Heartburn Drugs Are Hard to Stop

You can give up acid reflux medicine. I have been off all medicine since July. You must give up foods that trigger the reflux and never eat them again. The foods that I have given up are breads, dense food particularly red meats, onions, spices, tomato based products. I was taking omeprezale for at least 4 or 5 years. I've never felt better. Good luck!

I have been on Prilosec for a long time. My bone mass began to suffer, even with the Boniva I take monthly. I have always eaten breads, red meats,sauces, etc. I am going to give them up so I can get off Prilosec. Thank you Nancy D.

I was advised by 2 physicians to take HCL. (I use a HCL with Pepsin). I argued at first as to why would I add more acid, but finally tried it. I no longer needed PPI. I took HCL regularly for about one year. Now I only take it once in a while (4 times this last year). The idea is that one may not produce enough acid, especially in older people, and so the food does not digest like it should and comes up in the esophagus - refluxes.

Concerning today's article on Prilosec. My wife had been on prilosec for years and was diagnosed with anemia and was taking Iron suppl. She stopped it after it was on the news about interaction between prilosec and Plavix that she also takes, after 2 weeks her iron blood test were normal. She started taking Zantac 150 mg every morning, it works better than the Prilosec for her.

I went through this and agree it is pure hell. But I finally got help - real help and now I'm cured. This is what I did:

15 minutes before eating I would have a DGL licorice tablet.
With my meal I'd have two digestive enzymes and a probiotic tablet. All of these can be bought at the health food store.

I kept up this regimen for two months while continuing with with Prilosec. I also stopped drinking red wine, drank low acid coffee from Trader Joes, regulated my meals to three meals a day at about the same time, reduced the meal sizes and didn't eat after dinner. -- There is an article you can read on www.endfatigue.com -- search acid reflux. It's written by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum.

I still get an acid stomach once in a while, but I just take a DGL and it goes away.
Hope you try this. It worked for me and I was a bad case!

Coconut water! This is what helps me. I drink one box every morning. I am off all meds. When I had to fast for my colonoscopy, and drank coffee on a very empty stomach, well the acid attack returned, So, since I was allowed some clear juice, I drank coconut water.... and my stomach was soothed. Google coconut water for acid reflux, etc... lots of info on it. Love virgin coconut oil, too.

I had no problem quitting Prilosec last June after taking a 40mg tab every night for 8 years. Sometimes I need to take a (generic) Pepsid A/C or just a Tums if I eat my Mother-in Law's delicious Italian cooking. Sadly, I did not gain the benefits of stopping Prilosec that I had read about herein, but it's always a plus to stop taking a prescription drug if you don't need it.

..yes, it was "hell fire"... but the third time with Prerelief, DGL, Tums Ultra,..everything suggested..and I am in the fourth week of cold turkey withdrawal from @20years of Prilosec use.... a blood test showed blood/iron results way out of the normal range.."You must be bleeding somewhere... rush the endo and colonoscopy"... even tho the colonoscopy 12 months earlier had shown nothing..."results: an inflamed stomach... increase the Prilosec to two times a day.... take iron supplements"... well, the iron supplements brought the blood work up into the normal range... but no one but me seemed concerned about what cause the deficiency to begin with... until "I" happened to read the article about Prilosec and its effect on the body after long use: anemia, fatigue, breathlessness and low vitamin B12.... things have been rough and I am learning... but I am willing to deal with the rebound to garner the final results..better gastro/body health!

It sounds like your case is more severe, but I wanted to describe how I recently succeeded in getting off Prilosec. The first time I tried to taper off, I would skip a whole pill on certain days; that didn't work. For the second try, I bought a pill cutter and started tapering VERY gradually: 3/4 of a pill every day for several weeks, then half for several weeks, then 1/3, then 1/4. At the end I was taking 1/4 pill every three days. I used DGL licorice before most meals and Tums as needed. Concurrently I cut down or eliminated coffee, chocolate, wine, spicy foods. I also usually, but not always, avoid starchy foods and large meals. I now can have those foods occasionally, but I always have Tums available.

