Hi hariskar,Welcome to Healing Well! First, the twice a day dosage isn't all that uncommon. Certain people have breakthrough reflux with the once a day dose. You don't need to worry about
it if it's helping you and you can tolerate it. Some people have side effects with PPIs, but I've taken them for 20 years without a problem. I had to take 40mg Protonix (PPI) before breakfast and 40mg before dinner.
Getting off PPIs is challenging for two reasons. First, if you're on them because you have GERD (a weak LES), you need the PPIs to protect your esophagus long-term. If that's not the case, you can go off them, but will likely get some rebound, which is your body's reaction to the acid suppression...it actually causes the creation of more acid for a period of time. Once the rebound has run its course, you will get back to normal, presuming GERD isn't your issue.
Be sure to take the PPI correctly. Here's an excellent article that explains how PPIs work, and how to take them so they give you the best results:
www.practicalgastro.com/pdf/January07/Jan07FrankArticle.pdfHave you been referred to a GI specialist? At some point if your symptoms don't resolve, you might want to get some more specialized advice. There are tests that can be done as well. I will tell you this--GI doctors are very comfortable giving PPIs to their patients for long-term treatment, and find them to be extremely effective in protecting esophageal tissue.
Take care,
Denise