1. < Digestive Health

Transitioning from a PPI to an H2 blocker

Posted by Father of sticky rice @fatherofstickyrice, Jan 17, 2022

10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus and not being able to swallow or bring food back up. This put me in the hospital a few times until an endoscopy diagnosed me with a schatzki ring. My gastroenterologist nipped it in one or two places and prescribed omeprazole 20 mg once per day. This worked fine for years. My current primary care physician wants me to come off of this proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and use an H2 blocker instead. I agree. I tried about a 10-day transition alternating between the two medications and then went to the H2 blocker (Famotidine) for 3 months with no omeprazole. I had swallowing difficulty symptoms almost every meal. They were mild to severe ( inability to swallow or bring food back up for 20 minutes with a production of fluid [saliva?] which required spitting and some small amounts of food coming up). So, I went back on Omeprazole about a month ago. Now I have obtained a prescription both. I would like to try to wean myself off of the PPI and onto an H2 blocker again. Here is my plan:
● Alternate omeprazole 20 mg /day early am with famotidine 20 mg before breakfast and dinner for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 3rd day for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 4th day for 14 days.
Does anyone have any experience with this transition? Any suggestions.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @gigi4 "Not sure what long term means. I was prescribed and hesitate but my doctor at the..." + (show)
@gigi4

Not sure what long term means. I was prescribed and hesitate but my doctor at the time said “we don’t worry about use until the one year mark.” I was I going to do it beyond a year. At 6 months, not feeling a lot better, I went back to my doctor. She had retired and the new doctor listened to me and contacted GI. Within two days I was scheduled for an endoscopy. Afterwards, the GI came in and told me to never take a PPI again. My digestive cells had become hypertrophic (enlarged). That was the point where I had had it with prescription drugs treating only my symptoms for a number of years. I turned to Functional Medicine, where the goal is to find the cause or causes of symptoms. I found an exceptional doctor and finally feel I’m healing.

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That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before starting on PPI the side effects and he just said Bloating. Well I am now finding out how terrible it is. Wish I could find a doctor like yours. Continued healing!!

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1 reply
gigi4 | @gigi4 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before..." + (show)
@candidough47

That’s awesome! Doctors seem to just throw out PPI instead of trying options. I asked before starting on PPI the side effects and he just said Bloating. Well I am now finding out how terrible it is. Wish I could find a doctor like yours. Continued healing!!

Jump to this post

If you want to find a functional medicine doctor, here is the website: ifm.org. It’s broken down by city and state. Each doc has a bio and lists areas of expertise. It’s more costly but so worth it. But also know, it took me three tries with functional medicine doctors to find the right one. We have all out doctors on a pedestal as if they know what to do. But not all doctors were the A+ students. Ask lots of questions.
Best of luck to you.

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suetex | @suetex | May 14, 2023
In reply to @candidough47 "I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do..." + (show)
@candidough47

I have only been on PPI for 6 weeks and curious what long term means. Do I have to wean off if only used for this period of time. Doctor has me on for 90 days right now but uneasy about medication. Any feedback appreciated

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My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard to get off of as opiates. The Peoples Pharmacy has a good "tea" you can make to help the rebound effect and the heartburn. H2 blockers are milder and much preferred. I think doctors are much too quick to perscribe them. That being said, they do have their place. I had to cure a horse with gastritis and it did the trick. But with him, I could dictate the taper. People are not so compliant.

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1 reply
candidough47 | @candidough47 | May 14, 2023
In reply to @suetex "My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard..." + (show)
@suetex

My own (nonmedical ) feeling about PPIs is quite negative. They seemed to be as hard to get off of as opiates. The Peoples Pharmacy has a good "tea" you can make to help the rebound effect and the heartburn. H2 blockers are milder and much preferred. I think doctors are much too quick to perscribe them. That being said, they do have their place. I had to cure a horse with gastritis and it did the trick. But with him, I could dictate the taper. People are not so compliant.

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Thanks! I appreciate your reply. Will call and discuss maybe going on H2. What is this tea?????

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suetex | @suetex | May 14, 2023

You can get the recipe from the People Pharmacy webcite. It requires fresh ginger, cinnimon sticks and dried persimmons. (I got those from the "Chock Full o Nuts company".) It is quite tasty and helps with hyper acidity. Their webcite is a wealth of DIY health aides, all medically proven.

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moyejas | @moyejas | May 30, 2023
In reply to @mrsbeard26 "Update: it’s going well! I’m on famotidine (h2 blocker) only. I take 20 mg am/pm. I..." + (show)
@mrsbeard26

Update: it’s going well! I’m on famotidine (h2 blocker) only. I take 20 mg am/pm.
I also quit caffeinated coffee. I was on Prevacid for 27 years so I’m trying to be kind to myself.
Anyone else ?

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At what time do you take them?(H2) did you got an alternative to coffe? I found it harder haha

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mrsbeard26 | @mrsbeard26 | May 30, 2023

I’m currently taking Tagamet am/pm. No coffee alternative except teas. Good luck.

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1 reply
gigi4 | @gigi4 | May 31, 2023
In reply to @mrsbeard26 "I’m currently taking Tagamet am/pm. No coffee alternative except teas. Good luck." + (show)
@mrsbeard26

I’m currently taking Tagamet am/pm. No coffee alternative except teas. Good luck.

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I found a low acid coffee that is also free of toxins called Lifeboost. It comes with or without caffeine, in 3 different roasts, and also in flavors. I’ve used it now for a few years. It’s worth a try.

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1 reply
billgil | @billgil | Jun 1, 2023
In reply to @gigi4 "I found a low acid coffee that is also free of toxins called Lifeboost. It comes..." + (show)
@gigi4

I found a low acid coffee that is also free of toxins called Lifeboost. It comes with or without caffeine, in 3 different roasts, and also in flavors. I’ve used it now for a few years. It’s worth a try.

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You can buy PH Booster drops to raise the PH of your favorite coffee. I use Alkalife. 4 drops will raise it close to 7. It contains potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide which are the same ingredients you will find in all the Alkaline waters.

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | Jun 2, 2023

Thank you for that info. But aside from low acid, I also want a clean, toxin free, mold free coffee. In general, coffees are very dirty. If I can find the article I read, I’ll post it here

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