Quit omeprazole after 8 years. Extreme heartburn. Natural remedies??

Hi, I have Achalasia and was diagnosed in 2011 after about 6 years of swallowing problems leading to lost weight and a completely impassible esophagus when they tried to do a scope. It was impacted with food. I did the dreaded manometry test- I hated it. But it confirmed that I have no motility in my esophagus. I first got Botox to widen the opening so that i could eat and try to get stronger before surgery. Then I had Heller Myotomy with partial fundoplication in 2011. I’ve done some balloon dilations since then to widen it, and I have to sleep inclined every night for the rest of my life. I have a lot of bloating, constipation, burping, nausea, weight loss right now. Acid reflux is horrible and I went off omeprazole to try to fight SIBO and get healthy naturally. I’m struggling though! I’m a special case though- there was a hole left in my esophagus after the surgery, so i had lots of leakage for a couple days before we figured out there was a problem and i needed a 2nd emergency surgery for a stent and drain tubes. So I have lots of issues from that, and Celiac, iritis, and other Autoimmune issues. Just trying to fight this and gain weight, and taking some natural supplements now for SIBO protocol but my heartburn is unbearable!! I read that this can last for months?? Has anyone had luck with stopping PPI and healing naturally? And never needing them again? My functional medicine doctor said they’re of the devil and I’ll never get over SIBO with a PPI in my system. So I’ve gotta do this. Advice, commiseration please!!

Sharon, I didn’t go cold turkey. I cut my pills in half for about 2 weeks. Before, I had been taking one pill every morning. Now after 5 days of stopping the half pills, I took another half and might try that every other day for a little bit. I dunno, but the rebound literally makes me sick and dry heave. It’s hard to know if I have too much acid or not enough, or if it’s just going up because down is where all the Sibo and trouble is.

Hyospe, so sorry to hear of your struggles. Hugs. I know the docs recommend H2 Blockers (like Pepcid, Zantac) to wean off the PPIs. Maybe they would take the edge of things...

Also, I'm not sure if Betaine HCL would be appropriate for you at this point, but it really helps my digestion (bloating/gas/slow digestion) and seems to keep things in my belly, rather than coming up into my esophagus, etc...