I am extremely upset and I need some help. The doctors fail to give me any answers. about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with a bleeding stomach ulcer. I was put on Nexium and I healed after 4 months. I was able to get off the nexium with no problem. Now any time I get the slightest of heartburn my doctor sticks me on Protonix. I have been on 40mg for about 6 months now. I am on hell trying to get off of it!! I have tried to taper down , the doctor has giving me no advice how to do this. After three months I have managed to get myself down to 3 pills a day instead of 7. I have such bad rebound that I am taking massive amounts of zantac and tums on top of the three days of protonix. I feel like there is no hope. I am so scared to taper off even the three pills a week. Before I started the meds I barely had heartburn.
If any one can help my email address is sdt19@aol.com
Thanks for the support.
Heather
I meant to say three pills a week not a day of protonix!
Hi,
Thanks I am glad to have found this board. I actually do not want medical advice. It is just nice to know I am not the only one suffering with the horrible acid rebound that goes along with taking ppis. It is great to see that people have successfully gotten off of them. It gives me hope that one day I will also not have to take the meds anymore. They actually do more harm than good if you take them long term.
Thanks again:)
Heather
I hope you feel better. I also took Protonix (for 2 years). It can't hurt to get a second opinion from a doctor. I went to my doctor and her advice didn't help, unfortunately. I don't think she knows much about what it's like to be on these PPIs. She wanted me to try and get off them, but it was my own research that gave me ideas on how to do it. I'm watching my carbs, I eat slowly (chewing well is so important) and I've taken papaya enzymes if needed and a probiotic twice a day. I also am not eating 3 hours before bedtime and I've elevated the foot of my bed. Oh, the biggest thing I think I've done is give up sodas. I think those screwed up my stomach, but I still kept drinking my one Coke per day. The fizziness is so addictive.
I wish you luck, Heather!
~Niki
Thanks for the help. I will research the papaya enzymes. It bugs me that drs are so easy to just give prescriptions. When I tell him I am not feeling good he says oh double up on the ppis. I grew up with my father who is a dr. and the second something would bother me he would prescribe me medicine.
Have a great wwekend,
Heather
Have a great wwekend,
Heather