getting off of the PPIs

[Adri 40]

I've changed from taking Prilosec every day to every other day. It is just as effective for me.

[Knee2010 54]

I haven't had my surgery yet, my packet will be sent to my insurance this week for approval, but I have been reading as many of these posts as I can so I can learn as much as I can about what to expect. I keep seeing PPI mentioned, I know it has something to do with acid, but exactly what does PPI stand for? Thanks!

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Proton Pump Inhibitor (or antacids). See here for more details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-pump_inhibitor

I haven't had my surgery yet, my packet will be sent to my insurance this week for approval, but I have been reading as many of these posts as I can so I can learn as much as I can about what to expect. I keep seeing PPI mentioned, I know it has something to do with acid, but exactly what does PPI stand for? Thanks!

[Dawn 16]

I'm 9 months post-op and I have been off of it for about a month now! I haven't had any real acid issues which is AMAZING because I've been on a PPI for like 15 years now! I have noticed that it's not really the same hunger but that I do feel more "hunger" now then I did before (first few months of surgery) and I don't know if that plays into it or not!

[sleeve 4 me 910]

Yes. My doctor took me off about 1 month after surgery.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Yes. My doctor took me off about 1 month after surgery.

Did you just do it cold turkey?

[MegInNOLA 531]

Update: I did not take my Prilosec for the first time since starting it. Took my Vitamins (including my Vitamin C) as usual just before going to bed. Was a little concerned, as the Vitamin C is rather acidic. But, I'm happy to report that I slept fine and have experienced no excess acid or hunger today, despite my usual morning iced coffee, 2 servings of vitamin-C-rich fruit (melon and grapefruit--YUM), and homemade salsa with Tomato, tomatillo, onion, etc. So I'll take it again tonight and see if the every-other-day thing is going to work long-term.

I'm going to be 49 in a few days, and my mom has osteoporosis--I'm so tall that I definitely do NOT want to have back/bone issues as I get older. I can't eat enough volume in food to get enough Calcium through food sources alone, so I do take the calcium citrate in the middle of the morning, but it's negated when I take my Prilosec. I'm hopeful this will work out.

Y'all keep the replies coming. Very useful information.

[smkeller 3]

I can't eat enough volume in food to get enough Calcium through food sources alone, so I do take the calcium citrate in the middle of the morning, but it's negated when I take my Prilosec. I'm hopeful this will work out...

My understanding is that calcium citrate absorption isn't affected by PPI's like the other forms of calcium supplements. Have you heard differently?

Update: I did not take my Prilosec for the first time since starting it. Took my Vitamins (including my Vitamin C) as usual just before going to bed. Was a little concerned, as the Vitamin C is rather acidic. But, I'm happy to report that I slept fine and have experienced no excess acid or hunger today, despite my usual morning iced coffee, 2 servings of vitamin-C-rich fruit (melon and grapefruit--YUM), and homemade salsa with Tomato, tomatillo, onion, etc. So I'll take it again tonight and see if the every-other-day thing is going to work long-term.

I'm going to be 49 in a few days, and my mom has osteoporosis--I'm so tall that I definitely do NOT want to have back/bone issues as I get older. I can't eat enough volume in food to get enough calcium through food sources alone, so I do take the calcium citrate in the middle of the morning, but it's negated when I take my Prilosec. I'm hopeful this will work out.

Y'all keep the replies coming. Very useful information.

[MegInNOLA 531]

My understanding is that calcium citrate absorption isn't affected by PPI's like the other forms of Calcium supplements. Have you heard differently?

No, I haven't, and in fact, because you posted this, I went and checked--and yeah, it's just calcium carbonate that evidently doesn't fare well with omeprazole (Prilosec). Yay! So I'm going to keep up with the calcium citrate and keep trying to cut back on the Prilosec as I can. It's been a good day so far, but there's probably still some residual keeping things tamped down.

I'm still going to do the every-other-night thing for a while and see how that goes.

Edited to add that my pharmacist was the one who recommended the calcium citrate when I told him I had had weight loss surgery and was on long-term Prilosec.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I talked to my Doc today, and she told me that "cold Turkey" was fine with the PPI. She said if I have problems I can take the PPI for a few days as needed.

[sleeve 4 me 910]

Did you just do it cold turkey?

Sorry for my late response. My surgeon actually said to go cold turkey, but I went from taking 1 in the am and 1 in the pm to just 1 at night, then just stopped all together.

[cam 15]

I was told to take calcium citrate from the beginning, never really knew why so thanks for the education! As for a PPI, I took it for the first week or so but then never could remember to take it and never really needed it apparently. I do get hungry though, so I wonder if I started taking it again, if my hunger would go away.....any thoughts?

[feedyoureye 3,087]

I was told to take calcium citrate from the beginning, never really knew why so thanks for the education! As for a PPI, I took it for the first week or so but then never could remember to take it and never really needed it apparently. I do get hungry though, so I wonder if I started taking it again, if my hunger would go away.....any thoughts?

Some say that the acid mimics hunger... I know that my stomach used to make the most crazy noises... I'm sure it must have been acid doing its thing....even with the PPI, I don't think I am feeling more hunger now, after stoping, but we will see! I am one of those people that always had some hunger... it never totally went away. I have had no reflux and only a little bit of acid stomach feeling for about a week while I was still taking the PPI.

[myrori 55]

I only take them as needed, with is usually about 2 times a month.

[JackieOMonroe 123]

I'm still on pantoprazole and I wouldn't dream of quitting them yet. I still have breakthrough acid. When it gets bad, I start popping a Prilosec at bedtime.