Is Suppressing Stomach Acid Safe?

I believe anyone who has been taking Prilosec, Nexium etc should have their Vitamin B12 level and homocysteine level checked when they have regular blood work done. I've been taking Prilosec for more than 6 years because of Gastric Reflux. Low levels of Vitamin B12 and resulting high levels of homocysteine can cause nerve damage and many reputable studies have linked high homocysteine to higher rates of Alzheimers, cerebrovascular diseases and heart heart attacks. About 3 1/2 years ago I started developing strange sensations in my feet--sort of like the lining of my shoe was wrinkled or my sock wadded up. The problem continued to get more aggrevating and I even saw a neurologist. Tests showed no problem. It began to bother me at night when the sheets touched my toes and felt terrible when I walked on bare floors with no socks. About that time I noticed a new sentence on the information that usually came with my prescription that said to contact your doctor if you notice tingling or numbness of hands or feet. I quickly did research and discovered that reduced acid levels in the stomach could prevent absorption of Vitamin B-12 which in turn can lead to neurological damage due to a increased level of an amino acid in the blood called homocysteine. I did speak to my doctor and he sent me to a neurologist who ran tests and could not find a problem. However, I began taking 250 mcg of B-12 and 400 mcg of folic acid in addition to my multi-vitamin and a cereal with 100% fortification of B vitamins. (Although now retired, I was a Registered Dietitian but worked in business so I had not been involved in therapeutic dietetics in a long time.)
The ironic part of the story is that my much younger sister had developed a 4" long subclavical venous blood clot. After seeing a specialist it was determined through DNA analysis that she had a blood clotting mutation. Since there is a 50/50 chance of a sibling having this mutation, I decided to be tested. I had a high homocysteine level despite my high levels of vitamin supplementation. I not only had that Prothrombin mutation, but another one called C677T MTHFR mutation. It reduces my body's ability to absorb folic acid---thus increasing my homocysteine level. The hematologist recommended I increase my folic acid to 1000 mcg plus the fortified cereal and multivitamins.
The homocysteine did come down from 12.0 to 9.9 within 2 months and was well within normal (7.7) in a year.
More importantly, after a great deal of research I have found literally dozens of research papers in highly-regarded scientific and medical journals showing a correlation between high homocysteine and everthing from Alzheimer's to cerebrovascular disorders to heart diseases. Every one of the studies continues to say more work needs to be done in the area but each one shows the problems are greater when homocysteine is higher. Of course, there is still a question as to whether homocysteine causes these problems or whether it is a side effect of such problems. If you are over 55 or 60 to ask your doctor to run a homocysteine test the next time blood work is done. As we get older, it is more difficult to absorb folic acid and products like Prilosec and Nexium reduce acid levels which reduce absorbtion of B-12. Low levels of each of these vitamins increase your homocysteine level. If your homocysteine level is high it may just be due to insufficient fruits and vegetables in your diet and too much meat or you could have the MTHFR mutation---somewhere between 2-5% of the Caucasian population have it. Fortunately, increased Vitamin B12, folic acid and Vitamin B-6 can help reduce homocysteine and they certainly are inexpensive. But the proper levels should be recommended by a doctor or dietitian based on testing. An imbalance of the three can mask problems like pernicious anemia.
I should also mention, some doctors are still not familiar with the MTHFR mutation. If your homocysteine level is high and does not respond to multi-vitamins and extra B-vitamins it could be necessary to see a hemotologist to be further tested for the mutation.

Check these on the internet:
Gerontology. 2001 Nov-Dec;47(6):324-9. Links
Plasma folate, vitamin B(12), and total homocysteine and homozygosity for the C677T mutation of the 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. A case-control study.

Homocysteine: A new coronary heart disease risk factor

Fodor, J.G., LeGrand, C.
University of Ottawa Heart Institute Prevention & Rehabilitation Centre

Seshadri S, Beiser A, Selhub J, et al. Plasma homocysteine as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346:476-483.