I have been on these proton pump inhibitors since they came out. I tried desperately to get off them and could not w/o terrible heartburn. I have a hiatal hernia and finally took myself to an EXCELLENT bariatric surgeon and am scheduled for surgery. Why? The drugs cause anemia, an apparent magnesium deficiency (if you want to see the awful consequences of that, look it up on Google) and serious bone density problems.

In all the years I have been on this stuff, my GI docs recommend a blood test, magnesium or calcium or zinc supplements or even an upper scope to see what was going on because I had no symptoms that would appear to call for testing. When I did ask for a scope, I had Barrett's esophagus and an ulcer, so I guess the PPIs didn't prevent acid production as much as he or I had thought.

The point is that these drugs are not neutral in their effect. They have serious side effects that don't show up as acute problems, but as chronic problems. Magnesium deficiency alone, which I now know is provoked by PPIs, has many, many possible effects from depression to muscle pain and way beyond.

My reflux was so severe that I thought I would never be off meds but used old remedy of baking soda in water for several weeks and have been off meds for years now. Only use the baking soda occasionally when I have a flare up. This remedy really works since my Dr. told me I had one of the worst cases he had ever seen.

It appears that some people can get off these drugs easier than others.

After 3 weeks I went off for a colonscopy for 2 days and had horrible rebound. I am back on but do want to get off, since the pills are causing me cramps and not helping that much. But I think it is going to be rather difficult.

It is all very well the gastros disagree about the difficulty of getting off but they are not the ones experiencing the rebound, and not everyone does I gather.

More needs to be done. hcl is not for everyone.

I would recommend eating a few slices of pickled ginger, the kind that is used as a palate cleanser when eating sushi. Ginger has a soothing effect on the stomach, and besides, tastes good.

At what point did you quit taking the Prilosec? Was it gradual? If so, what was the schedule for stopping the Prilosec? Thanks.

MJM, I use the things you suggest but have not been able to get off Prevacid. One year I had reduced it significantly. But all I have to do is get some irritant like a cold and it gets worse again. I don't like the use of acid suppressants but I can't let the reflux take over. Oddly enough I seldom get heartburn. I didn't have it prior to the diagnosis but I get it now sometimes. I guess the doctors don't know what else to do either.
PG

Good info....thanks.

After a long regimine of NSAIDS for chronic pain, I developed chronic GERD. When my GI doctor found out, she made me stop the Ibuprofen and prescribed 20mg of Famotidine at bedtime. No more reflux.

Before that, I was trying one tablespoon of vinegar (apple or wine types) 2-3 times daily. That helped a lot. Same concept about getting MORE acid into the system. Many meds kill the natural flora in our stomach.

I was on Protonix for many years; before that I used to call myself the heartburn queen of the world. Once I encountered the donut hole and went thru it twice, I began to replace as many name brand medications as possible with OTC items. Protonix was one of the first to go. Particularly after there were no more samples to be had from the doctor.

I went to Prevacid, OTC, and it was fine. BTW, I changed nothing but the statin; dropped lipitor altogether. Then I began decreasing the number of days per week that I took the medication, starting with stopping it on Saturdays. It took several months, but now I take nothing, have no heartburn. It took six to eight months, there were times I had to add back the one I skipped, but the work was well worth it. I think it is important to eat acidic foods, such as veggies, to elicit an alkaline response from the body. I also eat pickled foods, especially sauerkraut, with no ill effects.

My heartburn was so bad I could not go anywhere without tums, did experience rebound heartburn then, but not while tapering off. You can but try, my experience may or may not match yours.

I have to agree with the person who submitted this question. I have been on PPIs for 6-7 years, and have tried to get off them several times over the past two. Once I thought I had beat it, and was off the PPI for about a month, but still depending on Maalox, Tums, Alka-Seltzer, enzymes, probiotics, and DGL to get through a few days. Just when I though I may never take the PPI again, the Maalox/Tums/Alka-Seltzer routine quit working, and the reflux was back with a vengeance.

I gave up, simply because I'm tired of being so miserable. The reflux was controlling my life. I'm now taking the PPI everyday, but I continue to be afraid of what this medication is doing to my body long term. I would give anything to get off this medication!

