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What is point of PPIs?

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Posted 10/30/2014 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
I know that PPIs lower stomach acid. We need stomach acid, so in long run PPIs are not good for us, right?

So, when doc suggests short-term course of PPIs (as was suggested to me), what is the point? If they relieve symptoms, and then I go off them after 8 weeks, what is point of having been on them?

Do they ever resolve/cure anything short-term?

Confused. Thanks for your wisdom! confused
Posted 10/30/2014 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I can only speak for myself and say I wish I had never started them, if you do and decide to stop them please wean yourself off slowly or you could experience acid rebound. I was on 40mg Nexium 1x day and I'm now down to 10mg 1x day, it has taken me approx 6 months to wean to this point and I feel just as well as I did on the 40mgs.

Acid rebound is something my doctor failed to tell me about before I started this drug. Just my two cents !!!:)
Posted 10/30/2014 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
For GERD, short term PPI treatment isn't usually likely to give relief beyond when you're actually on them, so isn't a cure no.

If however you have something like inflammation in the esophagus or stomach then a short term course can give you chance to heal and the inflammation subside, so can be effective and I guess is what doctors hope will happen when the advise these short term courses.

Most doctors will let you stay on them long term though if it helps your symptoms and they return once you're off them.

PPIs don't get rid of stomach acid completely, and I wouldn't say they are 'good' for you, but if faced with the alternative of constant pain that many are, I think the benefit outweighs the disadvantages.

Personally I have found GERD can suddenly disappear as fast it came on, even a few years later. So if PPI therapy is something you need at the moment, it doesn't mean you will always need it.
Posted 10/30/2014 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
@Andy, I pray that's the case with me, because mine came on full force suddenly and I pray it will dissapear as suddenly. I will see soon, as I will be completely off my ppi (praying) at years end.
Posted 10/30/2014 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone. Yes, that makes sense that if there is inflammation, lowered stomach acid can allow that to heal. And I suppose that relief of pain is worth it, too, which is why lots stay on them for long term.

I don't have much inflammation or damage, and my type of reflux (LPR) is not typically helped by PPIs. So, in my case, just a case of docs throwing meds at me without the proper information (I think!)...

Do you think there are many who have been helped by them, and so they're not posting for alternative treatments, or do you think our forum is a true representation of PPI users (or non-users, or former users)? I tend to believe the latter, based on research and other info I've read...
Posted 10/31/2014 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
I had an ulcer, thus the PPI originally. I've been on mine for 4 years, Aciphex (now the generic). I've cut mine back, cut in half, 10mg instead of 20 once a day. I'm getting by fine on that and eating very small meals throughout the day which also helps. I've tried just about everything, and have never been able to get by without, but have never had any problems with this particular PPI and the way I'm taking it. I reacted badly to Zantac (not a PPI), broke out in hives with Dexilant, Prevacid didn't seem to help. Had my gallbladder out that helped some also, am doing quite well on the low dose PPI and hate to mess things up with a change at this point. So not all PPI stories are bad.
Posted 10/31/2014 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
88keys, glad you're doing well on them! I know that one very legit reason to take them is having an ulcer.
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