I've also read that PPI's can increase problems with Candida...
And sometimes, the reflux symptoms are from allergies or Eosinophilic Esophagitis instead of actual acid reflux.
Also, bile reflux (or alkaline reflux) can cause the same symptoms as acid reflux, but PPI's don't help bile reflux. The liver and gut motility issues have to be treated to deal with bile reflux.
There are things that help strengthen the Lower Esophageal Sphincter - DGL and probably other herbs...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I know. There are SO MANY downsides to using PPI's. I'm in quite a bit of pain right now, but trying to hang in there. They say it takes 3 wks to 3 months to get off of them! ARRGGHH
Posted by kgg (Member # 5867) on :
The surgeon that put in my port sees a lot of patients with gi issues. He swears by flax seed oil to help heal stomach pain. 4 gms a day in divided doses. He prefers Barlean's brand (No financial connection...).
He also says that Gaviscon is what really helps for bile reflux. The bubbles helps keep the bile from burning the esophagus. Unfortunately, my son who needs it can't take it because it has a corn product in it. But the surgeon said he has seen people avoid surgery by trying those two things.
Oh and turmeric. He swears by turmeric to help with gut issues. The problem is turmeric bothers my stomach so not sure it would help me.
FWIW, YMMV.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks!
I used to use the Barlean's. I may go buy some. I have Gaviscon in the fridge.
I take curcumin. It's a little rough on me, but I take it with food.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
My husband was on Prilosec for a few years. His LLMD had him switch to taking Zantac every other day, and Prilosec every other day. He was able to slowly wean off of Prilosec and is now on Zantac only.
It's not ideal, but it's better than being on Prilosec long term. The lesser of 2 evils.
He was told that he could take Tums several times/day instead, but he can't tolerate Tums.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Yeah, I'm taking 1/2 capsule of Nexium and Zantac as needed. Tums as needed.
Maybe I would do better with a whole one every other day. Yes, Zantac is better than a PPI.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Hey..have FINALLY gotten off my nexium just this past 2 weeks. I've been on it for the past 6 or 7 years. I've tried getting off of it before, but have always failed. Rebound too much etc. I tried going cold turkey, weening myself off, etc. All to no avail.
Here is what finally worked for me.
New LLMD did a Metametrix stool test and found H. Pylori. I've had a dozen H. Pylori tests and they have always missed it. He prescribed the "Prevpac" for the H. Pylori. This constains amoxy, biaxin, and Prevacid. You take this for 2 weeks.
So...I stopped nexium and started the Prevpac. No issues.
Once I stopped the prevpac, I waited as long as possible to take a PPI...and when I did, I took Prevacid and not Nexium. I made it 5 days, then took 1 Prevacid. I make it3 more days and took another.
2 days before my "second" Prevacid dose, my LLMD wanted me to start "The Ultimate Reset" to help my body cleanse / detox. It is a 21 day cleanse. http://www.ultimatereset.com/
Anyway...I started this on a Sunday and took the "second" dose of Prevacid on Tuesday. It is now 1 week later and I haven't had to take a single PPI.
There is something with this cleans that has allowed me to get of my PPI with zero symptoms. I feel very good and have already lost 10 pounds to boot.
I have about 11 days left to go!
So happy to be finally off nexium!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Well, that gives me hope.. I think. I'm having a lot of pain today from yesterday. It's pretty bad.
I thought you had to have an upper GI to find h.pylori? My last scope was 3 yrs ago. No indication of it.
I think much of my acid reflux is from yeast, so taking abx might be a bad thing for me. I would have to KNOW for sure that I had h.pylori.
Maybe I could alternate with Prevacid.
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
I would switch to Prevacid and then maybe give the Ultimate REset a try.
My upper GI missed the H. Pylori. But the Metametrix found it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Wow, amazing.
That other stuff looks expensive. Is it? What's in it?
Doesn't look like something I need. My BP is low, weight is low, cholesterol is great.
Posted by Jen50 (Member # 8423) on :
This is interesting. I wish you luck getting off of the ppi's! I've been on Prilosec for way too long. Upper GI found a hiatal hernia causing my reflux. I would love to get off of mine too. Have you tried d-limonene? I used it for a while before I went to a GI about my reflux issue and it helped quite a bit.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, I may try that.
This says not to take it if you have gastritis or ulcers:
Note: I am in no way associated with this product or physician, just trying to help, as always.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, I'll check it out. I had to take the Nexium yesterday and today. I was in too much pain. Dang it.
editing to add... I checked it out. Can't take it. I'm very sensitive to stevia and xylitol. It just makes my yeast worse. I'm already taking digestive enzymes. Thanks, though!!
Maybe I need to buy some DGL.
Posted by James (Member # 44516) on :
Wow! You’ve just described my symptoms and tests for the last year and a half….still with no true understanding of what is wrong, I might add. Some good points here, but not sure where to start. I was on Prilosec (40) http://onlinepharmacyreviews.org/drugs/prilosec for a year or better but switched to Nexium a month ago…single dose. Feeling a bit better. Anyhow, I am hesitant to ditch Nexium all together because I was MISERABLE before I started taking PPI. Prilosec helped my significant secondary symptoms improve within three days. I KNOW I want to be rid of PPI’s, just not sure how to go about doing it. Any thoughts?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Be very careful. If you are having serious burning in your esophagus or something, then you could make it worse by stopping the Nexium.
My current plan: I just began taking veggie caps and then opening the Nexium and pouring some of it out. I'm saving what I pour out into a medicine bottle.
Then I pour the rest into the new veggie cap. You would not need to do that part. I'm trying to avoid the food coloring in the capsules.
Hope this works. I have my doubts, but must try.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
Allergies (even airborne), sulfite sensitivity, gluten intolerance/sensitivity, gastritis, hiatus hernia, gallbladder/liver issues, gut dysmotility...just a few of the numerous causes of reflux.
Must treat the cause to end the reflux. In my case, this is from Gastroparesis, gallstones (fixed w/ removal of gallbladder - good riddance!), gluten & sulfite sensitivity.
When I take sufficient Vitamin B12 & Molybdenum, and avoid sulfites & gluten as much as possible, I don't have trouble with the reflux.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
I tried and failed to get off omeprazole a few weeks ago
My hiatal hernia is getting bigger-im not sure how to fix that
Gallbladder is gone
Been on ppi about 20 yrs... i really want to get off too
It does surprise me how much organic honey and apples (separately) help
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
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