B Vitamins May Protect Mental Health in Elderly
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, September 2005

Or just search for homocysteine and heart disease, Alzheimers or cerebrovascular disorders on the internet. Select only from well-known scientific journals.
There are dozens of research papers.

NOTE: The partial-numbness or strange sensations in my feet did not improve with vitamin supplementation. However, a physical therapist suggested I try Anodyne Therapy. I am now on a 2 year study using the equipment. It really has helped. If you want more information contact 1-800-521-6664. It is not a permanent solution, but a treatment that must be continued.

I was on Prilosec for nearly 2 years to combat persistent heartburn. When my fingernails started to fall apart, and my feet and legs starting having some strange numbness, I did a bit of homework, and discovered that this drug greatly inhibits the absorption of vitamin B- particularly B-12.

I started to wean myself off of it, which was a rather unpleasant experience, because prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors makes your gastric acid glands enlarge to compensate. I took lots of tums and DGL (de-Glycyrrhizinated licorice) to stave off the worst of the acid blow back. It took nearly six weeks, but my stomach got back to normal.

I discovered that sweets- especially anything with high levels of high fructose corn syrup (like soda), and doughy sweets like cookies and cake- were the main causes of my misery, so I cut them completely out of my diet. I ate smaller meals, and kept taking my vitamin B-12 supplements, along with niacin and biotin.

The strange tingling in my feet eventually went away after I added a magnesium tab to my nightly supplements- and I rarely have any kind of heartburn that a Tums won't tackle. My fingernails, although not perfect, are much better, too.

Your other listeners might consider eliminating foods sweetened with HFCS (and carbonated beverages) from their diets to see if that helps allieviate their heartburn.

Thanks for a great show, and hope Terry is doing better!

It look me about 6 months to wean off of Prevacid. I was a 30mg daily user for ll years. I was constantly getting infections of the GI tract, abdominal pain, etc. All GI tests proved negative so I decided to come off of Prevacid myself. My GI dr. recommended a health store papaya which I take during the day. I also changed eating habits; no soft drinks, watch intake of chocolate, sweets, etc. Aloe vera juice diluted in water several times a day has helped me more than anything though it took a few weeks to kick in. My stomach pains have gone away for the most part. I work in a public school and I couldn't understand why I was getting GI infections all year since after l0 years I should've had an immunity. I will see what happens this school year with the Prevacid contributing to this. Thank you for your helpful column.

I was started on PPIs when my endoscopy showed gastritis. I was on them on & off for about 6 months. I developed the same side effects from all of them: muscle pain, bursitis, hip pain. I became concerned and discovered that people who take PPIs have a higher incidence of hip fractures. I began to wean myself off the PPIs, taking Carafate syrup to heal my stomach and changing my diet to include many more vegetables and very few sweets. This was very hard since I am a sweetaholic! A book called The Acid-Alkaline Diet by Christopher Vasey has been a big help. I now only take an occasional Aciphex when the pain gets really bad, but plan on continuing to watch my diet so I can hopefully get totally off of all PPIs. Hope this helps!

