Zantac & Palps

My PCP told me to discontinue pantoprazole due to newly dx of osteoporosis and told me to take 150 mg Zantac. I did this morning and I've had palps ever since. I find this really uncomfortable and scary.

Anyone ever experience this?

Thanks.

Blessings,
cme

Thanks Sunny.

I questioned him about stopping abruptly and he said I could do it without rebound. He only takes a PPI occasionally for AR so he thinks it can be done without rebound. They just don't understand CHRONIC! Neither does my GI!

This is only my second day without the PPI. Yesterday I had heartburn after lunch and took Gaviscon 30 mins after eating then another dose 30 mins after the 1st dose. It helped somewhat. I drank a cup of Chamomile tea also.

The PPI had stopped working so I wasn't too concerned.

I'm carrying Zantac in my pocket today. The minute I feel the burn, I'll take 75 mgs and see how that works and especially if the palps start again.

What a life! You take meds for one thing and it causes other issues - meanwhile the drug companies are making money hand-over-fist!

Blessings,
cme

I weighed the decision carefully. I am at high risk for hip fracture and we all know what that means.

Considering the PPIs were no longer working, I decided to stop it and hope for the best.

My last gastroscope, doc said to remain on the PPI until April. Then "take as needed." When gastritis strikes me, one or two PPI will NOT do the trick.

I find it comical when being treated for gastritis a doctor tells you to just take an antacid. If it's that simple, I wouldn't be in the office!

The results of my scope - inflammation of the entire stomach and very beginning of the small bowel.

I'm drinking more water, eating 6 tiny meals a day, etc.

Guess I'm feeling grumpy today! :o(

Does the PPI help you?

cme

I went almost 20 years without pills.

I can't speak for anyone else but if alkalizing my body would work, I wouldn't be on pills.

Thanks for your input though.

Blessings,
cme

Cme, Thanks for asking that question, because I,m not sure about the answer. I believe I have slowly healed since stating Nexium in July. Before that, 3 months of prilosec did not seem to help. Now I am back on prilosec, as part of my plan to very slowly back off ppis. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks on prilosec, so I will try cutting back to 20 Mg prilosec from 40. I will post how it goes. My symptoms are pretty much just in my stomach, so I will will need to baby that.

I have a strong history of PVC's and palps and have yet to have a single issue of PVC's since using Zantac. In fact I was taking 300 mg daily and didn't have an issue. I bet it is more of a coincidental issue than the Zantac causing....

Thank you Sunny, HTP and Kitt.

You are right. It was the discontinuation of the PPI which was the culprit. This is day 3 without it and the palps have subsided.

Surprisingly I have thus far avoided a serious rebound. I pray it doesn't rear its ugly head. Hopefully it would have by now.

I'm trying something else which seems to be helping. I drink a cup of warm, not hot, Chamomile tea after each meals instead of an occasional cup. That's several cups a day but if it works, I'll do it!

I'm extremely careful about my diet and and have kept the Zantac down to 75 mg at bedtime. Between it, the wedge and avoiding even a light snack 3 hours prior to bedtime, this seems to be keeping the acid where it belongs.

Sunny, please let us know if you are able to successfully lower your Prilosec dose.

Blessings,
cme

I'm glad you did okay on the reduced dosage yesterday. That's a blessing.

I'm probably way off base but has your esophagus ever been dilated?

I get the same throat symptoms and once my GI dilates my eso, the coughing stops after about a week. I still get the burning, sometimes my voice changes but over all, it really helps me.

As for singing...I'm in the congregation singing so no one really hears me. :o)

cme

Sunny, I had a cough like you said, day and night. It would even have me going to the rest room during church service. My GI usually stretches it during a gastroscope. I had strictures. Thankfully I've had no ill effects from it, only blessed relief!

I'm no longer taking Gaviscon. It contains aluminum and in my case, is a bad thing due to the osteoporisis. I'll take it occasionlly but it won't be like before...I was using the heck out of it.

I'm drinking the heck out of Chamomile, watching everything I eat and taking a Pepcid AC at night.

Blessings,
cme

Sounds like a good strategy Sunny. I certainly hope it works and I've added you to my special prayer list.

All antacids which contain aluminum and PPIs affects the absorption of calcium.

JAMA has a lot of info, here's the link -

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/296/24/2947.abstract

Don't over look the 'Related Letters' at the bottom.

Hip fracture is the one you DON'T want! If older folks survive a year, they usually die within five. My mom didn't make it a year and my mother-in-law died within three years. Hip fractures worry me even though I do all the exercises to build balance and strength. I hate to think that all the healthy eating, calcium and D3 I took was for naught! Well - then again, maybe not.

I've been closely journaling since getting off the pantoprazole last week. I'm shocked at how much better I feel since getting off of it, even abruptly.

I didn't take anything last night, had no problem and thus far today I'm doing great. Of course I'm following the diet carefully and drinking Chamomile tea.

Now I'm wondering if the PPI caused my gastritis or at least contributed to it! It's amazing how much better I feel This has never happened before and I've been on pantoprazole off and in between other PPIs. It's puzzling to me how PPIs can affect you one way this time and next time another way! Pantoprazole used to be the best one for me.

I feel night time acid can cause more damage to the esoph due to body position.

Wishing you a very blessed day.
cme