Should I disconinue PPI

[sunset555]

Hi there, about 4 years ago, I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy and was diagnosed with having some acid reflux and Hiatal Hernia, was put on PPI for 8 weeks, called protium and basically over course of last 4 years have been on and off them.. now last week doctor visit for small bit of acid reflux he prescribed me 40mg of PPI protium once a day for 3 weeks then was told to stop.. have been on them for a week and start to have central chest pain and constipation, not even sure if related.. anyhow went back to Doctor today and asked could I just stop the PPIs as I actually feel worse when on them, he said no that my stomach was tender upon checking and it is quite sore under the breast area, top of stomach area.. so he has now prescribed me to take Lansoprazole Teva 30mg twice a day for two weeks, followed by a further three weeks of 40mg of PPI protium and then stop, he said this amongst motilum and some movical should settle my stomach! Im confused on whether to do this or not, afraid I will get central chest pain again, which really and truly freaks me out! ggrrr! also I have a touch of IBS too.. any advice on all of this would be very helpful indeed, as I am just about to throw the towel in with these tablets, and just go it alone through a good diet and exercise and see what happens, I am a 43 year old woman, and the only other medication I take is Cilest contraceptive pill and Omega 3 capsules as have slightly hight cholesterol.. Look forward to advice, thanks, Sunset..

[Red_Star]

My mother is free of GERD/LPR when she stopped taking nexium (PPI) and started taking betaine HCL with pepsin supplements (increases stomach acid) and digestive enzyme supplements (helps with digestion).  Her long list of health problems went away when she increased her stomach acid.  Her severely painful gastritis (stomach inflammation) went away slowly over a year (proteases - enzymes that digest protein) heal the gut). She also has a hiatal hernia too actually.

Excerpts from Chris Kresser - Get rid of heartburn and GERD forever in three simple steps...

"To review, heartburn and GERD are not caused by too much stomach acid. They are caused by too little stomach acid and bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and intestines. Therefore successful treatment is based on restoring adequate stomach acid production and eliminating bacterial overgrowth.

This can be accomplished by following the “three Rs” of treating heartburn and GERD naturally:

Reduce factors that promote bacterial overgrowth and low stomach acid.

Replace stomach acid, enzymes and nutrients that aid digestion and are necessary for health.

Restore beneficial bacteria and a healthy mucosal lining in the gut."

"Because bacterial overgrowth is a major factor in heartburn and GERD, restoring a healthy balance of intestinal bacteria is an important aspect of treatment. Along with performing several other functions essential to digestive health, beneficial bacteria (probiotics) protect against potential pathogens through “competitive inhibition” (i.e. competing for resources).

Researchers in Australia have shown that probiotics are effective in reducing bacterial overgrowth and altering fermentation patterns in the small bowel in patients with IBS. Probiotics have also been shown to be effective in treating Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other digestive conditions."

[KimCrawfordMD]

Hi there!
PPI's were meant for short time use only-I just did a big blog about that and a lot of research. They increase your chances of heart disease and much more. You get a far superior result with pharma grade digestive enzymes+betaine.

Having tenderness on exam is not c/w either reflux or cardiac but any chest pain should be fully checked out and not found to be cardiac. Tenderness usually means inflammation of the lower portion of your breastbone which as nothing to do with reflux.  Not sure what IBS symptoms you have but THAT is best treated with good pre and then probiotics. Good luck. Find another up to date doctor.

[sunset555]

Hi Red-Star, thanks so much for your response, I actually stopped the Lansoprazoles only this morning as what happened was after just 3 days of taking these, I got really bad throat palpitations and especially upon lying down, and was also extra tired, which I am putting down to side effects.. Im going to try and take nothing at all now and get some of the probiotic yogurts and if and when I need it will take the likes of Gaviscon, which is a liquid for indigestion.. see how that goes! still have the lump feeling in centre of stomach/chest, hoping that with a bit of exercise even walking it will just disappear over time, as I am out ouf psychical fitness and need to get motivated again.. thanks again for all of your advice, I will pay heath to it..

Sunset