Gaviscon, but neither helped. I'm virtually symptom-free now and have experienced no side effects."
