Too much acid. What works? PPI's scare me. - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

menopatty · 09-01-2008, 01:12 PM

I'm on 20 mgs protonix and just increased to
twice a day and I still have burning in
my chest and throat. Also a tight feeling in my windpipe with
a wheeze. Feels like I have a chest cold.
I've tried herbal rememdies, mild diet, propping myself up at night
but I still wake up at 4 or 5 a.m. with burning inside.
Sometimes I have a light cramping after eating in my upper central
abdomen..just under ribs. I've had this heartburn for a month now
and it's getting worse. What is it??

MountainReader · 09-01-2008, 10:33 PM

PPI's work differently for each person. If Protonix doesn't work well for you, you might try another. Gaviscon is what my GI doc recommends to supplement use with PPI's. It is supposed to create a foam barrier after a meal.

Are you avoiding trigger foods with your diet?

How are you propping yourself up? Raising the head of your bed 6-10 inches is the most effective, pillows will cause your stomach to scrunch.

runnningmom · 09-04-2008, 03:53 PM

My husband recently got off PPIs with the help of a naturopath, after years of dealing with acid reflux. What we learned is that what happens with PPIs is they turn off the pumps, but the body needs acid and is built to balance itself out, so it makes more proton pumps, which start producing acid- thats the reason most people have to continue to increase their dosage and its the reason for the "rebound effect" (all those extra pumps are all producing acid at once, and it can take months for them to shut down- if you stop your PPI you should step down slowly).

DH had the same pain/lump in his chest and what we learned about that is this- the LES muscle is sensitive to acid. Its the acid in the stomach that causes it to clamp down and keep the stomach contents in the stomach. PPIs change the acidity in the stomach, but does nothing to get the LES muscle to close- infact the lack of acid allows it to become slack and even atrophy. Thats part of the whole "maybe you need more acid not less" arguement.

Dh changed his diet radically, basically he was eating gently cooked protiens and fruits and vegetables with a few whole grains thrown in (like an occasional serving of brown rice) No sugar, refined carbs, chocolate, caffiene, etc. Not only did he completely wipe out his reflux/heartburn but he lowered his cholesterol by 60points! He was on that very strict diet for about 2 months and has now added stuff back in without a problem.