Sometime back I inquired of you about Prevacid as I been taking it for 16 yrs. I gradually tapered it off & have been taking an enzyme formula with every meal & so far so good--a whole month has gone by since I started doing this. Also use titralac if I feel the occasional need. Used to be able to get them at all drugstores & now only CVS carries them & in fact the pharmacist had to order them for me.

One of the replies I got from you was that these PPI drugs can cause nerve problems. I had a Morton's neuroma that I finally had to get removed from my foot & still have had problems-seems to me that nerve fibers are trying to come back from the stump. Have taken an herbal combo that I got from an herbal book that I have & it has helped. Could all this be from the Prevacid? It has sure made me wonder. Thanks for your help!!

Wean the meds and suck on a piece of dark chocolate. I was told I had "Silent Reflux". Did the Nexium, said no way, not living like this and read about dark chocolate for coughs on this site. I will get phlegm in throat that won't go anywhere. Sometimes, rarely get the heartburn, but I have my standby medicine... BAG OF HERSEY'S SPECIAL DARK CHOCOLATE KISSES. And it works.... Take one, SUCK on it and let it dissolve in your system. I know the great people here at The People's Pharmacy can tell you that ingredient in the chocolate that is miracle worker.

People's Pharmacy response: Theobromine has been tested (double-blind) against cough and shown to be effective; but chocolate is often included on the list of foods that can make heartburn worse. This may vary from one person to another, but keep it in mind.

I stopped taking Protonix then Prevacid by eating an apple (I chose fuji), after eating. Also I snacked on almonds. My Doctor laughed but it worked for me.

I am amazed at the number of people that deal with reflux disorders for years at a time and continue to take medication after medication in search of relief. After dealing with what he thought was heartburn for a few months, a loved one was diagnosed with GERD.

Medication did not help (he was told it might take a few months to "kick in") and he was worse. After 6 weeks, he insisted on an endoscopy and it turns out he had a tumor. By the time it was discovered he was stage 4. After chemo, radiation and surgery, he is cancer free now - but I shutter to think of the outcome if he believed that reflux is just one of those things you live with.

What he is living with is a change in eating habits due to partial gastrectomy and he does take medication to help with the decreased levels of digestive enzymes.

I got off Prilosec using Prelief, regular Rolaids, and chewing gum.

yes, apples and almonds, both are used for acid reflex (an oriental lady told me and it worked for me).

I've been taking omeprazole for the last 15 years--for the last 10 years it's been 20 mg twice a day. I've tried a few times to stop taking it or to cut back to just 20 mg once a day, but always experienced severe reflux after just one day.

Recently, our local pharmacist suggested the following: take half the dosage of omeprazole that you normally take along with fomatidine. If you're taking 20 mg of omeprazole just once a day, then cut to 10 mg and take with the fomatidine. Since I was taking omeprazole twice a day, I took 10 mg twice a day along with the fomatidine. Do this for two weeks. For the next two weeks, cut the omeprazole to every other day, while taking the fomatidine every day. After that, you should be able to manage your GERD with just the fomatidine.

A friend followed this routine and is now completely off omeprazole. I managed to cut the omeprazole completely for a week, but started have reflux again, so I've gone back to 10 mg every other day for the next week. I hope to be able to drop it completely after that. I've been supplementing the fomatine with DGL as needed.

I was taking 40 Mg Nexium each morning and 20 mg Omeprozole each dinner time, and getting no relief. My gastroenterologist rxed 40 mg Nexium 2x/day. I had an irritation of the esophagus which threatened to become Barrett's. I had to go off all my NSAIDs for 9 days for a test of my LES (lower esoph. sphincter) and suffered like the fires of hell, but after a week, the misery lessened.

I rejected the Nexium, used the Omeprozole sparingly with Prelief and calcium chewables, and finally discontinued all NSAIDs. I tried ginger, papaya tablets, but found fresh papaya and dried papaya help most, both before meals and between. I also use occasional Zantac and lots of chewables, but discomfort is much less and fleeting.

