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Weaning myself off Nexium

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Posted 9/23/2008 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I am in the process of weaning myself off Nexium. I have been on it for 8 weeks. I have the opposite problem...I feel great on it. It has really put full-blown acid reflux to bed. The problem is that in eight weeks, I have gained ten pounds. I have been about the same weight since I got married 20 years ago. I could not figure out what was going on until I logged on to this forum and found that lots of folks out there experienced the same thing I did.

I am trying the  natural method for my acid reflux- apple cider vinegar. I am on Day 3 with no problems, but like you, I am worried I am going to be right back to where I was eight weeks ago.

I had never had acid reflux in my life, but I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia after I lifted a heavy dresser. I think that was the what got everything started with the heartburn, shortness of breath, etc...

Posted 9/24/2008 6:36 AM (GMT 0)

Bucky, be careful in weaning, as you can get a rebound in acid production.  That being said, I weaned myself off protonix(still have a near full prescription) only with a new drink called Haldi, it contains apple cider vinegar, and other anti inflammatories that worked on my colitis as well.  Ever since I was diagnosed with GERD, I have a huge fear of Barretts esoph., cancer, and now being off the ppi and on something organic/natural, I think I have decreased my chances of cancer a lot(and no more waking up in the middle of the night miserable).  I am probably just paranoid, but better safe than sorry I guess. Good luck with your weaning,

yuckygut

drink 1 Haldi daily tongue

Posted 9/24/2008 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

bucky badger

Hello and Welcome to HealingWell.
You've found a safe, caring , and reliable support community for people battling GERD/Heartburn. We have many members here who will be glad to lend an ear, offer information, and provide support for people who need it.

We also have a new member thread if you would like to introduce yourself.  This is your choice.

Be careful with weaning off of any meds, are you working on weaning off with your physician?

Again Welcome

Kitt

Posted 9/24/2008 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
I was currently on Zegerid and have been using that about 3 months. I stopped 3 days ago along with no alcohol or coke. I also stayed away from tomatoes but have had my daily cafiene. So far so good! I've just been hearing so many problems with side effects due to this medicine. I was experiencing those side effects so thought I'd try to stay away from it.

Good luck with you weaning!!!

Signed,
Gerd Sucks
Posted 9/24/2008 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you all the best BUT as was stated watch when weaning please
Posted 9/25/2008 5:57 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone.. I've been reading posts for awhile, including some old threads on this topic. I am on day 11 of being off Nexium. Was on it for 3 years. I went cold turkey with low carb diet plan, as I read in Norm R's book, and had my doctor's approval. I also had a few naturopath remedies on hand ( slippery elm bark, DGL, pancreatic enzymes, ginger tea and cinammon gum to chew after meals.). Oh, I also avoid processed, industrial type food. Until yesterday, I thought things were going great. I was starting to congratulate myself!  Now I am in my second day of heartburn pain.  I'm now taking all the other remedies I didn't need much before. I don't know why this happened. COuld it be the acid rebound problem, this late .. 10 days?? How long might this last if that's what it is...??

    I am now wondering if I should eliminate dairy products.. cheese, cream, and buttermilk or kefir...  Anyone else see a symptom connection to dairy? I don't drink regular milk.

   I am hoping against hope that I can tough this out. I was sick this past year, more than I have ever been in my life.. catching every cold, sore throat, stomach ailment going around. I decided it must be the nexium taking away my immune system by removing all the stomach acid. Also, i have osteoporosis so I really need to be able to absorb calcium and other minerals.

All my best to anyone else going off Nexium! Will apppreciate any advice..

Petunia

Posted 10/16/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)

Update from Petunia,

    Good News!  I have been without Nexium for over a month now. This was done cold turkey. I got past the rebound acid...the most helpful thing I found was chewing gum whenever I felt heartburn. Now  doing great, and saw my doctor the other day. Both he and my pharmacist said it is unnecessary to wean off Nexium.   PPI"s  either work or they don't , in terms of stopping the production of acid.  SO it's sort of all or nothing the way I understand it, and it's not like a smaller dose gives you half the acid.  My doctor also said if I needed to, it would be okay to take the nexium every other day, or even go on it for three weeks, then off for three weeks, etc.  But at this point, I'm optimistic that I wont' need to take it anymore. I am still on the low carb diet..I'm so used to it, I don't count carbs or anything anymore..I  eat natural foods, meat,chicken, fish, cheese, kefir, lots of different vegetables ( mostly the lower carb ones )and a few fruits a day.  No legumes, grains, or flour, sugar, or processed foods.

   YAY, it's working!!  GOod luck to anyone else going through this...

  

Posted 10/16/2008 2:47 PM (GMT 0)

petunia22

Hey this is Kitt.  Thanks for the update...........so glad this worked for you and your physician seems to understand the medication. :-)

Keep us posted how your doing.

Kitt

Posted 12/3/2008 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Bucky Badger
Just curious how is the weaning going have you had any problems Update please?
Posted 12/3/2008 6:49 PM (GMT 0)

I'm not sure if you meant me, but just in case, here's an update.  ( I didn't wean..just went cold turkey 2 and a half months ago )

   I am off the Nexium still...  No need to take the herbal remedies anymore..  There is one problem to report which resulted from the low carb diet. When I had my cholesterol checked (which I asked for because I wondered), I had gone WAY UP in my cholesterol and LDL levels.. So I tweaked my diet and was able to bring the cholesterol back to normal in one month. Here's what I changed:  cut drastically back on saturated fat and cholesterol rich foods like egg yolks, shrimp and liver.  I now eat chicken or fish with some lean meat; dairy is low or nonfat.  I"ve added in 1 or two servings of whole grains a day (mostly barley or oats), and legumes  ( only one at most in a day ). Still eat lots of vegetables and some fruit. Still try to stay clear of all processed foods. I think I"ve got the reflux problem beat.  I can drink one or two cups of coffee a day, and a glass of red wine, even!

