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Messing with Mother Nature sometimes leads to unintended consequences. This is especially true when it comes to your body.
Drug companies are quite adept at developing medications that make us feel better. They often have a harder time dealing with the fallout of their efforts.
Take decongestant nose drops, for example. Anyone with a stuffy nose will tell you it is a very uncomfortable feeling. Congestion can be brought on by a cold, allergies or a sinus infection.
Pharmacies sell lots of nasal sprays like Afrin (oxymetazoline) and Neo-Synephrine 4-Hour (phenylephrine). Such drugs are effective because they constrict blood vessels in the nose. Used for a couple of days, they can relieve symptoms with relatively few side effects.
But if you use a nasal decongestant spray for more than a few days, your body begins to compensate. The tiny blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passages try extra hard to bring blood to the tissues that have been deprived. As the medication wears off, the blood vessels dilate and cause rebound nasal congestion.
This can lead to a vicious cycle. We have heard from readers who were so dependent on their Afrin nasal spray that they kept containers under their pillow, in the car and on their desk at work. They may keep on using the spray long after the cold or allergy is gone, sometimes even for years.
The same thing can be true for acid-suppressing drugs. Medications such as Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix are best sellers in the pharmacy. They are known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs are very helpful for healing ulcers and can also ease symptoms of serious heartburn (acid reflux).
The body, however, seems to think that acid in the stomach is a good idea. Just as the blood vessels in your nose dilate after repeated use of a vasoconstrictor, so too the cells in your stomach lining work extra hard to make acid when repeatedly exposed to one of these powerful medications.
If a PPI is discontinued abruptly, acid-making cells go into overdrive, sometimes for weeks or months. Rebound acid production is a lot like rebound congestion. The resulting discomfort makes it hard not to start using the medication again.
One reader wrote: “I have been taking Protonix for heartburn for about six months. After learning of potential ill effects from long-term use (weak bones or pneumonia), I tried to stop taking it. After about a week, I had to start taking it again due to severe heartburn--the rebound effect, I suppose. I asked my pharmacist how one should discontinue use, but she was unable to find out.”
There is very little information about how to stop taking PPIs. Some doctors suggest gradual dose tapering and using weaker drugs such as Tagamet, Pepcid or Zantac during the transition.
A leading expert on natural medicines, Tierenoa Low Dog, MD, has had success helping patients with this problem by using a natural licorice compound called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). You can listen to Dr. Low Dog discussing the issue at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Before you start taking medicine, find out how and when to stop. Sometimes getting off a drug can be harder than you expect.
I hope I will soon have a personal experience to share. I have decided to discontinue omeprazole on my own. I listened in to Dr. Low Dog's discussion regarding the DGL, and fortunately I did have a bottle on hand, expiration date June 2008. I had bought this, among others, at a health food store as I was proceeding to take charge of my health as I was not getting anywhere with MDs when I signed up for an HMO, wanting to be a "good compliant patient." First, was put on one statin, then another, then another with disastrous results, now blood pressure med, whatever they were pushing that month at the local clinic. I simply refuse to put up with the side effects they produced... I am back in charge of my body now.... I am doing a complete cleanse to get the residue out of my system, supposed to be a 2-week program, then I am going to slowly try to taper down the omeprazole by any means I can find. If it doesn't work, oh well, but wish me luck, I'll keep you posted. Retta AKA Alma Brewer
I use pure unfiltered raw cider vinegar for heartburn (1 tbsp). Does anybody else use this NATURAL remedy?
In advance---THANK YOU for your time.
Steve Creaturo
I got off Nexium by taking a product by Enzymatic Therapy called Heartburn No More. Cost $30.They are citrus oil capsules. You take one every other day until the package is gone. I think there are 10 capsules in the package. Since then I have taken an occasional one when I needed it. This along with DGL worked perfectly for me. When I stopped the Nexium I had such bad acid reflux that my ears were burning. It was awful... but this stuff really worked.
Jane...That's great to find out, as a matter of fact I am right now on Enzymatic Complete Liver Cleanse to detox myself from all this med I allowed inappropriately into my body. I recently had an unpleasant side-effect experience with an antibiotic prescribed after slight dermatology surgery. After 10-12 days of not feeling well, I turned to a very knowledgeable nutritionist who manages my fav vitamin store and she advised this product. That's good to know about the heartburn product, I shall pick up some soon when I start to withdraw from omeprazole!! Good Deal.....Retta B AKA Alma Brewer
I am experiencing hair loss as a result of long-term Prevacid usage. At one point, I even had nerve pain until I began taking B12 supplements to compensate for inadequate B12 absorption because of the Prevacid. I finally decided I was coming off it one way or the other and started searching the web. This site has been helpful:
www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/acv_baking_soda_cures
The theory sounds reasonable. I've had no Prevacid for 4 days, only the vinegar & soda dosage before each meal (2 T vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon soda and a little water), and am doing well. I've had occasional slight indigestion which has been relieved by sucking on hard candy to increase salivation. And a "side effect" of the vinegar may just be some arthritis relief! My only concern is increased sodium intake because of the soda, but hope to decrease dosages soon.