I was prescribed Prilosec & later switched to Prevacid. I do have (left) hip pain. I had read somewhere that I needed B12 if I was on something (Prevacid or Accupril for b.p.) so have been taking it from the beginning, so some side effects others had, I have not. I do eat way too much sugar & meat. Not enough veggies & fruits, other than true fruit juices, but some have high fructose corn syrup.
I have been taking about 65.00 a month worth of vitamins & minerals & psyllium husk powder capsules, having had IBS & still having lactose (milk sugar) intolerance. (I use calcium enriched soy, almon & rice milk. Ulcers too. When I had my endoscopy for GERD & acid reflux, they did a biopsy & found ulcer bacteria & treated me for that. (Also a valve that won't stay shut when it is supposed to). To this day popcorn, nuts and coconut hurt on the way out, ever since the 1st ailment, the ulcer! I take calcium citrate, magnesium, boron, & D for my bones; folic acid because of the B12. Odd, pleasant side effect of B12 is it enables me to remember my dreams better which indicates to me that it is absorbing. I also take B complex. I prefer capsules for easier absorption & swallowing. Fallen arches, 1 bad knees, some back problem & 1 bad hip, means I do most of my exercises sitting in or standing next to my chair. I have a Coleman light weight, aluminum & green cloth folding chair (I am having a hard time finding this best, lightest model) to take with me as this one is wearing out, thanks to my weight. I walk 1/2 a block; sit a minute or 2; then repeat. Relieves pain & I catch my breath. I have a cane, but my chair helps more. Hard to carry them both, my purse & a backpack or book bag. I can walk further if I am pushing a grocery store's cart & leaning on it. I know I need to cut out high fat meats & most desserts except low fat flavored yogurt or continue to suffer the consequences & even get more of them. If I cut out the sodium (like in luncheon meat & cheap tv dinners) and lose some weight maybe my Accupril (Quinapril) alone minus the water pill (which has prevented me from having a stroke), and which eliminates B,C and minerals along with the sodium, will take care of my blood pressure. I used to manage a health food store and discovered the wonderful People's Pharmacy earlier books. I am 63. If it wasn't for my avocadoes & oatmeal producing the good kind of cholesterol and my supplements, I'd be far worse off than I am. I have the 5 year fluorescent light bulbs (I wonder if they are healthy) & stay off ladders. Before those bulbs, I always left the decorative light bulb covers overhead, off of the light fixture. Stuck them in my apt. cupboard. Then the bulbs over head did not burn out so fast, and I never fell, less likely to from my foot high stool, as I did not have to screw & unscrew the fixture. I visit a friend to see his friendly small dog, twice a week. Friendly dogs lower the blood pressure of those who really like them.

I was originally prescribed a PPI by my internist to rule out an ulcer after a gallbladder attack. Although I explained to my doctor that I had never even taken a Tums in my 50 years, when my symptoms worsened after a few weeks on the PPI's, he increased my dosage to twice the recommended amount.

Over a 4 year period, I went from a normal endoscopic exam to having ulcers and severe gastritis along with severe gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). With each successive doctor I explained my initial reaction to the PPI's and referred to the information sheet that is included in the sample packages. I never had a GI doctor confirm that the PPI's could actually be causing the abnormalities. Everytime I made an attempt to discontinue the PPI's the symptoms became even more severe which hardly seemed possible.

Finally, when I developed severe exhaustion along with the chronic pain, the insomnia, and the constant vertigo, I decided I had to discontinue the PPI's. I took a double dose for four years, it has now been three years and gradually, all symptoms are abating. However, I still have periods of discomfort during every day and every night. But, this discomfort cannot be compared to the years of extreme pain I experienced while taking the PPI's. So, I have to assume that the PPI's were the culperts because I have never had a GI doctor willing to agree that I had a severe sensitivity to this drug.

In my opinion, this medication has a physically addictive effect which actually increases acid production when you attempt to discontinue the product. Consequently, I think Americans everyday are becoming dependent on this medication to function even though it actually has the effect of creating more problems than it solves including gastroparesis, pernicious anemia, and hip fractures to name a few. Read the disclosure with your next sample package. Then discuss this information with your doctor to make certain that the PPI's are the right prescription for you. When they work, they truly are effective. But when they are not the right medicine for you, the side effects can be severe.

Along with the problems of non-absorption of B-12 and calcium, another factor with long-term proton pump inhibitor use is the possibility of developing gastric or esophageal cancer. The stomach was not meant to function with a reduced amount of acid, so artificially lowering the acidity of the stomach can have very bad effects long-term. There have been theories that GERD and chronic heartburn are caused by having not enough stomach acid, not too much. Think carefully before using this medication for an extended period of time.
[Editor's Note: This is highly controversial. There is preliminary research on both sides of the issue, ie, acid suppressors increase the risk of cancer and acid suppressors decrease the risk of esophageal cancer.]

