I have IBS and I am lactose intolerant and now have stomach ulcers. I was prescribed dexilant which?

I had some really bad ulcers in 1988 - 1990. I couldn't get better until Prilosec was invented. I looked up dexilant right here at dc, and it is a drug in the same family of drugs as Prilosec. It's called a proton pump inhibitor. I think it's the best family of drugs for ulcers. If it doesn't work, ask your doc for something different. But these drugs take up to 3 days to become fully effective. In addition he should have told you to use Mylanta for immediate pain relief. I think you also need to be on antibiotics because we now know a very common bacteria is usually the cause of ulcers. However, your doc may want to heal the ulcers before giving you antibiotics. That would make sense. I have also taken Zantac and Prilosec the same day. Doc's prefer not to do that because you need some stomach acid, and they are afraid of reducing it too much. But it is something you can ask about. However, beware of generic prescription Zantac. I have some that cause harm. I take the OTC ones when I need them. And please don't take anything without your doc knowing about it. You can make yourself get worse. I found out ulcers are nothing to laugh about.

Lactose intolerant means no dairy or milk products right? That's good, because dairy products cause the stomach to produce more acid, which is bad when you have ulcers. Usually diet doesn't matter with the new drugs, such as you now take. But there are things to avoid. No alcohol or caffeine. That also means no chocolate, or cola sodas. You can have 7-Up or Diet 7-Up.

No well done or over cooked meats. The more you cook a meat the more acid is necessary to break it down. So keep meat on the rare side, but not too rare. Too rare is just as bad as over cooked. Veggies are the opposite. No raw veggies. Make veggies over cooked. The softer the better. I think fruits should be avoided, or very few, unless it's a baked apple. Again, raw fruits need more acid to break down. Breads and bread products are fine, and maybe best. I actually lived on bread and water for a week or so. If worse comes to worse (and it did with me) eat Baby Food. If a baby can digest it, you can too. You must eat enough to keep your strength up. You also need to keep bread handy if you hear stomach acid in your stomach. You can hear your stomach squirting acid when you're hungry. If you hear that sound, and your stomach is empty, quickly eat bread or a cookie. If you don't give the acid something to work on, it will make the ulcers worse. Cereal should also be ok, but without milk, or course. I think fish is ok, but don't fry it. In fact, nothing fried in oil at all. And avoid anything high in fats. I believe yogurt is OK. I never liked yogurt so I never tried it. Basically you can't eat that much until the ulcers heal somewhat. Just don't leave your stomach empty. A little food often is better than a lot at once.

And if you have burning after you eat, 1 hour later take some Mylanta. I used to take Mylanta often. If the Dexilant doesn't help after 2 weeks, tell your doc. There are many different drugs to try nowadays. You shouldn't have to go through what I went through 27 years ago. And I too have IBS. What a lovely condition that is. I'd like to shoot it at dawn. LOL

One more thing. There is a somewhat newer drug called Protonix. I was given this in the hospital instead of my Prilosec. It DID NOT work for me at all. But the drug reps really push this pill so docs use it a lot. Some people say it's great, it didn't work on me at all. So again, I never tried Dexilant. If you don't feel better after 1 or 2 weeks at the most, ask for a different med. There are so many. Also, don't try otc Prilosec. It isn't the same as the prescription Prilosec. But any of these drugs should help after 2 weeks. So let the 2 week mark be your guide.

Good Luck. I hope all this has helped some.