dorisnflau1
06-05-2006, 06:57 PM
It sounds like everybody who are on the PPI to fix GERD or LPR need to be on it for a long long time. I 've seen so many people on the PPI for years. Does it just mean PPI is not the best medicine for reflux? If the PPI function is to stop the acid and let the erosion heal, then how come we still need to be on it after the 8-10 weeks tratment when everything should heal up by then? Any body has done any long term study on PPI, I heard PPI itself can cause cancer??
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taape
06-05-2006, 11:35 PM
I'd sure like to know the answer also - the medications say for short term use.
nikib5
06-06-2006, 08:49 AM
I was on Protonix for 2 years and then Prilosec for maybe 6 months (didn't feel good from it). I decided to go off the PPIs all together in February and have been off them since. Basically, I just changed my diet.
Ol'Line Rebel
06-06-2006, 10:13 AM
Who said PPIs can cause cancer? Don't believe the homeopaths trying to sell you their equally unreliable/unpredictable wares. At the very least, I don't think PPIs have been around long enough to really know about cancers; so maybe there is yet some risk.
You need to be on PPIs (at least most people do) if you have true GERD (the DISEASE) because you cannot let acid eat away at your esophagus/throat. Eventually you'd get more erosions which can also possibly lead to cancer.
Sounds to me as if we have to be precise about what "acid-reflux" DISEASE is (GERD or LPRD).
GERD/LPRD apparently are basically because a sphincter isn't working right. There are no medicines or anything else, apparently, which fix the sphincter (surgery is iffy). Hence, the PPIs are really only helping the SYMPTOM of acid reflux, not the disease - which is really "sphincter disease", if you ask me.
Therefore, since you didn't fix the sphincter which is the real problem, you could have to take PPIs constantly forever (although some do stop it, then start it again, etc) to minimize refluxed acid eroding your upper tracts.
It should be noted that acid reflux can be a mere symptom of other problems not the sphincter; hence if those problems are fixed, the PPIs might be stopped.
You need to be on PPIs (at least most people do) if you have true GERD (the DISEASE) because you cannot let acid eat away at your esophagus/throat. Eventually you'd get more erosions which can also possibly lead to cancer.
Sounds to me as if we have to be precise about what "acid-reflux" DISEASE is (GERD or LPRD).
GERD/LPRD apparently are basically because a sphincter isn't working right. There are no medicines or anything else, apparently, which fix the sphincter (surgery is iffy). Hence, the PPIs are really only helping the SYMPTOM of acid reflux, not the disease - which is really "sphincter disease", if you ask me.
Therefore, since you didn't fix the sphincter which is the real problem, you could have to take PPIs constantly forever (although some do stop it, then start it again, etc) to minimize refluxed acid eroding your upper tracts.
It should be noted that acid reflux can be a mere symptom of other problems not the sphincter; hence if those problems are fixed, the PPIs might be stopped.
dorisnflau1
06-06-2006, 11:10 AM
NIKIB5
Good for you. Did you gradually wean yourself off or you stop the next day? I tried to stop one day but woke up having even more sore throat the next morning.
I do not know about the sphinter problem. I just find that it is hard to believe I do not have sphinter problem the whole time and then wake up one morning have the problem.
Good for you. Did you gradually wean yourself off or you stop the next day? I tried to stop one day but woke up having even more sore throat the next morning.
I do not know about the sphinter problem. I just find that it is hard to believe I do not have sphinter problem the whole time and then wake up one morning have the problem.
nikib5
06-06-2006, 12:04 PM
I haven't heard about PPIs causing cancer. I don't think there is any evidence of this, but PPIs do cut down on the acid in your stomach and that acid is needed to kill certain bacteria that your body encounters all the time. I read an article a while back about people being perhaps more prone to respiratory illnesses if on a PPI.
I just can't believe that suddenly huge numbers of people are waking up with loose sphincters. This can't have always been true. If it was, how did people live with it in the past? That's why I experimented with my diet. There are so many chemicals in food and too much processed food readily available, it has to have some effect on the body.
@dorisnflau1--I just went off cold turkey. I don't know if that was the best thing to do because I felt pretty awful for a while (2 weeks). When I had reflux, I never had throat scratchiness, however (I had chest pains and nausea). Maybe your reflux has more force and goes higher up your esophagus?
I just can't believe that suddenly huge numbers of people are waking up with loose sphincters. This can't have always been true. If it was, how did people live with it in the past? That's why I experimented with my diet. There are so many chemicals in food and too much processed food readily available, it has to have some effect on the body.
@dorisnflau1--I just went off cold turkey. I don't know if that was the best thing to do because I felt pretty awful for a while (2 weeks). When I had reflux, I never had throat scratchiness, however (I had chest pains and nausea). Maybe your reflux has more force and goes higher up your esophagus?
