PPI's cause more harm than good...

Hey Nancy,

He implied that curing the gastritis will help to return the valve to normal function. I'm not sure if this is sound medicine? Yes, I plan on just using Carafate but no acid blockers...

I hope you are doing well.

Jason

Hi Nancy,

I agree with you.  Was there gastritis that was caused by something else initially, that then caused the valve to open?  Or was there a problem with the valve in the first place, which resulted in the gastritis?  These are questions I'm trying figure out.  I sense that if it's the latter, the carafate is not going to cure me.

My reflux has been very bad the last few days, and with taking the carafate, it's made me nauseous at times.  I may have to eat very small meals to try and reduce the reflux/nausea episodes.

-Jason

Hi Nancy, Jason and Cathy... after reading all your posts, I felt inspired to go off my Nexium.  I've been taking 40 mg/day for over a year.  I've tried going off of it before, but never got past 24 hours because the heartburn got so bad.  I've gone 3 days now, but I've been cheating a little... I've been taking Zantac twice a day to stave off the heartburn.  I still get heartburn at times, but have been taking Tums which helps.  The most noticeable symptom I've experienced is that the cough, the problem that started this whole PPI issue for me, has gotten much worse again.  My greatest hope is that eventually, my terrible indigestion/belching problems disappear and I can attribute it to the Nexium.  So far, I haven't noticed any improvement in that regard, but I'm hopeful.  I've also decided to go off of my horomone replacement therepy... somewhere I read that hormones can cause major stomach ills... Cathy, was it you that said that?  Anyway, I've decided that living with hot flashes would be a heck of a lot more bearable than chronic stomach distress. 

A little off the subject, have any of you ever experienced pain or discomfort under your right ribcage?  My GI guy told me that it was my gallbladder causing the pain, and once I had it removed, that pain would be gone... NOT.  I notice it anytime I'm sitting or lying down... for some reason I don't notice it when I'm standing.

I have an appointment to see a Naturopath on Monday... I am cautiously optimistic, but plan on bringing up the Great Smokies tests I mentioned last week.  I'll keep you posted... wish me luck.

Hope this posting finds you all well, all things considered

Jamie

Hey guys, I was put on Prevacid, when I was pregnant with my first, and only child 4 years ago.  I have tried everyway imaginable to get off of them...I do not  have insurance so have been using Prevacid OC.

 

I spoke with a guy today who used to be a pharma rep for Merck, and he said to get off of PPI's you just have to go cold turkey, and eventually your body will start to get back to normal....He said to try drinking water with vinegar, or to try 40 mg of Pepsid when things get too painfull, and of course avoid, coffee, chocolate, etc...

 

I have been reading up and have heard that if you eat fatty foods, to take betaine HCL and Pepsin prior (I think they are 2 kinds of enzymes)

 

I went to the health food store and bought something called Acid Soothe, which seems to be working so far.  I also bought Pepermint Oil Complex, with Oregano Oil and it seems to have a very pleasant aftertaste...I heard that 500 mg of ginger works well, so I also bought some of that.  I probably should have bought some tea for digestion, but I think I have enough ammo for now...(hopefully)

 

There is a great cereal out there with 15 grams of fiber and no sugar called Fiber One, (not the twigs one) the one with the flakes...and it tastes great and fiber is supposed to help your body absorb acid....

 

Anyway, just wanted to share some things that will hopefully help...I think it is time that we file a class action lawsuit on the makers of these PPI's, I don't think the majority of us would have started taking them, if we knew how difficult it was to get off of them..

 

 

 

Hi Nancy, I have never had any obvious problems with the PPI's.   I am on hormone medication and I think the PPI's may affect the way my body absorbs the medication.  I am also concerned about them affecting the way my body metabolizes food. 

I was at my perfect weight prior to taking them 4 years ago.  I had also taught aerobics for 10 years, as well as 5 months into my pregnancy.  Now 4 years later I still look pregnant, and can not get rid of my abdominal fat.  It seems like no matter what dietary changes I make, nothing works.

I took a ton of digestive supplements last night, and some Maalox max, which seems to work.  I can tell my insides are still tender, but the maalox seems to add a barrier that prevents the acid from pushing up into my esophagus.  It's active ingredients are not calcium, so it will not make your symptoms worse.

Hi everyone, this is my 3rd day without PPI's!  I was able to get rid of the acid last night, by doing a couple doses of Maalox max, 2 hours apart, then took a dose of peppermint/oregano oil after that...I was up most of the night with an upset stomach...But I am still happy because I barely had any acid...I ate Panda licorice, off and on last night, whenever I would sense the acid coming...it worked great....

It is after 3PM today, my stomach is a little gurgly, but no acid yet....Have been snacking on ginger snaps, green tea and air popped popcorn...so far so good..

Hope I'm not giving you all "too much information" but I am so excited that I may be able to finally get off this Prevacid!

Hi Heather...It's been 6 days since I have been off Prilosec.  Last night was the first night where I had absolutely no acid!  I have found that using a combination of natural acid medicines, along with Maalox Max, have helped...although I have not had to use the Maalox in 2 days!  I really like using peppermint/oregano oil, that seems to do the trick as well.  Remember you need to be patient and wait 20-30 minutes for some of this stuff to kick in.

Also sucking on soft licorice sweetened with molasses (sp?) helps.

I have not had any chocolate, coffee, or tomato products, and I think that has made the biggest difference..

Hang in there, after 4 years of Prilosec, if I can get off of it anyone can!

