HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

PPI Questions for Experienced Users

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/18/2017 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

So long story short...a few years ago I stated having stomach pain. Went the the dr...who gave me protonix with very little info. I took it for 2 months as directs and stopped. It did help, but got way worse after I stopped. I read all about the drug after that...and figured I was going through rebound. Tried to fight my way through it with natural remedies...but after 2 months of suffering...I decided to see a GI doctor. (I am a 27 year old male...was about 24/25 when this all stated).

He put me back on protonix. Didnt help. He upped the dosage...didnt help. He put me on Nexium...didnt help. Once again upped the dosage, didnt help. FINALLY I found relief on Dexilant 60mg. That worked great for me for about a year and a half.

Of course, this past January it stopped working after I had a small stomach virus. I tried Carafate...but it wasnt enough. My GI doctor eventually put me on Aciphex 20mg. It was an improvement...but still not where I was on the Dexilant. He upped the dosage to 40mg...after a few good days on that BOOM. Heartburn came back with a vengeance...worse than it was when I was on 20mg. I went back to 20mg the past 2 days and its been a little better, but still worse than I was before I upped the dose.

Needless to say, I see another PPI change in my future.

So here are my questions:

Has anyone gone back on a PPI that they had success with but eventually it stopped working? I still have a ton of Dexilant...I am wondering if it is worth giving that another shot since I've had a 2 month break from it? Or once these drugs stop working theyll never work again for you?

What PPI will I be recommended next? I feel like I am running out of them to try...

Thank you all in advance!
Posted 6/19/2017 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
BNC glad you came to our forum. Sure sounds like you are having a hard time with the medicine. Glad you are working with your GI Doctor. Did your physician tell you about 'when' to take the PPI ? There are specific time frames in relation to your food intake. The medicine must be taken early enough to dissolve in your stomach and cut the acid pumps off before consuming food. How many times a day are you taking the medicine? Many physicians have you take PPI in morning and an H2 at night. Also, did he instruct you on what foods to avoid. This is very important. The PPI does not mean you can eat anything. Also, (I apologize), if you are obese, are you working on that as it can have an effect on the diaphragm and push reflux upward. I'd suggest cut ting out coffee and carbonated drinks like beer and soda. Avoid greasy fried foods. Be kind to yourself and take care of you. Let us know how you are doing and if you have had tests to confirm your diagnosis. Pat
Posted 6/19/2017 1:39 PM (GMT 0)

Pat Tall said...
BNC glad you came to our forum. Sure sounds like you are having a hard time with the medicine. Glad you are working with your GI Doctor. Did your physician tell you about 'when' to take the PPI ? There are specific time frames in relation to your food intake. The medicine must be taken early enough to dissolve in your stomach and cut the acid pumps off before consuming food. How many times a day are you taking the medicine? Many physicians have you take PPI in morning and an H2 at night. Also, did he instruct you on what foods to avoid. This is very important. The PPI does not mean you can eat anything. Also, (I apologize), if you are obese, are you working on that as it can have an effect on the diaphragm and push reflux upward. I'd suggest cut ting out coffee and carbonated drinks like beer and soda. Avoid greasy fried foods. Be kind to yourself and take care of you. Let us know how you are doing and if you have had tests to confirm your diagnosis. Pat

Thank you for the reply, Pat!

I apologize for not providing more info. I am a 27 yo male...5'11" currently 155lbs. I actually have the opposite problem of being obese...because I have a very high metabolism...any time my reflux acts up it is very difficult to keep my weight up. When things were going good 6 months ago...I was about 168 (the heaviest I have ever been). As soon as the Dexilant stopped working, it was only a few weeks before I was down in the low 150s. Needless to say, it is very frustrating.

I always take my PPIs when I first wake up...then eat 30-60 minutes later. That worked well for me because I am a very routine oriented person. I have been using Zantac at night in recent months...which seems to help.

When I was on the Dexilant for over a year and it was working well...I really didnt need zatnac or any food restrictions. That said, any of the "iffy" foods I always did in moderation. I would have a small cup of coffee in the morning...when I went out, I would limit myself to 2 drinks or less, if I had pizza I would stop at 2 slices instead of scarfing down more. Part of the reason I decided to stay on PPIs was because it did allow me to eat pretty normal...which was good for social reasons and because of my struggles gaining weight. But like I said, I was not reckless about it. The biggest life style change I made was not laying down within 2 hours of eating.

My recent struggles are definitely a result of Dexilant not working anymore. The Aciphex worked a bit at first, but once I upped the dosage it went real south real fast and that is where I am now. I really am just curious what to do moving forward. PPI therapy did work very well for me...it is just frustrating that it stopped and now I have to try to find a new one that works. I am just curious if these are "one and done" drugs...meaning if the Dexilant stopped working for me, is it now a drug that will never work for me again?
Posted 6/19/2017 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
BNC, how was the diagnosis made? Did the physician base it on symptoms alone or upper GI or barium swallow ? Could be a hernia that gives you the symptoms of reflux discomfort and that could occur in spite of the medicine.

Please don't discount the help of proper eating. Our doc told us that you must eat/drink now the way you should have always been doing before the problem occurred. The 'pill' is not an excuse to eat freely. I'd eliminate trigger foods, keep track by writing what you consume and you will find out pretty quick. It's worth it and the heck with social for a while. Please know we are not doctors on this forum but we sure want to help with suggestions and thoughts.

BTW, rebound is a rough thing to go through. We purchased empty capsules at the health food store (pharmacy do not normally carry) and split the capsules one I to four, then one into 3 , then one into four--titration down was the best way for us to avoid the return of reflux when trying to stop the PPI's. Took about six months.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply