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H2 blocker tolerance

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Posted 3/23/2012 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
My GI doc said that this class of meds is not effective for long term use because we develop tolerance for it.  How often can we take it without developing tolerance?   Maybe every other day?
Posted 3/23/2012 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Took the medication for a month and gave up as I refuse to take medication for the rest of my life and I am breastfeeding my 8 month old. Discussed with my GP about managing my symptoms through diet changes, sleeping posture and exercise and he said that in some cases people can do this and happy for me to give this option a go for the moment and will monitor it. So far so good, but I did have a bit of an upset tummy for a few days after coming off the medication and making changes such as giving up coffee and acid producing foods that I love. I have since visited a natropath/nutritionist and have been taking few natural supplements and with the diet changes I am finding I can keep reflux symptoms well under control at the moment, some day no symptoms at all. That being said I have an appointment with a specialist on Monday to book in for a scope and any other test to check for anything else and see what is going on and we will go from there. That is where I am at.
Posted 3/23/2012 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Depending on the serverity of your condition, it might not hurt to discuss other alternatives with your GP and get some ideas from your health food shop natropath / nutritionist. I am finding some useful resources on the internet as well.
Posted 3/24/2012 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your thoughts, but I would love to hear an answer to my question. I have made tons of lifestyle changes, and am using additional medical and natural products, including adhering to the Koufman diet.

Post Edited (sunbeam48) : 3/23/2012 8:12:12 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/24/2012 5:47 AM (GMT 0)
I am day 8 changing diet and sleeping with bed elevated .. Plenty of h20 and happy to say no Zantac last night and 1 today after being bitten by a wasp .... I took it because I was scared I might go backwards..(I'm always scared live on tenterhooks when I have an episode) using food combining...basically no proteins with starch...fruit on its own....no red meat
Fit. For Life diet.. Much better every day...I have had years between bouts so am lucky but when it comes back really debilitating..keeping my fingers crossed I'll continue to improve and get over this bout..This diet has always enabled me to get over each attack
Posted 3/24/2012 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
I was really hoping to hear from someone who could answer my question. I did not intend to start another thread about the topics being posted so far. I wish everyone well.
Posted 3/24/2012 2:17 PM (GMT 0)

Well probably no one knows. You really should ask your doctor or maybe a pharmacist.

 

Personally I haven’t heard that you would build a tolerance, actually I have only heard the opposite and was told I may need to take them for life.

Having said that, different types of H2 blocker works better with some of us than others. Personally Nexium and some brands of Lansoprazole does not work for me. I haven’t tried Ormeprazole.

Posted 3/24/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Jesper,

Zantec is one type of H2 blocker.  Nexium and omezperole (Prilosec) are PPI's, not H2 blockers.  PPI's are commonsly talen for life, but they have terrible long term side effects for me, so I am no longer taking them.

I will be seing my primary doc this week, but the more information I have the better off I will be.  I have learned tons of stuff here that my docs never told me.  You are probably corrrect, that no one here knows the answer to my question.  I have also searched the internet for this info, but haven't found my specific answer.

Posted 3/24/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunbeam,

From what I've heard tolerance/lack of effectiveness can occur with many meds. My allergy doc has me go off/switch meds every so often for 6 weeks and then I can go back to the other one.  Apparently the body becomes so acclimated to whatever med is used regularly that it doesn't work as well.

The 6 week time frame is the only one I can provide, as that was the case with my allergy med.  I don't know if that would be the same for H2 blockers.

The same thing happens with albuterol inhalers...the more they is used, the less effective they are.  Before my Nissen surgery my asthma doc had me stop the albuterol, so it would be able to work during and after my surgery if necessary.

Sorry I can't be specific about H2 blockers, but this is the best I have to offer!

Good luck with your quest!

Denise

Posted 3/24/2012 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Sunbeam you are absolutely right.
I took PPI's for a type of H2 blocker, but they are not. Thanks for enlightning me :)

I actually found this link which in 7 lines explains the difference:
http://heartburn.about.com/od/faq1/f/ppish2blockers.htm

And of course Denise is right too. I have just been under the impression (from my own doctor) that at least PPI's potentially keep their effect for a lifetime.
Posted 3/27/2012 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
For anyone interested in getting off PPI's: this class of drugs is still effective for many people, though PPI's are generally more effective. Tolerance also develops for some people with PPI's, resulting in reduced effectiveness over time.

My GP recommended that I start taking Zantec once daily, 150 mg, leaving room for increased doseage and frequency. If I max out the doseage and frequency (as potentially reflected in increased symptoms), I will switch to other products for awhile: Gaviscon, TUMS, etc. Pepto Bismol for my stomach is ongoing, no harm there for long term use. Natural products I continue to use include daily rooibos, licorice and ginger teas; yogurt, and following the Koufman diet.
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