I was recently diagnosed with bile reflux and prescribed carafate. Has any one had a positive experience with carafate as a form of treatment with the same illness. If so how did it take?
Has anyone used Carafate to treat bile reflux - did it work?
Question posted by gt23hot on 19 Sep 2010
Last updated on 2 September 2018
Answers
Burton81
21 Sep 2010
I developed bad acid and/or bile reflux a few months after gall bladder surgery. I tried serveral H2 and PPI medications with some relief but I was still miserable. My GI doctor prescribed carafate 3 times a day and told me to desolve them in water for better coating. This worked very well even though I had to supplement with antacids once in a while. I took this for two months then switched to nexium which also helped. After a month I switched to protonix which helped even more. I supplement with antacids(pepcid,malox) as needed once in a while. My reason for leaving carafate was the problem of having to time them around meals and other medications.
lovemom
26 Dec 2010
Burton 81, I was recently diagnosed with bile reflux after my GB surgery as well and am taking carafate three times a day. My doctor took me off my protonix. How are you doing not taking the carafate and just the nexium and how is your diet?
Burton81
27 Dec 2010
Hi lovemom, As I noted in my original statement I took Nexium for a month and switched back to Protonix because that is what my doctor prefered that I take. I felt good with Nexium but better with Protonix. I have been taking Protonix for over six months and doing very well. Once in a while I have a bad day but there are many days that I can forget about my reflux. I am on a normal diet but avoid very spicy food. If I eat something that causes problems I take antacids such as Pepcid, Malox or Titralac. Once in a while I can get away with eating a bit of chocolate or drinking a little wine without problems. I hope that your reflux improves.
lovemom
27 Dec 2010
Were you diagnosed by an EGD? I'm so glad you're feeling better!
lovemom
27 Dec 2010
Thanks for your input. If you don't mind, I might sporadically ask you some questions since you have been through this and are doing much better. I really want to get the point where you are. I am taking the carafate and after I take it, it is such a relief, but like you said it is difficult to take it if taking other meds or vitamins. I f/u with my GI specialist at the end of Jan. and will ask him (if I am feeling better) if I can get back on protonix and supplement with carafate or antacids as needed. Thanks again! Lovemom
Burton81
27 Dec 2010
lovemom, I am sorry i don't know what EGD means but I was diagnosed by a GI specialist with the help of an Endoscopy and an Upper GI Series done at the local hospital. The GI specialist was the one who told me to take the carafate by desoving it first in some water. I think this really helped me because it coats your esophagus as well as your stomach. By the way, I did'nt supplement with carafate once I stopped taking it and started with the Protonix. I only supplemented with antacids. I'll be glad to answer your questions if you think it will help.
lovemom
27 Dec 2010
Thanks so much and and EGD is an upper Endoscopy.
lovemom
28 Dec 2010
Hey Burton. ! just wanted to know if they told you you had bile reflux or acid reflux?
Burton81
29 Dec 2010
The doctor was'nt sure but he thought I had acid reflux since they found a small hiatal hernia and maybe some bile reflux as well which apparently is hard to diagnose.
Iman94
5 Nov 2011
Gerd and Bile Reflux are two completely different issues. Bile reflux is bile backwashing into your stomach. GERD or acid reflux is stomach acid refluxing into your esophagus. BR can exacerbate GERD, but it is different than GERD. My son, who beat Hodgkin Lymphoma this year, has both. He was on Nexium since January as that is a standard St Jude protocol when going through chemo. It worked well until a few months ago, but then it stopped working and he was switched to Dexilant. This stronger GERD drug is working well so far. He was just diagnosed with Bile Reflux Disorder two weeks ago after an endoscope. He has been having stomach pain for a while since he had his Gallbladder removed... yes gallbladder removal can lead to this problem in some people.
I don't mean to come off preachy or like a know it all, but taking GERD medicine will not stop your Bile Reflux. There is a drug that you can try (ursodeoxycholic acid) that will help the bile to flow the proper direction (to intestine not into stomach), but our GI told us this drug can cause tremors and twitching. My son went through numerous issues because of the chemo and frankly has been through hell this year and had a drug that caused similar issues so the GI Doc did not want to subject him to this other drug.
I have also read there are possible surgical options, but they have mixed results
In any case, I know this is painful for my son but he is living with it and it is just one of the things he is now living with since the chemo treatment (chemo sucks ..kills the bad guys (thank you) but also kills a lot of good guys in your body).
Good luck to all of you.
Medic1108
28 Nov 2016
I was diagnosed with drb, and Gerd, and several small hernias. They have me on carafate, protonix, and pepcid. I've been on these all for over 6 months. It helps and usually I don't have any problems, but lately have been getting worse and nobody seems to know what to do for the heart burn reflux or pain. They did give me Zofran for the nausea. Has anybody had this problem or know what I could do?
Lore73
2 Sep 2018
I had gallbladder surgery. I had many complications chest pain, difficulty breathing and spasms, but the worst by far is this dusgusting yellow liquid that comes to my Tongue. I tried to brush my teeth and tongue but the bitter taste won't go Away. Dr gave me carafate 3 times a day, hard to take with the 2 hrs between other meds and food. But it helps. Would this go away or remain thete for life. This taste in my mouth is Disgusting. I don't even feel like ever dating again. Its like having my liver in my mouth. Very depressing.
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Further information
- Carafate uses and safety info
- Carafate prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Carafate (detailed)
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