The side benefit of getting off the NSAIDs was losing nearly 20 lbs w/o trying, and keeping it off for two years now. My only problem is my very weak LES, which allows gas and gastric juice back up and causes a terrible cough and running nose. No solution for that except cough medicine. So, I say, if you can, suffer now for the benefit later!

People's Pharmacy response: Carol, we assume that you mean acid-suppressing drugs rather than pain-relieving NSAIDs like ibuprofen that would cause digestive irritation. Congratulations on this successful strategy.

I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease, Dermatomyositis, 11 years ago. It weakens or destroys muscle. I have been on acid suppressing drugs, generic Zantac 150 all of that time. The doctor who put me on it was familiar with my disease and said the round muscles that closed off the stomach are to weak to restrain the acid. As they are impossible to exercise into better control the only thing I could do was keep the acid under control.

I am now technically in remission from the DM but the muscle weakness isn't reversible. I am worried about the acid suppressing drugs not allowing me to get the full benefit of the nutrients I take in. I am currently having memory problems that scare me. I am just 61. I had an MRI to rule out the possibility of small strokes. I have a history of AFib and have three heart stents. Any suggestions?

I tried stopping Prilosec but had horrible heartburn and gerd. I read all the replies about others stopping these meds. Where do you get pickled ginger and coconut water? What is HCL with pepsid? And DGL licorice tablets? Why do doctors keep prescribing these meds for us if they aren't good for us?

I weaned myself off Prilosec several years ago by using Aloe vera juice and taking probiotics....worked for me.

Apples work for me, too! I've found that RED DELICIOUS apples work the best for me. This was suggested to me by my nurse-midwife 25 years ago, and I remembered it when I developed GERD 5 years later. I would love to know if apples help anyone else.

With the skin or do you peel them?

I find apples. gala - sometimes bother me.

I also was told by a south east asian woman. Any type of apples will work (I think the best are the ones used for baking), I peel them ... they also work for bad breath . baking soda is used in Europe's villages (old remedy), 1 tsp. in a 6-8onz. of water (not cold).

YES, apples work.....have done it 2 yrs. when Dr. prescribed PPI.... I don't like to take meds. I have to peel them; find honey crisp (in season right now) best, but others work, too.

All the complicated advice! Not necessary. I was on Prilosec for 5 years for frequent heartburn - I had it every day before the drug. I attempted to get off it, tried several of the remedies above to no avail. For unrelated reasons (I read Gary Taubes after hearing his interview on this radio show) I started the low carb diet. Heartburn vanished almost immediately. No breads, cereals, pasta, rice or sweets. It's easier than you think when you can eat all the meat, butter and eggs you want. As a bonus I lost a few pounds; I weigh 99 lbs down from 110. Read the book or listen to the podcast. You will be a believer.

I first tried peeling them , then decided to leave peel on, could tell no difference.

I am surely surprised that no one has mentioned gluten intolerance or possibly celiac disease as a cause for their reflux. CKM, who went on the low carb diet is essentially eliminating most of the gluten from the diet. With true celiac disease, however, eliminating 90% of the gluten from the diet is like being 90% pregnant - it's not possible, because the damage continues even if the symptoms abate, and they may not.

Only 100% elimination will help cure the damage caused by celiac disease. On the other hand, if you have non-celiac gluten intolerance/sensitivity you may prevent progression to celiac disease or other inflammatory bowel diseases by eliminating gluten, and the odds are pretty darn good that your reflux problems will also be only a past memory.

I have a hiatal hernia, which is causing my heartburn. Before I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, I had heartburn everyday. I was not a heavy person, and I would not be able to eat most things without getting heartburn. It became especially bad at night when I was sleeping. I took tums on a continuous basis. When I went to the doctor and had an endoscopy done, that is when they saw the Hiatal hernia and said that was the reason I was having heartburn. I started with Aciphex, and am now on Omeprazole. I have not suffered since.

So, my question is: With someone who has a hiatal hernia which is causing the heartburn, how can I get relief without taking medication?

Thank you.

Well, I'm nine days post-op after overnight hiatal hernia surgery and I feel GREAT. I have a lot of energy, great mood, NO HEARTBURN, a little difficulty swallowing anything but soft foods, but that will improve as I recuperate and, best of all, no more PPIs.