An elderly friend of mine began taking Prilosec as a prescription and continued when it became an OTC med. She was recently hospitalized with a broken leg and the Prilosec was discontinued.

This lady was in agony as scalding acid was released into her body. She and I made sure that her doctors knew she had taken Prilosec for years but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. She literally begged for it. Only when she was moved to a rehab facility many days later did a new doctor add it to her meds and she was able to get some comfort.

While she should probably not have been taking it for such a long period of time, that was not the time or way to stop it. Her distress was so obvious; I was stunned by the lack of feeling shown by the doctors who seemed to care only about matters related to their speciality. A young friendly doctor who introduced himself as her primary care person during her hospital stay rarely visited her room--just long enough to promise to look into the matter.

Actually there are two issues here: the first is the downside of long-term reliance on drugs such as Prilosec to manage heartburn, and the other is the failure of hospital medical personnel to take such things into consideration when caring for a patient.

A similar situation occured in my own family when the patient's blood thinning medication was abruptly discontinued when he was moved to a rehab facility. The result was a blood clot which required additional time in hospital to treat. I suspect this sort of thing is more common than we think and deserves some serious attention.

I've been battling a cough for the past 5 years, and my doctor felt it was reflux-related. So I've been on various anti-reflux medications with no relief. I recently went through a battery of tests, and my pulmonologist said my constant throat clearing, mucous in my throat and coughing might be related to a post-nasal drip. It's been a complete breakthrough!

I'm now using a nose spray--Intrabromide--which has stopped my nasal drip and stopped my cough completely!! I am now weaning myself off Zantac and Omeprazole and hope to try some of the natural remedies or non-prescription drugs only when I feel burning in my stomach.

I'm relaying this story because I want to alert others to the fact that if they're told they have a reflux-related cough and they have a runny nose, it might turn out that the problem is coming from a post-nasal drip. I'm so happy that I think I can now reduce or maybe eliminate my reflux medication. I'm also very annoyed at my ENT who had me on Zegerid powder for more than a year (!) telling me on every visit that it would take more time to work to eliminate my cough! Thank you so much for this website. It has really helped me.

I have been on Nexium and then Prilosec since the mid-90's. Recently, I had an endoscopy which showed I do not have a hiatal hernia, which I was told many years ago I DO have. I decided to go off the PPI (Prilosec) cold turkey after that test. That was on Oct. 25.

I started taking DGL capsules as I read that lack of acid in the stomach can result in improperly balanced chemistry. I also took pro-biotic tabs (from an herbalist) for 30 days before I had the endoscopy. The reason for the latter is that about 6 weeks ago, I began experiencing extreme pressure in the center of my abdomen -- bloating and pressure -- about 2 hours after a meal. I thought maybe I had become lactose intolerant or gluten intolerant. I stopped eating gluten products -- no change. I have stopped carbonated beverages -- change at first -- but the bloating and pressure have returned after a week of blessed relief immediately after stopping the Prilosec.

I worry that the Prilosec and my borderline diabetes may have resulted in gastroparesis and wonder if the doctor will want me to take yet ANOTHER drug to control that. Any ideas??? Sorry for the rambling....

I have been on Aciphex for about 8 months and feel terrible. (I also take Synthroid, Diovan, Norvasc, and Atenolol.) I feel adominal pain upon activity and have gone from being fairly active (exercise 3X a wk, walking, going places with kids and grandkids) to doing almost nothing. I had one severe episode of pain. The doctor insists it is not the medication. I went off the acid suppressor a wk ago and am not feeling better so I'm not sure.

However, I have been taking a slice of del. apple and honey at night and the burning of the reflux is relieved. Have you ever heard of apple and honey as a relief?

