Four weeks ago I developed reflux. It came on suddenly and within two days I was unable to consume anything. I don’t drink alcohol, tea or coffee. Since developing this problem, my diet has been excellent, I eat small meals, chew my food thoroughly, avoided acid-triggering foods, sit up for a min. of 2 hours after eating, elevate my head a night, exercise and drink lots of water. I’m a 115 pound female, 5’5” and in good health otherwise. I have been on no medication or supplements. I’ve recently had a very thorough physical (including an ultrasound and stress test) and I’m healthy.
I went to my doctor who recommended I try Losec. She suggested that the sudden onset of the reflux could have been the result of stress. I have now been on 20mg of Losec for 4 days and my symptoms have disappeared. My doctor suggested trying the Losec for 1 – 2 months, then weaning off of it by taking the pill every other day and seeing how I feel.
I have done a lot of reading about Losec and from what I’ve learned, many people end up on this drug for a long period of time and have a very difficult time getting off the medication. It seems their reflux gets worse when they go off the drug.
My doctor described the drug as just a tool to help my body “break the cycle” of acid production, but I’m concerned about this being a bigger problem when I try to get off the medication. Here are my questions:
Is it likely that when I go off this drug my acid reflux will become worse? As mentioned, I do everything “right”, so I certainly don’t fall into the camp of using the drug to compensate for poor eating or other lifestyle habits.
Is there a maximum time I should be on this drug, given that I want to use it as a very short-term tool?
What is the best way to get off this drug?
Is Losec a drug I could take on an as-needed basis? I did notice the effects within just a few hours of taking my first dose and am wondering if I could take it just when needed?
Thanks.