Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonnstar
Rather than stopping a PPI cold turkey, I would suggest the following
1. Reduce your PPI to 20mg per day of Prilosec, nexium, or the equivalent of the other PPI's. Stay on 20mg for 2 weeks if you have been on a higher dose.
2. Stop the PPI, and start taking Zantac 150mg twice a day. Take this for 2 weeks. Keep some Gaviscon or Tums in your pocket for breakthrough symptoms.
3. Reduce the Zantac to 75mg twice a day. Take this for 2 weeks. Again, have Gaviscon or Tums avaliable.
4. Stop the Zantac, but always carry some Gaviscon (best) or Tums or Mylanta in your pocket, and take a dose as soon as you feel any symptoms starting.
I think this is a very sound step down approach to PPI withdrawal. I stopped the Aciphex cold turkey because I was so freaked out by the DEXA scan results that showed I had gone from normal bone density to advanced osteopenia on both hips. It would not have hurt me to gradually decrease the Aciphex to wean myself off more gradually. I did use Zantac generously during the withdrawal phase, but Zantac only took the edge off the horrible heartburn and multiple other symptoms I experienced.
I now realize my worst withdrawal symptoms lasted about three months, but my stomach did not return to normal for approximately six or so. "Normal" for me is baseline symptoms, not being cured. I still experience heartburn several times per week, but not daily anymore. I can manage it with Zantac and over the counter and other natural remedies, and have to be careful with what I eat and how much I eat. Same advice you read from many others here.
Otherwise, GERD without PPI's is manageable for me. But it is not symptom free as I wish it were.
But if I had to do it all over again, I think John's method is much saner than the way I went about it. I did not know better back a year ago, and had little to no help from my family doctor (whom, by the way, I have since changed).
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Hi Rose, have you tried drinking fresh carrot juice every morning? It seems to be helping me since I got off my PPI three weeks ago. I haven't missed a glass of my fresh carrot juice every morning since then. I seem to be doing OK, with the occassional heartburn, but I'm not into any H2 blocker. I just use gaviscon but very rarely.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Sorry for resurrecting a month old thread but there's lots of useful insights here.
I've been on PPIs for 6 years, but only 10mg every other day. I thought it was time to try stopping them - now two weeks in. I've been getting occasional heartburn but what's worse is horrid stomach aches, bloating and gas. The aches are mostly along the top of my stomach - worse when sitting at a desk. I know the OP mentioned similar symptoms but just wanted to ask if others who've stopped PPIs are getting these types of side effects as well.
I've consulted my doc and its been a few years since my last tests so I'm having full blood work-up and an ultrasound. Last time I had these they found nothing (ultrasound showed a lot of gas).
I'm using ACV, gum and digestive enzymes to try to ease things. If the stomach aches go I think I'll be at a place where a careful diet and the odd supplement will keep things under control.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
I just posted something similar. I think the rebound acidity caused me to get gastritis. A very bloated uncomfortable feeling at the top mid abdomen. So I just went back on the nexium. I was also getting diarrhea and everything.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Rosebloom thank you so much for your post. You are truly inspiring. Im not sure if your still responding to this post, but I am going to go ahead and give it a try. I took Nexium for about a month, for heartburn, but like many was not made aware of the side effects. On Tuesday, of this week, I had my first appointment with the Gastroenterologist, who scheduled an Upper Endoscopy next month ( I have faith in God that all will be ok). I mentioned to him that my only symptom at the time I was prescribed Nexium was heartburn. But since taking nexium I felt worse symptoms such as joint pain and general stomach pain and that I wish to discontinue taking the nexium. He told me stop taking them, but was quick to give a sample of another GERD medication, which I am not going to take. So now my dilemma: I have stopped taking Nexium, and I am day 5 with heartburn, some days are better, and I take tums when I have to, which help. I am also watching my diet:no greasy foods, citrus, no caffeine at all, not even caffeine free coffee because I have read several books that say caffeine free coffee will cause LES to relax and cause reflux. I am also taking a digestive enzyme, tried ACV but could not handle it, and awaitng the local health store to stock up on DGL, which I hear is very good for heartburn
Since I only took Nexium (40mg a day) a week shy of a month, should I expect the reflux rebound that I keep reading about to creep up viciously?
I also purchased Zantac 150mg for just in case, but have yet to take them. Thank you for your time. I hope to get to that threshold of rebound symptom free as you have successfully managed to accomplished!
