I have been on a PPI now ( prilosec) for probably 20 yrs. It began back when they believed there were no significant side effects. Then a study was done stating of really significant side effects.I tried desperately to get off of it--weaning down on the frequency and dose, then stopping it. I was so ill I could not eat. Lost 20#. GI doc told me to get back on it. Since then I have developed this LPR thing, and am trying to accept this as my life now. I wish I would have made it off the drug. At least now they know that when they put a patient on a PPI. It should only be for a limited time.
Yes, it was prescribed by my doctor but was not covered by my insurance. When it came on the market as an OTC, my husband bought some for me. I learned about it and, by then, I was on the way to getting my LINX procedure.hope that helps you to understand my journey.
So when I was having problems breathing thru my nose and went to my primary care doc, and we it was assumed was a chronic sinus issue, she sent me to see ENT who is suppose to be a sinus specialist. I have had GERD for many years, but had it under control, and was pleased for that. But ENT doc looked at my sinus x-rays which said that my sinuses were narrowed and almost completely occluded, and his statement was that "he was not impressed" . He did not even do any exam. He handed me a brochure on Laryngeal,Pharangeal,Silent Reflux and said this is a GI problem. Go back to GI. So I did. Evidently ENT says that refux from your gut comes up and can go all the way up into your sinuses causing occlusion. My GI docs act like there is no such diagnosis. They just keep wantin to increase the dose of the PPI. If you google LPR you can read what the term means, and it does not sound to me that all medical people are in agreement with the Dx.
So when I was having problems breathing thru my nose and went to my primary care doc, and we it was assumed was a chronic sinus issue, she sent me to see ENT who is suppose to be a sinus specialist. I have had GERD for many years, but had it under control, and was pleased for that. But ENT doc looked at my sinus x-rays which said that my sinuses were narrowed and almost completely occluded, and his statement was that "he was not impressed" . He did not even do any exam. He handed me a brochure on Laryngeal,Pharangeal,Silent Reflux and said this is a GI problem. Go back to GI. So I did. Evidently ENT says that refux from your gut comes up and can go all the way up into your sinuses causing occlusion. My GI docs act like there is no such diagnosis. They just keep wantin to increase the dose of the PPI. If you google LPR you can read what the term means, and it does not sound to me that all medical people are in agreement with the Dx.
Rosemaryhow, The problem with specialist is, they don't look outside the box. They are so narrowminded with their own little specialty and will not look beyond it. It's really awful!
To me, PPIs are as bad as opiates. Provide a lot of relief but very difficult to get off and they have their own rebound effect. I have used it for a horse with Gastritis but I was in charge of how much he could take. I tapered him very carefully so he would have no withdrawal. Humans have to make their own decisions and often it is difficult. I would rather not start.
Dr. Jamie Koufman is a retired ENT who posts information on respiratory reflux. See if her postings help you: https://jamiekoufman.com. She says it's not a medical problem, but a management issue. I don't know if occlusions go away if you get the respiratory reflux under control. If you do get the RR managed properly, would you need surgery to open up the blockage?
Yes, it was prescribed by my doctor but was not covered by my insurance. When it came on the market as an OTC, my husband bought some for me. I learned about it and, by then, I was on the way to getting my LINX procedure.hope that helps you to understand my journey.
I just had my Linx removed they now know it builds up scar tissues and it stopped functioning causing ulcers and esophagustis. Now back on PPI's so will have to have a major diet change.
I went off omeprozole and started taking NEXIUM when it became available OTC in 2014. I had no problem.
What really helped me in the end was having a LINX Augmentation device placed in 2018. I was having acid reflux 84 times a day and nothing was helping. Since the procedure and a hernia repair I have not had any problems. Please research this solution. Best to you.
I had my Linx in 2014 and worked great until it didn't, just had it removed last week due to scar tissues and failed, ended up with stage C esophagitis ad ulcers, so back on PPI's again. I guess strict diet will be the only thing that works!
In my experience, going off the PPI also required dietary changes. I went cold turkey since the GI who did my endoscopy told me to stop and never take again due to my cells being hypertrophic (very enlarged).
I immediately went gluten free, dairy free, sugar free (use organic stevia now), alcohol free, and switched to a low acid coffee. After 2 weeks I started feeling immensely better. Short version of my journey: After some testing, I learned I was gluten intolerant, had SIBO, a yeast infection and reacting to mold. I consulted with a nutritionist at my doctor’s office and she guided with foods to omit while my gut healed. And foods to definitely add to my diet.
Getting off a PPI can be done with the right help.
Best to you, I know it’s not easy.
I just had my Linx removed and was back on PPI's with ulcers and stage C esophagitis. Want to get off but doctors think they are perfectly safe. Now read they cause dementia. What kind of foods can you eat? I don't eat any fructose, grains, carbs and use low acid coffee, really doesn't leave a lot of choice! Can't have fruit or most vegetables.
