Off PPI for tests and worried about stomach pains

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Aryana70

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I have been on PPIs for 3 years due to acid reflux, LPR, and gastritis.
Had H pylori infection 3 years ago whic was successfully erdicated (biosy and breath tests 15 months ago). Reflux was getting really bad not even controlled on 80mg nexium so had the nissen done 10 weeks after and surgeon took me off the meRAB as soon as I had the surgey. 4 weeks post op started getting really bad pains and he said it is stomach acid and I went back on nexium this time 40mg and started feeling better. The nissen has helped with indigestion have none now, and sinus issues are better, but excess phlegm is still tjhere.

I am now seeing a different gastro to see what is going on, he said to have another H-pylori test done, and gastrin blood level test. I need to be off nexium for tests and this is my day 10 and stomach really hurts as if sometime has stabbed me in the stomach, also when I touch my upper stomach in feels really sore.

I am really scared that being off PPI, is really damaging my inside and could give me pre cancerous cells. I do have phobia of cancer and this really doesn't help.
I do drink one to two coffess a day I know I need to stop this, but have found it very difficult.

I guess what I need is some reassurance, and also is anyone else who after nissen still carried on having excess stomach acid, and do they know why?

and what can I eat to help. I know fried food, coffee, soda, chocolate, citrus stuff, and tomatoes are no no.My only sin is coffee, which I have to say I don't really really heavy stuff, it is aeek coffee.

Also is soya better or milk?

I really appreciate your help
 
I had such excess stomach acid that I stayed on the PPI's post-Nissen Fundoplication. Never went off of them. Only good thing was when Kapidex/Dexilant came out that I was able to go from the Prevacid Solutabs twice a day to the Dexilant once a day. I went in for a follow-up about a year after surgery and asked my Gastroenterologist about going off the PPI's and he is concerned that it would make my other digestive issues even worse. I'd re-do the Nissen in a heartbeat though. My reflux was triggering my asthma something fierce and that was better immediately after surgery.

From all the research I read, 2 weeks off PPI's shouldn't be a concern about cancer for you. You've been on the Nexium which helps with healing. Also, it takes very long term exposure to the acid for the cancer to develop.

I had extremelly severe reflux for many years. My doc said my stomach and esophagus must be "cast iron". Anyway, I didn't develop any abnormal cells or damage during that time. Now, throat and lung irritation was something else all together.

I went mostly dairy free a couple years into my reflux diagnosis. It seemed to help. It was really tough though because I loved drinking milk...went through 1-2 gallons of skim every week. I still allow the occassional cheese or cottage cheese, but not very often. I found it helped with my sinus issues some too. I stick to drinking soy or almond milk and water. Occassionally on a good day I'll sneak in some decaf iced tea. I've read that soy can be an inflamming food though so it might be better for you to try the almond milk.

Have you read anything about anti-inflammation diets? Supposedly, certain fooRAB will keep your body in a constant state of inflammation and make it harder for the body to heal, such as dairy and processed fooRAB. By avoiding those fooRAB and eating the recommended fooRAB in balance, you are supposed to feel better. Might be worth looking into. I just did a web search on anti-inflammation diets. Of course, there are still some of our reflux triggering fruits and veggies you would need to avoid as well. My TMJ dentist is really promoting this type of diet to help my body heal.

What type of tests are you having done?
 
In just a few days, it's very unlikely that you will suffer permanent harm.

It may be you are just having rebound pain from quitting PPI suddenly after taking it for years. The "withdrawl" symptoms actually last several weeks to a few months. Do Tums help at all?
 
Montainreader,
This guy is an upper GI surgeon not the one who performed the fundo. He wants to check me for H-pylori again, which I doubt would be positive since I have had couple of biopsies since the eradication and they both were negative, also he ordered gastrin blood level test.
I have to say my symptoms are strange I have had 2 coffess today and the stomach pains are better than this morning, but I have a feeling od gas coming up I guess not actually coming up, but when I breath feels rather gasy. I know this sounRAB strange. I do have lactose intolerance and only drink lacto free milkThe symptoms are very much like when I first stated having digestive issues, before acid reflux came into play.

I wouldn't hesitate having nissen done again. eventhough almost 11 weeks post nissen I still get food stuch and after having meet, bread or hard stuff I do feel irritation of the osephagus.

I will update you on my progress

All the best

Aryana
 
Your symptoms are likely due to acid rebound from being off the PPI's. The two weeks will be miserable but I doubt you have cancer or will have cancer from being off a PPI.
Are you allowed to take over the counter remedies like an antiacid or do you have to be off everything for two weeks?

You are also correct in your mention of trigger fooRAB. The problem is that you'll likely experience excess acid no matter what you eat for several weeks when you first stop taking a PPI.

As for blood gastrin levels, they are supposed to be high after you have been taking a PPI. I am not sure your Gastrin levels will level off or become normal again in only two weeks without PPI's. I wonder if physicians know this fact and take it into consideration when they plan the timing of Gastrin level tests.

Hope you feel better soon.

Rose
 
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