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Getting off PPI

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/22/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to this post but have gathered some valuable information so I feel I should contribute.

I recently had the pain in chest gas and all the symptoms other have described here. I have also

gone through the heart exg/ stress test etc etc. Not to mention my GI did the camera down the throat thing which by the way was no big deal. In short they called it Gastritis or Acid reflux from indigestion gave me some Zegrid sent me on my way. This one did not work too well but when they gave me Protonix it worked great. The symptoms all but dissapeared and having nothing concrete to go on my doctor said I could get off of the PPI. I quit Cold Turkey and let me tell you that was a mistake. My stomach was not ready for the acid to come back. I am back on protonix with a plan the doctor should have given me in the first place which was to slowly stop the meds. I am going to try the plan ( once every other day, twice a week and then once a week) But I would like to hear from those that have succesfully got off this acid blocker. I know acid indigestion in our life is a fact of life

any help would be encouraging

Posted 10/22/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)

LittlePeanut

Welcome to HealingWell.  We are glad you found us. I am sorry to hear of your difficulties in going off the Protonix.  Others have had this same thing happen.

Thanks you for sharing you experience with all of us.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt


Posted 10/23/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome. I did speak with the GI yesterday and the problem seems to be you cannot quit cold turkey like that because all the acid comes back in one big rush and your system is not ready for it. I am fortunate to know many in the medical community and all the opinions are the same. Take it slow and steady reducing the dosage allowing your stomache to get used to the acid and your recovery will be smooth.
Posted 10/23/2008 2:17 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Peanut,

I will remember that.  I hope you do well going slow and you continue to heal.

Keep on talking to us.

Kitt

Posted 11/24/2008 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well it continues to be a battle I have been in ER twice now both times complaining of a stabing pain in my back between the shoulder blades my heart got ruled out twice and in the last visit I spent 3 days and they ran a battery of tests including a PIPIDA scan to rule out once and for all the Gall bladder. They put me back on the drug that I so hate protonics twice a day which made me worse now better. My GP has agreed that weaning off the protonics is the best way to go and she suggested Zantac unfortunately during weaning the effects from the Protonics got worse and they had to hurry the weaning to now. I have been 3 days off the medication and find that Zantac is not really doing the job I still need to supplement with Maylox. The acid rebound has had an irritating effect on my throat. My doctor has suggested that I try Prilosec but thats where I got on this bus to begin with is Prilosec considered a PPI
Posted 11/24/2008 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Littlepeanut,
Sorry for your troubles. Are you changing your diet too? Some of us have real problems with wheat and carbs. There's nothing that gives me reflux like bread does. I just really feel that there's something we're doing that is upsetting the balance of things. The challenge is trying to figure out what that is!
I know, for me, I have a real problem giving up the bad stuff. How's your eating choices going?
Do you have any other medical problems? Are you taking other meds for anything?
Are you male or female, and how old are you?
Posted 11/24/2008 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my diet has changed although I was never a bad eater really. I first started with problems in August then the doctors office suggested I try Prilosec which seemed to make things better somewhat then they stepped me up to protonics and thats when the problems started. I know what you mean when you say it feels like we have upset the balance of things and it happened ate age 50 In October and for some men thats a big deal but for me I figured it would be like 30/40 etc no biggies. My doctors are all convinced that I am stressed and who isnt in this economy and that once the stress is relieved the normal balance of things will be restored. I think so too but in the meantime this stomach thing is a pain and meds are awefull. Is Prilosec like a zantac or pepcid or is it one of those PPI that have caused so much problem. I know they all reduce acid but some are stronger than others and my system rejects blocking. Thanks for your help
Posted 11/24/2008 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Most traditional doctors don't believe in a person having too low acid, but sometimes it happens....especially as we age. Why don't you google that and see what you think. Supposedly, it has the same symptoms as too much acid.
Prilosec is a PPI.
There's lots of people out there who feel that PPIs don't help at all.......so you're not alone.
Posted 11/25/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I would like to add one thing. PPI's worked perfectly well for me UNTIL I tried to quit them cold turkey. For some reason when I went back on them they were never the same. In fact, just prior to my recently (12 days ago) quitting them, I was suffering from mild heartburn all day every day when in fact that is something that I never had before I started on them. I was afraid that I had developed some secondary problem, and I think that was my main motivating factor to stop.

The heartburn I was experiencing STOPPED within 48 hours of quitting nexium. In my opinion, the Nexium had lost its effectiveness to the point where it was giving me mild rebound WHILE I was on it. That sounds quite ironic! I quickly figured that if I was getting mild rebound on 40mg's then obviously I need 80 or 120 to make it go away. Wait a minute!

Whenever I read on these forums about people who have heartburn while on Nexium etc..., I can't help but think that they have it because the drug has lost its effectiveness on them. But, it is hard to counsel someone with Barettes etc... to quit, when that is exactly what they should NOT be doing, at least not without the supervision of a specialist.

