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How to Quit Pantoprazole?
I have been on Pantoprazole for the last two months to combat the acid stomach I got from taking pain meds. I am feeling good now and want to know how to stop taking this drug. I still feel a little acidy when I wake up but couldn't I take something else for that?
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@jonimars26 I had pretty bad palpitations from pantoprazole and worse from omeprazole. The other side effects from both were so bad I was not able to stay on either one for any length of time. The stomach pain and bathroom issues were too much to handle. I ended up taking famotidine for four months to help the silent reflux. My voice changes and cough finally went away but only for a month. I’m hoping to have better luck with lansoprazole. My doctor says PPIs are the only thing that will get rid of the silent gerd problems for a longer period of time. The H2 receptors just are not as effective.
Sorry, I’m long-winded… I think after only 10 days you will not have a problem stopping the pantoprazole. I tried it for longer than that and was fine stopping. You may have different experiences with other PPIs, so don’t give up! I was only able to take a certain brand of famotidine because the fillers of some brands made me nauseous and sickly. These medications are such a pain! Good luck!
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2 ReactionsHello @casey1959
In my experience (after three digestive tract surgeries), using a PPI after digestive tract surgery is important. It helps with the acid level.
It looks like your husband had the Whipple just 10 days ago. How is he doing post-surgery? Also, how are you doing?
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1 Reaction@carolinlv I too took PPIs for 3 years and it depleted my magnesium so bad I was in danger of a heart attack or stroke. I went to the hospital with numbness and inability to use my left arm. I was critically low in blood magnesium, potassium, and calcium which I had to get via IV for 2 days. They took me off the PPI (protonix) and put me on 20 mg famotidine (pepcid/zantac) and I take an occasional tums. I have stomach inflammation, which complicates things. GERD never goes completely away. It can be managed, but the over the counter stuff is better. PPIs can be dangerous for some people on long term use. I eat small meals; less meat, more nuts and beans and legumes and hard cheeses; less sugar aiming for no sugar; more fruits and vegetables, cooked when I have a flare up; DeLallo imported whole grain pasta that has one ingredient, whole semolina wheat, which I stop with a flare-up; only 1 cup of milk per day to maintain my calcium levels along with the hard cheese. I do not eat many spices, and no garlic, onion or other alliums, only freeze-dried chives. I also don't eat and only drink water after 7 pm. I drink 2 liters of water a day. I have been able to manage the inflammation that causes my GERD. I keep 100 mg Magnesium Glycinate on hand and when my toes or feet start cramping, I take one and notify my PCP who orders a magnesium test. Oral Magnesium causes diarrhea in me, so if too low, I get an IV infusion in the emergency room and then go home. You are right to be afraid of PPIs. Change your diet, avoid acidic foods to prevent another ulcer, which probably caused the original symptoms, but you have to control the acid levels and inflammation that causes ulcers. Barring PPIs, changes in your diet and talking with a pharmacist about which of your medications may also be causing inflammation could help you with your nighttime symptoms. Alternatives might be available that a pharmacist could recommend.