worried about long term use of ppi

[drjohn55]

have been taking clopidogrel and lansoprazole for 31/2 years after stroke and want to stop the ppi has anyone done this?

[BobD Volunteer]

Difficult if you have been on them for more than a few weeks. Try using the search facility and reading all the posts on this. There was a lengthy thread recently which gave details of weaning off these horrible drugs.

[Dave0]

I managed to wean myself off omeprazole but had only been on them about 4 months, I needed to do this slowly by halving my dose for ten days, then every other day for ten days. Was a little uncomfortable but eventually settled. If you just stop cold turkey, acid will come back big time as you’ve probably experienced. Good luck!

[Drounding]

I've been on Lansoprozol for many years. Initially 30mg am then later am and pm. I have changed this now to 15mg am and pm. I'm adjusting to it ok, I think. Next step for me is to stop one of the doses, but I'm not going to rush things.

I was prescribed it as I have a floating hiatus hernia and the reflux seemed to aggrivate my af.

[MalcolmCClark]

Hi I recently came off esomeprazole for a stool test. As mentioned my reflux did come back with a vengeance. I had to wait 2 weeks before carrying out the stool test and then tried to resume the ppi. Overnight I had severe stomach cramps and excessive wind and bloating which kept me up all night. I have been on ppi medication for years and did not know that it should be a short term solution. Gaviston is not effective for anything more than an hour so I went back to my gp. He has put me on a different drug which is not a parole. However it has the same warning markers when it comes to liver cirrhosis. I'm only on a low dose but not being very effective so I'm not sure what the gp will do. I have also had a stomach bypass over 3 years ago which is the ultimate reflux solution but again I still have reflux. So my advice is speak to your gp and point out your medical history so they can look at alternatives

[AussieHeart]

It doesn’t matter whether you have been on PPIs one month or 20 years. To take them safely you need to limit them to no longer than 8 weeks to heal ulceration which they were developed for not so we can gorge on all the foods we desire. You can improve reflux by losing weight and cutting down on or out grog and greasy / spicy foods. You’ll need to eat smaller meals but more often. Do this while weaning off the PPI and drink plenty of water up to 3 litres. When you reach week 12 you can extend weaning by taking the H2 one day, none the next. In week 14 it is one H2, none for two days and so on repeating the pattern until you reach the final week when you’ve taken only one H2 tablet. You can maintain that weekly for a month or just stop but have Mylanta on hand as safest to take for what they call PPI reflux rebound. Gaviscon is equally bad so do not take it. I have a rare cancer and every year I have to do special bloods which PPIs skew results so had to get off them for these annual surveillance tests . The oncologist developed this protocol for patients. It’s safe and very effective. Over the years developed erosive gastritis and each time I’ve had to take the PPI to treat / cure the condition (4-8 weeks) I then follow this weaning regime which is twice as long as the treatment hence the orher steps to maintain good weight and cut out junk and processed foods. You still may get reflux / indigestion from time to time but unless it is acute and dx by endoscopy PPIs are not required just diet adjustments. Hope this info helps.

How to get off PPIs safely

[EngMac]

Search Dr. Sarah Myhill in Wales and look at what she says about Gord o r Gerd. She says this is caused by not enough stomach acid and explains what happens because of this. Dr. John Bergman in California also has the same opinion. Simply taking organic apple cider vinegar solves acid reflux issues for some people.