blh go to the desperate for encouragement thread, further down. the second post describes exactly how to do it.

The post is good for most people. he used Nexxium and you can get it in many different dosages so it works well for tapering. Not sure about omeprazole and lower dosages. .

I appreciate it. I will give that a try. I did not even think of incorporating Zantac in the wean off process. I am waiting for my
prescription of Omeprazole to get submitted and I will take the 40MGs for two weeks (or until symptoms are gone for 2 days) then start the weaning off by taking the 20GM each day, and cycle down into the Zantac too. When I get to the Zantac part at what time do suggest I take that? For the Omeprazole I was taking first thing in the morning and waiting for near 30 minutes to eat.

when you get down to a low dose of omeprazole take the 150 Zantac at the same time as the PPI. But I would take a bit more Zantac 12 hours later like 75 mg.. The timing should probably be the morning. I have never gone by that but i didnt have really intense gastritis.

then when you eliminate the ppi do the Zantac 150 2 times a day..

then reduce to 75 twice a day..

then I would break the 75 zantac in half and do that twice a day for a few more days.

You have to still be very careful with diet once you get down to the Zantac point. Especially at 75 and lower twice a day.

I havent had to take a ppi for more than a month and it makes it easier I think just to stop taking it and use Zantac or nothing..

Just try not to rush the process.

Adding gavison tablets at the lower stages is a good idea. They are pretty natural and the prevent reflux totally for hours. Us the maximum relief one.

"when you get down to a low dose of omeprazole take the 150 Zantac at the same time as the PPI. "....so when I take the 20MG each day I should also take Zantac 150 at the very same time for two weeks?

no when you get down to 10 mg.. can you get 10 mg of Opremazole? That is when I would start a back up Zantac.

But if you have an issue on 20mg then add a Zantac too and take gaviscon tablets if you get any reflux.

40mg to 20mg is a significant drop.. So use Zantac as a backup if you think you need it. Take the Zantac at the same time as the ppi.

I like the Gaviscon Advance mint chewables you can order from the UK (via ebay or a pharmacy like www.britishpharmacare.com). You can't buy them in the U.S. unfortunately so you have to wait a few weeks for them to arrive, so I stock up.

I have just returned from my appointment with Specialist and am booked in for an endo to look for anything and everything, also for Ultrasound to check on other functions like tiny gallstone causing pain inbetween shoulders - I don't think I have that my diet is too good. Saw the signs of that with my Mum and she eat meat fat quite a lot - yuk no thanks.
He asked what my doc had given me and I said I turned down PPI so gave me Zantac but have not had any yet as the pain and discomfort considerably reduced and I can go days without anything and can eat fine again. I asked him whilst waiting for my endo should I start on them and he said no, if you are not in pain what is the point. If you do get discomfort take Gaviscon it is very good. Here in the UK it is sold everywhere. My Mum had an ulcer for years and years and always had a bottle on her bedside table. It has been going for so long now. She did not pass of Ulcer related probs and seemed to eat what she wanted, including chocolate and her nightly nightcap(s) of whiskey and hot water. Either she had the constitution of a flippin horse or flags up to Gavisccon lol. So if the going gets tough Gwen will get going on the Gavi.

Are you splitting the pills? Check the label. Some are time release and you would destroy this feature. Yes you can get rebound acid by going cold turkey.

I am not splitting the pills since they are time release. My GI doctor actually prescribed me 90 of the 20MG Omeprazole to use. I will take two of them in the morning when I wake up for a few days (want to make sure the symptoms of stomach acid/heartburn are gone for at least two days) and then I will probably go two weeks with taking a 20MG in the morning with a Zantac 150 together and then a probably a Zantac 75 at bedtime. Then I will see if I can do a 10MG omeprazole for two weeks with a Zantac twice a day. I will talk to the pharmacy and see what they suggest when I get a couple weeks under my belt on the 20MG.