When to stop PPIs?

Hi everyone, I'm very new to this forum and thought I would share my story.

I'm 23, F, and was diagnosed with acid reflux two and a half years ago. I had developed this cough that wouldn't go away. I went to see the doctor who looked in my throat and said that I have acid reflux. He told me to get a 2-week supply of ranitidine and gaviscon. I took both and my cough went away and I didn't think too much about it. Aside from the cough I didn't have any heartburn symptoms.

A few months ago, I developed this feeling of a lump in my throat that would feel better when I belch. It stayed for a while and I went to a walk-in clinic. The doctor there rushed me through and wrote a 30-day prescription for 40mg Tecta (pantoprazole magnesium). Didn't really give me much guidance otherwise and said to look up "GERD" on Google. I looked up PPIs, read about "acid rebound", read everyone's experiences on this forum, and I became really scared about taking the Tecta. I decided to get some Zantac OTC since the ranitidine worked well last time. A week later, the heartburn started. I tried Bragg's organic ACV, aloe vera juice, and making lifestyle changes. It helped a little bit but the heartburn never really went away.

In the meantime, I found a new family doctor. I told her about how I'm scared to take PPIs and she said "it's a good medicine to take for a short period of time to let the esophagus heal, but it's not something she would recommend taking for long term." I also got a referral to a gastroenterologist and had my appointment yesterday.

Well, that appointment didn't go well at all. He made fun of me when I told him about why I hadn't taken any PPIs. All throughout the appointment, he was saying how there's no such thing as acid rebound and how a lot of his patients have been on those for years and years and they're doing just fine. He told me to stop reading bullcrap on the internet, told me to lose weight, kept brushing aside my questions and insisting that I take my "proper medication." Overall, he made me extremely uncomfortable. He wrote me a new prescription for Tecta - this time for A YEAR'S SUPPLY. The only good thing out of that appointment was that I now have a gastroscopy scheduled 3 weeks from today.

I really did not want to work with that doctor, but I feel like he's not going to suggest anything else if I didn't take the Tecta. So I started my dosage yesterday and scheduled another appointment with my family doctor (for tomorrow) to talk about the dosage and how/when to wean it off.

To be honest, I really have no idea how my appointment will go tomorrow - I had only met her once before, and she was friendly and pleasant to work with. I'm scared that if I tell her that my GE told me to be on it for a long time, she'll suggest I do that instead. So far, I haven't experienced heartburn on the Tecta but I have had some unpleasant stabbing headaches - kind of like those ice pick headaches. I'm confused and frustrated, and my question is -

Those of you who've taken PPIs - how long did you take your PPIs for? And if you're not longer taking them, how did you wean it off? Did any supplements help?

I'm still pretty shocked with my appointment at the GE's office and it's making me sad and unsure of what to do anymore. I can't believe a doctor can just so rudely dismiss my questions and concerns like that.

Hi escapin, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me, it really makes me feel a lot better to talk to someone who understands. I'm sorry to hear about your last EGD results and hope your GI will come up with other solutions to help you get better.

As for the PPI, I have a feeling my family doctor will tell me something similar at the appointment tomorrow. At least, I hope she does. Anything is better than "you're fine to take it for a long time." I'm also glad I'm getting a test so I'll know exactly how severe it is in there.

I really appreciate your feedback and wish you all the best.

Hi Vallry220

Acid rebound is a real thing, but not everyone experiences acid rebound. Unfortunately, both my mom and
I went through several months of horrible acid rebound to wean off PPIs. It saddens me that some doctors refuse to believe it exist. If you place the word "Acid rebound" in the search field on the Healingwell website, you will find many people are struggling to wean off PPIs and even H2-blockers like Zantac. I asked my current gastroenterologist why doctors do not warn patients about acid rebound. He replied, "Because when we put patients on a PPI, we expect them to stay on the medication permanently." This was the best answer he had for me.

You need to remember PPIs are only a band-aid. They do not fix the under lying problem which is causing your GERD, and they are definitely not meant to be on long term. There are other health risk associated with PPIs, which most your gastroenterologist refuse to believe.. no big surprise there. Your naturopathic doctors are more aware of the problems assoicated with PPIs. I would consider seeking out a "qualified" naturopathic doctor.

Thought I would also mention I developed delayed gastric emptying after taking a PPI. It made my GERD much worse. After being on the PPI, I no longer had the correct stomach acid to break down my food. This caused a big problem! Both food & remaining acid was being pushed back up the esophagus because of this.

Until your GI doctors find a different method to treat GERD, they are going to continue pushing PPIs and ignoring all studies that show PPIs could cause any possible health risk.

Post Edited (CAGU) : 3/4/2016 10:59:45 AM (GMT-7)

Hey Vallry220,

I am sorry to hear about your experiences. Most docs don't like their expensive medical degrees and limited intelligence challenged. These forums are filled with very smart people and good information.

Most GI docs I have seen, are under the impression that being on PPIs forever is ok, they don't know how wrong they are! PPIs destroy your body, there is a reason the FDA has only approved them for use initially for 14 days, but was extended under pressure from big farma, they are now approved I believe for use up to 6 months under the FDA.

If you have a moment, take a look at my thread I posted last night, it has my story about getting off of PPIs, so maybe you can find some information to help you.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=3597597

SharonZ -

That's great to hear about your NF surgery and how it all worked out! I'm not quite sure if my doctor will suggest surgery, but my scope is in 2 weeks so hopefully I'll have some answers by the end of this month. Really itching to get off the PPIs since I've noticed lately that it's contributing more to my already existing iron deficiency problem. Looks like I'm not absorbing my iron pills properly due to the stop in stomach acid production.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place because PPIs don't treat GERD but only the symptoms. At the same time, my doctor told me that if I want to prevent getting cancer later on, I need to keep taking the PPIs.

Thanks so much for all your input.

Thanks Captaindd!

What was your experience when you stopped taking your PPIs? Did you quit cold turkey or slowly tapered off, and did you receive any rebound effects?

I've got Bragg's organic ACV that I'm looking forward to taking once I stop taking my medication - fingers crossed that I'll be able to once I get my scope. I've been taking more fibre lately as the PPIs are messing with my digestion and bowel movements. Appreciate your feedback!