Hi, initially I only ate eggs and toast the majority of the time and soup until my stomach calmed down. Then I started adding food back in slowly to see how I would feel. I also found a fantastic doctor and nutritionist who helped me. I use low acid coffee as well, eat only gluten free products. If I want pasta, I buy Italian brands as European wheat is very different from US wheat. Quinoa and brown rice are digestible. I only eat fruit from the berry family the majority of the time now - strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries and avocados. Blueberries especially are very good and highly nutritious which I use in smoothies. Find a good protein powder, add almond or oat milk and about a cup of blueberries and blend, easily digested. For vegetables, I eat those considered low glycemic. I eat lots of eggs either hard boiled, scrambled with a mix of feta cheese and some greens like spinach. Also organic yogurt made with either milk or sheep/goat milk which is easily digested. There is also a yogurt that is labeled A2 which is more digestible. And then I also stick to grass fed butter, grass fed beef, wild caught fish. I choose organics as much as possible too to avoid toxins as much as possible. For a snack, I have crackers (gluten free by Simple Mills) and almond butter. Peanut butter is not good. It is highly inflammatory. The way peanuts are stored makes them moldy which creates aflatoxin - associated with increased risk of liver cancer. Start slowly adding foods so you can identify what works for you and what doesn't. If you don't exercise, try walking daily for 20 minutes. Walking helps with digestion. Eat at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. I would also encourage you to try meditation and breath work to relieve stress if you are not already doing this. Stress is a very big contributor to what happens in our gut. These are 2 meditation apps I use - Insight Timer and Headspace. Best to you finding what works.
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rosemaryhow, what is LPR?
Yes, it was prescribed by my doctor but was not covered by my insurance. When it came on the market as an OTC, my husband bought some for me. I learned about it and, by then, I was on the way to getting my LINX procedure.hope that helps you to understand my journey.
So when I was having problems breathing thru my nose and went to my primary care doc, and we it was assumed was a chronic sinus issue, she sent me to see ENT who is suppose to be a sinus specialist. I have had GERD for many years, but had it under control, and was pleased for that. But ENT doc looked at my sinus x-rays which said that my sinuses were narrowed and almost completely occluded, and his statement was that "he was not impressed" . He did not even do any exam. He handed me a brochure on Laryngeal,Pharangeal,Silent Reflux and said this is a GI problem. Go back to GI. So I did. Evidently ENT says that refux from your gut comes up and can go all the way up into your sinuses causing occlusion. My GI docs act like there is no such diagnosis. They just keep wantin to increase the dose of the PPI. If you google LPR you can read what the term means, and it does not sound to me that all medical people are in agreement with the Dx.
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1 ReactionRosemaryhow, The problem with specialist is, they don't look outside the box. They are so narrowminded with their own little specialty and will not look beyond it. It's really awful!
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Hug
4 ReactionsTo me, PPIs are as bad as opiates. Provide a lot of relief but very difficult to get off and they have their own rebound effect. I have used it for a horse with Gastritis but I was in charge of how much he could take. I tapered him very carefully so he would have no withdrawal. Humans have to make their own decisions and often it is difficult. I would rather not start.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDr. Jamie Koufman is a retired ENT who posts information on respiratory reflux. See if her postings help you: https://jamiekoufman.com. She says it's not a medical problem, but a management issue. I don't know if occlusions go away if you get the respiratory reflux under control. If you do get the RR managed properly, would you need surgery to open up the blockage?
I just had my Linx removed they now know it builds up scar tissues and it stopped functioning causing ulcers and esophagustis. Now back on PPI's so will have to have a major diet change.
I had my Linx in 2014 and worked great until it didn't, just had it removed last week due to scar tissues and failed, ended up with stage C esophagitis ad ulcers, so back on PPI's again. I guess strict diet will be the only thing that works!
I just had my Linx removed and was back on PPI's with ulcers and stage C esophagitis. Want to get off but doctors think they are perfectly safe. Now read they cause dementia. What kind of foods can you eat? I don't eat any fructose, grains, carbs and use low acid coffee, really doesn't leave a lot of choice! Can't have fruit or most vegetables.
Hi, initially I only ate eggs and toast the majority of the time and soup until my stomach calmed down. Then I started adding food back in slowly to see how I would feel. I also found a fantastic doctor and nutritionist who helped me. I use low acid coffee as well, eat only gluten free products. If I want pasta, I buy Italian brands as European wheat is very different from US wheat. Quinoa and brown rice are digestible. I only eat fruit from the berry family the majority of the time now - strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries and avocados. Blueberries especially are very good and highly nutritious which I use in smoothies. Find a good protein powder, add almond or oat milk and about a cup of blueberries and blend, easily digested. For vegetables, I eat those considered low glycemic. I eat lots of eggs either hard boiled, scrambled with a mix of feta cheese and some greens like spinach. Also organic yogurt made with either milk or sheep/goat milk which is easily digested. There is also a yogurt that is labeled A2 which is more digestible. And then I also stick to grass fed butter, grass fed beef, wild caught fish. I choose organics as much as possible too to avoid toxins as much as possible. For a snack, I have crackers (gluten free by Simple Mills) and almond butter. Peanut butter is not good. It is highly inflammatory. The way peanuts are stored makes them moldy which creates aflatoxin - associated with increased risk of liver cancer. Start slowly adding foods so you can identify what works for you and what doesn't. If you don't exercise, try walking daily for 20 minutes. Walking helps with digestion. Eat at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. I would also encourage you to try meditation and breath work to relieve stress if you are not already doing this. Stress is a very big contributor to what happens in our gut. These are 2 meditation apps I use - Insight Timer and Headspace. Best to you finding what works.
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Helpful -
Hug
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