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Gerd and gastritis,etc... Wean off PPI? I just stopped 2 days ago-12to 15 years HELP!!!

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/3/2010 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
cry  Hi , I THINK this is my first post on this subject?

I have been taking Prilosec, drinking Maalox/w gasx and chewing gasx/w maalox almost everyday, 12-15 years. I go to a GOVT. HOSPITAL sometimes all they do is treat the symptoms.

I cannot eat hardly anything if I do not take all this stuff!!!  I have SEVERE upper chest ache and have to do the gasx and belch for a few hours for it to go away EVERYDAY!!

 

I did have an endo, and know I have a Hietal(spelling) hernia as well. I had that done about 6 years ago. They want to do another endo and a colonoscopy now because I am losing weight and the pains I am having in my stomache.

 

I am TERRIFIED of this hospital, I have been and seen too many people used as LAB RATS. This is a TEACHING hospital and we see RESIDENTS that are LEARNING how to

become a DR.

 

I told this G.I. that it felt like I was giving Birth and that I was going to CHOKE to death the last time they did it. He said the Fetenol must not have worked because I have been taking xanex for 28 years? I said, bolonge! somebody else must have taken my MED.

He then said, they would use propaphal(spelling again) I don't think so!!! I think that is too extreme for this procedure??? Gee , I don't know what to do???

 

I need to ask, How to wean off Prilosec? I just quit taking it a few days because I am having EVERY symptom they say is RARE, depression, agitation, heart palpatations,nausea,broken bones,(my arm in March),dry eyes, dry skin etc....

I am feeling the Heartburn pretty bad right now, what do I do?

 

I did not think about having to WEAN off them, never heard of it untill I read a few post.

 

I am in a REAL PICKLE because I am supposed to start a Med. for diabetes NOW and getting off the Prilosec, I won't know what is making me sick? I am also supposed to start a NEW anidepressant UGH!!! 

 

I guess I just answered that!!!  I need to stay on the Prilosec, start one new Med. for 2 or 3 weeks, then the other,and then wean off PRILOSEC???

 

I know no one is Dr. on here, but any suggestions would be welcomed. This Govt. hospital we go to is also where we see our Primary "Resident" and they only see you evry 3 months unless you have an emergency. The E.R. wait is anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. No! I am not kidding, it is the only place that serves low income and homeless.

This is a BIG city that I live in.

 

I am going through a LOT of health problems right now and I am afraid to find out what all is going on. I have Panic Disorder and Major Depession and there is a MAJOR family stressor going on right now, making EVERYTHING WORSE!!!

 

Thanks to everyone that does'nt mind my questions and Venting of sorts?

 

                          Warm Wishes To All, felinefanatic

 

Posted 9/3/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
felinefanatic-
Welcome to Healing Well GERD forum. I see you are quite frustrated and I am going to answer you other post also. I see you posted late last night, sometimes we are all over this place late and sometimes we are only lurking late at night half asleep and not able to give sound advice, so please don't hold that against us . Also not everyone here chimes in, we have MANY who just lurk and read for their own sanity and to see if they can find answers. Now back to your questions.
I would stay on the prilosec right now sice you are introducing 2 new meds and see how they go. Once you are on them for a week or 2 then try to taper off the prilosec. Are you replacing the priloscec with something else? If so I would just switch it out then. I actually know about the gov't hospital system being ex military. I kow about the stupid long waits and the under qualified staffs only to get nothing done. I can feel you frustrations there.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/3/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
I answered your other post about being very busy lately. I was in bed already when you posted last night.

I know the frustrations you're going through with your illness. Is there anyway you can see someone else? How about switching from prilocet to something like zegra?

The stomach pains could be from all of the tums and stuff you're consuming.
Holler, scream even to that doctor and tell them you want a solution- Now!

I had the propenal with my EGD and I felt fine. I didn't know a thing during it.
Posted 9/3/2010 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,  I am sorry to read of your problems.  I just had a scope last month.  I had Versed and Fentanyl.  Also they can my spray the back of your throat with a local anaesthetic which helped me.  The only thing I asked for was all the medication I was entitled too.  I metabolize these drugs quickly. 

I did not have any pain and hardly remember the procedure however I was told I bit the Dr.  turn

I am not sure if you can request to have an experienced, senior Dr. do your case but I do think you can refuse to have someone you don't feel comfortable with if you choose to have the scopes.  

