Horrible acid reflux IBS-related or rebound effect from short term PPI-use?

[ifiweopfjwfjwef]

I wrote a post here earlier about possible IBS-related stomach problems.

I didn't mention it in the original post, but these problems started about a month before a trip abroad that I had planned for very long. Just a few days before the departure I was considering cancelling, but my house doctor told me to go ahead and go. He prescribed the proton pump inhibitor Esomeprazole 20 mg (same as Nexium) that he told me to take only as needed, whenever I had stomach pains.

During my trip, my problems escalated and I was badly constipated and horrible stomach cramps. I decided to have an upper GI and a colonoscopy while I was abroad. These exams did not show anything abnormal, so the doctors there said most probably it's IBS-related.

Anyway, I did take the Esomeprazole a few times during the trip when I had pains, but I didn't feel it was helping. Then someone told me I may have to take it for 2 weeks straight in order for it to have any effect, so I started taking it regularly. I had taken perhaps 5-6 pills sporadically before starting taking it once a day. I took it regularly for maybe 5-6 days at the most then I stopped it because it really was not helping against my pains. This was just before going back home.

Once I got home, I started having acid reflux regurgitations and heartburn. This is something I NEVER have had a problem with before, ever.

After having this for a few days, I thought to myself, maybe I should go back on Esomeprazole and see if it takes away the acid reflux. I started it again, and it did help, the reflux went almost entirely away (maybe 2/10 instead of 8/10).

Then after taking it for 10 more days, I read about the various side effects from this drug, so I abruptly stopped it. The acid reflux returns twice as bad!

I bought OTC Ranitidine (also sold under the name Zantac), a H2 receptor blocker which is not supposed to be as harmful as proton pump inhibitors, but also not as effective.

I'm now suffering really bad acid reflux every day. It doesn't matter what I eat, I get it anyway. I don't (and never have) smoked, drink alcohol or coffee and I don't eat really greasy food.

I read that after taking proton pump inhibitors for maybe a month, and then quitting cold turkey, some people experience a "acid rebound" effect which means a temporary increase in the secretion of acid. However, I have only taken 22 of these pills as of yet. And not all of them were on a regular basis, plus there was a break about halfway through and already then the acid reflux started.

Is it possible to have a acid rebound from taking only 10-12 of these pills (and not all of them even on a regular basis)? Anyone else have any experience from short term use (less than a month) of these drugs and suffered acid reflux after stopping?

It's so ridiculous I didn't have the acid reflux until I started taking and then stopping these pills. It doesn't seem like it's going away either, I've had it since around beginning of August now. Thankfully some of my other stomach problems such as bloating and constipation is currently better, and the pains aren't as strong at the moment, but this acid reflux is the worst I've experienced and it's making me feel so miserable.

Please share your thoughts. Thanks.

[Neil119]

Just gone LACTOSE FREE . HOSTPITAL ADVISE

[ifiweopfjwfjwef in reply to Neil119]

I have already tried going completely lactose free (and even dairy free) for a period of time, and unfortunately it didn't make a difference. I have also tried excluding gluten, fat, high acidity foods, and much more. It seems nothing I do makes a difference.

[Neil119 in reply to ifiweopfjwfjwef]

I live in hope? I have also done colonic irrigation at home myself every day for 4years - WHAT A PAIN ( NO pun)

[ifiweopfjwfjwef in reply to Neil119]

If it later turns out a lactose free diet works for you, I would love to find out how long you stayed lactose free before you noticed a difference. I was off it for about 2-3 weeks straight when I tried, and it didn't help, but perhaps that is not long enough time.

[Neil119 in reply to ifiweopfjwfjwef]

WILL DO

[Neil119 in reply to Neil119]

Lactose free for only 1 week. Takes 3 weeks for dairy to leave your system. Hospital said stay lactose free for 2 months. I see the surgen in late jan. very late I think . CHEERS go luck

[Spencermm]

Have you ever tried baking soda mixed with water for acid reflux? I've had it my whole adult life and it's the only thing that works for me.

My understanding of ibs is that you can't fix it, but only treat the symptoms. I used to have to use the baking soda thing maybe 4 times a day. After going on the low fodmap diet I use it once a day. Except when I have a flare, then nothing helps the acid or the diarrhea. In fact, it's one of my tells that I'm about to have a flare.

Sorry I can't be of more help, and sorry you have this very unpleasant illness.

[ifiweopfjwfjwef in reply to Spencermm]

I haven't tried baking soda with water, but I am thinking that is essentially the same effect as many of the antacids available as over the counter medications? Anyway, even though I'm trying to relieve the symptoms, my main interest is finding out what is causing this awful reflux. The stomach problems have been present for a couple years, but these refluxes started all of a sudden out of nowhere. One day I didn't have them, then the next day I did. I keep thinking that I've been misdiagnosed and is not suffering from IBS but rather something physical, but yet they didn't find anything during the upper g.i. / colonoscopy. I read something about hiatal hernias and how they can cause many of the symptoms (including stomach pains and acid reflux), but it also said they are diagnosed through an upper endoscopy (amongst other methods). I didn't have the reflux at the time of that procedure, but I am worried maybe the hiatal hernia appeared after the procedure or that they somehow missed it.

I wonder if there is a way they can find out exactly what is causing extreme levels of stomach acid and why the stomach acid travel up to the esophagus?

It would be very difficult for me to go with a low FODMAP diet for several reasons. For one, I have an extreme food phobia about a bunch of different things that just happens to be nutritious and on the FODMAP lists, plus the few nutritious foods I do eat are on the FODMAP lists of food to stay away from. Plus, so much of the food on the FODMAP diet is low caloric and I am already underweight having a hard time not to drop more in weight.

Sorry for the long reply but I appreciate that you answered me.

[Spencermm in reply to ifiweopfjwfjwef]

No, baking soda and water is way different than over the counter.

Did you ever do or see the elementary school project of the volcano that spews "lava"? Same principle. Vinegar(acid) is combined with baking soda to make the lava. There is a chemical reaction that cause air bubbles to come out the top of the volcano.

Same happens in the stomach. Fair warning, it might feel like your stomach will explode, then you burp all the air out.

My wife has bad reflhx. She learned that it was carbs causing it. She will stop eating bread and pasta for a while and the reflux just goes away.

[Spencermm in reply to ifiweopfjwfjwef]

Disclaimer : only do the baking soda thing with approval of doctor.

[ifiweopfjwfjwef in reply to Spencermm]

Thank you for the tip. I will ask my doctor about it.

It would really suck if I have to cut out carbs completely, it's one of my favorite things. I've eaten carbs all my life though and then now all of a sudden out of nowhere I go from fine one day to horrible acid reflux the next. Really bizarre.

[Spencermm in reply to ifiweopfjwfjwef]

Yes, I hear you. That's how my ibs was. 53 years of eating whatever I wanted to horid diarrhea every night and a HUGE diet change.

Such is life.

You just have to put it on the scales and decide what's more important to you.