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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
When WIll I Be Able to Wean off Nexium
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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When WIll I Be Able to Wean off Nexium
by nanci, Jul 19, 2002 12:00AM
The doctor wants me to take two Nexium per day. I did this for a few weeks, felt great and cut down to one per day (Doctor said I could do this). After a few days, I started feeling pressure again in my chest, burning, tiredness, etc, just a lousy feelng.
Went back to two, after a few days, felt relatively normal except for some slight burning which I swear I'll have to live with for the rest of my life! So, took two for a week or so and cut back down to one (I hate taking this stuff). It's starting again, the pressure, burning, all over feeling of sickness.
I'm scheduled for a scope on the 29th and really wanted be off the Nexium by then (been taking since early May). I'm also chewing DGL tablets and just started enzymes.
I'm afraid if I take PPI's for too long, I'll have to take them indefinately.
I hate the idea of going back to two but wondering what's the protocol for this - do I take two for months and months and then wean off to one? How long should you feel good before you start to decrease the dosage?
Went back to two, after a few days, felt relatively normal except for some slight burning which I swear I'll have to live with for the rest of my life! So, took two for a week or so and cut back down to one (I hate taking this stuff). It's starting again, the pressure, burning, all over feeling of sickness.
I'm scheduled for a scope on the 29th and really wanted be off the Nexium by then (been taking since early May). I'm also chewing DGL tablets and just started enzymes.
I'm afraid if I take PPI's for too long, I'll have to take them indefinately.
I hate the idea of going back to two but wondering what's the protocol for this - do I take two for months and months and then wean off to one? How long should you feel good before you start to decrease the dosage?
If I were you, I would try ALL of the following 19 Gastric Reflux Tips, DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD that you are taking the prescribed amount of acid blockers, --try this for at least 2 weeks to a month.
Then, if you can tell that the "tips" are working (meaning helping to HEAL your stomach and esophagus), THEN, KEEP USING ALL THE TIPS, every day, and begin to VERY, VERY, VERY, SLOWLY WEAN OFF THE ACID BLOCKER.
You shouldn't start weaning off the acid blocker, until you have used ALL the gastric reflux tips, for at least 2 weeks or more!
You could try a MORE GRADUAL WEANING SCHEDULE, NEXT EIME, to prevent the "rebound" ACID PRODUCTION, that results in TOO QUICKLY STOPPING OR DECREASING THE ACID BLOCKER!
Please read the very lengthy "tips" part (19 tips), below, and let us know which of these tips you are trying. I suggest trying them ALL, INCLUDING FOLLOWING THE LINKS TO DR. JAMES A. KOUFMAN'S GREAT REFLUX WEBPAGES! FOLLOW ALL HIS TIPS, too!
*************************************** Please read below:
Some GASTRIC REFLUX TIPS (without acid blockers):
GER=Gastro-Esophageal Reflux. (Gastro=stomach. Esophagus=food tube.)
LPR= Laryngeal-Pharyngeal Reflux. (Larynx=voice box, containing the 2 vocal cords. Pharynx=throat, above the larynx. The larynx is above the trachea/windpipe.)
Reflux=acidic or alkaline stomach material that backs up into the esophagus (food tube), causing any of these problems: VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospasm attacks, cough, voice problems, asthma, globus (feeling of lump in throat), constant need to clear throat, worsening of sinus condition, sore throat, pre-cancerous conditions of throat &/or esophagus, etc.
SOME GER/LPR CONTROL THINGS WE DO, that we learned from the excellent book: STOMACH AILMENTS AND DIGESTIVE DISTURBANCES, by Michael T. Murray, N.D. See page 9, References, in my website: http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com and, also see GER/LPR info on page 5, and on LINKS page.
PLEASE READ THIS GREAT BOOK. It may possibly be bought on-line, from Michael T. Murray’s website.
Some of the following we learned from people &/or other books, &/or other good websites about voice, GER, etc.
(1) DGL (De-Glycyrrhizinated Licorice) is one of our main methods of controlling the GER/LPR. We use Enzymatic Therapy brand DGL, shortly before ALL meals (breakfast, lunch, supper). The DGL does NOT cause high blood pressure, and does NOT cause fluid retention/edema, because a bad (steroidal) part of whole/crude licorice has been removed, leaving the DGL. DGL is available at most health food stores, and at good pharmacies.
The DGL tablet(s) must be chewed, to mix with saliva, to be effective. If it is too dry, one could mash/crush it and mix with a little water, and then chew it up. Chew tablet(s) for about 10 seconds (at least), to thoroughly mix with saliva, shortly before (about 20 minutes before) EVERY meal, and if necessary, between meals (Read label directions).
The DGL seems to not only promote healing of throat, esophagus and stomach, but also seems to help prevent OUR reflux.(resulting in no more globus/lump in throat sensation, no more constant throat clearing, excess mucous, excess phlegm, no more NIGHT-TIME VCD/Vocal Cord Dysfunction/Laryngospams attacks, no more laryngitis, etc. for us)
We don’t mind the taste of the plain, fructose-free, DGL CHEWABLE tablets, but for those who hate the taste, try mixing the crushed tablet with a tiny bit of mashed organic banana, and then chew thoroughly, to mix with saliva. Avoid any DGL that contains mint. (Mint—in all forms, can cause gastric reflux episodes. AVOID MINT!!).
(2) We use Thayers brand of SLIPPERY ELM Throat Lozenges when we feel the need. (Soothing, coating, healing, nourishing). Slippery Elm (inner bark from a tree) also comes in teabag form, or in bulk, etc. as an herbal supplement.