If a PPI is discontinued abruptly, acid-making cells go into overdrive, sometimes for weeks or months. Some doctors suggest gradual dose tapering and using weaker drugs such as Tagamet, Pepcid or Zantac during the transition. Other people have had results using a  natural licorice compound called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). If you use our search feature you will find posts re the DGL.

I currently take Prilosec once daily so I cannot say I have any personal experience in weaning off of the medication.

Posted 9/3/2010 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Feline -
I routinely refuse Versed because it does nothing for pain, only gives you amnesia and makes you easier to handle. I won't take fentanyl without zofran because it makes me vomit for hours afterward. Together you are loopy , possibly for days.

For my last endo I did allow propofol (make sure it is the brand name Diprivan because of preservative problems with the generics). I did this only because with my fundo I dare not vomit, which I definitely would without sedation.

You wake up from propofol really awake. I drove myself home. (I was picked up and taken to where my car was parked.) No hangover, no loopiness.
Posted 9/4/2010 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
If the hospital if giving you angst I would go to another Dr that works at a different hospital if possible. Sounds like you need some more tests and a change of medications. That is a long time to suffer. Maybe surgery would be the only solution for you. Sorry to hear of such suffering. If you have been on prilosec that long, I heard that to wean off it you should first alternate every other day and on off days take a H2 blocker like Zantac. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks
Posted 9/4/2010 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Again, Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I cannot go anywhere else or see a differant Dr.

My husband is on S.S. dissability due to BRAIN SURGERY 5 years ago and too many other medical problems to go into.

This is the ONLY PLACE we can go, it is where all low income, no income and homeless people can go, in this HUGE city.

                                                      Thank You Again, feline fanatic

Posted 9/4/2010 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear that your Dr and hospital options are limited. I would still go ahead with the tests they recommend. Maybe things have changed in your digestive system in 6 years especially if you have bad acid reflux that hasn't been treated successfully. Best to find out now and not let damage get worse.

Thanks wink
Posted 9/4/2010 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
To wean off PPI's you need to first cut back how many you take per day. e.g if you are taking 2 per day drop it down to 1. Then drop the amounts of days you take them. e.g start taking them every second day then every third and so on.
I highly recommend you start taking aloe vera juice to help sooth your esophagus and gut. I also find New Zealand Manuka honey to be very beneficial on your gut and LES. And finally try drinking 2 capfuls of cider vinegar in a glass of water with each meal. It doesn't taste as bad as it sounds and it helps your stomach to digest food which stops it from fermenting in your stomach and being refluxed up.
Posted 9/4/2010 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
feline fanatic

I am sorry you are locked into one provider and hospital as that does make it harder to ask for second opinions but remember Patient's rights.  Please advocate for what you need and I agree that the tests may be a good idea if you can get past the fear.

Wishing you a peaceful holiday weekend.

Posted 9/4/2010 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
i know its tough but get the tests and see what is going on. then you can act. id hold the ppi for now..once tests are done then you can be informed. also, u may need a different ppi like protonix..its cheap if omeprazoale is a problem. as far as depression i have it too and its hard to pin it on a med. but xanax and benzos can do that too..ive used it a lot. i think long term use does make sleeping meds work less but not pain meds. that is bologne
Posted 9/5/2010 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Feline Fanatic,
If you're having reflux that badly, it seems that a PPI like Prilosec is your best option. There are other formulations (I ended up with generic Protonix, which works very well). It seems pretty obvious by your description that you definitely can't wean off a PPI without picking up another one.

In the meantime, it's really important that you do get good care from a doctor...I'm sure there are some young and very capable docs who can talk with you about your problems and figure out a plan of action.

Sorry you're having so many problems.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Denise
Posted 9/5/2010 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
1) Do not get emotional , I know its a crap situation but you have to stay peaceful.

2) Eat proper, low fat , no tissue irritants(spicy, onion) etc. I eat 6 meals a day. Be careful with skinned and high fiber vegetables/fruits like beans , corn , etc That rough fiber can cause pain as it move. I would puree it when I ate it.

3) The order is Lower the dose of what your on PPI etc till your at a low dose and comfortable then move on to the weaker stuff doses are up to your body.

Order is PPI(strongest)->H2 blockers(zantac,etc)->antacids .

I got off and was able to skip antacids. I took Zantac in pieces. Took a half piece of zantac pill in the morning first thing and 1/4 before going to sleep. Follow instruction like 45 min before eating etc. It took me months to do.

On bad days try meal supplements and shakes for calories without milk if milk is a problem for you for some meals.

This is from my experience , good luck.
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