Reflux & long term PPI meds

[Deb 27]

So, does anybody have any remedies for GERD, reflux?? I have been on nexium and I want to get off a PPI. I have some nutritional deficiencies as a result of the nexium and I've heard they aren't the greatest for your health to take l long term. I tried to switch to Zantac but the reflux was relentless on 150 mg. I had to break down and take buy some nexium yesterday.

Has anyone ever tried Aloe capsules for GERD? I got some of those today in hopes for some help.

Thanks!!!

[Nomad]

I only take Zantac and I do not take it daily.
I modified my eating and of course I might not have GERD as badly as some.
But I've heard it's possible to go from a PPI to Zantac if done slowly.
No doubt someone has put it up on you tube or something.
But I can tell you my Doctor wanted me to take 150 mg of Zantac twice a day. I slowly weaned off of that.
First I did 75 mg in morning and 150 at night.
Then 75 morning and night.
Then 75 at night only.
Now I'm 75 of Zantac as needed only.
I am more aware of my eating habits (less tomato sauce and chocolate as these are top triggers)
Also, I tend to drink too much coffee (super bad for GERD!)
When I know I'm overdoing it, I take Prelief for a few days
I raise my head at night most nights and actually bought one of those special beds recently
If I have acid reflux I mix baking soda on water and drink it. It is extremely effective.
Bottom line is I think your transition from a PPI to Zantac will need to be a slow one.
And one that will be good for your overall health.
Keep your mind open that somewhere down the road you might not even need all 300 mgs daily of the Zantac either...maybe 75 mg twice a day and a modified diet will do the trick. I think we should attempt to take the min of these meds.
You are certainly going in the right direction

[Nomad]

I just remembered that sometimes during this transition I would drink aloe juice.
It's soothing.
I don't think capsules would do anything.
One that is super good is called Aloe One. However, it is all natural and slightly bitter. So sometimes I would mix it with a little aloe juice from Whole Foods that I figured was fairly good, maybe just not as pure.

I don't know if you have any interest in coconut water...two good brands:
Harmless harvest
Exotic superfoods
   Two favorite coconut waters from popular food researcher

[Kathy57]

I seriously tried to get off of PPIs, but failed miserably, but I have Barrett?s esophagus, gastritis, esophagitis, and very bad GERD. I tried to switch to Zantac. 

My GP and my gastrointerologist told me that I will just have to take PPIs for the rest of my life.😞

I hope you succeed in getting off the PPIs.  Keep us posted if you manage this and I would be curious to know how you did it.

Kathy

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I also want to get off Omeprazole. I'm having an operation to fix a small hiatus hernia and I hope that one they have wrapped my stomach round my esophagus and stitched it - I won't have reflux any more and will be able to stop.

Take care - Scottie 

[SjoDry]

I don't know if you have tried any mechanical remedies? My mother & I both have terrible reflux. Our separate docs both recommended surgery for us. When I recently went to visit her, I had planned to put the head of her bed up on blocks, but discovered that she had a headboard which made that idea impossible.

I went online to research Reflux pillows. I found a great one (MediSlant). It was a bit pricey ($99.95), but worth a shot. My mother had immediate results! The first night she started using it, she has never had any reflux since. I am getting ready to purchase 2, one for my husband & myself.

What is nice about the pillow is that it has a gradual incline and wide enough to be able to sleep on your side without falling off. It does not jack up your neck to where it is painful the next day. It had around 1600 reviews with many folks saying the same thing.I also have back issues and when I tried my mom's out just to see how it felt, it was very nice on my back as well.

Good Luck!
SjoDry

[SjoGirl]

I'm not sure how you tried Zantac, but one has to taper very, very slowly off of a PPI or the GERD will be worse (I know, I've been there).

I have tried to stop taking a PPI,  but can't.  I don't eat wheat or dairy or much spicy food (re spice I find aromatics tend to be more Ok than hot spices). I am in the process of switching from 40 mg of Nexium per day (well the generic) to 30 mg of generic Prevacid (because our insurance won't cover Nexium starting next year my gastro suggested this course of action). I'm trying to cut back to 15 mg of Prevacid every other day, but I'm not sure how well that will work because my GERD in the past has been quite bad.

I will say that I am the opposite of you, my absorption problems are worse without any drug than with it.

[Nomad]

On a website I go to, I recall someone slowly made this transition...but I don't recall what website etc.

When I went from 300 mg of Zantac daily to 75 mg as needed, it was a VERY slow, methodical change.

Some  other things I believe helped:
Mix baking soda into water and drink it the second you are aware things are bad ...burning etc
Aloe Vera juice...drink the best quality you can find and often
Eat clean...avoid all the trigger foods
Raise your head at night. I use to sleep in a recliner chair if I had any indication of a problem. On all nights, I keep my head at least a little raised.
Reduce or eliminate bread/pasta/flour
Drink a lot of good quality water...light or moderate amounts with food and larger glasses in between meals 

[gmpurple]

I was on Omeprazole for GERD for 10 years.  My GI and GP both said I would just need to keep taking the PPI and that it's not harmful longterm.  But I had read otherwise so I started seeing a nutritionist who helped me stop the medication completely.  He made some temporary changes to my diet and had me take hydrochloric acid pills before meals for several weeks.  This helped my body learn to only produce acid to aid in food digestion.  I was then able to stop the HCL pills and start eating all those foods that used to trigger reflux.  Every once in a while I take a few Tums but for the most part the reflux has disappeared and I'm off the PPI.  I don't suggest that this would work for everyone, but it worked for me.  It's something to ask your doctor about or maybe consult a nutritionist on.  I wouldn't try this on my own, it's important to have guidance from professionals.   

[Deb 27]

Thank you for all your suggestions. It sounds like a lot of us have been in this boat with GERD. I got some aloe capsules and going to start them today. I am alternating the OTC new generic Nexium with Zantac every other day as well to see if that works! I'll post later on how it goes. I think the sphincter to my stomach from my esophagus burned up a long time ago......

I will keep that pillow in mind. Thanks Sjodry..... I tried elevating the head of the bed but ended up with a backache.