I started taking prilosec in the 90s. I take previcid now 30 mg a day. Without it I have heartburn so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. I get B12 shots once a month. I was told your body doesn't absorb B12 from food or pills without stomach acid. I do have muscle ache, but it is better than the reflux. I had an endoscopy a month ago and it was normal as far as the tissue. I have had a hiatal hernia for years and the valve that closes to keep the acid down doesn't close.

Do not stop any PPI cold turkey. Cut back over a period of six weeks.

First, start taking digestive enzymes with every meal. Add two servings of yogurt to your diet, morning and night (make sure it has live cultures). And start taking a DGL licorice tablet before each meal and bedtime.

Then, begin to SLOWLY taper off your PPI. Please do not abruptly stop. This will cause rebound reflux and cause you pain and possible damage to your throat. If you take 2x day, first replace your nightime dose with Zantac 150. Do this for two weeks.

Then, in the third week, cut your morning dose by 25% a week. You can do this by removing some of the drug from your capsule. If you are taking a time release pill like prilosec, ask your doctor to write an rx for the prescription capsule. For example, get prilosec 10 mg and take a capsule and a half. (15 mg)

The fourth week, cut your morning dose to 10 mg. Take a 75 mg dose of zantac during the day at the first sign of daytime heartburn.

The fifth week, cut the morning dose to 5 mg and take a 75 mg zantac a couple of hours after your morning prilosec.

In the sixth week, cut out the morning dose and replace it with zantac 150.

For the next 3 months, continue the zantac 150 2x day. If you are doing fine at the end of 3 months, replace the morning dose with a 75 mg for two weeks, then the evening dose with 75 mg for two weeks, then eliminate the morning dose for two weeks, and then eliminate the evening dose. Listen to your body -- don't hesitate to lean on the zantac during the transition.

http://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/journals_publications/acp_internist/jul-aug04/ppis.htm

I have been on Protonix (Prilosec gave me diarrhea) for 3 years. First endoscopy, before meds, indicated that I had Barrett's syndrome - pre-cancerous esophagus, so I was prescribed meds.

However, the pain in my feet is driving me nuts. I had plantar fasciaitis prior to taken Protonix, but that was mostly under control. I religiously stretch my feet every morning but when driving (and I drive a lot for work), the pressure of resting my heel on the floor of the car to push against the gas pedal can really cause pain! When it is bothersome, there is no position that works.

I also have been having problems with bursitis in several joints recently - hip, elbow and now thumbs (I'm not kidding! after pulling weeds!)- is it just aging or is the Protonix?

My B12 tested just fine (top of the range) but I'm wondering if there is other things I can do. I'll ask my doc to check homocysteine levels after reading the first comment. If my endoscopy this fall shows all okay (2nd year one was good, so doc suggested waiting for 2 years before 3rd one), I plan to get off the Protonix (gradually).

I'm a vegetarian, also trying to get my weight lower, and am pretty active. Not only do I love the website, I love all the comments from people. Thanks for inviting comments and thanks to all who've shared their experiences. It is nice to know when one is experiencing problems that one isn't alone!

After almost 2 years on PPIs, my wife has not had much success in trying to wean herself off omeprazole. Her doctor is aware that she is trying to wean off. We found Reader Shirley's comments posted on June 19, 2008 (in response to the article "Is Suppressing Stomach Acid Safe?") very helpful and would like to try tapering off slowly as she suggests.

However, it is not clear how many days prior to tapering off the PPI the DGL needs to be started, and for how long the DGL should be continued 3 or 4 times a day along with the Zantac. Same with the digestive enzymes.

I would appreciate any assistance you can provide in obtaining this information.