I used to take a lot of Zantac--prescription and OTC--for my acid reflux. I would wake in the middle of the night--sometimes unable to breathe because the acid had closed my windpipe! I started taking probiotics regularly, and they have completely cured my acid reflux. Occassionally, if I overdo the wine, fatty food and sugar I'll need to take a Zantac again. I have been acid free for years.
I decided to get off Prilosec because of the things I'd heard about when it was used for long periods of time, and the fact that my fingernails were falling apart.
First, I tapered down, then went off it entirely. The 'blowback' period lasted about six weeks, during which I treated it with "Heartburn No More", antacids and DGL. I also supplemented Vitamin B-12 to get my fingernails back in shape.
It was not pleasant, and more than a few times I was tempted to get back on the Prilosec. But the burn finally faded, and today, I have few heartburn problems, and only experience them if I eat doughy sweets or drink soda. (I can eat spicy foods without problem.) Tums does the trick when I feel any fire.
I was put on PPI's after a gallbladder attack. The doctor used the PPI's to rule out an ulcer, as symptoms for both conditions can be similar.
I started experiencing severe heartburn within weeks. I was told to increase the dosage to two a day which only increased the problem. It all happened so quickly I really had no way to identify the med as the culprit since I also had gallbladder surgery and within months stones in my bile duct.
I found myself after visits to several GI specialists on these PPI's at a double dose for four years. When you look back you wonder how you could have been so naive as to ingest this poison daily for years. It has been 3 years since I started detoxing. I actually started out using large doses of H2 blockers. In April, I was still taking one a day. I have discontinued that and am now using Mylanta.
This has been a dreadful ordeal. I haven't slept through the night since I started with the PPI's because of reflux, stomach cramps, and stomach pain. I have actually been unable to work and lead a normal life. I tried the DGL but was even sensitive to that. My hypothesis (guess) is that you can expect that for every month you are on the medicine you can expect a month for recovery.
Several years ago I started with Prilosec. When that stopped working I went on to Nexium for an extended period. I have since graduated to Prevacid and have been using it for more than six months. These comments that I just read and printed for future reference are eye opening to say the least. I wish to thank all your contributors for their comments and solutions offered for reducing the usage of PPI's.
I took Nexium for 2 months as the doctor prescribed, but knew I did not want to continue beyond that as I believed the acid suppression would cause other problems, i.e. decreased Vitamin B absorption. I started weaning myself off the Nexium with OTC acid reducers initially, along with watching my diet and increased exercise. I then started using Prelief, which I continue to use sporadically as needed.
About nasal spray. I find if I only do one nostril one day and the other the next day I do not have an addiction problem. About acid reflux. I take one Zantac after my biggest meal of the day on a daily basis. My problem solved.
Try apple cider vinegar for acid relux. It has worked for my husband and me.
Older people sometimes do not have enough acid. It also helps to kill the bad bacteria h pylori.
One to two TBLS mixed with some water, You may add honey to the mix, or buy the cider vinegar tablets.
Worth a try!
I took Aciphex or its generic Rabeprazole for 11 months in 2007. I experienced tachycardia episodes which grew more frequent and lasted longer as the year passed. At the end of August I was diagnosed with atrial flutter.
In early January 2008 I went off the Rabeprazole cold-turkey and used Tums to treat the reflux -- 6-12 g/d. Although I still had tachycardia episodes, their duration decreased from 4-60 hours when on the PPI to under 2 hours. In addition I felt a lot better.
At no time during 2007 or even now has any of my physicians (including specialists whom I've seen) indicated any recognition that the PPI could have been responsible for any of the conditions -- even though the manufacturer itself lists tachycardia and atrial flutter as possible side effects of taking the drug!
During the last several years I've tried a number of treatments for acid reflux including many mentioned on this site and none has worked. The ones I've tried include raw apple cider vinegar, deglycyrrhizinated licorice, aloe vera juice and capsules, and digestive aids.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had heart effects connected with the use of PPIs especially if these conditions vanished when the PPI was discontinued. And, if that did happen, how long did it take?
