Anyone have success getting off a PPI?

Debbi · 04-23-2012, 07:02 AM

I have been on Prilosec for a while now and it has definitely helped ease my problems I was having. I have gained about 7 lbs since I have been on it and I want to get off. Tried just stopping it - 3 days no Prilosec - first 2 days no issue, but last night was the 3rd night without it and I have really bad nausea, heartburn, stomach distention and pain. So, obviously that's not the route to take!!

My doctor is really no help - I read that some people switch to Zantac OTC and gradually get off everything. Doc said it was okay to do that or just stop or stay on it indefinitely.

Wondering how long you have been on a PPI and how you got off it.

Thanks in advance!

PaminKY · 04-23-2012, 09:56 AM

I did. It took a while but I gradually kept decreasing how often I took it, like every other day for a couple weeks then 1-3 times a week and then I started taking just half a pill until I finally quit taking it. I had been taking some form of PPI for about 3 years.

I still have a touch of heartburn every once in a while if I eat a trigger food but a couple Tums have been enough to stop it. The bad part about Prilosec is it can cause heartburn itself and I worried about the long term problems of decreasing stomach acids and what kind of malabsorption issues it could cause. PPI's also had a tendency to cause bowel issues with me too.

Debbi · 04-23-2012, 12:51 PM

Thanks PaminKY - Those are my same concerns and the doctor seems to have no knowledge of the side effects and he is the Head of Liver Transplant at a very prominent hospital. I have only been on the Prilosec for around 3 mons (estimate). I can go 2 days without it but by the 3rd day I am really sick and Tums won't help. I also think it is affected my IBS and Gastroparesis. I am going to get back on track and feeling better and I am going to try the every other day routine and gradually taper off maybe filling in w/Zantac until I can do without anything.

Melrose · 05-01-2012, 06:20 AM

I am on my 4th week of Prilosec for larygopharyngeal reflux (silent reflux) and take it morning and evening. I am very new to the world of reflux and never knew I had it, no symptoms (well, now looking back apparently a cough at night and clearing my throat frequently, but otherwise nothing to remark upon).

I had a lot of bronchitis this winter and colds which all lead to laryngitis (I am going on 5 weeks now of laryngitis). I eventually was referred to and ENT and he did the scope up the nose and down the throat and said I was swollen from reflux. I did tell him I did not have reflux (thinking the typical type after eating or when pregnant) but he said I did.

MerryKate · 05-06-2012, 11:15 PM

I had to take a PPI for 10 weeks last winter - doc thought I had an ulcer (turned out to be a back problem...don' get me started!) Anyway, my doctor said that tapering off the PPI was a good idea, but I got a lot of rebound. WebMD recommended taking zantac for a week after stopping the PPI because it provides acid relief via a different chemical reaction from the PPIs, with no rebound effect. And it worked. I have had a bit of problem off and on if I drink too much coffee, but taking Marshmallow root or Slippery Elm pills usually takes care of any heartburn.

I know docs say its ok to stay on the PPIs indefinitely, but they block your absorption of B vitamins, which causes problems for your nervous system, and can lead to osteoporosis. If you can, get off the PPIs. There are a lot of herbal supplements that can help with mild acid problems - the two I mentioned above, or DGL (which has some carbs, but it's worth it if you're having serious problems.) Eating a diet without the usual suspects (tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, onions) will help a lot, too.

Last but not least, I learned about L-Glutamine, which is an amino acid that promotes healing in mucuous membranes, including the stomach lining. I started taking it daily and I've had a lot less acid reflux than I had in the past.

cfine · 05-19-2012, 08:03 AM

Digestive enzymes can work wonders for reflux.

Debbi · 05-20-2012, 08:23 AM

I have been taking 1 Prilosec every other day now for the last 10 days. Seemed to be going okay despite the huge amount of stress I am under(promotion at work=stress; building a new house=stress). Last night I had problems but I had eaten something with garlic in it and I think that's what did it, plus I am having sinus problems....I stuck it out and took 2 tums and used the heating pad on my tummy and eventually fell asleep. I think starting next friday I am going to try subbing w/the Zantac.

04-23-2012, 07:02 AM	#1
Debbi Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,123 Gallery: Debbi Stats: 297/157/137 WOE: low carb	Anyone have success getting off a PPI? I have been on Prilosec for a while now and it has definitely helped ease my problems I was having. I have gained about 7 lbs since I have been on it and I want to get off. Tried just stopping it - 3 days no Prilosec - first 2 days no issue, but last night was the 3rd night without it and I have really bad nausea, heartburn, stomach distention and pain. So, obviously that's not the route to take!! My doctor is really no help - I read that some people switch to Zantac OTC and gradually get off everything. Doc said it was okay to do that or just stop or stay on it indefinitely. Wondering how long you have been on a PPI and how you got off it. Thanks in advance!

