GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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jennielouises 11/13/2011

Hi, I just wondered if anyone has had any success weaning off Nexium? I have been on it for 2 years and now wish to come off it (it doesn't really seem to make much difference anyway). But I dropped my dose down to 20mg yesterday (doc said to do that once a week) and now my stomach feels all strained like I have had a stomach bug. My breath is terrible which means I have been refluxing all night. Just wanted some tips

poorlygir4l 11/14/2011

Hi jennilou be careful as the PPI is meant to be controlling the acid. You can get rebound. I don't want you ending up like me. I stopped taking mine and a lot of acid just came up. I got oesophaghitis and was having severe oesophagheal spasms. I can't count how many times I had to go in hospital,couldn't eat,a lot of pain and vomiting. Please don't stop them if you have reflux. I went back on them but got gastritis and a hiatus hernia so still have reflux and pain. I have some days thats ok but lots of bad and have to have the ph test soon. Maybe an op. We are suposed to stay on the lowest dose possible. I take one 40mg Pantoprazole,Protonix. If you can reflux on the tablets be careful. I daren't risk coming off them again.

deleted_user 11/15/2011

I was able to quit Nexium cold-turkey and have been fine with just following a GERD-friendly diet. However, some people do get rebound reflux (reflux temporarily gets worse when decreasing the dose or quitting) so some people do have to wean off of it slowly.

Are you being careful with your diet? I was already on a GERD-friendly diet before I quit Nexium so I'm sure that helped a lot -- I've actually found that diet helps me more than Neixum anyway :) While everyone has different GERD trigger foods, here's the diet I follow to get you started:

http://www.dailystrength.org/people/508274/journal/1912231

Also, try sleeping on a wedge pillow or prop up the head of your bed -- that has really helped with my overnight symptoms!

jennielouises 11/16/2011

Yeah I am being careful with my diet. I am on weight watchers as well as need to loose some weight for my wedding. I really need to come of nexium as I don't want the risk of long term health problems, I am only 25 and don't want to take it for the rest of my life, plus it makes me hungry all the time! The problem I have had is my IBS has got worse since I took one dose of 20mg on Sat. All day I had an unsettled stomach and felt like I had to eat to settle it. The on Monday my IBS flared up and I hadn't lost any weight today at ww because I am bloated. Do you think this might be rebound effects from coming off the Nexium?

poorlygir4l 11/20/2011

Hi jennielou I think the problems coming off the Nexium would be all to do with acid. Ive been advised to come off Pantoprazole,Protonix and to take Cimetidine as its safer. Ive seen some studies that suggest that proton pump inhibitors can cause gastritis which I have to. I used to get very bad IBS in my colon but I started eating wholemeal bread,fruit and drinking probiotic yogurts. I used to have some linseed stuff I used to get from a health store that was good. I got rid of it and was able to eat a normal healthy diet and then got gastric problems. I find that hard to deal with now. Anyway look on the gastritis forum as some people give good advise there,its all about the stomach. Some say take Slippery elm as it coats the whole digestive system. It may help you as well.

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