Wellness

[I am still oxox]

I have recently found out that my long term use of Prevacid (25+ years)  has caused my other issues. I have a feritin level of 11 (normal is about 40, and there is no GI bleed.  I have been complaining of leg pain for years, after years of doctors visits and on line research I finally concluded that the prevacid is not allowing my stomach to absorb iron, causing the leg pain and the low iron issues.

Solution stop the Prevacid  but my reflux has return with vengeance

I know there are home remedies, ginger, licorice, apple cider vinegar, and and and.

Has any one successfully gotten off a PPI and found another solution

Thanks all 

[4kitties]

I was weaned off omeprazole.  I had taken it for several years.  My doctor gave me the instructions and I followed them to the letter.  I also made changes in my diet following these two books:

Dropping Acid by Jamie Kaufman MD and Jordan Stern MD

The Acid Reflux Solution by Jorge Rodriguez MD

I will be honest and tell you that it has been a bit difficult as I had to give up some foods that I love, but it is worth it to be healthy.  

My my best wishes to you!

[4kitties]

I forgot to add that you should not stop taking your med cold turkey.  You must wean off of it to prevent an acid overload.  

[I am still oxox]

@4kitties 

Thank you I have taken them every other day for two weeks, adding ginger root and papaya root to my meds. It was so bad last night it hurt my sleep

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@4kitties wrote:

I forgot to add that you should not stop taking your med cold turkey.  You must wean off of it to prevent an acid overload.  

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[4kitties]

Oh dear!  Please check with your doctor because I think you need some help with the weaning.  I followed a process taking the omeprazole in combination with famotidine.  And then to just famotidine and eventually no meds.  

Acid attacks are just so very unpleasant!  I hate them.  

[LindaSal]

I also was weaned off Omeprazole after many years.  It really is a difficult condition to have.  I have the Dropping Acid cookbook too and I try to eat low acid foods.  It is tough when you have to stay away from certain foods that you love.  I do misbehave once in awhile and pay the price.  I do take an over the counter acid reducer when needed.  My condition was mostly brought on by stress, however, so excercise has been a good friend to me.  Lastly I have a special pillow made for acid reflux sufferers.  I found it on Amazon and was pleasantly surprised that it really did help.  Good luck.

[NicksmomESQ]

 @I am still oxox  I too had a serious reflux problem. Several years ago I was on Previcid/ Prilosec . I got myself off of it .I now take Digest Assure - Which is digestive enzymes & Ultimate Friendly Flora- Which is a probiotic.I purchase them from Procaps Laboratories, Andrew Lessman’s company.HSN sells them too of course, but I find I can usually get them cheaper directly from the company.

 Good Luck!!

[BirkiLady]

@I am still oxox  Consult with your PCP before making any changes in your meds.

I don't have this problem, but have read about problems associated with the use of Apple Cider Vinegar. It ruins the tooth enamels and is very hard on the esophagus lining. There may be more hazards; check on-line. Be very careful if you try that home remedy. ACV could cause more problems that you are already having. Perhaps a change in diet would improve your health?  

[sidsmom]

A whole food plant based diet (low in fat) to the rescue!

The McDougall website has many testimonials from people

who were on medications to ease the acid...only to make 

a change in diet...boom, acid issues gone. 

[Kachina624]

I took Prilosec close to 25 years when my quarterly blood tests revealed not only a reduction in iron but also a reduction in kidney function which my doctor thought might be related to this drug and a NSAID that I took.  I immediately quit the Prilosec and started taking Ranitidine (Zantac) which is an acid reducer.  I've done very well on it.  It's not quite as effective as the Prilosec but is close and if I don't pig out on spicey Mexican food, I do fine.   Just wish I'd made the switch years ago.