Getting off Nexium

Anyone else trying to get off this stuff?

I"m 47. I have been on Nexium for years. Probably 10. Don’t remember actual start but know it’s been quite a while. Started when I just couldn’t get rid of heartburn. At my suggestion, my primary care Dr. (Dr. M) prescribed it. Wish I’d never asked her about that darn drug! I believe the root cause of my leaky gut symptoms. I’ve become “allergic” to gluten and dairy. Even fiber is hard to digest.

I did see a gastroenterologist (Dr. T) for all this and she only diagnosed gall stones which I never had had any symptoms for --- no attacks. She basically didn’t address my “IBS symptoms” which is what I went to her for… just agreed with me that I had IBS and was likely caused by the gall stones. Never a single mention about getting myself tested for food allergies. I researched and researched and decided against the gallbladder removal after reading how essential the gallbladder actually is. I very carefully and methodically treated that issue and still treat myself with herbs, lemon water, and olive oil routinely (if I’m feeling any tinges in my upper right gallbladder area, I feel dramatically better after I drink lemon water and down a couple tablespoons of olive oil. [I used to do the gall bladder cleanses every 6 months… drinking lemon juice and olive oil mixed over several hours to induce flushing the system, but that is so time consuming and feels miserable; came up with simpler way to do it]).

I say all that about the gall bladder to show I do my research now. My primary care dr. (dr. M) even shared my gallbladder “recovery” with another patient and THAT patient also is reportedly feeling better using natural remedies.

After Dr. T was no help… I suffered along for another 6 months and then lucked upon a good naturopath. One of the first things she said to me after reviewing the meds I’m on was that she’d worked for 18 years in a hospital as a nurse and the sickest people she’d ever seen were the ones taking the most medicines. She wanted me to try to get off the Nexium and explained what it did to the stomach acid. But at the time, I was against it, having tried to not take it 1 day and it backfired. She’s the one who first introduced me to the term leaky gut syndrome.

So we worked on cleansing my system and other things.

Now a year and a ½ after seeing her those 3 (expensive) times, I’m so over all these food challenges.

Told 'Dr. M' I wanted to go off Nexium. She was very against it.

I’m doing it anyway. VERY slowly and carefully.

about 10 days ago, I started taking only “half” of the capsule (the smaller “half”) and adding in , 3 times a day, a tablespoon of vinegar mixed with apple juice. That helped tremendously. I did just fine with only half the Nexium. Didn’t alter my diet at all.

This week I’m taking a little less of the meds and continuing with vinegar once a day but I added a prescribed sodium bicarbonate tablet (which dr. had given me months back and I didn’t really use--- vinegar was effective but kind of sick of it). Have only had to use Gaviscon once so far. I did see a decrease in ability to tolerate some spicy foods. So avoiding those like the plague for a while. Plan to switch back to vinegar in apple juice next week. Just needed a break from it.

I thought I should mention I also developed an food sensitivity after taking the PPI. I could not eat chocolate. Anytime I would eat chocolate, I would get an intense headache 30 to 45 minutes after eating it. I had never had a problem eating chocolate before I started the PPI. It was always one of my favorite foods.

But once off all acid suppressant medication and the delayed gastric emptying symptoms (slow digestion) started to reverse, I could eat chocolate again with no issues. I've also included the fiber back into my diet as well. If you google Low stomach acid you will find a lot of information on how low stomach acid can cause GERD, food sensitivities and other symptoms due to slow digestion.

Post Edited (CAGU) : 11/1/2015 7:24:14 AM (GMT-7)

Hi Tbier

I was taking omeprazole 20mg when I developed delayed gastric emptying. Doctors did not realize the PPI caused the problem, so they switched PPIs and put me on Dexilant 60mg and I continued to get worse.

If you are on a low dosage PPI,.. like 20mg, you can try adding 2 to 3 TBP of Lemon juice to 4 ounces of water. Drink this right before your meal. If you notice any reduction of your symptoms, than you are dealing with slow digestion (delayed gastric emptying).

