This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org. When Phyllis Robinson, 55, of Baltimore, began experiencing GERD — more commonly known as acid reflux — about three years ago, she sought advice from her doctor and began taking an over-the-counter medication.
The medicine worked for about six months, but she suddenly noticed not only did the GERD return, but she started experiencing side effects with unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety (which she had never experienced) and severe muscle pain. “All my blood tests showed nothing, and doctors could not figure it out,” recalls Robinson. Robinson was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and referred for eight weeks of physical therapy, which did nothing for her symptoms. “I forgot to take my medication one day and noticed the pain was significantly better the next day,” says Robinson. “When I resumed the medication the next day, the pain came back, along with gas and bloating.” Robinson connected the dots and stopped her medication. She says she slowly improved each day until the pain was gone. Plus: 5 things to know about the new COVID-19 vaccineIt’s not the medication, but our bodies “The medications aren’t changing as we get older, but our physiology,” says Dr. Marc Helzer of the University of Michigan Health- West Rockford in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Robert Alesiani is also a board-certified geriatric pharmacist and chief pharmaceutical therapy officer for TabulaRasa Healthcare in Morristown, New Jersey. “If a person is on blood pressure medication for 30 years, for example, the response …
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