PPIs

[phil]

After oesophagectomy the majority of patients take PPIs for life to control reflux.

Do these drugs also have a protective effect on the remaining osophagus and stomach or is it better to try to come off them.

Phil

[redden]

my surgeon recommended I stay on Omeprazole. I only have to remember the awful pain of reflux to know I need them. Wish I'd taken them a long time ago but was never offered them when I complained to my doctor about reflux. I might not have developed Barretts oesophagus or ultimately cancer.

[sallym]

Very much a personal opinion but I do not take PPIs When reflux occurs I control this with chewable Gaviscon which suits me. However I may go several months without any reflux and not take anything.I must agree it is very painful when it happens but often it is my fault for eating too late or being tempted to eat the wrong thing. Do they protect the rest of the oesophagus who knows but I have survived for 20 yrs.It is very much a question of what suits you. So good luck the decisions you have to make do get easier. Sally

[chrisrob]

PPIs reduce stomach acid. They do not stop reflux.

Although low stomach acid occasioned by PPIs produces side effects through malabsorption of essential elements, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. They will have a protective effect against the possibility of cancer recurring as this paper in Gut last month concludes: gut.bmj.com/content/early/2...

[phil in reply to chrisrob]

Thanks for the copy of Gut

After my operation 7 years ago I have only taken Gavascon at night and i was quite happy not to take a perscription drug. But when bending down in the day Eg gardening,cycling, jobs in the house,general keep fit, I would get burning in my throat and would have to drink water quickly. That did worry me as to the long term effects on my osophagus. Since I have started to take a low does of Lansoprozole that situation as very much improved. So thanks for all your comments So in my case I have made the decision to stay on the PPI.

Thanks again to you all

Phil