I was taking Prilosec for 9 days stopped taking it. I am taking Acid Ease, Digest Enzyme, Kyo-Dolphilus and drinking aloe vera juice. Is there need for concern to have stopped taking Prilosec suddenly and use alternative natural medicine? Like, why are people here talking about "going cold turkey" off drug? What are the risks? Thank you in advance for your response.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: PEOPLE WHO HAVE TAKEN A PPI LIKE PRILOSEC FOR AN EXTENDED TIME MAY HAVE REBOUND ACIDITY AND OTHER SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY STOP.

Whenever I get heartburn; I eat a peppermint. It has never let me down.

What is Intrabromide?
I have taken Nexium, then Prilosec for many years, but wish I could stop. I have my doubts on the long term safety, and my always strong fingernails are deeply ridged and brittle. I'll try some of these ideas - thanks. I also have year round post nasal drip, and would like more info on Intrabromide.

I had an endoscopy yesterday and my doctor said everything looked good. They did take 2 biopsies. My doctor said that I either have gastritis or perhaps my Irritable Bowel Syndrome had basically spread to my stomach. He prescribed 20 mg of Prilosec daily. However after reading the comments posted here and on other sites I am not going to take this medication. I am going to seek more natural alternatives. Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas or information on where to start?

I have been taking Prevacid for 4 mos. I just had an Endoscopy a week ago. The doctor said that my stomach was inflamed and took a biopsy. I started having pain again last week taking the prevacid and he told me to just start taking one in the morning and night. I thought no way am I taking even more and have since stop taking it. At first I was fine and now the pain in my stomach is burning. Since it has been 4 days should I tough it out or go back on it and then try to wean off?
Or just try zantac?
Any suggestions?

Marcia, I'm curious what was your outcome? Did you stop altogether? Or go back to the Prevacid?

I just quit Nexium 40 after 4 mths cold turkey b/c everything is fine...rebound started w/ reflux and stomach pain day 4...from others' experience, when does the pain go away? I am taking DGL and probiotics and it is day 10.

Wow! I'm sooo glad I found this site. I have Hiatal Hernia and have been taking Protonix, Nexxium and now Prilosec for at least 10 years. Initially, I loved being able to eat turkey dinner without the after effects of GERD. A blood test showed a stomach ulcer which was cleared with antibiotic. Anemia became a problem and had to stop giving blood. 2 years ago had excellent bone scan and now showing osteopenia.

Heard today that JAMA reports PPI can cause hip fracture. Sinus infections are a fact of life. I turned 60 and it seems that it is one thing after another including a bad knee. From the information I have gleaned from all these posts I now have a better plan of action to maybe finally get healthy! Thanks! And my hat is off to each of you!

I am scheduled for a b-12 blood test. I read that if you take folic acid (1mg.) it can mask the results. I've been off of the folic acid for 3 days. How long should I be off to not taint the b-12 test?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: DO ASK THE DOCTOR OR TECHNICIAN ABOUT THIS. WE COULD NOT FIND A TIME-FRAME AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED MORE TO TESTING MCV (MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME--SIZE OF THE RED BLOOD CELLS) THAN TO THE SPECIFIC BLOOD TEST FOR CYANOCOBALAMIN. THIS TEST IS NOT AS ACCURATE AS DOCTORS WOULD LIKE, THOUGH, SO ASK TO HAVE THE TEST FOR MMA (METHYL MALONIC ACID) ADMINISTERED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS WILL GIVE YOUR DOCTOR MORE INFORMATION.

I'm 52 years old and I have been taking Prilosec for 8 years... For me, it has worked wonders! BUT, deep down I knew this medication was not good for me to be on for so long. Just this past 6 mos. or so, I've noticed my joints hurt more than usual. Then I heard on the News a few weeks ago about the risk of hip fracture, etc. I've also noticed my left hip and right wrist have been really bothering me lately. I have started this week to "try" and wean myself off of this medication. I have been taking one 20 mg pill once a day.

