PPI use and side effects

I had the Linx in 2014 and recently had it removed since it stopped working and ended up with ulcers and stage C esophagitis. They now know the Linx develops scar tissue. Had to go back on PPI's for 3 months to heal and trying to just take H2 blockers but have burning at night. I have a very strict diet, have a fructose malabsorption and seems like there are very few foods I can eat. I'm 71 and really don't want to risk dementia so not sure what to do from here!

I had the LINX band placed because my lower esophageal sphincter was wide open 24/7 and I was double dosed on 2 medication and still had horrible heart burn. It was a last resort. It's been now almost 4 yrs and at my last endoscopy I was told I had a small hiatal hernia. That tells me the hole the surgeon closed in my diaphragm 2019 is starting to enlarge again. So frustrating!!! I don't ever want to go back on PPI's. They have forever screwed up my gut and have given me osteopenia. There is still 2cm of Barretts at the LES after 6cm were burned and scraped away and my GI is telling me I don't have to comback for 3 yrs! I am like you. What is suppose to happen next?

A side effect of Omeprazole is diarrhea. A side effect of Rabeprazole is gas. What pre/probiotic would your suggest taking to combat these symptoms? Or would it be better to take something else for acid reflux?

Yogurt or Kefir that contains L rhamnosus.

The Greek yogurt that I eat makes the problem even worse. Perhaps I am lactose intolerant.

Diarrhea is ONE side effect of omeprazole. I had that, and discovered rather late in the game that I also had chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis. You may want to ask your doctor to monitor you for other side effects. For example testing your EGFR will give you good insight into your kidney function, and rating as to whether you are in the reference range for kidney function, or in the CKD range. You may want to get a DEXA scan, though be aware if you are found to have low density then you are confronted with the choice of whether to take another med, or not. Recent articles reported that researchers are seeing a link between PPIs and dementia. My gastroenterologist doesn't believe that PPIs have these side effects, but my kidney function improved once I stopped omeprazole. I have started taking famotidine, an H2 blocker which isn't as powerful as a PPI. I read on the box not to take the drug if one has kidney disease. Why would the manufacturer warn that if these acid suppressors didn't affect the kidneys? Some people are on them for a lifetime with no problems. I always suggest monitoring for the side effects, though. My own path is to get off the medication completely. I am working toward staying on a low-acid, low-fat diet (there are FB groups with recipes based on the work of Dr. Aviv and Dr. Koufman), sleeping with my head elevated, chewing gum to increase saliva while I am exercising or after eating to aid in digestion, things like that. As for your original question, I don't take a probiotic anymore and have no idea which are best for your problem. All I know is the diarrhea stopped after I stopped omeprazole. In my case, I had trouble once I did stop the drug, eventually developing SIBO-like symptoms and needing to do the FODMAP elimination diet for a few weeks. Good luck on your journey to improve your gut health.

Thank you so much for this information about omeprezole. I took it for a year and during that time I had diarrhea littetally every day, except one day when I ate fried chicken. My doctor told me to do the FODMAT elimination. After trying all foods, I finally stopped diarrhea by eliminating omeprezole. I stopped omeprezole and changed doctors. The next doctor put me on rabeprazolr. Then the gas started. My doctor said it was not a medical problem and I should get a dog.
Not funny! I am working to get off Rebaprezole on my own now and trying famotidine. My GP is no help. What kind of professional would know more? Dietition, nutritionist, gastroenterologist?

Try a Functional Medical Dr .
Mine new one just did lots of tests and extensive bloodwork on me . He’s also a Chiropractor.
I’ve been suffering 10 yrs and have seen 6 Gastro Drs . Even Mayo Clinic . My most recent was a week ago at Gastic institute of Orlando. Have had every test done in 10 years. 7 Diagnoses… yet nothing and no one has helped yet .
I’m hoping this New Functional Medicine Dr. Can .
The new GI put has me trying a different anti depressant that is supposed to help gut .
I’ve tried others to no avail . I’m on 5 th day .
My symptoms are about same . I’ll give it 8 weeks .
Praying 🙏 you find help as well . It’s so hard to live w/ this stuff!!

How did you find a functional medical doctor?

Someone suggested ifm.org to find a functional medicine doctor. I'm going to try that today.