Of course, I don't minimize surgery. It's not for everyone, but it's lot better than 20 years of Nexium, Protonix, Asiphex and the rest of them and the damage they did to my body, not to mention the desperate and failed attempts to wean myself off these drugs.

I had a great laparoscopic bariatric surgeon at the Buffalo General Hospital who really knows his stuff (he does about 300 of these surgeries a year), and I recommend no less than a highly experienced surgeon with many procedures under his/her belt and really good surgical equipment, including those high-end special cameras.

No more magnesium deficiency, no more osteopenia, no more Barrett's esophagus (I hope), no more terrible problems caused by nutritional deficiencies and vitamin and mineral malabsorbtion!! -- Pharmaceutical Guinea Pig No More.

Great info posted here. I worry about any type of prolonged drug use and it's long term effects on our bodies. I think it's worth attempting to ween off drugs and try some natural remedies in conjunction with medication. Will definitely look into apples as many have suggested above

taking nexium for gastritis and esophageal irritation. trying to go off of it.

every time I downsize the dose from 40mg a day to 30mg (open capsules and pour some out). after a few days the throat tingling, tightness returns.

anyone have this and how do you deal with it? warm or hot water was suggested but doesn't seem to help.

I still think Coconut water is the best cure for me. .... I drink one every morning when I get up, and then coffee after that. If gastritis raises its ugly head ( like when I had to go on a liquid diet for my colonscopy) I just drink more coconut water- settles it right down- no more meds...

Where do you buy coconut water? How much is it per can?

I buy coconut water through Amazon- subscribe and save method.

Also, I heard Costco has good prices....

Nancy V:

Is one brand better than the other? I mean in terms of contents- sugar and other ingredients etc.

NO, either one is good - Zico or Vita Coco. I am in Weight Watchers, and they are rated two points per container.

Nancy,
I read somewhere that coconut water helps with heartburn. I had such painful heartburn and reflux that it would wake me up in the middle of the night. I have been drinking about 2 cups of coconut water for 4 days and it is almost completely gone and this is still with my morning cup of coffee. But I was also advised that cold brewing my coffee would reduce the acidity and help even more.

I cannot believe the quick response that I had to the coconut water... I am waiting because it is almost unbelievable that something this good helped with the pain I was having. Also I noticed that my legs are not tired or they don't get cramps at night, a friend said that might be the potassium in the coconut water... I am hooked!!!

Nancy,

How do you cold brew coffee ?

It is true! And my mom in the nursing home has not had leg cramps- she drinks coconut water 5X a week. Also, my husband is drinking it to helps his heart...a FIB- just good all the way around-

I was on Prilosec for years until it no longer worked. I have to be careful what I take as I get Migraines. I then went on Nexium along with a group of vitamins. I do not take Nexium everyday, only when needed and it still works. I do use Tums.

The remedy I do use when it seems unbearable is a heating pad on my chest. It relieves the heartburn as well as any pain associated with it. It is not on the high setting.

The doctor has had tests performed to check on my status and so far everything is negative. I believe I would be considered a senior citizen at 67, but I have had this problem for many years.

Only one other person here has mentioned gluten intolerance (Dru on October 18, 2011) which really surprises me, as it did Dru. I think this must be the most medically neglected condition of all -- probably because it can't be treated with drugs or surgery, but only by changing what you eat! And sometimes gluten intolerance/sensitivity won't show up on medical tests for celiac disease, but it can still cause terrible heartburn. You can test yourself for it like I did, by avoiding wheat-based carbos for a few days and see if you feel better. My heartburn stopped and I ended up throwing out my Nexium.

Estimates of celiac disease and gluten intolerance run as high as 15% of the population, so it's not a rare condition. Anybody with frequent heartburn or chronic digestive problems should rule it out by avoiding wheat-based foods for a few days. It ain't rocket science!

People's Pharmacy response: Anyone who truly suspects celiac disease should NOT stop gluten before testing, since that may interfere with an accurate diagnosis. After getting a celiac diagnosis, it is essential to be scrupulous about avoiding gluten, not only baked goods but in medications, soy sauce, etc.