My big question is, how many of us PPI addicts are on the drug for the wrong reasons? Doctors can be so quick to prescribe it.

If any of you reading this have tested negative for reflux and have had upper gastroscopies that showed no damage, you owe it to yourself to try and get to the bottom of what is likely only chronic indigestion. I have no doubt about the beneficial effects of Nexium etc... but NOT for every single indigester like you or me. If we can fix our problems through diet etc... isn't that a price worth paying?

Posted 11/25/2008 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Well its day number 4 now and I am still of of the protonics completetly. I have some major heartburn that comes and goes with meals but I am trying to stay tough and follow through. When the heartburn hits I feel like reaching for the Protonics but know that the effects on it are far worse than what should be temporary. Malox has become a good friend and sometimes during the bad episodes like last night it feels that even that bounces in my stomach.
There has got to be light at the end of the tunnel so I am sticking with it. I have an appt follow up with my GI tomorrow and I am sure he will try to talk me back to the pill
Posted 11/25/2008 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I feel like a broken record, but consider for a minute the symptoms you have as a metaphor, a symbol of something wrong in your life. Take a hard look at your job, relationships, financial situation and see if this might be the real cause of your "upset." Your belly is full of nerves and emotional content...the term "gut feeling" is not just a coincidence. You don't have a leg feeling or a toe feeling...listen to your gut, your core emotions and tie the pain you feel together with your whole life...if you find nothing, fine...but you might find something (anger, grief, etc) which is the root cause of your dis-comfort, your dis-ease...medical doctors are not trained to find this (except for some old school docs and some New Agey ones)...they treat your body like a machine, but it is not...with this approach you may be able to get rid of drugs and eat what you want...I have and it is nice.

riverotter
Posted 11/25/2008 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Riverotter:

I hear what your saying and yes I have looked inside and found my stressors found the root cause of my stress too. As I learn to let go of this stress which will take some time I dont want the medication as a dependency I want to deal with one thing not 2. It has become a vicious cycle I am stressed because my stomach is in pain and I am in pain because I am stressed. Where does the cycle get broken I decided it would be at my stress because the doctors tried at the stomach an all they did was make me feel worse. Does that make sense. My worries are is how long does it take to kick this rebound which frankly is kicking me silly. There are changes to be made and those changes take time. You have been off the medication for 12 days and feel fine I envy you in that way and applaud you at the same time. I too look forward to the 12 day and so on and so on but I know its one day at a time.
Posted 11/25/2008 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Cathya:

Are you still on medication for Gerd or did you kick the meds entirely?
Posted 11/26/2008 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Littlepeanut,
I got off them completely. But I just thought of something I keep forgetting. While going through menopause, I started taking Calcium and Magnesium, since I kept hearing how much women needed those minerals. I found that it controlled my IBS-diarrhea, so I ended up taking it more for that.
I actually think the calcium has kept the heartburn away. Why don't you consider taking calcium? Find out how much a person your age should take, and take that much. Don't take more than that though, 'cause it can cause some calcium buildup in the wrong places, and/or give you kidney stones.
If it constipates you, go up on the magnesium. Besides getting off hormone replacement (which gave me horrible heartburn), I really think being on the calcium has helped keep the heartburn away.
Right now, I'm having alot of gas and irregular heartbeats that I think are from an irritated esophagus. I can't take PPIs because they give me headaches, but I sure would like to try them again for a week or so, to see if it would help with the gas and the heartbeats.
You know, men can have "hormone" problems too. I wonder if GI symptoms can happen when a man's testosterone gets too low?? You might google that.
I get so frustrated with doctors. They just always reach for the prescription pad, without asking anything else about our lives, lifestyles, diet, etc., etc.
Posted 11/26/2008 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,CathyA:

I just came back from the GI office and he told me to continue off of the protonics,zantac all of them and just use calcium citrate that is found in tums and use Gaviscon for when the acid gets too much like after meals. I need to take vitamins as bloodwork came back with some defficienies such as B-12 they gave me a shot before I left the doctors office. Plenty of Fluids and rest, Tylenol for pain and eat ( lovely thought if your stomach does not go upside down. One thing I learned though I had been prescribed meds to relax the stomach and there is such a thing as relaxing the spasms too much so that the valve actually lets through the acid. Hummmm? Those are gone too basically I am down to tums PRN. I am happy at the thought of it but wonder just how long does it take to get all these meds out of your system I guess time wil tell. I hate it when doctors do not even lay a hand on you and reach for the script at least I found a GI that does good job in that respact does a complete physical check every time. Have you tried the Gaviscon for the gas and there is Magnesuim in Malox
Posted 11/26/2008 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Littlepeanut,
Sounds like you have a decent doc there! I just LOVE a doc who thinks outside the box.
Longterm use of acid reducers can cause a B12 deficiency......but you weren't on it very long, right?
Be very careful on indiscriminate use of Tums/Rolaids. I had a friend almost went into kidney failure because she was popping them constantly.
Figure out how much calcium and magnesium you will be getting a day in your Maalox/Rolaids, etc. The thing I like about plain old calcium and magnesium, is that it is just that........"plain".......without many additives. I take 1200 mg calcium a day and about 600 magnesium. Like I said above, I think if you routinely took plain calcium, you'd find it really helps your heartburn.
I choose Rolaids, since it doesn't have aluminum in it, as does Tums and I think Maalox.
Let me know if the B12 gives you any noticeable help.
I think alot of people are low on B12.
One thing I've really learned is that our GI tracts are very responsible for some many things in our bodies. I actually bought a book titled "The Second Brain." It ended up being a little above me, but the main point is that our intestines are very complicated, and really have as much as an input into the state of and balance of our bodies and minds as our brains do. Knowing that, it makes sense that our GI tracts can get messed up so easily.

