Stopped Nexium and Acid Reflux

  • Thread starter Thread starter LMF123
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one more thing. someone said they are sleeping with lots of pillows? i used to have the head of my bed up on blocks about 6 inches off the ground. it was weird getting used to that, but it DID help, and was better than when i tryed pillows.
 
Hi LMF123, I was going through some of your threaRAB and you mentioned something about throat irritation. I have the exact same symptom after discontining achiphex. I am currently on my 9th week of the ppi rebound and the throat irritation is still there. Thankfully not much heartburn.I have high levels of anxiety due to this and sleep very little. Please let me know how your throat symptoms are and how you managed to keep it under control.
 
Hello everyone,

Well, I am at week 18 off PPI's and still struggling. I seem to be getting burst of heartburn almost daily, despite what I eat or drink. I am taking Pepcid AC regularly and some days have to add Tums into the picture. I also have developed very runny eyes, which are not allergy related. It is really getting to me to the point where I am afraid if damage is being done. I am off on vacation for two weeks and really hope it is manageable and does not bring me down. When I return, I may discuss options with my doctor.

Are there any "less" dangerous PPI's than others? I really don't want to go back to them, but I am afraid of what is going on in my body. This causes me some anxiety.

Hope you are all doing well.
 
SounRAB like you are doing much better than I was at week six off PPI's. I am always glad to read how others are doing, particularly when the news is encouraging.

I still experience episodes of heartburn several times a week (I have good days and bad days I guess) but that may just be what the disease is like for me without the acid suppression of the PPI. I am now three months out of having stopped the PPI so I am assuming the rebound is past or I hope so. Try DGL (licorice) for your throat.
 
Ick. 18 weeks is a long time. The rebound phenomenon hasn't been studied all that thoroughly, but most people's seem to last about 2 months. Mine was 4.5, but that was because I tapered the dosage so that my symptoms were mild.

It may be that things aren't going to get much better than this, so it might be you'll have to go back on the PPI's and just take supplements. Possibly you could manage at a lower or less frequent dose than you were on before, maybe every other day instead of every day.

Or, it's possible there's another alternative, including surgery.

In any case, most trials of PPIs that I've read show they are all about the same in just about every way. Which I why I generally suggest people try the cheapest, generic OTC omeprazole.
 
Happy Birthday Rose!
I am glad you are feeling well and in control of your health!
Most days I am feeling fairly well. I am not taking any Pepcid/Zantac unless I know I am going to eat or drink something that will cause the heartburn to flare up. The apple cider vinegar seems to help and I do carry some Gaviscon tabs with me. I am still having strange sensations in my throat and really hope that will stop because it does cause me to worry. I know I feel better than on the PPI's. It would be nice to be symptom free - I am at week 9.5.
Have a great weekend!
 
I have been on acid reducers for about 15 years now. I have taken aciphex, prevacid, prilosec, nexium, reglan, the worst was nexium. It almost caused me to not be able to walk. Gastro doc told me to stop taking nexium, side effect in some are difficulty walking. I took it for three years. I am now on ompersole the generic of prilosec 10 mg a day. I have nite time reflux bad at times coughing, wheezing, eyes run and nasal congestion. Lots of mucus clear that fills my throat. I cannot eat chocolate or ice cream it makes this worse. I am concerned after the length of use about fractures as I don't take calcium. I will however start this week to take a viatin chew calcium supplement. I also have fibro which doesnt help either. I've had it for about 17 years. Something you learn to live with.
 
Thanks for the birthday wishes!

Have you tried DGL for your throat?

I am so glad to see postings of people who have been able to navigate through acid rebound. Things will hopefully continue to settle and get better for you as the weeks go by.

I need to do some more research on ACV and why it might work. I have read articles touting its great benefits and, of course, others that state ACV really does not do anything, is a placebo, etc. All I can say is that there has been a correlation for me between starting the ACV and completely dropping the Zantac. Enough time had elapsed between the time I got off the Aciphex and the time I started the ACV, so it could be a coincidence, but it seems to work for me.

Glad to hear you are hanging in there.

I have my little emergency supplies of antiaciRAB everywhere just in case. I have some at work in a desk drawer, carry some in my purse and have others at home.

Rose
 
Congratulations on your progress and sticking to your plan. I am now completely medicine free. I don't know for how long, but I have managed to be off Aciphex since January and Zantac for about two weeks. This rebound lasts many, many weeks. I am so glad to hear you are making good progress.

Rose
 
Hi all,

Well of course as soon as you say you are feeling well, you have a rough patch! The last few days have not been great with heartburn through the Pepcid and Tums required, despite a simple diet (still no coffee ). I have to keep optimistic that there were some good days, therefore more good days must be ahead.

I have increased my supplements to include 3 Cal/mag per day. The magnesium is 167IU per pill so just over 500IU daily. Lets see if that makes a difference.

I saw my general care doctor yesterday for other reasons. I told him what I had done with the Nexium and how I had been feeling. He said I should report back to him in month. He still feels that the benefits outweigh the risks with the Nexium though and even asked if I wanted a prescription in case I needed it. I truly believe the doctors are not aware of the side effects. Anyone I have told in the medical profession looks at me like I have three heaRAB.

I still feel it is in my best interest to be off these drugs. I hope the damage that has incurred over the past six weeks has been minimal.

Here's to feeling better for everyone.
 
I LMF:

I read your post and totally sympathize with you.

My rebound lasted three entire months almost to the day. Then things settled down a bit. However, it is not smooth sailing. I have more recently had what I call a "relapse" where I too have experienced heartburn daily irrespective of what I eat or not eat. Yesterday, for example, I had a banana for breakfast (maybe too many sugars and carbs) and that sent me into a tailspin of heartburn and a sore throat for the entire day. I finally took a 150 mg Zantac when I got home and that calmed things down. But neither the ACV or the DGL touched my heartburn yesterday. I was pretty down. Today has been a calm day so far with no hearburn, but I have also not eaten anything yet, except a little almond milk in the morning. I was pretty tempted to return to the PPI's yesterday. Except, I have vowed to take one day at a time and accept I'll have good days and bad days if I am off the PPI.

I think all PPI's are pretty much the same in terms of their interference with calcium and other nutrient absorption. What makes them so effective in cutting stomach acid is what also turns them into a double edge sword, i.e., the less stomach acid the less effective nutrient absorption is.

Hang in there. The symptoms for me seem to come and go. This week has not been good. I had a decent Saturday and Sunday and then Mon, Tues and Wed were not good. I also had quite a bit of pressure and stress at work and I know that does not help. Now things are winding down for the week and all seems calmer including my tummy.

Rose
 
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