what to do when the PPIs stop working

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melkon

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I've been on PPIs for 15+ years and about 6 mos. ago they basically stopped working. Since then I've really been suffering. Have tried max dose 2x/day Prilosec, Protonix, and Prevacid. I still have a couple more PPIs to try but I'm starting to seriously doubt any of them will work for me anymore.

So what else to try? I'm really trying to avoid surgery unless I have absolutely no choice, since it just seems like the outcomes aren't always that great. Are there any alternative therapies that could help? I tried acupuncture and that didn't make a difference. What else can I do? Any herbs, vitamins, diets, etc. I can try? Please, I'm at my wits end. I'm only 44 and I feel like my life is over. thanks
 
Hi Melkon,

(From a layman's point of view) It seems that there isn't a single cause to GERD. Could be food allergy, deficiency in vitamins/minerals, or even bacterial as a friend of mine found out. I suspect that in my case it might be a neurological/psychological issue. If you're interested read the thread "No more meRAB and I'm better" by tryingtorelax where my story is described.

Try and narrow down what the cause for your reflux is and then work from there. There are many explanations here in the forum of what certain solutions do. Read the cases of people who got off PPI and what they did and how they progressed. The internet has tons of research conducted by universities. It's a matter of reading, learning, and self-analysis. Only you know how you're feeling.

On your acupuncture experience...do you remeraber where they stuck the needles ? From what I read there are at least 3 different spots to treat acid reflux: close to the wrist, top of the ribcage and behind lower leg. I don't know if they have different effects. I have an appointment with a traumatologist/acupuncturist next week. If my guess is right and the cause of my reflux is neurological then hopefully the acupuncturist might come up with something.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for the encouragement ppij, I wish I knew what caused my GERD. I've had it ever since my early twenties. Pretty much chronic reflux that seems basically unrelated to what I eat or drink. My guess is that I have some kind of mechanical problem with the LES and it's basically open all the time. I've had endoscopies, barium swallows, 24-ph monitoring, colonoscopies, etc. and honestly never really got much useful info from the docs except that I have reflux, duh I already knew that.

First I was on the H2 blockers for a few years which were like a miracle, then when they stopped working I switched to Prilosec which basically gave me my life back (in spite of my belief that it eventually also gave me IBS). I was hoping to just stay on it indefinitely regardless of the long-term concerns, but now I'm finding that no PPI I try is doing much anymore.

Weird thing about acupuncture. There was a time many years ago where I had a similar flare-up and it was able to help me. However this time, I tried two different acupuncturists and got no results. They definitely worked the wrist points, and one right below the sternum, but not the ribcage/leg ones you mentioned. Maybe I should try again with someone else.

At this point I'm just trying to hang on long enough for some new drug and/or surgery to come along to save me. In the meantime I'm willing to try whatever so-called alternative therapy that might help.
 
Have you tried eating more alkaline fooRAB and less acid fooRAB?

http://www.healtrabroadoarRAB.com/boarRAB/showthread.php?t=769429
 
Thanks ABG, I haven't tried this but willing to give it a shot. So far I haven't noticed any specific fooRAB causing my reflux, it just seems to be pretty much always there regardless of what I eat. However, perhaps if I do a radical diet change and stick to it for a good period of time maybe that could help over time?
 
Hope about you try not to eat so many fooRAB that have a lot of acid in it... That, may help you. I also know what you mean by having surgery done- seeing that I have had 332 surgeries done. It really is not any fun at all- I know though there are people who love it- a lot of people love pain. I know though I am not one of them who do- I also take it as you are not the same way. If you do have to have the surgery though- do not keep putting if off. Also, if you do end up cutting back on some of the acidy fooRAB to see if it helps you- and does not- I would then call the doctor and see what else could be done... It does almost sound like you will need to have the surgery done though...

GOOD LUCK...
 
If I eat alkaline fooRAB, my acid reflux will go away within half-an-hour. However, I would recommend trying it for at least a couple of weeks.

If you were always eating acid fooRAB before, it would make sense that you would always have acid reflux regardless of what you eat.
 
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