Tom Coplai
"Within a few hours, I had relief."
Heartburn type: Frequent
Age: 60
Hometown: Waynesboro, VA
Tom's life with heartburn
I lead an active life — between my job, international travel, hiking, skiing and enjoying my favorite foods, I don't have time for heartburn! I used to experience heartburn frequently — not every day, but about two or more days per week. My heartburn seemed to get worse once I hit my fifties.
The heartburn constantly made me uncomfortable. I experienced a bile taste in my mouth and I felt food sitting in my stomach — like a knot at the bottom of my breastbone. I tried taking antacids by the handful, but I couldn't get relief.
When I started traveling internationally more, my heartburn became a greater problem. It was harder for me to watch what I ate. Tomatoes and fried foods easily triggered my symptoms. I wouldn't go anywhere without my antacids.
Tom takes control of his heartburn
One Thanksgiving, my symptoms became unbearable, and because it was a holiday, my doctor was unavailable. I decided to talk with my pharmacist about the symptoms I was having. He recommended an over-the-counter PPI. He reassured me that it would help relieve my symptoms, but that if I didn't feel better in a few days, I should contact my physician.
Within hours, I felt better. I was extremely pleased that I had finally found something that worked. Once I finished the regimen of the medication, I felt great. Taking the right medication for my frequent heartburn has allowed me to eat foods that once made me uncomfortable. I take the recommended dose of medication once every 3-4 months, and I feel great. In fact, now I'm able to leave my antacids at home when I travel.
Tom's new outlook
The medication has allowed me to get my life back. I can travel wherever I want and not have to worry that what I eat or drink will make my trips less enjoyable. I still stay away from fried foods for the health benefits, but other than that I can really eat whatever I want now.
I've recommended my treatment to several of my friends and family who have experienced the same thing. Many of them commented on the change they saw in me after I was able to get my heartburn under control. I'm just happy I took my pharmacists' advice that night!
NHBA on Tom's Story:
Tom qualifies as a frequent heartburn sufferer because he experienced heartburn 2 or more days per week. Tom talked to his pharmacist, who recommended he try an over-the-counter PPI. PPIs, powerful inhibitors of stomach acid production, virtually shut down the acid pumps in cells of the stomach where stomach acid is produced, leaving enough acid for normal digestion of food. Tom responded well to the appropriate treatment and now has his heartburn under control.
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