Quitting Nexium... some help and some hope

Hello, folks.

I am in the process of cutting out Nexium and I wanted to know a few things. First, some backstory:

In mid-December, I started experiencing some pain in my stomach as well as some nausea which would extend up into my throat. My primary care doctor was on holiday at the time and so I saw another doctor the practice. She put me on protonix and prescribed an ultra-sound of my liver. Nothing showed up. I decided that I didn't really like the protonix since it didn't seem to be helping much so my PC doc (when he returned) switched me to ranitidine. He then ordered and upper GI which came back normal (no reflux or anything). I then had a HIDA scan on my gall bladder (since most of the pains I was describing sounded consistent, I was told, with gall bladder). Unfortunately, my bowel obstructed part of the gall bladder but the tech reported that what I was exhibiting was consistent with billiary dyskenesia. So my PC sent me to see a surgeon for consultation. When I described to him the problems I'd been having, he said it wasn't GB but possibly reflux and wrote me a prescription for Nexium. Not completely satisfied, I went back to my PC, explained what happened and requested a second opinion. He sent me to a GI doctor who scheduled me for an endsocopy. I began taken the Nexium at his suggestion (middle February) I had a few biopsies taken that all came back negative. When I saw him a week or so after the endoscopy, he said that my esophagus looked perfectly normal, no damage, and that my problems were possibly due to stress and worry. I am a bit of a worrywart and have been through a pretty trying period in the last two year... my sister-in-law passed away suddenly in Mar2004, my dad died the following September after a long illness, my favorite cat was put to sleep in Mar2005 and my cousin died in June. Add to that personal finance worries and that when my symptoms showed up in December, my place of employment announced plans to switch to a more expensive but less effective health insurance plan, his suggestion is very, very plausible. The GI suggested I stop taking Nexium at the end of my prescription and so that is what I am doing.

Beginning last week, I slowed down to about a pill every other day and haven't had a pill since Friday. I'm experiencing some burning in my throat and chest (mild in the throat, less so in my chest), some scratchiness (I am on Advair twice a day and I'm thinking that helps in the scratchiness) and some mild upper back pain. I'm also burping quite a bit. For the pain, I've been taking Gaviscon Extra Strength. I've also been reading up on and using some natural heartburn techniques (celery, baking soda & water, bananas, pineapple juice, almonds, etc.) and they help temporarily. I've also been drinking a lot of water as that seems to alleviate the burning some. I am also exercising regularly and have lost ten pounds since my endoscopy in February. I am also looking into many relaxation techniques and working to keep my diet a little more sane (staying away from the trigger foods and so such).

My questions are, then, the following:
How long will I be "detoxxing" from the Nexium? I've only been on it since February 13th.

Besides the typical heartburn triggers (caffeine, tomatoes, spicy food), is there a certain type of diet to follow? Low-carbs/high-fiber?

Stress issues aside, is it possible to live heartburn free (relatively)?

Since I am experiencing some burning, would I be in the right to suggest a followup endoscopy? This is probably the worrying happening but an acquaintance recently died from esophageal cancer. I know something gets us eventually but I'd like to have my mind at ease. And are there any other tests I could request be done?

I'd like to hear from anyone who has gone off Nexium or anyone with any valuable information or even just support. I thank you all for your time.

Post Edited (MaxwellD) : 4/3/2006 4:40:52 PM (GMT-6)

I've cut down on my PPi by taking half of a tablet daily instead of a whole one. This may be better than missing days so it is a gradual reduction and constant.

Also watch your diet. A healthy balanced diet which is low in fat is best.I have high-fibre foods because it moves through the system quickly and helps soak up acid i think! You may want to avoid hard grains such as muesli/brown rice because your stomach has to work harder to digest these. I know from my experience. Also avoid refined sugary foods and buy sugar-free products and sweeteners.

Thanks all. I am experiencing some rebound but it comes and goes. It's more annoying than debilitating. I'm just trying to remain calm and not build up a little burning into a big fire. I'm bad that way.

Jason: Good luck on your end. I'm sticking it out.

Meow: I'm trying to increase fiber, mostly by the fruit & vegetable route. I tend to stay away from sugar substitutes but I will take your advice about the refined sugars. I drink unsweetened green tea (usually decaf) and lots of water.

Seagal: You mentioned BMs. Constipation was a problem for me on Nexium. Any relaxation techniques you could suggest (not acupuncture, though).

Four days since I took my last Nexium. I've been leaning on the celery stalk a bit. But I'm only feeling mild burning in the back of my throat and some chest & back discomfort (from the heartburn). I've taken some Gaviscon but maybe only four tablets all of yesterday.

Thanks for the advice, folks. It does make me feel better that there are people out there who have been through this and come out on top.

Maxwell, I read somewhere recently that the rebound can last for several weeks.  I think it would depend on how long you've been on the drug, plus your own particular condition, and how careful you are about diet, anti-anxiety techniques, etc.  I'm just starting to feel normal after too weeks off PPIs, but I take nothing for granted.  You  asked about relaxation techniques.  The best one, in my opinion, is a good long walk. Or whatever exercise you prefer.  Magnesium supplements have helped me, as well. Good luck.

Seagal

Well, tomorrow will be the two weeks since I last took Nexium. I've had some good days but today I've been dealing with a little heart burn/indigestion. I had a small bowl of fettucini last night plus spaghetti Monday night so I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. So I've been burping a bit and feeling a little burn.