I was diagnosed with 7 ulcers of the duodenum in 2000. I was put on Prevacid. Soon, insurance preferred Prilosec, so my Rx was changes to that. I had abdominal pain with it, so when Nexium came out I was eager to try that. It seemed to work better.
My problem now is that I am constantly overly-salivating. Sometimes I suck on a Gaviscon just to absorb saliva. I mentioned this to my doctor and was told to take DOUBLE the Nexium. I now take 2 tablets, 40mg each, everyday.
I saw someone mentioned hair loss. I had a hair transplant a few years ago and was put on Propecia. My hair was coming back great. Suddenly, the Propecia stopped working and my hair is thinning again (not the transplanted hair, other areas).
Have you ever heard of this? I am doubting that my doctor will be able/willing to help, honestly, because I even mentioned that my quality of life is suffering, and all he did was double the Rx!
I was bulimic in college and really screwed up my digestive system for a bit. My doctor put me on Prilosec to allow my esophagus to heal. I have been on it for 6 years because the acid pain is awful when I stop. Currently, I am on day 4 of no Prilosec, and I can't even drink water without feeling like there's a lump of cayenne pepper in my throat. I know it's because I've been on these acid pump suppressing meds for so long, and now my pumps are over-compensating, but damn. If you can avoid using these medications long-term, please do so; they're horrible to discontinue.
I found first, that Prilosec and Nexium are really meant for short term use (1-2 week). Why? Read their side effects - NOT good. I found that apple cider vinegar is really effective at cleaning the stomach and getting it going. When I started, I also got some light burning in the esophagus as the vinegar went down. I believe these are from the vinegar cleaning out some lesions from the acid reflux - so really a good thing. ( This started when I had been to emergency room for heart pain which was diagnosed as acid reflux).
After a few weeks, those burns were gone - after about 4 months, I didn't need the apple cider. I eat my food much more thoroughly, don't eat much meat. Some foods like bread and chocolate can cause short little heartburn episodes and should be eaten in very small amounts (at one time ;-) ). Don't eat late at night before lying down.
I have had friends with similar problems (thinking having a heart attack, finding out it was really acid reflux) and then use the vinegar with great results. If your problem goes undiagnosed for years, you can lose the valve between stomach and esophagus and this won't work. I have a friend who was on Prilosec for years and now has major valve damage. This is really a serious issue and this solution works... good luck!
I had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago along with ERCP to remove stone in common duct. I have had terrible heartburn ever since - dr. started me with Pepcid (which stopped working after a week), now taking 2 Prilosec a day along with sucralfate - STILL have heartburn. I don't even know if the medicine is making it better (maybe slight??)! Anyone have similar experience?
I have quit taking omeprazole (prilosec) after researching the meds due to abdominal pain I was having. I've been off prilosec for 2 weeks now. I started taking Dr. Ohhira's, Essential Formulas Inc., Probiotics (been taking for 3 weeks)& I am amazed. I still have a little bit of heartburn but I just chew a pill instead of swallowing it & the heartburn is gone.
I stopped Zegerid three days ago after being on it, with Dr's approval, for five weeks. Had started to feel mild nausea; now the nausea is gone, but have burning in the stomach. I took some Maalox (aluminum and magnesium) and got a laxative effect. So am taking Rollaids and worrying about cancer. I've lost 9 pounds in 16 days, but some of that was probably the laxative. I had stopped eating fat and sweets, but increased my bread intake, which may not be good. I'm hoping it will calm down and am scheduled to see a GI specialist.
Ive been on prilosec for 12 years and I feel terrible. I know this drug is killing me but coming off the drug is so painful. Tried almost every method of weening off and have failed. But i will keep trying until i hit the right combo of natural remedies. My only advise is DO NOT TAKE this medicine long term.
I was on prilosec for 8 months and it has caused me more grief than anything.
My nails became weaker my stomach was just out of whack.
Causing me to feel like everything is gonna come up and burping feeling.
Well I've been off of it 6 days now, no heart burn but my stomach has been really messed up and a lot of burning and nausea in my stomach.
The first 3 days so far was the roughest but I still feel like I need more time to get it out of my system.
If I would have known what it would have caused, there's no way I would of taken it.
I eat nothing good any more not because of heart burn but what the prilosec did to my stomach.
Please people try other things or lose weight like I'm trying to do now.This medicine was just a bad decision on my Doc's part and has made me lose some faith in my doctors.