I get very frustrated with modern medicine. It seems like most docs are robots. I get sooooo excited when my doc suggests some unusual ways to deal with things. I actually had a GI doc who recommended a certain brand of probiotics. That won him alot of points with me!

And I totally agree with you...........My internist, who is very smart and makes good choices for me........has hardly EVER touched me. I find that very strange. How can you really know anything about a patient without touching him???
Good luck with making more progress!
Posted 11/26/2008 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks CathyA:

I will try the calcium and so far I dont notice anything different after the shot but it cant hurt I have heard that b12 is the first mineral lost if your stressed. I am going to try Gaviscon later as you saw on another post the guy who is my age 50 and has been off nexium for 12-13 days now said it worked for him and my GI reccomended it.
Have a wonderfull thanksgiving before I forget and thanks for the encouraging words
Posted 11/26/2008 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
You have a nice Thanksgiving too Littlepeanut. Just remember to not lay down for several hours after eating.........which might be hard for all of us to resist!! :)
Posted 12/3/2008 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Well its now day 12 and I am still off PPI the acidity is still somewhat there but nothing that Tums or 1 Gaviscon has not been able to handle. Gaviscon is amazing medicine but I would reserve that for only when your meal has been a bit heavier than usual. I found that chamomile tea works well on the acidity and I also found out from my Gi/GP
both that the esoghagus (bad spelling) while sensitive is a bit tougher than we think. You dont want acidity to go untreated but you also can manage it a bit while you get your diet and or make the necessary changes that caused the symptoms to begin with. We tend to feel it more since that area is more sensitive.

P.S doctors are still looking at the Gallbladder they have only temporarily ruled it out.
Posted 12/19/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
It now been 23 days and no PPI. While life is not perfect it is getting better every day. I still take some antacids but not daily as before. I have continued on a health diet and added 4 things that I believe have helped me greatly.
1. Apples and watermelon as a snack both of theses seem to calm the acidity 2.Chamomile tea in the morning and at night it helps relax the stomach I find. 3. Getting more sleep.4. Support (at Home)

For me I think the worst is behind me and with some changes to my diet and lifestyle I believe it will all be history.
Life is certainly better without the PPI and all of the side effects. I has taken patience and perseverance to get to this point. My wife who is a diabetic has been a big help in support espcially when your down because today happens to be a more acid day.

I hope this helps as this forum continues to be a big help to me.

To all of you stay strong and have patience.
Posted 12/20/2008 5:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi little peanut
just wanted to let you know that Protonix...correct spelling, has been a life saver for me. I know we all respond to drugs in a personal way. I was so grateful to find this drug or should I say have my doc find it...i had tried Nexium and the over the counters to no avail. I bought myself an Elliptical for Christmas !!
I am very excited about a new life and a new fit me !!
I was sick all week, oh my gosh . like never before .with a bad stomach virus so I am ready to get started as soon as soon as I get some strength back !! I have to admit that I feel I bring some of my reflux and gerd issues on myself by not eating right and needing to lose more weight.
I am about 25 pounds overweight...so wish me luck !!!!
I wish you a blessed Christmas Peanut and will be thinking of you and everyone else at this wonderful time of year !!!!
Annie
Posted 12/22/2008 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Happy Holidays to you too Annie:

I wish you the best with the protonix it did not work well for me but as you said everyone responds differently.

Good luck and all the best to you and yours in this season of Joy.

LP
Posted 12/27/2008 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you're still doing well Little Peanut.
I really fell off the wagon this holiday, and realize that carbs are my worst enemy as far as GERD symptoms go. I think I mentioned that there was a Ph.D. guy on this forum awhile back who had written a book on how carbs are the cause of GERD, and I'm really starting to think there's definitely something to that. Too bad they taste so good!
I wish you continued good luck with your progress Little Peanut!
Posted 12/27/2008 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
P.S. Here's the website for the guy above I mentioned. I haven't read his book, and I'm not trying to sell it or anything. I just think he's onto something, about the carbs and GERD, and thought you might learn something from this. Here's the link:
http://www.heartburncured.com/about.html
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