 

Hi all... well, I saw the Naturopath Wednesday and he spent 2 hours with me.  I was pretty impressed at the time, but after I got home and started looking into all the 'stuff' he had me buy, I had some doubts.  So that you all don't have to go back and re-read my history, briefly, I have been on Nexium for nearly 1.5 years for GERD and suffering from daily indigestion/belching problems beginning several months after going on the Nexium.  Anyway, he recommended Hydrochloric Acid/Pepsin, Lactobacilus Acidophilus (170 billion viable cells, whatever that means), Glutamine (2500 mg), and fish oil.  Yesterday was the first day that I tried all this stuff, and I've been sick every since... no amount of Zantac or Tums will get rid of this heartburn  .  I think his thought was that I might be suffering from too little acid and that's why the HCl, but my guess is, that's not my problem and now the reason I have such horrendous heartburn.  Oh, I forgot to mention... I've been off Nexium for 10 days now but have been taking 150 mg of Zantac and tons of Tums every day.  I'm so miserable I'm actually considering going back on the Nexium.  I had hoped that getting off the Nexium would clear up my indigestions problems, but so far it hasn't.  I've also quit my Calcium, multivitamins and HRT just in case one of those was the cause of my indigestion.  Any words of wisdom or encouragement would be so appreciated... .  Hope you all are having a PPI and symptom free day .

 

Jamie

Hi Laurie... thanks for the advice.  I just happen to have some gingersnaps, so until I can get to the store, I will try that.  Are you still taking the Acid Soothe?

Hey Laurie, I meant to ask you... would you recommend taking the Maalox in addition to the Zantac, or in lieu of it?  I have to tell you, I was sceptical of the gingersnap cookie thing, but also desperate so I tried it and guess what... no more heartburn  .  I don't know if it's just a coincidence or if that's really what did the trick, but I will definitely try it again the next time my hb comes back.  Say, how'd you get so smart anyway?

You can take the Maalox with the Zantac, just remember that the Maalox takes about 20 minutes to kick in....I called the Maalox hot line and they said that you can take another full does after an hour, and it will not hurt....also you should do 40mg of the Zantac, but only when you really need it..I have not had to use Zantac, surprisingly enough...

When I first tried to quit, I used a bunch of Tums and calcium based antacids, and a nurse told me that they can actually make your symptoms worse...So I decided to give up...Then I spoke with a pharmaceutical rep, who used to sell PPI's and if you look in one of my previous posts, you can see what all he told me....But the most important thing he said is that my body would return to normal...So that gave me the confidence to figure out a way to get off of it....Once again, I really like the Peppermint/Oregano Oil, the most....

Jason,

I like you have been reading to better understand about the acid or lack of acid in the stomach, caused by the meds. I am on 40mg protonix daily and have burped ever since i began taking them 9 months ago, after an alergic reaction to acephix.

My refux is considered mild and i had a normal scope. I was placed on meds because my throat feels like it is closing, not a lump but closing. Did you ever have that?

I did read that the reduction of acid can cause excessive burping.

Hi.  I just registered today because I wanted to respond to your postings.  I have had GERD and gastritis for 3 years.  I have been on Nexium.  Today is my fourth day without Nexium.  I am taking Zantac morning and night currently but have had no chest pain.  I was recently diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome due to the stomach inflammation (gastritis).  I could go on for days about all of this.  My G.I. really didn't know what else to do with me.  I also have a slow-emptying gallbladder and colon polyps.  I believe all of these things are connected, i.e., bad digestive system.  Unfortunately, the PPI's (Nexium) suppress too much acid which you need to break down your food and digestion problems arise.  I finally found a doctor (non-conventional) who has helped me.  He started with the Great Smokies Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis test and blood test for food allergies/sensitivies.  I was allergic/sensitive to 30 out of 99 foods they tested me for.  Also, my stool test showed very high inflammation and my ph was way off.  He uses the Metagenics line of supplements.  They have a website you can look at but you can't buy from them.  I was taking probiotics (Ultra Flora Plus) but recently had to stop because it was giving me chest pain.  I also take Ulcinex (zinc formula) and Zinlori (herbal formula) (all from Metagenics).  I believe these two products are healing my acid reflux and I hope to never go back on the Nexium again.  I also believe I will be able to go off the Zantac because I don't have any pain before I take my pills.  I just take them because my doctor told me going off the Nexium will make my body produce more acid initially.  Also, the avoidance of those 30 foods has helped my gastritis immensely.  He says my stomach (Leaky Gut Syndrome) will heal but it could take years.  I am slowly adding back in some of those food that I was allergic to initially.  I won't always be allergic to them.  My suggestion is for anyone who has stomach pain that won't go away to have a food allergy test done.  Also, I no longer drink coffee or alcohol (which I didn't give up the first two years) and I also believe that makes a huge difference.  I can't have tomato anyway because I am allergic to it right now.  I have learned so much about food throughout all this, and I am now going organic.  You have to get rid of those preservatives and pesticides in your food.  Watch out for calcium carbonate too which is an antacids.  It makes gastritis worse.  Also, chew your food very well and eat slowly and drink lots of water but not with your meals.  Don't dilute your hydrocholoric acid.  I didn't believe this at first but it's very important.  As far asthe lump in the throat, I had this for years.  It is called Globus Sensation and it can be awful.  Mine turned out to be swollen lingual tonsils which were shrunk with steroids but it would come back, from time-to-time, when my chest pain flared up.  Hope this helps someone.