05-01-2012, 06:20 AM	#4
Melrose Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 6,859 Gallery: Melrose WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restarting Again: 4/8/13	I am on my 4th week of Prilosec for larygopharyngeal reflux (silent reflux) and take it morning and evening. I am very new to the world of reflux and never knew I had it, no symptoms (well, now looking back apparently a cough at night and clearing my throat frequently, but otherwise nothing to remark upon). I had a lot of bronchitis this winter and colds which all lead to laryngitis (I am going on 5 weeks now of laryngitis). I eventually was referred to and ENT and he did the scope up the nose and down the throat and said I was swollen from reflux. I did tell him I did not have reflux (thinking the typical type after eating or when pregnant) but he said I did. __________________ Barbara 6/17/13: 205.5 lbs 4/8/13: 207.5lbs 4/29/13: 203 lbs Facebook

05-06-2012, 11:15 PM	#5
MerryKate Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 345 Gallery: MerryKate Stats: 252/184/140 WOE: Nutritional ketosis Start Date: LC: 04/11 • NK:10/12	I had to take a PPI for 10 weeks last winter - doc thought I had an ulcer (turned out to be a back problem...don' get me started!) Anyway, my doctor said that tapering off the PPI was a good idea, but I got a lot of rebound. WebMD recommended taking zantac for a week after stopping the PPI because it provides acid relief via a different chemical reaction from the PPIs, with no rebound effect. And it worked. I have had a bit of problem off and on if I drink too much coffee, but taking Marshmallow root or Slippery Elm pills usually takes care of any heartburn. I know docs say its ok to stay on the PPIs indefinitely, but they block your absorption of B vitamins, which causes problems for your nervous system, and can lead to osteoporosis. If you can, get off the PPIs. There are a lot of herbal supplements that can help with mild acid problems - the two I mentioned above, or DGL (which has some carbs, but it's worth it if you're having serious problems.) Eating a diet without the usual suspects (tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, onions) will help a lot, too. Last but not least, I learned about L-Glutamine, which is an amino acid that promotes healing in mucuous membranes, including the stomach lining. I started taking it daily and I've had a lot less acid reflux than I had in the past. __________________ Last edited by MerryKate; 05-06-2012 at 11:19 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-23-2012, 09:56 AM	#2
PaminKY Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 3,191 Gallery: PaminKY	I did. It took a while but I gradually kept decreasing how often I took it, like every other day for a couple weeks then 1-3 times a week and then I started taking just half a pill until I finally quit taking it. I had been taking some form of PPI for about 3 years. I still have a touch of heartburn every once in a while if I eat a trigger food but a couple Tums have been enough to stop it. The bad part about Prilosec is it can cause heartburn itself and I worried about the long term problems of decreasing stomach acids and what kind of malabsorption issues it could cause. PPI's also had a tendency to cause bowel issues with me too.

04-23-2012, 12:51 PM	#3
Debbi Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,123 Gallery: Debbi Stats: 297/157/137 WOE: low carb	Thanks PaminKY - Those are my same concerns and the doctor seems to have no knowledge of the side effects and he is the Head of Liver Transplant at a very prominent hospital. I have only been on the Prilosec for around 3 mons (estimate). I can go 2 days without it but by the 3rd day I am really sick and Tums won't help. I also think it is affected my IBS and Gastroparesis. I am going to get back on track and feeling better and I am going to try the every other day routine and gradually taper off maybe filling in w/Zantac until I can do without anything.

05-19-2012, 08:03 AM	#6
cfine Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,603 Gallery: cfine Stats: 276/210/199 WOE: NK Start Date: Atkins 4/12 Nutritional Ketosis 1/13	Digestive enzymes can work wonders for reflux.

05-20-2012, 08:23 AM	#7
Debbi Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,123 Gallery: Debbi Stats: 297/157/137 WOE: low carb	I have been taking 1 Prilosec every other day now for the last 10 days. Seemed to be going okay despite the huge amount of stress I am under(promotion at work=stress; building a new house=stress). Last night I had problems but I had eaten something with garlic in it and I think that's what did it, plus I am having sinus problems....I stuck it out and took 2 tums and used the heating pad on my tummy and eventually fell asleep. I think starting next friday I am going to try subbing w/the Zantac.