When trying to wean off this medication, I changed my diet. I ate an extremely plain diet. I ate things like baked fish, baked chicken, plain baked potato. (no dairy, no condiments, no spices on anything which means no soup either). I also avoided all the normal foods which would cause reflux. I was not using any supplements at this time.

I have been documenting my road to recovery at this link below. You will also find more information on PPIs and delayed gastric emptying at the link below:

https://www.inspire.com/CAGU/journal/ppi-warning-gastroparesis-delayed-gastric-emptying-proton-pump-inhibitor/

Post Edited (CAGU) : 11/7/2015 12:23:26 AM (GMT-7)

Hi Tbier

You can always try the lemon juice. But keep in mind on the higher does of PPIs you may not notice as much difference, since you are blocking even more of the stomach acid needed to break down your food.

Many people do not realize low stomach acid can cause GERD. This is due to not having the correct amount of stomach acid to break down your food. Your naturopathic doctors are aware of the problem with low stomach acid causing slow digestion (delayed gastric emptying). You can google low stomach acid for more information on symptoms.

Gastroenterologist do not believe we need acid to digest our food. They believe the stomach contractions alone is what moves the food from the stomach into the small intestines. So they will never check for low stomach acid.

Hi Tbier

Yes, I had the above symptoms you mentioned. You described the basic symptoms for slow digestion. But if the slow digestion continues to get worse, you can also be dealing with nausea, stomach pains, and even abdominal fullness due to slow digestion.

The burping for me was excessive. I would wake up in the morning and I would still be burping before I would eat or drink anything.

I was on the PPI around three months during a seven month stretch. I kept trying to get off this medication during this seven month stretch, but I did not know what acid rebound was back then. The doctors were not offering any advice on acid rebound either. It was not until I watched a medical show on television that I found out what acid rebound was.

Dear Cagu!

Another question. How long did it take for you to start getting effects after phasing out PPI? F.e. when did the belching/burping reduce? Was that weeks or months?

And did you experience effects only when you were completely off PPI or also when you f.e. took half of the amount of PPI (from 40 to 20 or 20 to 10 mg).

Thanks again!

Dear Cagu,

Thanks agian. By the way...how's life at this moment? A lot of people don't show up on this forum after they are healed. Thanks for sharing your expierence. And to all the people reading this years after this post....IF I will be cured from this, you can always ask me questions...

Seems we have a very similar pattern of symptoms. I must say, it gives hope. Finally I have something to really work on, instead of waiting on doctors to have time, and when they have, giving you the wrong advice.

I already saw the inspire website. It took you quite long to tapper everything off I see. I want to try it on a specific diet (paleo or so) and not using zantac, but more natural solutions. Three days ago I woke up that good on my diet, that I completely forgot the PPI. Later that day I decided that it should be the day to start phasing out PPI than. Off course acid rebound, so the last 2 days on half doses. If I'm honoust (in my case), this acid rebound is just slighty more bad than I felt when I was on the full doses. I felt so worse the last 6 months that this isn't a big issue. And knowing that it is acid rebound and will slowly go away, I know what I'm doing it for. In the last days no heartburns or the symptoms I had before beginning on PPI. If that will start, it will make it a bit harder, because than I'll start doubting to start again.

Let's see how far we get! And advices on natural solutions or what so ever during this phasing out steps....are welcome!!!

Thanks Buster! I think knowing if I have high or low acid is very important. For now al the home tests point to low acid. Lemon Juices don't lead to extra disconformort or so. But eating healthy on the long term will be the best solution I see...

Thanks Peabs for the support and extra information. Not everyone has the same body and what works for the one, doesn't work for the other. So much is clear. But the more insights I get from different people, the more I learn. So thanks!

I'm still on a half dose, but it's nog going that bad at all. Had expected much worse. Hope te be Lucky and finish this in 1 or 2 months. And if not...I'll just keep on trying. The healthy food in combination with this (as well as Gaviscon, baking soda etc.) is necessary I must say.

Everybody good luck. I'll send an update in 2 tot 5 weeks I think.