I have been taking 2 tablespoon of organic vinegar 1/4 teas. baking soda 1 cup of water mixed together three time a day for 5 days, off two days. I started the first of Jan. I have only taken two or maybe three Omeprozole. This has worked for me.

I read about serving a handful of almonds to dinner guests after a meal to help with digestion. I tried it for myself and it worked immediately for moderate acid reflux. I read in People's Pharmacy about coconut milk and I've been using that for more severe reflux. It works well.

I have been cautioned about constipation, but so far, no problem. I don't use coconut milk every day. I have managed to never have to use the PPI's.

I had a hiatal hernia first diagnosed in 1985. The hernia finally started to affect my breathing so I had surgery at Duke Medical in Durham, NC in June 2011. The hernia was gone in late August, 2011, but reappeared in November, 2011. So now I have the same acid reflux as prior to the surgery, and I'm back on Prevacid.

For the record, the three months following the surgery were awful. There was continuous nausea. I lived off mashed potatoes and other mostly liquid food. I lost a lot of weight, but it was a miserable time. All for nothing since the hernia is there again, only smaller...

I'm going to try the suggestions of other who have acid reflux.

Please review my comment on hiatal hernia surgery I sent earlier. My hernia is back after four months. 4% of hiatal hernia repairs fail. I started having acid reflux and other symptoms, and an upper GI clearly shows a new hernia.

Hope you will follow up with your surgeon.

In all the articles I have read on your website I do not see anyone complaining about the REFLUX coming up with such force that it causes ASPIRATION! (Only the nurse hinted at this)

I could deal with the stomach discomfort but not aspirating especially when asleep. I am not an obese person and watch my diet but when I tried to get off the PPI's the Reflux was frightening!

I am looking into the new TIF surgery! Have you heard of it?

Thank you.

Hi

I have just found this forum as I was researching problems with Proton Pump inhibitors. I have a hiatus hernia, I have taken them for over two years and had no idea the problems they can cause until I read an article in a newspaper about hip fractures! I have suffered for months and months with terrible muscles pains in my arms, legs and hips, which I read is another problem. When I had mentioned my pains to my Doctor, she never said Lansopazole could be the problem!
I want to get off them! But it is so confusing, should I take Aloe Vera,coconut milk DGL (what is DGL?) digestive enzymes? Any advice would be great.

Hi

I have now been off PPI's for a week with no significant reflux.

I am having coconut milk several times a day but the biggest help has been slippery elm powder! Look it up! It is amazing. Good luck to you all, keeping my fingers crossed for us all.

cold brew coffee - I call it coffee "essence" I heard about this years ago from some older friends of my mom who could not drink regular coffee anymore as it was too acidic for them. I tried making it and enjoyed it.

You can make your own coffee "essence" or coffee concentrate using the
method of this recipe:
8-10 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee to 4-5 cups of room temp water... steep in a covered pitcher [ non-metallic ] for 12 to 24 hours at room temp, then filter and store concentrate in a glass jar in fridge.

You would add 1-2 parts concentrate to 4 parts hot water & then heat further in microwave [ if needed ] to make regular strength coffee. I take out the amount of concentrate I want to use the next morning the night before so it it
is not ice cold when I use it to make coffee.

This coffee concentrate, added to hot water, makes coffee with a consistently mellow, fresh brewed flavor; the concentrate does not contain those elements in hot-water processed coffee that are responsible for bitter or acrid overtones. It is free of sediment and keeps fresh tasting for several weeks if refrigerated.

If the acidity of brewed coffee does not affect you then you may not wanted to bother making this, but it is good to know about and I don't mind making it. I make enough to last me 4 days or so and then I make more. I use a coffee press - I have quite a large one - and it makes quick work of this.

When you first started the baking soda, did you remain on the PPI for a while? Or did you replace the PPI with the baking soda? I have heard good things about this remedy but not sure how to go about starting it.

Thanks for the info., having surgery next week and was scared! This really helped, I'm more worried about the pain and recovery...