i am taking ppi meducine for 1 yr now which causing other problems like severe abdominal pain indigation . please i want to stop ppi medicine but my acidity level is too high pleas help
I'm the a new as you want to stop but to much acid
Hi susant
i was on ppi for 5 years. I stopped cold turkey because I was having chest pains blood pressure issue, diarrhoea all the time I was taking them. which all caused health anxiety. Prob the wrong thing to do but they are not supposed to be long term.
i looked in to self help, so I cut out wine, tomatoes, oranges, chocolate, coffee.
anything I knew would trigger reflux, I also introduced manuka honey. And now 10 months down the line, I only take gaviscon when needed. I have little bit of wine and the other things and they don't cause me to much problem.
We all need acid in our gut to break down the food. Ppi long term can make things worse long term.
The problem needs addressing we shouldn't be taking these long term.
im not saying stop them like I did but I felt so poorly I'd had enough. Gp was throwing all kinds of tablets at me, which was making me ill
I got so low with it all I'm now on a low dose of A/Ds for health anxiety. Which I think the ppi caused,
stress and anxiety made my acid reflux worse, but now I feel calm and it's the best iv felt in a years or two. Hope my story helps you.
good luck.
hi julie its good to hear u able to stop such medicine . i will try to so but the fact is that i am very tensed, panicked , anxiety level is very high & also stress . i know its making it worse cant realy help it . but did u ever felt abdominal pain during ppi medicines? i am having abdominal pain which making me stress ful . i am panicked cus i started to think i dont have much time .. hope i am not alone who is facing this
Yes I had tummy pains for 5 years while taking them.
I had to run to the loo every morning. But only in the mornings.
your not alone. Google ppi medication the mail did a write up on a lady who was on it.
Hi Susant, I understand your dilemma, but if your problem is stomach acid being in places it should not, you have the following options.
1. Put up with it - disadvantage is the discomfort and possible complications
2. Have surgery on the valve which may be causing the problem - disadvantage, the tests and operation are costly if you have to pay, and they don't always bring the hoped for cure.
3. Ask your doctor to change you to another kind of medication, some of the older ones are quite useful if used in higher doses. Disadvantage - PPI's are the most powerful so the others may not work well enough to help. Taking antacids may help to augment the PPI but not a good idea long term.
Sorry there are no magic bullets to offer but that unfortunately is life!
Some other thoughts though, a couple of extra pillows on your bed may help, attention to what you eat and drink could be of use, and as always watch the alcohol intake, and lastly DO NOT SMOKE!
Yes you have something there.
PPI's are not ideal, in the medical literature they have been linked to some rather serious consequences. The evidence is not entirely clear yet but several of my medical pals have stopped taking them. I get by on a dose of 150mg ranitidine morning and evening, suplimented with the occasional Gaviscon but these things are very individual. Should the PPI's be the only thing to work for me I would take the chance and continue. Remember on some occasions, gastric acid reflux can lead to Barret's Oesophagus which in turn can lead to C.A oesophagus. So it's more than just heartburn were talking here.
Hello,
I took PPIs for close to a year. In my case trying to stop cold turkey gave me terrible rebound.
If you are on a high dose, start by getting prescription for a lower dosage (20mg instead of 40mg). And start taking 20mg for couple of weeks. Then start skipping a day for 2 weeks, and then 3 days. In the days you are not taking PPIs I was taking Zantac/ranitidine (300mg max per day, broken on breackfast/lunch/dinner/bedtime - 75mg each). The just stop PPIs and continue w/ ranitidine.
If you are taking PPI twice a day, I would suggest you do either the night or day one first and then the next.
Slowly and with patience you'll get there.
I was also using Gaviscon Advance to help me with my reflux.
PPIs only helped me for a short time and later when I switched to a different was getting really bad digestion cramps and feeling drained.
Wish you luck!
I came off them cold turkey too ready for my endoscopy but was very very careful about what I was eating when I did and also for the 2 weeks before I stopped. No onions, garlic, tomatoes , juice, white bread, chocolate , coffee , tea, fruit other than banana or melon. And small meals and not eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
Just cut out anything with a high acid content. If you Google low acid diet it should give you a full list of what to avoid.
