Calcium Carbonate for GERD

[Chels911]

I don't really know where to put this, but im assuming it iwll be moved if its in the wrong spot......

I'm a senior nursing student and i had a patient who had a hx. of GERD, most commonly occuring at night. He was on Zantac, 150mg daily. When the nurse was helping me with the admission i asked if he was still taking his "Tums" for acid refulx (which was listed as a medication he took at home) he stated that he does not take tums anymore because he was told that calcium carbonate and magnesium actually make you build up more acid after it has worn off. He stated it does help him but now refuses to take them when he his having reflux.

Is that true??? I havent found anything in the literature about that.

[AgentBeast, BSN, RN]

Sounds like hokum to me. There are negative feedback mechanisms that would prevent any such "buildup" of gastric acid.

[lyceeboo]

Calcium precipitates acid so yes there is a rebound effect of acid from Tums.

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=18156

The Truth About Antacids

[LJ85, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN]

All I know is tums ain't cuttin it anymore for me. I have had mild gerd for a while now, but since I started on overnighhts it seems it just gets worse after tums. Every few hours I'm taking more. A least I'm getting my calcium, haha.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Hmm, you learn something new everyday.

[Psychtrish39, BSN, RN]

All I know is tums ain't cuttin it anymore for me. I have had mild gerd for a while now, but since I started on overnighhts it seems it just gets worse after tums. Every few hours I'm taking more. A least I'm getting my calcium, haha.

LJ85,

It may be from working nights. I dont have GERD but when I do nights consistently my stomach is tore up and acidic from lack of sleep. I think it is a stress response in my body. I take Tums too. I am in my 40s so I need the calcium.