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getting off the PPI's

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Posted 3/9/2006 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am in my 20's and I'm taking a 20mg PPI but still have bad symptoms.

My doctor wants to lower the dosage as he says I should only take 10mg, so I am trying to prepare myself!

I have had blood test, gallbladder ultrasound and endoscopy all showing nothing!

I tried taking half of a tablet each day but couldn't cope with the excess acid.

I have a healthy diet and I am now going to try some alternative products in an attempt to come off the PPI's.

Can anybody recommend anything that has worked very well? I would love to believe that one day my body will be 'normal' again though I don't think it will.

I have read other posts and appreciate all advice given.

Posted 3/9/2006 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried a low-carb diet? (25 grams or less) This seems to have helped some people. You can still eat plenty of (low-carb) veggies.

Seagal

Posted 3/9/2006 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there I am also in my 20's and was diagnosed with LPR 1yr ago, had an aweful feeling in my throat all the time and swellling on the throat. WAs put on PPI's for 6 months 40mg, and although I did feel better not all my symptoms resolved. I then started developing allergies! To almost everything I ate! My dietitian said it is as a result of the PPI's. I am devestated. Not only do I have to go off the PPI's now as they are causing my allergies, I also have to deal with all these new allergies to almost everything. Now my LPR symptoms are coming back but I refuse to go back on Pantaloc incase I develop more allergies. I am dedicated to finding a way to reduce this acid problem. All my tests were normal, Gastroscopy, manometry etc. It must be something in our Diets! It has to be. How can a very healthy person otherwise suddenly develop this problem. Anyone with any suggestions
Posted 3/9/2006 4:40 PM (GMT 0)

seagal - I am definitely going to try low carbs, thanks.Will do a search for the best things to eat.

shalako - It sounds like you are really going through it! I keep hearing that it is rare to suffer from this type of problem when you are young but that obviously isn't the case. Hang on in there and stay positive! :-) This forum is so helpful.

Posted 3/9/2006 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Shalako, I'm sorry you developed allergies! To almost everything? Did they test for wheat gluten allergies? That seems to be a problem for some people.

I  was on PPIs for 2 years. My general doctor wanted me to go off of them. My gastro didn't see a problem with staying on them for several years. I gradually kept feeling worse though. I didn't have heartburn, but bloating and sometimes pain and nausea after eating. It got to be such  a problem for me, I got online and found this site and others that discussed getting off PPIs. I was taking a Protonix every other day for a couple of months and then last month I stopped completely while at the same time lowering my carbs. That first week was rough, but it got better for me. Each week is better in fact and I find myself not even thinking about my stomach for hours at a time :-)

Be careful if you low-carb though. I researched it because I didn't want to develop any vitamin deficiencies or other health problems (I'm also vegetarian). I'm relatively healthy besides GERD and IBS. I don't know if low-carb is good for people with other medical problems.

Good luck to you and hope you get some relief.

~Niki

Posted 3/9/2006 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Papaya Enzyme tablets!!  I have been on two 40mg Nexium each day for over 5 years.  In January, I started getting realy, realy bad heartburn.  I couldn't sleep because of it.  I actualy coughed so hard that the acid spilled into my lungs and caused very bad shortness of breath.  My doctor added Reglan to my treatment.  It helped some, but not so that it made a great difference.  On February 14th I started taking Papaya Enzyme tablets from GNC.  I have not had ANY heartburn since that day.  Nothing else changed!  At first, I took 2 tablets after each meal.  Now, I only take 2 tablets at bedtime.  On February 15th, I stopped taking the Reglan.  I plan to stop taking one of the two Nexium tablets starting tomorrow.  I plan to get off of Nexium altogether by the end of April.  Before Papaya Enzyme tablets, I chewed 10 to 15 Gaviscon each day.  Since then, I have not taken ANY antacid of any kind.

Not only will that save me $30 per month, but I will have taken two less medications for my body to fight with and possibly have drug interactions with all of the other stuff I have to take.  I also have COPD and high triglycerides.

I am NOT a healthfood nut!  Up to now (at age 63) I have never taken stuff from GNC except multivitamins.  I do not eat tofu or any other so called natural or health foods.  I am not a vegetarian.  :-)

Posted 3/9/2006 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
You could also try DGL Licorice root.  I have been doing that and it does help although it is not a cure all for heartburn but can help a lot!  Aloe Vera juice can help as well.

Nancy

Posted 3/9/2006 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot about papaya enzymes! I'm a big fan of those too and they helped me get through the 1st couple weeks. I haven't had to take any lately though, but I keep them with me just in case I feel the need. They help me especially after a meal if I feel overly full.
Posted 3/10/2006 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
Niki - Could you share what type of things you eat on the low-carb diet? Do you avoid the simple or complex carbs or both? I'm finding breakfast a hard one as I always eat bread and grains. Don't think I could handle fruit/vegs on an empty stomach, this makes me feel too acidic.

