Thank you for your response. I have been pairing down how often I take the PPI, mainly because of the gas side effects and because there was no sign of Barrett's Esophagus at my last endoscopy. The gastroenterologist said to keep taking the meds anyway, but I decided to take a break. I started taking a probiotic and I have not felt any acid reflux for a week. I will take famotidine or tums if I feel it again. I am also serious about diet changes.
May I ask how do you take a break in between dosing? I have been taking the protonix for almost a year now. I will attempt to wean off but my symptoms will return. Thanks.
I suspect Pharma has to advertise 2 week max use for PPIs to avoid lawsuits. There will always be some users of PPis that have issues with long term effects and immediatly sue [we live in a lawsuit crazy world].
Doctors prescribe long term because for most they work well long term. My Mom was on for 10 years with no effects. I am 2 years with no effects. I have tried cutting back and immediately my Gerd returns. At 75 years old I am looking for quality of life now, Long term issues are less of a concern. I have seen others post on this group 15yrs or more of PPI use.
For issues related to vitamin deficiency issues take supplements. There may be issues of long term Kidney problems, get kidney function checked 2x a year. If these become an issue you may have to consider surgery [Funduplication or others]. There may be some issues with increased issues regarding earlier onset of Dementia.
May I ask how do you take a break in between dosing? I have been taking the protonix for almost a year now. I will attempt to wean off but my symptoms will return. Thanks.
The instructions I have seen say if you take OTC versions of PPIs/h2 blockers to consult a doctor. Doctors can and do recommend taking them for more than two weeks. Whether that is a good action for any individual is the question. I was thrilled taking omeprazole, I could eat normally and life went on. However by accident I found out I had side effects. My neighbor, who has been on a PPI much longer than I was, doesn't have side effects. My understanding is that the drug manufacturers want you to take OTC only two weeks so you then go under a doctor's supervision. (I suspect that is liability reasons .....). The manufacters are not saying you can use them for only two weeks.
I am a retired RN, and have had GI issues for many years. My Primary care doc. put me on PPI's many years ago when they first came out. He said "you might as well just stay on it", so I did. Like a lot of drugs, side affects were minimal, so docs felt it was safe. Then about 6-8 yrs ago they did a study and found that with long term use, there were some significant side effects, like kidney disease,liver disease,heart disease, Dementia--just to name a few. So now if a patient presents with GI issues, docs. are more cautious and try them for a limited time. If the patients life is miserable without them, they continue them to get some quality of life. When I read of the study I tried to quit. I was so ill I could not eat, and lost 20# in a short time. He said you better go back on them, and I did. But it worries me .I guess its like gambling-You hope you made the right decision. If you can go without, best to try!
Thank you for your response. I have been pairing down how often I take the PPI, mainly because of the gas side effects and because there was no sign of Barrett's Esophagus at my last endoscopy. The gastroenterologist said to keep taking the meds anyway, but I decided to take a break. I started taking a probiotic and I have not felt any acid reflux for a week. I will take famotidine or tums if I feel it again. I am also serious about diet changes.
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It’s not good for your bones (osteoporosis). It can also increased your liver enzymes
Personally I take a break in between dosing. Talk to your Dr
Thank you for your response. I have been pairing down how often I take the PPI, mainly because of the gas side effects and because there was no sign of Barrett's Esophagus at my last endoscopy. The gastroenterologist said to keep taking the meds anyway, but I decided to take a break. I started taking a probiotic and I have not felt any acid reflux for a week. I will take famotidine or tums if I feel it again. I am also serious about diet changes.
I got stomach ulcers after getting off of Pantaprazole. So now I'm a life member.
Dr.s use that medicine long term, even though there not suppose too
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1 ReactionMay I ask how do you take a break in between dosing? I have been taking the protonix for almost a year now. I will attempt to wean off but my symptoms will return. Thanks.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI suspect Pharma has to advertise 2 week max use for PPIs to avoid lawsuits. There will always be some users of PPis that have issues with long term effects and immediatly sue [we live in a lawsuit crazy world].
Doctors prescribe long term because for most they work well long term. My Mom was on for 10 years with no effects. I am 2 years with no effects. I have tried cutting back and immediately my Gerd returns. At 75 years old I am looking for quality of life now, Long term issues are less of a concern. I have seen others post on this group 15yrs or more of PPI use.
For issues related to vitamin deficiency issues take supplements. There may be issues of long term Kidney problems, get kidney function checked 2x a year. If these become an issue you may have to consider surgery [Funduplication or others]. There may be some issues with increased issues regarding earlier onset of Dementia.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI would talk to your doctor
I don’t know your situation regarding your health
The instructions I have seen say if you take OTC versions of PPIs/h2 blockers to consult a doctor. Doctors can and do recommend taking them for more than two weeks. Whether that is a good action for any individual is the question. I was thrilled taking omeprazole, I could eat normally and life went on. However by accident I found out I had side effects. My neighbor, who has been on a PPI much longer than I was, doesn't have side effects. My understanding is that the drug manufacturers want you to take OTC only two weeks so you then go under a doctor's supervision. (I suspect that is liability reasons .....). The manufacters are not saying you can use them for only two weeks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am a retired RN, and have had GI issues for many years. My Primary care doc. put me on PPI's many years ago when they first came out. He said "you might as well just stay on it", so I did. Like a lot of drugs, side affects were minimal, so docs felt it was safe. Then about 6-8 yrs ago they did a study and found that with long term use, there were some significant side effects, like kidney disease,liver disease,heart disease, Dementia--just to name a few. So now if a patient presents with GI issues, docs. are more cautious and try them for a limited time. If the patients life is miserable without them, they continue them to get some quality of life. When I read of the study I tried to quit. I was so ill I could not eat, and lost 20# in a short time. He said you better go back on them, and I did. But it worries me .I guess its like gambling-You hope you made the right decision. If you can go without, best to try!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsWhich probiotic? Frequency? With food?
Thanks!