Here's the catch

If you think you’ve heard everything on the subject of heartburn, acid reflux, and the pharmaceuticals that treat those problems, keep reading. Because I have some information about a popular acid reflux medication that has one insidious side effect that gives the users of this drug a very strong incentive to continue using it.

In an e-Alert I sent you last year (“Fire Down Below” 12/23/02,) HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., told you how gastroesophageal problems can be easily and inexpensively treated in most cases by using acidophilus and digestive enzymes. That e-Alert struck such a deep nerve with members that, three months later, I’m still receiving responses.

One of those responses arrived just last week from a member named Stuart who addressed his e-mail directly to Dr. Spreen. His comments, and Dr. Spreen’s responses, provide unique insights into the dangers of heartburn drugs and just how complex digestion can be.

The trap

Stuart begins his e-mail with a success story about how he was able to slowly wean himself off the expensive acid reflux drug Prevacid by following Dr. Spreen’s instructions. Needless to say, he was pleased with these results, but then a new problem started. Stuart writes:

“I began getting a sharp pain on my left side near the stomach area when not taking the Prevacid. So I saw my gastro doctor and he said when people go off Prevacid, it causes some hardening of matter in the upper colon and thus the pain I was having. I also began getting hemorrhoids when going off the Prevacid. So now I am back to being a slave to the Prevacid but still taking the acidophilus and enzymes.”

Amazing. Here’s a drug that promises to solve problems, but then creates an additional dependence. I asked Dr. Spreen to comment on Stuart’s e-mail, and here’s his reply:

“I had not heard of such a problem with Prevacid, but obviously the gastroenterologist has. Assuming that’s true, it’s sure another reason to try moving heaven and earth to avoid the stuff.

“Hardening of the stool is a well-known cause of hemorrhoids. Usually that’s due to the high intake of refined flour in the modern diet, which has no fiber and subsequently becomes a solid ball that the body has difficulty moving through the intestines. The normal wave-like motion (peristalsis) has no fiber to ‘grab onto,’ hence it works harder to get the fecal matter through, with the straining causing hemorrhoids (and possibly diverticulosis). It’s always amazing to me how the ‘simple’ action of a single drug working on a solitary symptom so often tends to come with complications.”

The road back to digestive health

Dr. Spreen goes on to outline a suggested dietary plan for Stuart that includes good basic advice for just about everyone:

“My first reaction would be to remove all (read that ALL) refined flour products from the diet, along with all refined sugar foods (using the word ‘food’ very loosely in this context). Even fruit juice I’d change to eating whole fruit (with edible skins), and instead, drinking only pure deep-well spring water.

“The idea here is that whole foods carry along the natural fiber nature originally put in there to help the ‘stuff’ through the body. Pure water (not juice, coffee or Kool-Aid) helps keep things softened when added to the fiber that’s supposed to be there. This does not remove 100% stone ground whole grain products (pastas, breads, etc.), but you’d have to make sure they are legitimately entirely whole grain.”

Cleaning up

In his e-mail, Stuart wondered if a good colon cleanser would be helpful in addressing the unpleasant side effect of the Prevacid. Dr. Spreen’s response:

“I am an advocate of colon cleansing. Whether it’s done by different dietary means (juicing, fasting, etc.) or more drastic measures, there are many avenues that can get the job done. My favorite has been ‘bowel tolerance vitamin C,’ where increasing doses of vitamin C are taken until diarrhea is caused, flushing out the bowel’s contents. Whatever way, I’ve run into too many people who’ve had too positive a response to shun the thought of bowel cleansing. Finding the way that fits your lifestyle and schedule is something else again!”

Beyond the treatment of symptoms

Dr. Spreen concludes his suggestions for Stuart with these comments:

“Nutrient therapies are not always simple ‘on-off,’ ‘black-or-white’ situations. That’s because, unlike drug therapies, we’re trying to alter a symptom by truly correcting the cause (assuming we even know what it is), or at least establishing an environment within the body such that the body can begin its own repair. That makes such remedies more involved than a simple ‘purple pill.’ However, the reward is that, when you get a response, you know you are truly BETTER, not just covering up a symptom.”

My thanks to Dr. Spreen for his careful consideration and insights into the specifics of Stuart’s case, which serves as a caution to anyone who may be considering an expensive prescription drug therapy to address heartburn or acid reflux.

Stuart closed his e-mail with this request: “If you know of a doctor I should see in the New York Metro area, please let me know.”

As always with this sort of question I would recommend that Stuart contact the American College for the Advancement in Medicine at www.acam.org, 1-800-532-3688. And with that Dr. Spreen agrees, noting that Stuart, or anyone else who pursues an alternate therapy, should seek consultation with a healthcare provider to weigh options and monitor progress.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute