Famotidine for GERD

I suddenly got a metallic, turned bitter taste in my mouth last September, but I wasn’t taking Fanotidine when it happened i had just taken an antibiotic. Sadly, I still have it.

I’ve been taking provide sane dose for a few months along with Nexium. Luckily it has not affected me that way at all. But I weaned myself off of Nexium because I know long term use is not good for your bones or even your heart I have read. So now I just use Pepcid. And Mylanta. I hope your gerd is better!

There are natural things you can try for your Gerd. Have you tried peppermint oil?

I went to pepcid 20mg once a day when i weaned off PPIs. No issues

How long were you on PPIs and how did you taper off? I've tried a few times to slowly wean off my PPI and replace it with famotidine (Pepcid), but I always get stomach pain and nausea so have to go back on the PPI.

I was on PPIs for 15 years and i went to every other day for a couple of weeks and then went to pepcid daily and then once symptoms were stable, I began weaning down on that. Now I take it only ‘as needed’ dosage.

I did have to supplement with tums and took two pepcids a day. Try to put yourself on calming diet of food that doesn't cause gas or otherwise make it worse - White rice no butter, white toast, soft white chicken, veggies cooked until soft, scrambled eggs. Start mixing your coffee or tea with decaf if you can. Try to shoot for no caffeine but to start just weaken it.

In general avoid foods that cause heartburn for now. Eat tiny meals and digest it before you eat again. My typical breakfast is greek yogurt and white toast with honey. My lunch is a cup of white rice, some soft white meat chicken, and half a cup of soft green beans.

You get the idea..
*Eat less food in one sitting - so 4-6 small meals rather than 3 big ones
* Eat LESS SUGAR, FATS, and SPICY FOODS
* avoid eating in between meals or make it something like sugar free jello with a few animal crackers

It took about 2 -2.5 months to stop having break thru heartburn. . But I virtually never have it now. And i only use Pepcid now if i screw up and have 3 slices of meat lovers pizza. 🙄

Good luck!!

Oddly enough, this week I have had 2 episodes of what feels like Alpha Gal reactions. I had AG for years, and did not know it. Then went off mammalian meats for 5 years and tested negative. Now it seems as if I have managed to get bit once again by the wrong tick and have maybe contracted it once again. Trying now to get an appointment to get the necessary blook work to rule it out or confirm it. It may very well be what my problem is and I know how to manage that and feel good again, without meds!

Great!!

PPI’s lower stomach acid production and Gerd can be caused by low stomach acid levels. Hence why taking PPI’s increases unwanted side effects. I would suggest these things if you are experiencing GERD symptoms. Excercise to help lower stomach circumference if slightly over weight. No tight waiste belts. To test for low stomach acid levels, take one tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water. If you burp within 5 minutes your stomach Ph is normal. If you do not burp then you have low stomach acid levels and should stop taking PPI’s immediately, as those will make matters worse. I know because I’ve taken them before myself and nearly passed out from them. If symptoms are intermittent in nature get your Dr to check for H-Pylori , as this can cause these symptoms and can cause Cancer in the long term. Please check with your Dr first before taking any medications or supplements etc. Hope this helps someone. ~ Trained Paramedic

Welcome, @anonymous999. You're quite right that members should always check with their doctor about their medical concerns. As per the community guidelines on Mayo Clinic Connect (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/), members do not give out medical advice. See guideline number 1 here:

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As a trained paramedic, I'm sure you appreciate these community parameters.