Ol'Line Rebel
06-06-2006, 12:29 PM
NIKIB5
Good for you. Did you gradually wean yourself off or you stop the next day? I tried to stop one day but woke up having even more sore throat the next morning.
I do not know about the sphinter problem. I just find that it is hard to believe I do not have sphinter problem the whole time and then wake up one morning have the problem.
As indicated, you (along with alot of us) could simply have acid reflux thanks to another root cause.
No reason your sphincter couldn't suddenly collapse (although I don't know why), as surely as any of your muscles could suddenly be pulled and rendered useless (but at least you can fix those!).
Good for you. Did you gradually wean yourself off or you stop the next day? I tried to stop one day but woke up having even more sore throat the next morning.
I do not know about the sphinter problem. I just find that it is hard to believe I do not have sphinter problem the whole time and then wake up one morning have the problem.
As indicated, you (along with alot of us) could simply have acid reflux thanks to another root cause.
No reason your sphincter couldn't suddenly collapse (although I don't know why), as surely as any of your muscles could suddenly be pulled and rendered useless (but at least you can fix those!).
lynniebellz
06-06-2006, 01:44 PM
hi everyone,
I also stopped my PPI medication. It really wasn't helping at all. the only thing, I find, that helps is a restricted diet. You can do trial and error. I can have 1 cup of coffee in the morning but I have to be strick for the rest of the day.
I wonder if there is a tie in between LPR and allergies. the symptoms seem so similar. also it seems like almost every thread I read the regarding acid reflux, the person has alot of anxiety. What does everyone else think about that.
I also stopped my PPI medication. It really wasn't helping at all. the only thing, I find, that helps is a restricted diet. You can do trial and error. I can have 1 cup of coffee in the morning but I have to be strick for the rest of the day.
I wonder if there is a tie in between LPR and allergies. the symptoms seem so similar. also it seems like almost every thread I read the regarding acid reflux, the person has alot of anxiety. What does everyone else think about that.
dorisnflau1
06-06-2006, 05:17 PM
Lynniebellz
I have to admit stress triggers many things. I had some job changes in Nov and caused extreme anxiety. Then I went out of the country,ate out everyday for about 1 week. Then a few days after coming back, LPR symptoms for 6 months. I 'd never even had a bottle of Malox in my life before. Symptoms did start as a severe allergic gastro reation, like catching a real bad stomach virus, I was not able to hold down any food for about 1 week. Then gastro symptoms gradually subsided , but somehow I guess all that triggered the LPR symptoms which last forever.......I think it is a vicious cycle. The more LPR/GERD symptoms you have, the more you have anxiety. How can you not have anxiety if every single time you swallow, you feel something is there? Very very sad....
I have to admit stress triggers many things. I had some job changes in Nov and caused extreme anxiety. Then I went out of the country,ate out everyday for about 1 week. Then a few days after coming back, LPR symptoms for 6 months. I 'd never even had a bottle of Malox in my life before. Symptoms did start as a severe allergic gastro reation, like catching a real bad stomach virus, I was not able to hold down any food for about 1 week. Then gastro symptoms gradually subsided , but somehow I guess all that triggered the LPR symptoms which last forever.......I think it is a vicious cycle. The more LPR/GERD symptoms you have, the more you have anxiety. How can you not have anxiety if every single time you swallow, you feel something is there? Very very sad....
Skylar_
06-08-2006, 01:22 PM
How to stop PPIs: gradually! At least that's my experience. I tried to stop cold turkey with horrible results. Currently I'm weaning myself off slowly for an upcoming medical test (have to be PPI free for 2 weeks prior). Take it slow, there is a "rebound effect" with PPIs, meaning your stomach will pump out even more gastrin when you first stop, so weaning down is supposed to be better, especially if you've been on them awhile. Good luck
Imacarbuff
06-08-2006, 09:25 PM
How to stop PPIs: gradually! At least that's my experience. I tried to stop cold turkey with horrible results. Currently I'm weaning myself off slowly for an upcoming medical test (have to be PPI free for 2 weeks prior). Take it slow, there is a "rebound effect" with PPIs, meaning your stomach will pump out even more gastrin when you first stop, so weaning down is supposed to be better, especially if you've been on them awhile. Good luck
I agree completely with this. I was on Nexium last January for 4 weeks . The last week I went to every other day. I was good until a few weeks ago when the GERD returned. I'm sure it was SOMETHING in my diet. I'm back on Nexium but determined to figure out what caused it.....could be coffee. I'm willing to dump coffee forever if need be. Someone told me it is smply because of drinking diet soft drinks and too much processed food.
I agree completely with this. I was on Nexium last January for 4 weeks . The last week I went to every other day. I was good until a few weeks ago when the GERD returned. I'm sure it was SOMETHING in my diet. I'm back on Nexium but determined to figure out what caused it.....could be coffee. I'm willing to dump coffee forever if need be. Someone told me it is smply because of drinking diet soft drinks and too much processed food.