I am trying to take one Prilosec every other day in the morning and the Zantac 150 in the evenings. So far so good, but this has only been just a few days and today, I can tell I'm having a bit more acid. Is this a safe way to go? I cannot believe how dependent I am on this medication - it's actually scary. I hope I can do this. Please wish me luck...

Hello - I am the one who wrote the above post on 6-5-10. I am pleased to report that I am TOTALLY off the Omeprazole! I take 2 Zantac 150 a day - one in the morning and one around 4 pm in the afternoon. And in between I pop a rolaid OR I use the Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic (which really works, by the way!). I am so happy to be off this medication, I can't tell you! And I had a bone density test recently and it came back "low bone mass", but not Osteoporosis - thank goodness! My doc said we will re-visit this in 3 years and with the appropriate amount of calcium and vitamin D, I should be alright...

I have good and bad days - some days my throat feels like it is "on fire". And other days, I'm doing okay. I have had to modify my diet somewhat, but am pleased to say that I am still able to have a couple cups of tea a day and my glass of wine in the evening...

What I did, was I "weaned" myself off the Omeprazole. I took one for 2 days and then the Zantac for two days and then one for 1 day and the Zantac for 3 days until I was totally off of it... I am "cautiously optimistic" that I won't have to EVER take this medication again... I certainly hope that is the case. I have been praying about this and I think that God has answered my prayers. GOOD LUCK to each and every one of you that is trying to get off this medication - it will be tough, but it CAN be done... PRAISE GOD!!! :)

I'm 41 years old and have been on PPI's mainly prilosec for years! This past year the effects have come to a head! I have constant scratchy throat with cough, periodic voice hoarseness, stomach pain, recently noticed my feet hurt. The funny thing is my heart burn which I used to get often has completely disappeared and gave way to all these other symptoms.

Went to ENT then to GI doc, diagnosed with GERD. Told to change diet and stay on PPI's. Two months later I still have all the symptoms. I want to go off prilosec all together cold turkey and treat symptoms with antacids and or Zantac. I hope I can do it! After reading some of these posts, I'm beginning to wonder. Why do these doctors want me to take PPI's indefinitely, if its so bad for me????? Anyone out there quit prilosec cold turkey?

Our 4 year old son has been on 30mg prevacid for the last three years. We use the 30mg solutabs cut in half so he receives 15mg in the morning and 15mg in the evening. We tried weaning him off the prevacid last year, since he seemed to be doing well, and he experienced terrible rebound acid. After reading the above posts, it's probably because we did it wrong. Our ped is not an expert about this and we have been unimpressed with the GI specialists we've seen.

We would like to revisit weaning off again, perhaps next summer without the stress of school. My question - is there a way to wean using the solutabs? Splitting the tabs once is difficult - I wouldn't want to try splitting them more than once. Thank you for any advice or insight.

What is the information you have that Zantac is better than Omeprazole? I am thinking of doing the same thing. Thank you.

I am a 62 yr old esophageal cancer person since 1994. My daily dose of PPI's average 60mg. Since I have lost my esophagus and stomach and eat through a J tube I do have infections. After reading many of your post I know believe my infections may be caused by the long term use of PPI's. I really would like to find another inhibitor.

Do any of your posters have a better way of treating my acid? Not having a stomach has its problems. I have to sleep seating up so my acid doesn't get into my lungs. Apple juice doesn't work and Aloe Vera didn't seem to help either. I have been on most of the acid blockers over the years.

Right now I am taking 60mg of Prevacid daily. I am worried about the infections in my J tube track. On the 23nd of this month I am going under the knife for the 6th time. This time my surgeon want to clean up all the other doctors work and close the J tube on my left side. Right now I have two sites. My old site will not close ( A year and a half) so I have acid burning me 24/7. My health has broken down over the last year and half.

Thank you for these posts. Laird

Hi, How did you wean off of the PPI's? I'm about to start myself, and I'd like to hear about your experience. Thanks in advance for your help.