How is your situation going?

Posted 12/3/2008 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Thats fantastic I quit Protonics because of the side effects and did not cold turkey but rapidly over a period of a week. So far things are looking good No red wine with my meals but not bad certainly much better than on the meds. I love to hear the good news. Of the herbal stuff what worked best for you and how long did the rebound last before you could tell it was over?
Posted 12/3/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I would say the acid rebound was on and off for a few weeks.. The slippery elm bark and ginger tea were helpful when I needed it, but by far the best help was from cinammon chewing gum right after a meal.
Posted 12/4/2008 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I too am experincing some rebounding now after day 12 when I thought it should be over so when did you finally begin to feel better as a whole.
Posted 12/8/2008 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
bump hoping for an answer from Petunia How long did it take before you started feeling like you beat the meds and felt better as a whole. I am very interested
Posted 12/8/2008 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
about three weeks or so after the rebound acid started. How are you doing?
Posted 12/8/2008 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thats cool at least it give me something to shoot for. Im not doing to bad the rebound is not as fierce as the first week or so but it is constant. I am hopng it diminishes soon as I am about day 15 since I quit protonics.
Posted 12/14/2008 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Petunia22,

I'm glad that cinnamon gum helped you. I posted the benefits of it two years ago on this site.
Chewing any gum (if you can't find cinnamon gum) actually helps since it causes more saliva in your mouth and saliva is very ALKALINE.

I also went off Nexium cold turkey and also with my doctor's approval and I helped myself by taking DGL Licorice (you can find it in any health food store). This coats your esophagus and protects it since you dissolve it in your mouth before you eat.

Do a search on my postings on alkaline foods. Dairy food are very acidic so you may find it helpful to eliminate most of them for a while. You can then reintroduce them when you are feeling much better.

You can still get alot of calcium and protein from Tofu (which is alkaline).

Good health to you,
Danie
Posted 12/14/2008 6:01 AM (GMT 0)

Danie,

Thank you so much for coming back here and sharing your suggetions from  over the past 2 years.  I would like to gently remind you that the members here are at all differnts stages of their illness or issues with GERD. Telling everyone to go back and read all you posts "Do a search on my postings" seems like advocating for your own believes.   Any questions please email me. My email is always open. I thank you in advance for your understanding.

I am sure you have some great info but a lot of good things have come along in the past 2 years.

A word to the wise, remember that what's right or has worked for one person may not be what's right for you. 

Respectfully
Kitt

Posted 12/14/2008 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

I am saying to check back on my postings of 2 yrs ago because I can't possibly write everything I wrote then!!

All I am saying is try an alkaline diet....that's it.

I posted sites that give information on what is alkaline and what is acid food and therefore you have to check on my back postings for that information.

I'm very frustrated as I was originally when I was ill myself.....everyone is asking for answers and no is giving any concrete ones.

I am giving some concrete answers....

If I annoy or hurt someone's feelings on this board, I apologize but I am a very direct person. When I get results, especially when people are hurting, I like to immediately act.

Danie
Posted 12/14/2008 11:25 PM (GMT 0)

Danie,

I think the problem may lie in that you posted 2 years ago and now you are so concerned about the members that you are flooding the forum with your particular belief.

We are all entitled to our believes and as we are not professionals we are only sharing our believes here not insisting that if eveyone would research your posts they would learn to cure themselves.

You have posted your opinion in many threads, I do feel the members have received your message.

Thank you for caring about the members of GERD.

Respectfully

Kitt

Posted 12/15/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
HI Danie,

Thank you so much for the suggestion.....I searched your name and your posts from the past were well worth reading, and full of helpful information.. I wish I had known to do this a couple of months ago, when I was going through the tough time...!!

Petunia
Posted 12/15/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Danie:

I did some research on the alkaline foods and came up with one thing that I have been eating alot off and cause me no discomfort and thats Apples. Just based on that one I am willing to give the Alkaline thing a push a bit further and that would probably be wise advice for anyone reading this information. Everyone is different but if your going to try to look for a releif with out the meds go slowly at first to see if it helps. Thanks for your input.

By the way if you look at a post 7 days of nexium you will see in the thread that Mtjbob found apples to be beneficial too.
Posted 1/4/2009 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
LIttle Peanut,

HOw are you doing? Any luck with your efforts? Haven't heard in awhile. Hope your reflux has subsided. Are you still off the meds?

Petunia
Posted 1/6/2009 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Petunia:

I am doing much better off meds. I am not perfect but every day things are getting better. The GI reccomended that I try Carafate because of the irritation I felt and that has worked great. Things are calm in the stomach and now with the Carafate things are much calmer from the rebound of the PPI. I am taking things one day at a time and soon things will be back to normal although the healting eating I am keeping. I am not going back to eating all the stuff I used to eat with the exception of the occasional Pasta. Thanks for checking up on me and how are you doing.

Little Peanut
Posted 1/8/2009 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Little Peanut,

Good going.. It sounds like you are making progress.. Great to hear!

What kinds of healthy food do you eat these days?

All is well here. ALmost 4 months off Nexium, and feeling good..

Petunia
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