Q. Do you have a diet for helping me survive omeprazole detox? Your book alerted me to the dangers of the drug and I want to end my dependence on this heartburn medicine.
When I forgot to take omeprazole two days in a row, I experienced hell. I tried to stop the drug earlier, but could only make it one week before the heartburn became unbearable. Now I can’t be off it for one day without wanting to die.
A. People who take powerful acid-suppressing drugs (proton-pump inhibitors or PPIs) such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and esomeprazole (Nexium) often have difficulties with rebound acidity if they stop suddenly. A study done in healthy volunteers without heartburn showed that exposure to this kind of medicine can precipitate symptoms such as indigestion and acid regurgitation (Gastroenterology, July, 2009).
Make sure to check in with your doctor before you you try getting off PPIs. To get off it, you will want to taper down gradually. There are instructions for a 6-week plan and a recipe for Persimmon-Ginger Tea to ease heartburn in the Guide to Digestive Disorders we are sending you.
