Tri-State Neighbor: South Dakota Farm Newspaper

Q:After taking Aciphex to treat serious heartburn for four years, I developed a severe vitamin B-12 deficiency. I complained to my doctor about being extremely tired all the time. I needed to rest after just a simple task.

I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I had to beg to have my B-12 levels tested, because my doctor didn't think it was a problem, but we found out it was.

When I contacted the manufacturer of Aciphex, the company seemed uninterested in my experience. Vitamin B-12 levels drop very slowly, so the problem wouldn't show up in just one year, and studies don't last longer.

The companies make tons of money on acid-reflux drugs, and I'd like to see them take some responsibility in studying the long-term consequences of these medications.

A:Acid-suppressing drugs (PPIs) like Aciphex, Nexium, omeprazole, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix relieve symptoms of reflux. There is a downside, however. Stomach acid is essential for absorbing calcium, vitamin B-12 and even thyroid hormone (levothyroxine, Synthroid). People who take acid-suppressing drugs long term may be at increased risk for hip fractures.

Cases of vitamin B-12 deficiency have been linked to acid-suppressor therapy (Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, March 2008). Symptoms of this nutritional deficiency include fatigue, confusion and memory problems, peripheral neuropathy, constipation and depression.

Getting off acid-suppressing drugs can be challenging. Acid rebound can last for months after stopping such medications.

Q:I take lisinopril for high blood pressure and occasionally have a cough that cough syrup can't touch. My doctor told me that his patients have had amazing success with benzonatate to address this issue. It works for me, too.

A:Thanks for the tip. Benzonatate (Tessalon) is not appropriate for anyone allergic to local anesthetics like procaine (Novocain).

An iron supplement also may help with this kind of cough (Hypertension, August 2001). Switching to another kind of blood pressure medication may solve the problem as well.

Q:For about 20 years, I had chronic pain from a muscle knotted up in my back. I tried unsuccessfully to address it with adjustments from a chiropractor. A massage therapist recently recommended applying castor oil, covering the area with felt and then putting on a heating pad. It has taken three treatments, but the results are dramatic.

A:Castor oil applied topically has been reported to ease bruising. We're impressed that it relieved your muscle pain.

Q:My son developed a wart on the bottom of his foot. He didn't take care of it as I told him to, so it grew and multiplied until it caused considerable pain when walking.

By then nothing he tried helped. His doctor wouldn't touch it and recommended a visit to a specialist.

I told him to get some fresh turmeric, but all he could find was the powder. I suggested he make a paste with a little oil. Mixing it with a few drops of olive oil and covering it with a bandage took away the warts and all of the pain in a couple of days. It has been several weeks since treatment, and the warts have not returned.

A:You are the second person who has reported success with turmeric against plantar warts (warts on the sole of the foot). Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antiviral activity (Virology, April 10, 2008). That might explain your success.

Q:I get cold sores occasionally, and for years have taken L-lysine tablets as soon as I feel one coming on. I continue to take several tablets a day for a few days until all signs of a cold sore are gone. It works like a charm.

A:Many readers agree with you. As far as we can tell, L-lysine has few side effects.

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