Month: April 2010

I have had acid reflux off and on in the past, but it has been much better recently. About one year ago, a doctor looked down my esophagus and into my stomach (a test he called an upper endoscopy). My esophagus was inflamed and I was told to take the medication Aciphex indefinitely. I rarely have heartburn and never need antacids. I certainly don't want to take this medicine forever. If I eat less acidic foods and don't experience heartburn, is it necessary to take this drug to keep my esophagus healthy?

I have recently started having a problem with swallowing foods. It seems like my throat muscles just stopped working. What could this be? It is really starting to bother me.

I understand that many of the antidepressants on the market are used to treat both depression and anxiety. I have tried three different antidepressants to treat my depression (Celexa, Zoloft, and Effexor) and they all cause me to experience anxiety as a side effect. Since these drugs are also used to treat anxiety, can you explain how this is possible?

Is it possible that, after 4 months of jogging three times a week for 45 minutes that the dosage of my antidepressant, sertraline, would need to be adjusted downward because my body is now creating the same antidepressant effect on its own?

Every time I eat dairy, I get diarrhea and have to run to the bathroom almost the whole day. But when I use products such as Lactaid, I get constipated. What is wrong here? Are there vitamins I need to take to obtain a healthy and normal bowel movement?