I have noticed that the nausea feeling in my throat has returned but I'm wondering now if that's due to excess mucus. I feel like there's a (pardon the verbiage here) lump of snot in my throat. I have allergies and a sore throat (I think from drainage mostly and the Advair I take daily exacerbates it).

I'm going to see if taking some papaya tabs before dinner help any. Let's hope so.

One thing I realized today: I didn't really have any heart burn until I started taking Protonix/Ranitidine/Nexium. Odd that, isn't it?

This past Friday (Good Friday) was two weeks since I've stopped taking Nexium. Since then, I've been having mild heartburn which I'm treating with generic Zantac. However, now I have a burning sensation in the throat and a bit of burping. Is this still my body regulating or is this reflux? I experience this even hours after taking the generic Zantac.


As I said above, I take Advair which may irritate my throat. I have allergies which may account for drainage irritating my throat. But my GI said I had no reflux symptoms and that I didn't need to be on them.

I'm so frustrated I don't know what to do. I avoid all the trigger foods and I still seem to have problems. Did those meds screw me up even though I've not been on them longer than a few months? I'm so frustrated I just want to scream.

Help someone.

Veggies and fruit are a good start. I've found celery works wonders at reducing some acid (I don't eat enough of it). Also, red and golden delicious apples are good, too. Also, try a teaspoon of baking soda fully dissolved in half a glass of water. And don't be afraid to pop Tums or Rolaids either.

As for me, I'm still struggling: My throat is still sore and irritated, the snot feeling is there again, I feel like I've been having more acid rebound. I'm also burping a lot and I have a punched-in-the-stomach feeling sometimes. But most of all, I'm trying to relax and stay calm. It seems like no matter what I eat, I'm starting to have issues.

I've fired my GI. I called a few days ago to see how long acid rebound lasts. The nurse told me that I should expect reflux if I'm not going to take Nexium. I told her that my GI said I didn't need it, that most of my feelings were stress related. She read me the notes and it was as if the GI told me one thing and wrote down another. I felt so angry and confused and betrayed. He called back later that day to say that even though I was on Nexium, I was still having non-cardio chest pains, irritated throat (which really kicked in after he did the endoscopy), and the feeling of snot in the back of my throat, so that my symptoms were suggesting that my problems weren't related to reflux and might be more stress-related. This was not what he told me on my last visit. He said that it was stress related, that I didn't need to be on Nexium and that I should finish my prescription. If I needed relief, I could take some Prilosec OTC.

He told me that acid rebound lasts "just a few days" and that if I'm still having issues with that (3 weeks this Friday since my last pill), perhaps I should consider going back on Nexium. I thanked him for his time and made an appointment with another GI for a second opinion.

Hi...thank you all for posting your progress.  I am also trying to get off Prevacid.  I've only been on it since last October but I have kept a journal of my progress and  I can see that I've steadily gotten worse since being on the meds.  I've tried Aciphes, Prilosec and now Prevacid and my GI doc just recently prescribed Zelnorm because I am so constipated.  And, of course, I read where this med takes 4 weeks before it starts working good. 

So, I stopped the meds about 5 days ago and I feel so much better mentally and physically.  I have experienced some heartburn and chest pains but I'm taking a natural remedy called "Heartburn Free" from health store.  It's orange peel extract and it works pretty good.  I have much less heartburn taking this than I did taking Prevacid.  It's expensive but I found it online for about $19 for a 20 day supply so it's worth it to me to be off the prevacid.  I don't know if I can do it long term but I'm going to try. 

Better health to all of you. 

Hi All!

I'm Dee and I just started going off Nexium 3 days ago. I'm so glad I found you, as I am having heartburn so bad. Now I know it's normal when you withdrawal. The allergy clinic that I was sent too,thinks I have what is called, "Silent acid reflux." I did'nt have heart burn, but at night I would have reflux and in the morning I was having sinus problems. It took 8 weeks to kick-in, but when it did I had a terrible dry throat. I also started having heartburn. It's crazy. I have only been on Nexium for about 3 months. I've been taking Pepcid-Complete and that helps.

Hope you all start feeling better. I know I do just knowing there are others that know what I'm going through. : ) Dee

Yes, what a relief to find this forum! I'm thinking of quitting this darn Nexium tomorrow. I've been on it for almost 3 years. I'm going to try the aloe vera juice and try to eat more veggies and fruit, and plenty of water. I know it's probably going to hurt but from what I hear, it's worth it? I mean, they said Nexium would be temporary until I "heal" but when will that ever happen? Does anyone know anything about coral calcium or papaya tablets helping reflux? Has anyone had any true success quitting this drug?
Thanks!

Welcome back, DK.
This is a very old thread that many of the people who posted have been gone for a long time.
Please start your own thread to ask questions and introduce yourself. Just don't tag on to the end of old threads.
The weaning off process is hard. I took tums during the off days.
I did my weaning off this way: six days on, one day off, five days on, two days off, four days on, three days off, three days on, four off, two days on, five off, one day on, six off, none.

Joy

I have been diagnozed for GERD last november and my doctor put me on controloc 40mg a day and then on nexuim 20mg  day but since then i have been suffering form bloating, heavy feeling on stomach and in throat and a white and yellow coating on my tongue although my blood tests was normal including liver enzymes. I am also suffering from loose stool containing undigested food.  i decided 2 days ago to stop medication and continue natural diet like manuka honey and eating small portions but roght after stopping nexuim the heartburn increased and dont know what to do. it this normal or should i return back to PPI