Is Mylanta still marketed?

November 20, 2012 By

Q: I had been using Mylanta for a few years before it was taken off the market. It worked really well for me. Can you tell me why it was taken off the market or if there will be new Mylanta on the market soon? Thank you.

A: To the best of my knowledge, Mylanta wasn’t taken off the market. However, nearly a year before you wrote, there was a recall of 12 Mylanta products and one AlternaGel product due to a labeling error. The recall was initiated by the manufacturer after an internal review found that alcohol (from flavoring) was not noted on the packaging. The amounts were very small (less than 1%) and didn’t pose any health risks to users, but the company choose to recall all products containing the inaccurate labeling.
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Another drug’s side effects outweigh the benefits

October 31, 2012 By

Q: I went to my doctor recently because of symptoms of GERD. My doctor whom I trust and respect the opinion of put me on Nexium that I took for 12 days before discontinuing it. I suffered every symptom in the book and returned to tell him. I even went to the Nexium website and read the less common side effects. That endeavor was followed by a trip to the emergency room and a cast being placed on my arm to immobilize it because of the excruciating pain. I was not prepared for any of the issues I incurred because of my symptoms of reflux but it shows just what can happen.

Why don’t drug manufacturers tell us up front what could happen if we purchase their drugs?
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Reader finds relief from reflux

April 30, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I want to thank you for printing the article from the reader who submitted his or her experience with acid reflux and crunchy foods. For quite some time I had been experiencing symptoms after eating foods like granola bars, pretzels and nuts, which would then set me up to also have trouble after eating just about anything else later in the day.

All of the research that I did indicated that these foods should not have been triggers but they were for me. I was at the end of my rope until I saw your article and tried what the reader suggested.

For the past four days I have been limiting crunchy foods and have been chewing extensively. I have not had a single GERD symptom in those four days (miracle!). I have even been consuming acidy foods (that would typically be avoidance foods) with no problems. [Read more…]

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Glutamine may not heal inflammation

November 25, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had inflamed esophagus most likely due to acid reflux that I have had on occasion. I recently went to my doctor and he put me on Protonix. I mentioned to him that I had read on the internet that L-glutamine is good for helping heal an inflamed esophagus. He said unless this information is coming from a reliable medical source I shouldn’t put too much faith in these internet articles concerning home remedies for health treatment. I am curious if you have had any readers in the past mention anything concerning taking L-glutamine to help heal inflamed esophagus.

DEAR READER: L-glutamine, also known as glutamine, is the most abundant of the amino acids. It important for the removal of ammonia (a common waste) and helps the immune system function normally. It also appears to be required for digestion and normal brain function. [Read more…]

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Diet may be to blame for appetite, cough

November 1, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 14-year-old grandson for years has had a huge appetite and is never satisfied. Unfortunately, he grew up on fast food and his mother’s home cooking added to the problem, no matter how we urged her to cook healthier foods. He is about 40 pounds overweight. He was never a fast walker or runner, and therefore, doesn’t like sports.

Recently he developed a very deep “croopy” cough, especially in the morning. Doctors blame it on postnasal drip. He also has very bad breath and nothing seems to help. He also has occasional heartburn. I remember reading a letter to you from a woman who said her cough was cured by using Prevacid.
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Some GERD drugs may cause bone loss

September 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Is it safe to take Prilosec daily as long as I am taking calcium citrate to protect my bones?

DEAR READER: Drugs such as Prilosec are used as acid suppressors and are believed to be the second-leading-selling medication worldwide. In May 2010, the Food and Drug Administration determined that Nexium, Dexilant, Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix and Aciphex might include a warning on their labels regarding the possibility of fracture risk, stating proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may interfere with the ability of our digestive tracts to absorb calcium.
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Woman suffers with mouth ulcers for 38 years

August 16, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: This isn’t a question; it’s more like a testimonial. I have been plagued with canker sores since I was 20 years old and five months’ pregnant. I have been hospitalized for dehydration and have been entered in the medical books with pictures of my mouth and throat. I had more than 250 ulcers at once.

I have been to the Mayo Clinic. I have seen approximately 80 doctors over the years, including a neurologist, oral surgeons, general practitioners and dermatologists. The medications have included dapsone, thalidomide, steroids, antibiotics and a smallpox inoculation.
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Alternative causes of chronic cough

March 13, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In January 2011, your column responded to a 19-year-old who had a chronic cough for 16 months. I, too, had a chronic cough whenever I sat, stood, laughed, was around smoke or after exercising. It lasted more than 15 months. My other symptom was hoarseness with a sensation of something in the back of my throat. I had been put on prescription cough syrups and pills. I had also tried some of the same medicines that were mentioned in your column, including those for asthma, acid reflux and allergies. I was asked about acid reflux but hadn’t had the usual symptoms for it. I saw an allergist and a pulmonologist. I had a chest X-ray, allergy tests, CT scans of my sinuses, breathing tests and a bronchial scope.

While awaiting an appointment with yet another doctor about the cough, I had my yearly pap test, and blood was also found in my stool. [Read more…]

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Colonel mustard to the rescue

February 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: For many years, I have had severe heartburn. I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia and was prescribed Nexium. Then I switched to Prilosec because of the exorbitant price of the first drug.

I tried to be health conscious and didn’t like taking drugs, so I attempted natural remedies, including calcium citrate mixed with AbsorbAid. Only the drugs worked.

Then two weeks ago, I stumbled on an article about the benefits of mustard for heartburn. It said to mix 2 teaspoons of mustard with a half glass of water at the first sign of heartburn. I stopped taking Prilosec and tried French’s mustard. I haven’t had heartburn since!
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Gallstones may be cause of GERD

February 13, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: This is in response to the writer diagnosed with GERD and a hiatal hernia who questioned taking omeprazole. Several years ago, I suffered with the same symptoms and the same diagnosis. Medication did not help me, and finally, after a CT scan, gallstones were discovered. I had laparoscopic surgery to remove my gallbladder and repair the hernia. I have not had any problems since.

DEAR READER: When gallstones form, they can cause a blockage that may cause bile to build up, leading to inflammation and/or pain. The pain can often be confused with that caused by stomach acid.
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