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Hi Lizzy
I was on 40 mg Nexium/day for about a month as well. Once I reached 25 doses, I tapered off the last 5 (rotating with Zantac) so it wouldn't stop abruptly. My GP wanted me to take another 30 day supply but I only ended up using one pill from that packet. My last Nexium was April 27 and I haven't had any rebound heartburn. I do however experience occasional bloating and that uncomfortable "achey" feeling in my stomach region. I think my digestive system is still struggling to get back to normal and my entire body is probably deficient on vitamins. I'm trying to use a proper diet, exercise and supplements to get back on track...but it's definitely a slow, frustrating process.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Things have been going ok for me. Gum during the day. Digestive enzyme with dinner. I have a water bed which makes raising the head of the bed difficult though. I normally feel a bit of reflux in the night if I'm on my right side. However last night / this morning is the worst so far. My throat still burns after being up and awake for over an hour. I don't normally get that. I did have half a glass of milk the evening before with one cookie, so perhaps that was the culprit. Either that or the tablets are still wearing off (been off them for just over two weeks now) and this is a new phase.
I have to say, for me I feel my problem is a relaxed les. So even with normal acid levels Im starting to think this will always happen. It then comes down to the choice... Keep acid levels low to prevent damage to my esophagus or try to minimize it when it does happen.
The following user gives a hug of support to oellph: ConnieJene (07-12-2011)
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Hello!
I'm having the EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH REFLUX! I was on prilosec for 8 months (you can look at my posting to know a little more about my situation) and stopped it cold turkey because I was beginning to have side effects like blurred vision and vertigo, which was really scary. My family doc actually wanted to INCREASE the dosage, but that was a no no. I've been on 20 mg of pepcid a day, and it's been one month. Since I think the drastic reduction from ppi to h2 blocker (had to do all my own research on the subject) was harsh on my bowels, I'm increasing my dosage to 40 mg of pepcid a day tomorrow. Did you completely stop your ppi and just substitute with an h2 blocker as well? Please let me know Im so desperate at this point I just want to eat and drink whatever the hell I want again! All I had was a little heartburn and I didn't ask for this! Thanks,
Serena
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueSky17
Hello!
I'm having the EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH REFLUX! I was on prilosec for 8 months (you can look at my posting to know a little more about my situation) and stopped it cold turkey because I was beginning to have side effects like blurred vision and vertigo, which was really scary. My family doc actually wanted to INCREASE the dosage, but that was a no no. I've been on 20 mg of pepcid a day, and it's been one month. Since I think the drastic reduction from ppi to h2 blocker (had to do all my own research on the subject) was harsh on my bowels, I'm increasing my dosage to 40 mg of pepcid a day tomorrow. Did you completely stop your ppi and just substitute with an h2 blocker as well? Please let me know Im so desperate at this point I just want to eat and drink whatever the hell I want again! All I had was a little heartburn and I didn't ask for this! Thanks,
Serena
Hi Serena:
If you have a chance to read over the entire thread you will see that this was a lengthy process of trial and error that took me many, many months. My rebound lasted for months. I did switch from the PPI to Zantac nearly cold turkey which is a regret I now have. Others have written here about how they went about weaning off from one to the other. I also tried many natural remediies such as DGL, Apple Cider Vinegar and others. Please take some time to look through the thread to get a sense of what to do.
Note of warning. You may never be able to eat and drink all you want again. My diet has been greatly altered in order to be able to live off the PPI. Not what you want to hear, I am sure.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Rose I can not thank you enough what you wrote on here has gotten me threw all this its been 2 and a half months since ive taken my last ppi meds Im on zantac 75 once in the morning and once in the evening no burning I feel great other than the zantac is giving me head aches Ive switched meds and they all give me headaches so I realy would like to get off them I tryed cutting my morning pill in half and I burned all day so Im back to the full does with these headaches. The funny thing is I didnt even have heart burn before I started PPIs I was eating late at night and going to bed and I would wake up with chest pains Im positive if I would of changed my diet and no eating before bed I would of gotten rid of those chest pains but a few weeks into taking the ppis I felt great and stoped taking them that was the 1st time I experienced heartburn so of course I went back on my ppis and for two years I tryed to get of them up untill I found you on here and I finaly went of them for good 2 and a months. Now my question is how did you get of the zantac I feel teriffic on it but when I cut my pill in half to try and take less horrobile burning if I could just get meds free with no burning so I can get rid of these headaches thanks again for everything
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Rosebloom,
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. I am getting off Nexium tomorrow and will switch to Zantac 150mg 2x day. I was wondering if you can tell me how often did you take DGL and ACV in the first few weeks as well as how did you decide on your supplements. I was taken of all vitamins when I started having my health issue.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Definitely try plenty of water with squeezed limes.. It has completely reversed my gerd. I had it for 11 years. If it works, go for betaine hydrochloride pills. You can find them at a health/supplement store. I CANNOT believe how many ppis I was taking.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
until you can taste the acid, but not too over-powering. Do it on an empty stomach before eating. It is amazing how many of us have low stomach acid and don't even know it.
Re: Getting off PPI's and Acid Rebound-What has worked for me- Four months later
Please journal your own experience in a Blog.
Please start your own new thread to get individual support and to ask questions of the general board membership. Those with an interest will reply on your own thread.
