tapering off Nexium...need advice

[cajun 46]

I'd appreciate hearing tips from those of you who have successfully tapered off nexium or prilosec. It usually causes a rebound increase in acid production by the stomach, so I'm trying to get all the info I can to see how to prevent problems when I start tapering off.

Please share what worked for you to keep from having worse GERD or stomach pain during this process.

Thanks a bunch!

[Tiffykins 673]

I was supposed to taper off this month, BUT since I haven't met with my surgeon yet, I'm waiting it out.

Plus, I enjoy spicy food, and have had breakthrough heartburn a couple of times in the last month.

[deedee 5]

Are we supposed to taper off at some point? I'm on Prevacid Solutabs and initially had a 60 day prescription that ran out and after a week off them my heartburn was SO bad I had the surgeon call in a refill. I'm still on them (just got my third refill) and the surgeon hasn't said anything about it being unsafe to stay on them...is it?

[cajun 46]

Every medicine has possible side effects, so although they are necessary sometimes, I just want to get off anything that I don't need to be taking as soon as I possibly can. In the research lab when these drugs were being developed, they caused cancer sometimes in the mice or rats (not sure which) they were tested on, after HUGE dosages. That does NOT mean that they will cause it in humans. We are not rats and we don't take the kind of huge doses they were given. But I am not a person to take chances. I want the normal stomach processes to work normally.

PPI's are essential right after the VSG. Once things are healed up, the process of stopping them is not easy because the cells that were prevented from secreting acid go wild, and start producing huge amounts because they are "turned back on". This period of time is hard to get through because of the symptoms it causes, but lots of people do make it through successfully. I'm hoping to get tips from people who have done it.

[Chancie 65]

Cajun-

I am on Nexium, but I was only on it for maybe two months ( taking it everyday )

Like you- I don't want to have to take anything that isn't neccessary.... so I weaned myself off.

I still take it on "occasion" but could probably get away with some pepsid or something over the counter. The acid reflux is gone... but I take it when I feel like I might be getting heart burn, or know I'm going to eat mexican food...

I've had no issues with it at all... I don't wake in the middle of the night thinking I was gonna choke to death!!!

My stomach seems to be doing ok without it.

[cajun 46]

Chancie,

When you stopped it, did you taper off or just stop"cold turkey"? Did you have increased acid reflux the first few days or week? If so, how did you manage it?

[Chancie 65]

I hate to say "cold turkey" because I still take them on occasion....

But I pretty much did. But......... if I felt the beginnings of it.. I took 1 and then I might not have to had take another one for a few weeks........but I don't think I took them as long as most of you on here are taking them, not sure if that will make a difference.

Why not try taking one every other day to start? And see how you feel?

Then the next day try taking one every two days?

Like I said, I could probably get away with something over the counter, but I have a script fo this, so its as ez for me to keep.

[thinoneday 445]

Where we supposed to be on a heartburn med or was this a doctor decision? I have never experienced heartburn with this surgery? Just a question. . .

[cajun 46]

Where we supposed to be on a heartburn med or was this a doctor decision? I have never experienced heartburn with this surgery? Just a question. . .

Surgeons differ in their procedures. I recommend always following your surgeon's advice on medications, diet, etc. You can always contact your surgeon's office and ask what he/she recommends if you are not sure.

[Tiffykins 673]

Where we supposed to be on a heartburn med or was this a doctor decision? I have never experienced heartburn with this surgery? Just a question. . .

I didn't have to go on Prilosec until I got to full liquids/mushies. The acid started, and it was pretty rough. It didn't come up my throat or anything, but it definitely caused discomfort and a lot more gassy feelings in my tummy.

I'm still taking my Prilosec once daily. I have one more 90 day refill left, and I guess I could start tapering off. But, I have this "I'm feeling so good, I'm doing so great" mentality that I don't want any setbacks.

[cajun 46]

Thanks for all the feedback, y'all.