Your stomach acid pill may be killing your kidneys.

Are you taking one of these?
omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC),
lansoprazole (Prevacid, Prevacid 24-Hour),
dexlansoprazole (Dexilent, Kapidex)
rabeprazole (Aciphex),
pantoprazole (Protonix),
esomeprazole (Nexium), and
Zegarid, a rapid release form of omeprazole.

Science Daily reports LINK

Quote :

Two new studies show that increased use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medications that treat reflux and stomach ulcers, may be contributing to the CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease - Eric) epidemic.

In one study, Benjamin Lazarus, MBBS (Johns Hopkins University) and his colleagues followed 10,482 adults with normal kidney function from 1996 to 2011. They found that PPI users were between 20% and 50% more likely to develop CKD than non-PPI users, even after accounting for baseline differences between users and non-users. This discovery was replicated in a second study, in which over 240,000 patients were followed from 1997 to 2014. "In both studies, people who used a different class of medications to suppress stomach acid, known as H2-blockers, did not have a higher risk of developing kidney disease," said Dr. Lazarus. "If we know the potential adverse effects of PPI medications we can design better interventions to reduce overuse."

Examples of H2-blockers (not known for higher risks):

Generic Name Brand Name
cimetidine Tagamet
famotidine Pepcid
nizatidine Axid
ranitidine Zantac

The Facts About Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) From Kidney.org

26 million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk.

Early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.

Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with CKD.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best estimate of kidney function.

Hypertension causes CKD and CKD causes hypertension.

Persistent proteinuria (protein in the urine) means CKD is present.

High risk groups include those with diabetes, hypertension and family history of kidney failure.

African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Seniors are at increased risk.

Two simple tests can detect CKD: blood pressure, urine albumin and serum creatinine.

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What are the symptoms of CKD?
Most people may not have any severe symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. However, you may notice that you:

feel more tired and have less energy

have trouble concentrating

have a poor appetite

have trouble sleeping

have muscle cramping at night

have swollen feet and ankles

have puffiness around your eyes, especially in the morning

have dry, itchy skin

need to urinate more often, especially at night.

Anyone can get chronic kidney disease at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop kidney disease. You may have an increased risk for kidney disease if you:

have diabetes

have high blood pressure

have a family history of kidney failure

are older

belong to a population group that has a high rate of diabetes or high blood pressure, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians.

I take Nexium and if I didn't take something of the sort I couldn't swallow at all. Now I'm worrying because I've noticed I have puffy eyes lately, I never sleep very well, I get charlie horses at night, and I also have diabetes and am definitely "older."
But my doctor says my kidneys are ok.
Maybe he's lying.

Now I won't be able to sleep because I'll worry about my doctor being a liar.
And he seemed like such a nice guy.......