This post is sponsored by Mirum but opinions expressed are my own.
Many years ago, uncomfortable symptoms began to wake me from a dead sleep. I was terrified the first time it happened as it felt like I was choking on vomit that suddenly and without warning rushed through my system. I had no idea what it was until I visited my doctor. After a short conversation, he diagnosed me with Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
My doctor’s first line of defense: medication. Never mind the fact that I was morbidly obese, ate foods known to cause frequent heartburn, and often ate late at night.
We tried several medications until we found one that worked. Of course, it was the most expensive med on the market and required several insurance company approvals before it was covered (at the highest copay tier). We also had to progressively increase the dose until we found something that worked.
If I went a day without it, sleeping was unbearable and sometimes I had breakthrough heartburn during the day. Later, my dose was increased to twice daily—which also doubled the overall cost (much of which was covered by my insurance company).
I took this high dose medication for ten or more years. A few years ago, I became more conscious of my health choices and made decisions to reduce my symptoms and ultimately, the number of medications I took. Also, the brand name medication changed to over the counter instead of a prescription and my insurance company stopped paying for it.
In tandem with these changes, I lost a significant amount of weight and began dancing regularly. Both of these activities helped to reduce my overall problem with GERD.
But the heartburn hasn’t gone away permanently and is especially troublesome with certain foods. I switched to over the counter meds (originally with the brand name med and then I used the generic, omeprazole for the cost savings).
Here’s what I found:
- I was grateful I no longer needed the expensive name brand medication. I was even more grateful I could get by with taking it once a day instead of twice every day. Later, I chose to go med-free.
- The more I exercised and lost weight, the less I was bothered by heartburn.
- Certain food choices (and the time I consumed them) mattered. The more I could manage my consumption, the better I could manage the GERD.
- I wasn’t perfect with this management and sometimes I needed help to manage the symptoms.
Around the same time I was frustrated with my imperfect consumption management and the resulting symptoms, I was given an opportunity to try a new product—Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT).
This new innovation in Omeprazole is now available at retailers nationwide. It’s also the only heartburn medication available as an easy-to-take disintegrating tablet.
Here’s what I like about it:
- It’s convenient to find. You can pick it up at your local —Use our store locator to find retailers near you.
- It’s inexpensive. In California, I purchased a 14-day supply for around $10.
- It’s effective. It works just as well as the brand and generic alternatives I’ve taken.
- It’s easy to take. You can take the tablet on the go and don’t need a glass of water. It just dissolves in your mouth (thanks to MELTech™ formula that makes the tablet dissolve on your tongue).
- It’s long lasting. It provides relief of heartburn symptoms for up to 24 hours.
Taking charge of your own health is a great thing. However, it’s also a process. I’m glad there are options and alternatives to treat frequent heartburn that fit my lifestyle.
If you’re wondering if you can benefit from orally dissolving tablets, learn more here.
#DissolveHeartburn
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Photo credit: Melissa Drake
Editor’s note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person.
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