(3) We drink the occasional small glass of CARROT JUICE (organic, fresh) which soothes, coats, heals the digestive tract, is nourishing, and stimulates the immune system, with beta-carotene, soothing and coating PECTIN (a type of fiber), and other good nutrients. (Carrot soup, cooked carrots are also good. Beta-carotene is heat resistant.) (Beta-carotene later is turned into Vitamin A inside us). Do not overdo. If your skin turns orange, cut back on the carrot juice. Avoid beta-carotene pills -- too potent.
(4) We tried elevating the head of the bed a few inches, by putting 6 inch to 8 inch BLOCKS, ON THE FLOOR, under the head end of the bed. This creates a slant (tilt), where the head is 6 to 8 inches higher than the feet. This helps some people, but not all people. (Check with a pediatric Gastro-enterologist, about raising the head end of a bed of a child, or a crib of an infant). Also, see (16) about a special GERD PILLOW, for adults.
(5) We try NOT TO BEND OVER too often, and we try to AVOID STRAINING (Valsalva maneuver). We AVOID LIFTING HEAVY objects. (No weight lifting!) (at least until after no more reflux symptoms for 3 months).
(a) If CONSTIPATION is causing any straining, see Ref.15,18,23,24,25 on page 9 for ideas about gently treating constipation, including eating whole grains, not white (de-natured ones), etc. For us, exercise, increased water intake, acidophilus/bifidus, digestive enzymes, avoiding junk food, improved diet, chewing slowly (takes will power!), eating when not under stress or angry, etc., all are helpful.
(6) NO MORE TIGHT pants, belt, corset,--AVOID TIGHT CLOTHING etc.
(7) We try to not eat too much junk food. Some people avoid acidic food, while others need to eat acidic food, if their stomach is not producing any (or enough) acid. (It is good to avoid acid, if one has an ulcer.) These gastric reflux tips methods often can help to heal ulcers. Some people need betaine hydrochloride supplements, which becomes HCl/hydrochloric acid, or, some use vinegar (acetic acid) in salads, or mixed with water, while others need to avoid eating excess acid. Each person is unique. We avoid all artificial sweeteners. Anyone with diabetes might want to look at the excellent book Reversing Diabetes, by Dr. Julian Whittaker, M.D..
Diet soda pop contains the harmful artificial sweetener Aspartame (Equal/Nutrasweet), which can cause WEIGHT GAIN, HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACH, BLURRED VISION, BLINDNESS, TWITCHING, SEIZURES, BRAIN TUMORS, HYPERACTIVITY, MOOD SWINGS, ETC., and soda pop often has strong acids, plus other harmful artificial ingredients. Plain water, gentle herb teas, certain fruit juices, brown rice-milk, etc. are healthier substitutes for soda pops.
We try to avoid all artificial ingredients, including fake fats (like Olean, Olestra, etc.), because these can destroy the digestive system, and prevent absorption of vital nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) from foods. These fake fats also prevent digestion and absorption of needed fats & oils, used to repair myelin nerve cell sheaths (made of fatty material, mostly cholesterol). Hormones are also made of mostly cholesterol.
(8) We try to drink more water, to prevent chronic dehydration. We like hard (nicely mineralized) well or spring water.
We do not drink distilled water (soft water, no minerals), because it can leach minerals out of our bones, possibly contributing to osteoporosis. (See Ref.18,23, on page 9.) We avoid water softeners (chemicals) because they can be toxic, and because good minerals help keep us healthy. People with KIDNEY PROBLEMS &/or GLAUCOMA, etc. should ask their docs how much water is safe to drink, since too much water can be dangerous for them! (But, dehydration can cause problems also.)
(9) We use ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS ( edible beneficial bacteria which keep bad YEASTS away, such as Candida Albicans, formerly called Monilia). ACIDOPHILUS/BIFIDUS also can eat or control some bad bacteria, and some viruses. The acidophilus/bifidus are also called PRO-BIOTICS and are beneficial intestinal flora (mainly for the large intestine). We keep the jars refrigerated, but not too cold. These are available at health food stores & pharmacies. (See Ref.14,15,23,24,25, on page 9).
Acidophilus/bifidus can re-populate the large intestine, with good bacteria, after antibiotics &/or steroids, etc. have killed off these good bacteria! Some of us have to continue eating the acidophilus/bifidus (daily, or from time to time), but the results seem worth the effort to us.
Yogurt and buttermilk contain similar beneficial bacteria, but are milk products, so see (11) below about milk products.
(10) We use DIGESTIVE ENZYMES. My husband likes Acid-Ease by Prevail, which contains Slippery Elm (inner bark), Marshmallow Root, Gamma-Oryzanol (from Rice Bran Oil), and the plant enzymes Amylase (digests starch), Lipase II (digests fat), and Cellulase I (digests cellulose from plant cell walls). The Acid-Ease does not contain Protease, which can be very irritating to ulcer/GER folks.
The Acid-Ease is NOT an acid blocker. It is not an antacid. It soothes, coats, nourishes, and promotes healing. Its enzymes help with leaky gut syndrome.
I use Total Enzymes (which does have Protease, a protein digesting enzyme) by Nutri-West, a company that sells only to health practitioners (Chiropracters, Physicians, and others). One could ask their physician to order, at cost, for them, by having physician call 1-307-358-5066.
Digestive enzymes are NOT FOR