My female friend who is 56 yrs. old was told to stop taking Nexium for acid reflux because Nexium blocks calcium absorption, she is taking protonics. She has good bone density so lack of calcium is not a problem for her right now. In addition, about a year ago, she was given Lipitor for cholesterol control.

She had a scope put down her throat last year and it was determined she has acid reflux, but she had nothing else.

A few weeks ago she had the scope done and the doctor told her she has multiple ulcers! The doctor is putting her back on Nexium. She is wondering whether stopping the Nexium gave her ulcers. I told her that both duodenal and stomach ulcers are listed as side effects of Lipitor. Her ulcers are not bleeding, and she wasn't told whether she has duodenal or stomach ulcers.
She has a blood condition called ITP which causes excessive bleeding, her platlet count is controlled by medication. The last thing she needs is bleeding ulcers!

She had her gall bladder tested a few weeks ago and has gall stones. I told her that Lipitor deposits the cholesterol in the gall bladder and doesn't eliminate it from the system, like eating fiber would.

I was thinking maybe she shouldn't be taking Lipitor with her ulcers and gall stone problems. She keeps complaining she has a crushing feeling in her chest.

Anyway, does anyone think discontinuing the Nexium or taking Lipitor may have caused her ulcers?

Thanks so much!