Bless your heart.
Couple Of questions - have you been tested for microscopic colitis - meaning did they do random biopsies along the colon during a colonoscopy to evaluate whether you may have either collagenous or lymphocytic type of MC (microscopic colitis). Usually causes relentless diarrhea until treated. If you don’t have that, don't bother to bring it up. I bring it up because it is triggered by long term use of PPIs, along with NSAIDs , some SSRIs, and some Statins. I have been on most of them - 3 of the 4 - and 2’of the 4’for decades. Those were PPIs like Prilosec or Nexium and nsaid - like ibuprofen. I stopped Ibuprofen, tough to do since I, too have RA. And i switched from a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like Prilosec. I began taking Famotidine, known as Pepcid, which is an H2 antagonist instead of a PPI. It’s not as good. But i took it twice a day to start, modified the type, volume, and timing of my diet to start, bought aadjustable bedframe that allows me to elevate my head ( and esophagus) and practiced patience. A year later it’s working fine. I’m off ibuprofen and prilosec and the condition it caused

Sorry to write so much but this is all connected - and complicated.

Good luck!!

I got off by using famotidine (Pepcid or Zantac). Maybe try a slower switch over. Every other day may be too fast. And yes, maybe do famotodine twice a day- once the taper is done- then once, then 1/2, then as needed.

I had to dedicate a couple of months to this. The body learns to make more acid when on PPI's and needs to relearn normal acid production.

I never eat after 5 or 6pm, and sleep at an angle.

The taper does work but it takes time!

I too was on Prilosec 40 mg daily for 6 years. In that period of time I went from normal testing to osteoporosis with bone fracture, kidney disease stage 3 and low platelets. My gastroenterologist discontinued it. I guess the damage is irreparable!

Yes most people don’t know PPI’s are for short term use. No more than 4 weeks . No Dr’s tell you this . I learned by googling it .
I took a few different ones short term but non helped ( not even Protonix RX or Delaxiant RX .
I have 10 years of chronic digestive disorders. 7 diagnosed through tests. Had 3 rd colonoscopy & endoscopy w/ biopsies recently .
Gastritis, GERD , small hiatal hernia, diverticulosis, Esophagitis , small non cancerous flat polyps on stomach lining . IBS.
Deep wet belching over 1000 x a day and night , upset and churning gut . Hate to eat anything.
Tried everything RX , holistic, diet wise , every supplement for stomach issues they make .
I’m 62 yr old female and this started 52 .
I also have such chronic fatigue the last few years w/ it .
I eat healthy at home 🏠 and rarely eat out .
I live on Ultra Pepto . Take anti anxiety med as needed .
Tried Antidepressants for IBS but bad side effects.
It’s a long hard road to walk . I’m sorry you are going through so much as well .
Quality of life def goes down this way .
No hope in site for me at this point.
🙏🙏

I was on Nexium for 12 years. I ended up with osteopenia at 40 years old and necrosis in my knee. I did my own research and found you’re not supposed to be on paid for more than 6 months!!! You have to wean slowly. Half dose for a few months. Your gastroenterologist can help with this. So sorry you’re dealing with this. It will get better!!!❤️‍🩹 keep in touch. Fight for yourself. Gotta be your own advocate all the time! You can do this.

My Gastro doc had me stop the proton pump inhibitors -PPIs - like Nexium and Prilosec - because they cause all manner of long term issues. I was on one or the other for 15 years and ended up with microscopic colitis. He put me on an H2 antagonist instead - Pepcid. It not as good but if you make a few dietary changes, you can make the transition. *Eat less in any single turn at the trough. *Eat at least two hours before lying down. *Eat less fat-dense foods - fried, added butter or margarine, chips etc *Stop drinking any form of carbonated sodas. Just stop.

If you do that and stop your nexium or Prilosec, take pepcid a couple times a day to start and then back down to one.

That approach worked for me. Try it or one of your design. But get off the PPIs.

my doctor prescribed a PPI for 30 days. Did that, felt great and now, after the 30 days are up, I am starting to feel a slight unrest in my stomach. Can eat and feel hungry, and feel good once I've eaten, but can I expect this to go away on its own??

Eventually. In my layman opinion, PPIs are as addictive as narcotics. I became used to eating whatever, whenever with no pain. I find I don’t want to limit volume or content.

So take your one trial to heart. I transitioned to an H2Antagonist - Pepcid/Famitodine if i need something. But i try to manage without a drug.

I am so disheartened to read all the comments here. I too was on a PPI and was told "we don't worry about it until you've been on it for a year." I told myself I'd try it for 6 months. At 6 months I felt a bit better but I had no idea what it was doing to my insides and I told that to my doctor. She immediately got on the phone with the GI department and I was scheduled for an endoscopy (my 3rd) in 2 days. The GI told me to never take a PPI again, that. my cells were hypertrophic. So....where did that leave me? I said to myself. So on my own, after reading some articles, I went gluten free, sugar free and dairy free and after 2 weeks I felt a lot better and I was on to something but what? I decided then it was time for aa change in doctors and switched to functional medicine after reading about a man named Chris Kresser who had had a 10 year battle trying to find an answer and he did it on his own, became a functional medicine specialist and opened up the CCFM - California Center for Functional Medicine. I researched functional medicine and realized I would find an answer to my issues and found one near me. She tested me thoroughly for a CAUSE of my symptoms ( doctors we've all been to treat the symptoms, not the cause!!!). I was found to have SIBO (small intestinal bacterial infection), a fungus, a parasite and a yeast infection! WOW was my reaction - foods I was eating, traveling, stress were all contributing causes. She prescribed a number supplements, her nutritionist helped me with foods to omit (not forever but for a period of time) until we could build up the permeability of my digestive tract - or leaky gut. Once your gut has its permeability destroyed, all kinds of toxins and infections can set in. If you are interested in finding a functional medicine doctor, go to the website ifm.org (institute of functional medicine). You can find one by city and state and look for one who specializes in digestive disorders. It worked for me.
I wish all the very best in finding answers and relief - you all deserve it. Don't give up! Find someone who knows how to help you specifically with the symptoms you have to test for the root CAUSE(S). TAKE CARE!

I took Prilosec for years.
Reading all the press about Prilosec, as well as it didn't seem to be helpful anymore, I have avoided my largest trigger of anything made with a tomato base.

If i do have chocolate close to bed, that also triggers it.

If needed, I take 2 Famitodine and it does help.