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Question about PPI's

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 10/13/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Prilosec for about 6 months for acid reflux.  I want to stop taking this to see if I don't need it anymore.  Last time I stopped I got the burn back I quit suddenly but that was after taking it for about 3 months so maybe I wasn't ready.  So my question is, when someone stops taking a PPI, do they need to taper off them like many other meds? 
Posted 10/13/2007 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there Sherry! Yes, it is best to taper off PPI drugs, as is the case with a lot of drugs. From what I understand, it is best to go like this... Go from full dosage to half dosage for 2 weeks, from there, you should be able to stop. Of course, I would talk to your doctor while doing this, just incase you need a different schedule for tapering. It is said that stopping cold turkey can definately result in a painful rebound. It is very possible that you weren't ready to stop when you did. I hope I was able to answer your question, and I hope you have a great weekend!!! Wishingyou all the best!
Posted 10/13/2007 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tammy. I started doing the taper thing yesterday but I wasn't sure if I had to or not. I didn't take one yesterday but took one this morning and tomorrow I'm going to see how I do without. So far so good but I'll see how it goes.
Posted 10/13/2007 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, never stop cold turkey because automatically your stomach will make more stomach acid.  Believe it or not you sort of have to fool/trick your stomach by tapering off slowly.  If you are successful after you wean yourself you can also use a mild H-2 blocker like Pepcid or Zantac as needed.  You can go to a health food store and purchase these gelatin like empty capsules and open the PPI and dump half of the dose into the capsule and take it that way like Tammy said for at least two weeks (I'd probably go for three weeks to be on the safe side).  Then after that take half of the half which would be like a 1/4 dose for also another 2-3 weeks, then after that I would go with an h-2 blocker like Zantac 75.  Trust me, you will immediately know if it isn't working for you because you will start get the rebound acid but sometimes you just have to take a chance getting off the PPI.  Just make sure when you do this you aren't having any gerd symptoms because if you are having any symptoms I think you may likely fail.  Trust me I have done this several times and the body will adjust in about 2 days (at least this was the case with me).  Good luck and let us know how you do....I hope it works for you but never quit cold turkey........

Posted 10/13/2007 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice there porcelain doll. Sherry, good luck with the tapering thing. I truly hope you are successful!! Keep us posted as to how it goes!
Posted 10/15/2007 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Prilosec is a hard tablet so I don't think I would be able to use the capsules right? It has a protective coating on it so obviously grinding them up to put in the capsules won't be such a good idea? Last night, I got the burn again but it wasn't too bad (I didn't take a Prilosec yesterday morning). I was able to stop it with Tums. When you start to taper off a PPI, do you get any sort of burn or none at all? I'm trying to judge if I still need the Prilosec or the mild burn I got last night was normal for tapering off a PPI.
Posted 10/16/2007 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, if you are taking Prilosec in the tablet form which is OTC Prilosec you will not be able to break it because it is a time release tablet and it messes it up (you will mess up the time release effect and will get all of the medicine at once in your system).  I asked the pharmacist this and he told me that the Prilosec isn't scored and you are not supposed to cut it at all and also explained me about the time release effect.  What you can do is ask your doctor to give you a prescription for omperazole (which is generic Prilosec and much cheaper) and they are in capsules and those you can open and try what I had suggested in the other post.  Yes, also you will know if you are getting rebound acid because you will have the burning.  When ever I had weaned down from say a 40 mg to a 20 mg you will get a slight burn but not too bad for about 2 days and then you will be ok (at least this was in my case).  What you will have to do is experiment and see how you do but the smart thing to do is never quit cold turkey, like I had mentioned on an earlier post you sort of have to trick/fool your stomach because if you cut the PPI cold turkey you for sure will usually get the "rebound acid."  I hope this information helps and good luck....  I almost forgot if you ever want to wean off the PPI just make sure you aren't having any gerd symtoms because you may get worse........
Posted 10/16/2007 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Great answer porcelain doll! And yes, Sherry, good luck. Let us know how it goes. Best wishes to all!
Posted 10/24/2007 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all....first of all I want to hug you Tammy

for being there for all of us. You are doing a wonderful service ...so, thank you.Take care of yourself too please...somewhere along the way. I wanted to quickly let everyone know that you should definetly get docs blessing to stop any meds you are on. I recently had a colonoscopy for stomach pain and my wonderful, brilliant doctor thought to go ahead and do an endoscopy to see why the doctors at the er put me on nexium back in march of this year after  a three day hospital stay for what we all thought was a heart issue. The doc then put me on nexium because I think they figure , no heart trouble but chest pain, ok, give her a protonix....sounds good. Thank God they did...my endoscopy revealed very severe damage to my esophagous from acid reflux. I have Barretts  Esophagous, precancerous lining of the throat. And yes, I thank you in advance for prayers that this never develops into cancer. But, I was notified by my gi doc to never, ever stop taking nexium. I need to continue to fight the acid....and though I smoked for 26 years, the acid is from stress, not smoking, though that surely irritated it. I am a happy woman now.....escape from a decade of abuse by my ex-husband and asking Jesus into my heart have made me whole again. But I will always find a way to be stressed....lol...silly me. God bless you all. Keep writing..I will too. I love you, my HW friends.....Annie Oakley 

Posted 10/24/2007 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Oakley, you definately have my prayers because no one should have to endure everything you have. Do you have to go in for frequent endos to keep an eye on your esophagous?

As for stopping PPI's, I seen my GI yesterday and told him about trying to get off them but I keep getting the rebound effect. He just simply said, stay on them. I was just hoping I can at least eradicate ONE pill from my growing cupboard pharmacy :( But oh well. He did mention to start taking them in the evening before dinner because I've been getting some burn mostly at night. I was taking them in the mornings. I just hope that my gut can wait that extra few hours for the new dosing!
Posted 10/24/2007 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Oakley, I want to thank you for the kind words. It means a lot to me to know that I am infact making a difference to someone! So, I accept your hug, and give one in return...Thank you! Also, I do extend my prayers that your sitiuation never becomes cancerous. I can't imagine what you are feeling. I am happy you got away from your abusive spouse, and I am sorry you had to deal with that. You have been through a lot, and it seems you have been made stronger because of it. That tends to happen, doesn't it? I wish you all the best in life Oakley...I truly do. Sherry, I am sorry you are not yet able to rid yourself from at least one of your pils. I know, that is frustrating. I am sorry for that. I wish you both all the best, and I am happy you guys are here for support! (((((MANY HUGS TO YOU BOTH)))))
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