Alternatives to proton pump inhibitors

[Mindful3]

At our Yorkshire support group yesterday someone mentioned an alternative to PPI using yogurt. I forgot to get full details. Can anyone enlighten me please?

[Hidden]

I personally take yogurt after all my Medications in a morning, including a PPI just to protect my stomach further.

It is something l personally may review in due course but as l have other issues t the moment l don’t want to cloud the situation.

I know many on here take their Pred with Live Yogurt everyday.

MrsN

[Mindful3 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, that’s helpful . I was wondering if the yogurt needed to be mixed with something. I appreciate your quick response.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PPIs have their own side effects and many people on the forums over the years have had to stop taking them. Many of them use yoghurt instead, taking their tablets with some yoghurt or others just include a daily yoghurt in their diet and that seems to work for them.

Another option is to use ranitidine, sold OTC as Zantac, which does exactly the same as a PPI but by a different mechanism so it has different and generally fewer side effects. Doctors will try to tell you it isn't as effective as a PPI - but the difference is actually minimal, it was all very effective marketing by the drug reps who exaggerated the results from the studies. In fact, it is thought that PPIs don't work at all for about 1 in 3 patients and a quite high proportion have to stop them because of the side effects.

[jinasc]

We add 1 teaspoonful of Manuka Honey to the plain yoghurt. The honey should have UMF on the label.

I add GCA and was on 60mg of Pred and during those five years I never needed a PPI and that was before I learned about the Yoghurt and Honey.

[Blearyeyed]

If you haven't already been put on or started a course of PPI medication , eating live probiotic yoghurt does help to protect the stomach from problems involved in drug use , not just steroids but any pain killers that can unsettle or cause damage to your stomach.

I was originally prescribed a PPI as a matter of course but had been eating probiotic yoghurt just before taking my medication , at any time I need to take something during the day .

I add about half a teaspoon of good quality local honey, or , more usually Manuka Honey with a count over 20+ to the yoghurt ( and whatever fruit , nuts etc I want with it when it is also my breakfast portion to start the day ) At 20 or above that rate this honey is in the class of Medicinal Honey.

Because I have had various stomach issues prior to GCA/ PMR I was already using this method , and I take a one capsule supplement of Pure Turmeric ( no black pepper) to reduce stomach pain , cramps and IBS symptoms.

Turmeric is very good for this as long as it doesn't interact with any of your other medications or health issues , PPI is one drug which they don't recommend you take turmeric with .

Touch wood. , so far , despite taking alot of different medications I haven't had to begin the PPI although they do keep trying to force it on me .

But , as yet the use of probiotic yoghurt with honey and turmeric each day has been enough and I haven't suffered any of the upper abdominal issues people often have.

Maintaining and drinking enough fluids during the day is also very important to reduce stomach acid and other abdominal pain issues . Many people do not drink enough fluid with their medication leaving the drugs to settle in an undiluted in an empty stomach.

Ginger and green tea can also be therapeutic if you are only suffering from mild indigestion during the day.

In fact , my GERD and IBS both reduced considerably by routinely using these natural alternatives , I have far less acid , indigestion or lower abdomen cramps and spasms , it has also reduced constipation and I am now on the minimum dose of medication for IBS.

I know they work for me ( many other natural remedies have not ) because of the way my stomach issues get worse if I accidentally run out , even if I still eat with my medication.

So , if you have not already begun PPI , or are not already having stomach issues that mean you have been told you must begin them immediately , trying the regular yoghurt / honey and turmeric option may be worth trying first .

Obviously , if you get stomach symptoms that are getting severe , or signs of bleeding etc. then it may not be right for you and you can choose the medicinal option then.

But it's good to try when you still have a choice and use until a PPI becomes necessary because of your actual symptoms.

[Hidden in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you for explaining this so well. I took a PPI for 7 months after being GCA diagnosed. Why? Because they said it’d protect me from stomach damage and GERD. I’ve never had either of those issues. I didn’t argue, just took it as I was overwhelmed enough after hearing about me and GCA and not getting my sight back in one eye. Was eating yogurt daily until I heard about dairy causing inflammation. Started experiencing indigestion, not feeling so good in the belly, and for some reason thought to stop the PPI. Was kind of rough for about a week, but now? Feeling much better, IF I eat small meals throughout the day instead of usual 3 meals. I found some ginger chews that work great if I eat too much. I think I’ll go back to eating yogurt with honey... thanks!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Hidden]

If it seems to be working and the pain has subsided see how you go.

Sometimes , people do find that having probiotics with PPI can cause extra stomach gurgling and grinding , because like the turmeric the two things seem to fight to do the work.

It is really annoying when they just automatically put you on a drug " just in case " without checking if you have other issues that mean you would need it , and not giving you the option to try a natural approach if it is possible.

And , of course , we take it because in the panic of getting an illness and being put on other strong drugs we don't want to take any chances and will do whatever it takes to feel better , not knowing that sometimes we can try other options before a pill.

I don't know if it's lack of knowledge on Doctors parts or lack of trust that we will change our habits.

I suppose also with GCA and the higher doses we have to have initially they think we definitely need stomach protection.

I think it's just easier and safer in their minds to prescribe first rather than have to act later if we don't do as we are told.

Dairy can cause more inflammation , but it seems to be unfermented dairy that is the issue because of lactose. Things like probiotic yoghurt and small amounts of butter or hard cheese seem to be helpful or at least ok to eat for many , and the good bacteria helps to balance the gut. I do have lactofree milk products or dairy free ones instead of normal milk and cream too.

The turmeric is for my stomach inflammation and protection more than as use for my joints , but I found the black pepper version irritating.

I only take one capsule as it can have a laxative effect , even on me with two!!

I , like you , also eat smaller portions in a day instead of three big meals , and I'm able to have ginger too . I really like Pukka three ginger tea , which is ginger , turmeric and galangal and I drink alot of green tea ( all flavours , they are nice iced too) and mineral water instead of tap to replace mineral salts that I might lose flushing out my system with all the water.

We all seem to have different dietary needs based on our varied conditions but one thing does seem to work for most , the yoghurt and honey when protecting the stomach. So , I hope it keeps working for you too , but if you continue to gurgle you could always try a dairy free live yoghurt alternative first before going back to the PPI as long as your symptoms aren't too bad.

Good luck with it , Bee

[Mindful3]

I was prescribed ranitidine when I was prescribed the prednisone, but realised a few weeks ago that I was more comfortable without it! I’ve worried slightly about protecting my stomach - taking live yogurt could be a good compromise. Many thanks for your quick reply.

[Koalajane]

I have never been prescribed a PPI. I always take my prednisolone with my breakfast and have never had any problem.

[SheffieldJane]

Natural live Greek yoghurt or Kefir has done the trick for me for 3 years +. Omeprazole upset my stomach.

[Rugger]

I always take my prednisolone with yoghurt even though they're gastro-resistant / coated tablets. Talk about belt & braces!

[Hidden in reply to Rugger]

I wonder why all prednisone isn’t coated. Argh. Problem solved!😁

[LWNE]

I take my Pred with kefir every morning (i dont eat any solids for 16 hrs after my eve meal as this helps keep my weight down), but I have the kefir and a coffee, and dont feel hungry - and have not had any tummy probs. I also take curcumin mixed with vit D with the Pred.