And I took gaviscon advance just before bed.
hello david u r right that is also a big thing barrets oesophagus i am also worried about that in my case it was severe acidity so i cant just stop it . the problem is i am having pain in both side of my abdomen specialy right side all time left side pain sometimes stops .i am worried bcus i am only 28 so i fear how long i can take this med
hi lesae in my case its not about what food am i consuming its always there the acidity from morning to night . is there any way to cure severe acidity?
Hi. Do u know what started yr production of extra acid?
The low acid food can definately help. Its whole point is its easier on stomach to digest and doesnt encourage yr stomach to produce more acid like it would do when u eat fatty meats ....
Cut down on sugars as they promore inflamation and not too many carbs.
It may take a while but in thelong run its gonna help you to minimise longterm oesophageal complication
Such as barrettes or cancer.
Its the kind of food were meant to eat mainly.
hi katerina actually i was taking medicine for migraine headache i think that side effect caused the acidity . i am very careful abt what i eat but it does not matter anymore acidity is always there and its severe . i will try though whatever u said . but i think i have very low chance cus if i continue taking these ppi i will not live for long thats for sure . i have very less change . but can soneone says how long a persone can take this ppi med ?
Yes what u eat is very important.
Try avoid things with acid and preservatives such as citric acid, nicotinic acid .... its put in food to preserve it.
Have u had any tests done to confirm its acidity? One can have the same symptoms and have low acid. Also the reflux matter can be non acidic and even gas. It could be a loose les valve or motility disorder. All that needs to be checked. Have u had hpylori test? Any gastritis?
Changing to diferrent ppi may help or trying h2blockers with it too.
Im on them and its been nearly a yr and i still cannot fully come of.
The discomfort u expriencing may and may not be side effect of meds as reflux has so many itself.
We here can only give u what we know but doctor is yr best option.
Yr aim should be stopping the reflux and that would allow yr body to start healing itself.
Thanks Alex, it's good to get feedback on our comments, both positive and negative. Shows at least someone is interested in what we have to contribute.
Remember acidity in the stomach is vital, stopping it leaking into the oesophagus and higher is the problem. Suppressing acid production by the stomach is often followed by rebound phenomena, this creates a vicious circle. Surgical intervention can bring relief, but one has to be a suitable candidate. Unfortunately I'm not, so my options are limited.
Best advice for people in my situation, use PPi's if you must, try Ranitidine like H2 antagonists and see if they will help. Employ something like Gaviscon if the symptoms break through. Have your oesophagus inspected every 3-4 years for signs of Barrett's oesophagus or worse. Stop smoking, loose weight, elevate the head of your bed, and get a varied diet that you can live with.
More than that you can't do, and lastly stay away from untested "wonder treatments" at all costs.
Hi Susant59053,
I respond to you directly on this one. You do have a problem, but needs must. Unfortunately the bad news is that the evidence for taking anything to reduce acid helps prevent B.O or oesophageal cancer is very slim indeed. Not fair at all is it. My advice to you is the same as I give to myself. Go for what gives you he most comfort, even if it is big doses of PPI's, watch out for possible side effects from the drug, and have the doctor look down your throat every few years to see nothing nasty is happening.
You did not say if you had investigated a surgical option. LYNX is a relatively new procedure which appears to work well. A small band of magnetic beads are placed above the stomach to surround the oesophagus like a bracelet. The beads close the oesophagus and do the job of the faulty valve. It's a relatively quick job to insert, and can be removed if nessesary. That would be my option if I were a candidate. Good luck!
Susant590,
One last think from me then I'm out of things to say. Having read through everything you have to say, anxiety seems to be a big component of what ails you. Also you don't make it easy to help as you don't seem to respond to direct questions.
The issue of surgery was mentioned, but without reply.
Although we don't doubt all the symptoms you mention are real, anxiety tends to make everything worse. Have you considered cognitive behavioural therapy? As I say I have nothing more to add, but would still be interested to know about the surgery option, and your feelings about your anxiety state.
David
thanks david for everything u shared i can feel anxiety is the main culprit in my case . i have not considered for surgery or behavioral therapy . i am going for a full body chekup after that if nothing found i will try to control anxiety..thanks
You say that they are not supposed to be taken longterm? Which drug is supposed to be taken longterm? NONE!
I wonder how you would explain to me to not take them longterm. I've got acid reflux every 5 minutes. So every 5 minutes I feel acid in my esophagus. How am I and other people which have such symptoms supposed to live without those drugs? So please, do not make stupid conclusions...