I have been taking Nexium since 2004. I had anti-reflux surgery in 2006. No success. Started experiencing Heart PVC's for which I attribute to the PPI's. It seem impossible to stop taking as the discomfort is horrible. Any suggestions?
I took 15mg of Prevacid for a year... my health slowly deteriorated the whole year and nobody could tell me why. Went to a cardiac specialist, MRI, MRA no one mentioned the possible connection to Prevacid, even though it was a low dose I am thoroughly convinced it was the cause.
After 9 months on it I was anemic for the first time in my life and was developing many nerve problems. My doctor recommended only that I see a psychiatrist. No history of anxiety etc... after developing allergies of the year, 4 episodes of bronchitis and also catching pneumonia and influenza at the same time, I finally put it all together.
I have been off the prevacid cold turkey for a week now and feel better than I have ever felt in a year. Energy is back. I am supplementing with iron and vitamins and feel my heath starting to restore. In my opinion PPI's have real serious damage potential in usage over 8 weeks. Don't do it. You are risking a lot unless you have a problem that 500% outweighs the risks.
My husband been on omeprazole for 7/8 years. He now has anemia and low blood platelets. He was in the ER three weeks ago and had to get blood transfusions. He is weak and he feels like he is dying. The hemotologist wants to do a bone marrow biopsy and PET/scan. My husband feels the later is unsafe. My husband's blood problems might be due to a B-12 defiency caused by this medicine.
The GI doctor gave him the scoping tests and for the most part it is OK. I asked his if the omeprazole is responsible for my husband's blood problems. The GI doctor said this is a safe drug and his patients have taken this for years. I find conflicting information from other doctors when researching on the web. In my opinion, I think the drug companies try to hook you into dependency with these proton pump medications.
It is very hard to get off this medication, but with the Lord's help, my husband will get off this drug and his health will be restored in answer to prayer. I thank God in the name of Jesus Christ leading me to read about the information out there about the side effects of these proton pumps medications and the on going healing of my husband.
I read the different posts this morning and decided to try your recipe of 2 T. cider vinegar and 1/4 t. baking soda. That was posted in 2007, some time ago. I am interested in knowing how successful you were. I, too, have been on different ppi's for about 12 years since I had my gallbladder out. Most recently they have stopped working. Over the past 5 months, my Dr. has tried several different ones. I used Prevacid mostly over the years. Since they are not working anymore and I feel sickly with no cause showing from the endoscopy, I have decided to try to quit them.
Immediate the sickly feeling has left----but other feelings have taken their place. Better than sickly though. Did you continue with the vinegar, soda solution for years or have you totally stopped or replaced it with something else? I would love to know how you progressed.
How is your husband doing now? I pray he is getting better. I've taken Prilosec for years and tried to get off but the acid comes back ten times worse than before. Hard to get off of it. I'm searching and trying to find a way off. Lord help us all who have been on this medicine to get off and find a natural solution. Better yet, Lord heal us from this horrible medicine and effects it's had on us. Let me know how your husband is doing since you last posted.
God bless.
GB in OK
To GB in OK
Thank you for praying for my husband. Things still are unfolding and soon I hope I will be able to update, I have much to say. I appreciate your prayers for my husband, because he is not out of the woods yet. Lord willing this trial will be over soon and there is victory in Jesus.
GB let us know when you find that success in getting off the PPI'S.
Blessing and peace,
JJ
I have taken omeprazole/prilosec for 4 years. I now have C-Diff. I was hospitalized a few months ago with severe stomach pain and constipation. Diagnosis diverticulitis. Colonoscopy a few months earlier, a few polyps removed and diverticulosis. I was first given this drug when I had a very strange attack and could actually see what I think was my liver doing a roller coaster ride--could watch the rolling motion. Great pain.
I now think I had serotonin toxicity from combination of singulair and an antidepressant. Life has not been the same since. I want off omeprezole. I do not have heartburn. Anyone else know if the apple cider vinegar-soda combination can help when it is not heartburn? Months after I first started taking this drug I was diagnosed with very early breast cancer. The side effects of the aromatase inhibitor drug I take are awful, but studies are pretty darn impressive when it comes to minimizing recurrence of cancer for five years. Have a very good m.d. who will work with me on nutrition but sure wish I could find a straight answer to how to go off of this drug.
I have been off Nexium for 5 days now and have started to have heartburn. I will try the vinegar and the Heartburn No More and let you know. I am not eating dairy or wheat. I am determined to get off once and for all. I am chewing Pepsid Complete about an hour after a meal and it helps. I want to get off all antacids.
Saw your comment about getting off Antacids. When you say "probiotics" what do you mean?