For those with GERD/reflux...

 I never thought that taking the PPI could be the problem, but after doing some reading, I see that taking a PPI could be worse. I was put on it right after surgery, and have been on a max dose since about 2 months out, yet I've been suffering big time. 

I went out of town for the weekend and left my meds at home, and haven't taken them since Thursday, but I feel MUCH better. I have no burning, my chest pains are going away, I'm not hungry ...I'm scared to just stop them but I have a GI appointment next week. I want to get a sense of whether I'm better or worse without them. 

I thought a PPI was a magic pill, but maybe it's torturing me. Has anyone stopped their PPI and had no adverse reaction or got better?

When I just stopped taking it I had rebound acid that was equal to torture. When I weaned myself off of it, I had a must smoother transition. I didn't take any omeprazole capsules for about 4 months. Then my insurance expired on 12/21/2011 and on Jan 4th I started having issues again....still fighting them today actually. Not sure what the deal is...but I'm trying to find out how I can get my script of 20 mg. omeprazoles back without having to pay $75 for 60 pills since I no longer have prescription coverage. The equate/walgreens omeprazole brand aren't the same as what I got in my script...I'm tempted to have my boyfriend go to the doctor and try and get a script for my 20 mg. omeprazoles... I have heard some people were good after taking it X amount of months/days...and then I hear about people like me who seem like they will have to take it the rest of their life. My PCP says I won't have to take another one if I quit smoking cigarettes.....I might have to believe him and give it a try...he's right I'm sure..I just don;t want to believe it.

I was actually stressed out when I was driving out of town and realized I left my meds because of the usual rebound acid - but for some reason, I had no issues with it what so ever.

Have you tried the H-2 blockers like Zantac or Pepcid? I'm thinking for the next week, If I have issues, I might does those since they are stopping the acid production, but just neutralizing what's there and causing irritation. I don't think you'd have issues with rebound acid if you ever went off of those.

My doctor had the damn nerve to tell me losing weight will help - that was last week. Maybe I should have asked for diet pills or something. What a stupid recommendation.

Alison, I was given a 30 day script for Prontonix and told to take it no matter what then stop, if I had problems to call.   I stopped and have not had any issues.  I have had minor issues pre surgery, so I was scoped and told I had  minor reflux damage in my esophagus, pre surgery and they thought I might have issues, I have not.  I would wait and see...always a good idea to not go to bed with undigested food in your tummy, I eat dinner before 7 and no snacks after that, so that might help me because several years ago, I would go to bed with a fully tummy..duh..

http://store.homefirst.com/Betten-Aid/productinfo/SBET

I use Betten Aid and Probiotics. I stopped taking PPI's after I read they were very bad and caused bone loss and fractures in post menopausal women.

Betten Aid is also chewable and tastes like a chewable baby aspirin. It helps me with my sweet tooth as well.

My whole family and extended family take this stuff and it works.
 
Best,

Sharon

 Thank you! I'm over the PPIs.