Posted 3/10/2006 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I've been avoiding for sure the simple carbs, but now that I've been doing this a while I'm letting some back in but not at the quanitity I was. I also still eat some complex carbs but not at the portions I had been. It has made a difference. For example, instead of taking a whole plate of whole wheat couscous or brown rice (I won't do white anymore) and a little bit of stir fry, I'll make the veggies more the focus and eat a side of the complex carbs.

What have I been eating?

Whole grain salads for lunch with a mixture of veggies (I really love quinoa, it's a light grain--lots of carbs though so I watch the portion), salmon, tuna, eggs, assorted veggies, tofu, cheese, cereals (found some nice low carb ones), yogurt, I made a nice Hungarian goulash the other day, yummy! I found a low-carb message board and there are tons of recipes on there.

I've never been a bread eater, but maybe you could hold the bread for a week and see how you feel and then try to reintroduce it later on, but in smaller quantities. That's just a suggestion though.  I find I handle more carbs in the morning better than later in the day, so my breakfast hasn't really changed. I can't handle fruit either. They are acidic, yes, and also way high in carbs.

Take care!

~Niki

 

Posted 3/10/2006 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Oh thanks Niki, that's been helpful. Sounds like I'm on the right track as my diet is looking similar to what you are following! We'll see how it goes. The low carb cereal sounds good, will keep my eyes open for that one.
Posted 3/12/2006 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Jo,
I completely support Niki's comments. Do watch the grains, especially early on. Also, there are fruits with few carbs. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, rasperies) that are not high in carbs.

Best of luck,
Norm Robillard
Posted 3/12/2006 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

Dr Norm,

I'm pleased you posted as I wanted to ask you a question.

I'm finding it really difficult to have only 25g of carbs as they seem to be found in almost everything! I'm also feeling so hungry between meals (though much better in terms of symptoms). How long do you recommend having 25g for? Should I increase this after so long?

The most important thing for me is believing that I can control my acid reflux in the long term. Do you believe that by sticking to low carbs for a period of time I can stop my body producing so much acid?

I would just like your opinion as I know you have experienced GERD yourself.

Thanks in advance

Jo

Posted 3/12/2006 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Teaman - do you use the enzymes for too little acid? I would like to know if they help with excess acid also.
Posted 3/12/2006 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what "too little acid" means.  I take Papaya to prevent acid reflux or to releive the burning if acid does reflux (like at night).  I would not be able to tell if I had too little acid.  Please explain your question meowpuss.
Posted 3/12/2006 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I didn't explain teaman. My understanding is that one can produce either too much or not enough acid. Apparently our acid production declines as we get older.When there is a lack of acid, similar symptoms can be experienced and I believe people take enzymes to help to break down the food?

I guess I was just wondering if you suffered from a lack of acid as you said the enzymes help.

In my case I have excess stomach acid as I can't eat acidic fruits etc. I would like to try the enzymes and see if they work for me. Sorry if I'm talking in riddles... eyes

Posted 3/12/2006 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Jo,
My theory on reflux is that it's caused by hydrogen and sometimes methane gas released from intestinal microbes when we consume more carbs than our intestines can absorb. The gas causes pressure resulting in acid reflux. The approach is based on this concept and limiting intestinal overgrowth of bacteria. There are many more details, but that is the basic concept. Because you can eat more proteins and fats, you should not be hungry. I have been doing this for over two years and feel great with no heartburn or reflux. My hunger is completely satisfied eating like this. It's the excess carbs and the insulin effect that causes most hunger pangs. When I have high carb meals of snacks which I do occasionally, it generally is not enough for my symptoms to return as it takes several days of this kind of cheating to increase the levels of these gut microbes, but my hunger really kicks in. I am much more comfortable depending on nutrient dense veggies and proteins and fats. Plus, I can be symptom free.

All the best,
Norm Robillard
Posted 3/12/2006 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Jo,
I meant to address your question on too much acid. According to my theory, its not the amount of acid that is key, but rather keeping it in your stomach. If you can stop the reflux, you won't have a problem because the acid does not contact your esophagus, lungs, voice box, etc.

Norm Robillard
Posted 3/13/2006 9:10 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for your help Dr Norm. I am beginning to understand now.

I was concerned with excess acid due to the abdominal discomfort and acidic feeling, but now I realise it is the production of gas from the sugars causing this.

I think I need to increase the protein in my diet as I have been eating mainly vegs and have had diarrhoea. sad Sorry for the detail but this concerned me and I thought I must be doing something wrong! Maybe my body will adjust to the diet.

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