Dear Cagu,

Great you have your life completely back. Hope it works for me that way too. I must say that the last week at some times I already felt better on half doses. But mainly because of the strict diet I'm following I think. The belching and sore throat is still there, but already not that much and severe.

about a half hour before going to eat I use apple cider. And during eating some enzyme capsules. Afterwards I'll take enough time sitting still to let my stomach digest the food.

With all these changes I already feel that my stomach is reacting, also with acid rebound...but that will go away. And yesterday my old pattern of lavatory visit was back.

Maybe I'll also go to a naturopathic doctor (you mentioned) on a short term. Maybe he also has some suggestions to get through the next months.

Thanks again!

Hi TBIER,

I was diagnosed with GERD June 14. I went to E.R. Did all my test. Xray, C/T scan. HPylori and all test necessary. Aside from my GP had my G.I. and ENT doctor. Sad to say my doctors except my ENT doctor did not do anything to make me feel better. Instead I got weaker taking the medications (PPI). I'm so thankful to the good friends I found on this site. To name a few, CAGU and Peabs.

When I was diagnosed with GERD, a week after I was given Prozac and Ativan on top of my PPI meds. My doctor said, I'm losing it and needed those meds. I'm not a psychiatric patient, but my doctor made me felt that way. So sad. But those are anxiety pills and made my GERD worst. So I stopped taking those anxiety pills. Instead I did meditation and prayers. By my own well, I wean myself from PPI July 24. I took Zantac for 3 weeks and wean from it. Like you, I did have acid rebound. I stick to the strict diet. Like CAGU I developed low acid. I did notice that mixing Apple cider on food is a comfort so I know I have low stomach acid. That's because of PPI (even just for 6 weks) it destroyed my stomach acid. This forum helped me a lot to recover. I found friends that understand what horrible feeling I've been thru.

I did strict diet, slept on a reclining bed. Taking notes on all my intake, chewing my food properly. Eating in moderation helped. I was taking food supplements like Boost to regain my weight back. Lost 22 lbs. I was taking probiotics and Yakult after my meal. After 3 months without medications, I'm able to eat and have enjoyed my Thanksgiving dinner. So happy to eat Cinnabon (my favorite) after all those 5 agonizing months. No more food supplements except when I travel. I was able to travel 4 big cities in 6 days and I regain my strength back. Most of all, I thank God that by the blood of Jesus Christ I got healed. For me it's a miracle. This is my story.

Don't lost hope. You will get better.
God bless.

Dear Cagu,

I have some more questions. Hope you can help me again.

I'm off PPI for 2 months by now. In the first week I had severe acid rebound, but after that first week it already went better straight away. Later on I had a few big downs. My complaints are now reduced by 70% I think, but I'm still not fully recovered. Especially the burping does not stop at all. And if I sometimes eat acid producing food (eg. Chocolate or coffee), then I get acid coming up all the way in my throat on top of the burping (which I did not have using PPI).

Question 1: did the burping in your case stop one day on the other day on did it go away in really small steps?

Question 2: I'm still using Gaviscon Advance two to three times a day . Do you know if this also has harmful side effects such as PPI? And that I perhaps should try to stop taking this liquid stuff?

Question 3: And can it possibly be due to the fact that I have been on PPI for 14 months (much longer than you did)? Maybe you already know several people by now who have been through the same thing and where you can see very big differences in recovery. Maybe even determined by the period they took PPI.

Thank you very much again!

Best regards!

Dear Cagu,

Thank you very much again for your time and support. Next step will be to say goodbye to Gaviscon. I'm back on the low acid diet again. And that helps straight away.

It seems indeed that it's a very precise balance in our stomach with the acid. Too much and too less will lead to GERD symptoms.

A big advantage of this all is that I don't even like caffiene, alcohol, spicy food etc. anymore. I'm used to what I eat now. It's much tastier anyway. That's no big problem.

Lets hope in 2016 this little steps will continue leading to a healthy life.

I will read the article you have send. Thanks for that one.

Best regards!