PPI's are only likely to cause problems when used long term and I mean years.
Treatment on PPI's is usually 4-6 weeks I think. If you get better in that time frame, that is how it works.

Sorry you are dealing with this. It is confusing though when you read all the side effects.

PPIs by prescription are stronger than OTC is what I hear.

Be well!

PPIs will only do damage after years - and even then, it might not be much to worry about at all. If the ER doc told you to finish the bottle, I'd keep going - especially as you can see a doctor in the next few weeks. Just keep strong!

Omeprazole is exactly the same as Prilosec. You can stay on PPIs for few months if necessary. The trick is not to be on them long term and don't quit cold turkey.

Thank you. I went ahead and quit them completely the day after I wrote this. I quit cold turkey because I was having terrible side effects, one being that I felt that I couldn't urinate. Food wasn't digesting properly either. The weird thing is that since I stopped the PPI my reflux symptoms have decreased. They are not completely gone, but I am experiencing less acid taste (my main reflux symptom) than when I was on them.

ChattDana

How it been going off PPIs? Are you feeling better? Please let us know your experience?

Hope it's all going well?

Hi hopehappens,
I am doing better without the PPIs. I after the second day, I almost felt like going to Pepcid AC, but instead I went to two nutrition stores in my town and I am now taking :
DGL Ultra
Stress J Natural Herbal Calming by Nature's Sunshine(for my anxiety, which I think has a lot to do with the stomach issues)--this one is a tincture with alcohol in it, so I am going to get the capsules instead because I think that even though I dilute it very well, it still bothers the reflux
Intestinal Sooth and Build by Nature's Sunshine (It's a homeopathic capsule with a combo of slippery elm, chamomile, plantain, rosehips, bugleweed aerial parts and marshmallow root extract)
I also started taking a high quality omega 3 salmon oil at the recommendation of the homeopath. I'm not sure what that is supposed to do.
Kyo-Dophilus probiotic supplement for digestion and immune
I'm not sure which thing is working best or if it is the combination.
My diarrhea has mostly subsided and I'm able to hold more food in my stomach than before.
I am also using the medslant pillow.
I feel that I am on the mend whereas the PPI prescription made me feel like I was getting worse. I'm not saying people should quit their meds without their doctors advice--I wasn't on the meds long enough, I believe, to have that acid rebound, but I think there are definitely lifestyle changes and homeopathic remedies that can help.
I hope this helps!:)

I forgot to add, I am also drinking a high quality aloe vera juice.

Don't take fish oil before your stomach and reflux settled down. Fish oil can agrivate GERD big time.

Thank you. I found out the fish oil is to repair the mylenan? around my nerves to help with anxiety. But I did feel a bit nauseous after taking it, so, you are right and I'll hold off on it.

Thanks for the update....yes fish oil makes me nauseous. Has the acidy taste in your mouth subsided? I am still having problems with that.

I stopped my PPIs for four days & just started back on yesterday, I started getting the pain in chest again. I am also drinking Fiji water it has a ph of 7.7, I am taking manuka honey, a probiotic, I also got the aloe vera juice, but after I drank it I felt my stomach burn, so I have stopped that one. I drink chamomile tea, I also have anxiety, chamomile tea is supposed to be calming as well.

Glad to hear your are feeling better:)

Hi hopehappens, thank you. I can understand if you have such a burning pain it would be hard to get off the PPIs. Would an H2Blocker be enough to help you? Do they have difficult side effects like PPIs? Before I was prescribed the PPI I was taking Pepcid AC, which didn't have side effects to me (although I was only on it for a week) and the bonus was it calmed my anxiety. When they injected the Pepcid into my arm at the hospital, it made me go from major anxiety attack mode to complete calm. The acidy taste in my mouth has subsided as long as I don't eat the wrong thing. So, it's still lurking there, but not if I stick to my non-trigger foods. I drink chamomile tea too, but it does not relieve my anxiety enough. This stress J stuff is really a miracle. I haven't had anxiety in two days. I have been drinking the Fiji water too after reading one of your other posts (I believe it was you) about it having a high PH. I hope you feel better soon. I don't know if you already do so, but chewing gum really helps me with the acid taste.