Have you experienced acid rebound?

[OceanAnnie]

If you have experienced acid rebound, how did you curb it and how long did it last for you?

I took an acid reducer for about a month while I was waiting for a gastric diagnosis. I didn't have any big acid problems, just stomach upset (nausea and vomiting some too). After a month, I stopped taking it. Now, the problems I had originally have cleared up but I'm having a new problem, an increase in stomach acid.

I did some research and it looks like I have to adjust my diet and take an antacid until it gets better. I'm wondering how long that will take. Ugh.

If you have had any experience with this, what did you do and how long did it last?

TIA!

 

[Christine]

No help, I've been trying to get off Prilosec for years. Acid rebound is a well-known fact and you are supposed to taper off the proton pump inhibitors and slowly add in the H2 blockers, and then come off them.

Since you were only on them for a month, hopefully your acid rebound will be short lived but you could try the lower strength antacids in the meantime.

 

[OceanAnnie]

No help, I've been trying to get off Prilosec for years. Acid rebound is a well-known fact and you are supposed to taper off the proton pump inhibitors and slowly add in the H2 blockers, and then come off them.

Since you were only on them for a month, hopefully your acid rebound will be short lived but you could try the lower strength antacids in the meantime.

I hope it will be short lived too, Christine.

I was totally new to the acid reducers. Never heard of acid rebound. I don't recall reading anything about it (on the leaflet on side effects). It was a surprise to start having acid indigestion, when I never had before!

Back to not drinking any coffee and cutting out acidic things. At first it seemed sporadic, but now it's making sense to me. I'll be glad when this is over.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I did for the last 3 motnhs of pregnancy, but I don't know anything other than it was temporary and I took Zantac (Dr. approved it) and that was the only thing that helped. I felt your pain, it was awful, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

 

[amyren]

DH had similar issues. He was given a prescription for Capadex (?) about a year ago and then switched to Prilosec. It has helped a lot but he is trying to wean himself off of daily medication.

He has changed his diet quite a bit. He cut out carbonated drinks, spicy foods, peppers, excessive red sauce… He is doing better but it's been a healing process.

 

[Micca]

I have taken Nexium for years. I can eat anything and there is no problem at all. Only side issue is that my doc recommended that I take some calcium as the Nexium can somehow mess with calcium levels.

 

[DisMN]

I developed severe heartburn during my pregnancy and it never cleared up. After a battery of tests over the years the conclusion my doctor came to was.....I just have too much stomach acid. It can be hereditary....which mine was.

I now take the minimum amount of omeprazole they make (10mg generic prilosec) every day and probably will for the rest of my life. I'd rather live with the minor possible side effects of daily acid reducers than the run the very real risk of esophageal cancer from the acids chewing away at my esophagus. My father died from this kind of cancer and it wasn't pretty.

I hope you can make your problem go away but if you have to take something for the rest of your life to control the acid I hope you'll do it. The alternative could be far worse and so far these meds haven't been shown to cause many problems if taken long term.

Good luck!

 

[Christine]

I hope you can make your problem go away but if you have to take something for the rest of your life to control the acid I hope you'll do it. The alternative could be far worse and so far these meds haven't been shown to cause many problems if taken long term.

Good luck!

OceanAnnie's acid is acid rebound. It was actually caused by taking drugs like Prilosec and Nexium (she didn't have it prior to taking these meds).

OceanAnnie--here's what happens (scientifically if you want to know!!!).

When you take Nexium or Prilosec or any of those types of drugs (not Zantac or Pepcid), it turns off many of the proton pumps in your stomach. Your body does not like this because it thinks it is supposed to produce acid. So while your adding these drugs in, it tries to produce more acid. In doing so, it increases a chemical in your body that's called gastrin. Gastrin drives the proton pumps. The more and more you take these drugs the higher your gastrin count goes. I've had mine tested and it's well out of the normal range. So if you stop taking these drugs "cold turkey" your gastrin count is very high, you come off the drug, and the huge amount of gastrin makes the proton pumps produce a HUGE amount of acid. This will, of course, irritate your stomach. Until your gastrin count decreases you are going to have this problem. Your stomach may get irritated also, from the excess acid so it won't hurt you to take a less powerful antacid in the meantime (to protect it), like Tums or Gaviscon or even Pepcid.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks to everyone that posted! I'm sorry for others that are going or have gone through the same type thing. It is worrisome and very uncomfortable.

OceanAnnie's acid is acid rebound. It was actually caused by taking drugs like Prilosec and Nexium (she didn't have it prior to taking these meds).

OceanAnnie--here's what happens (scientifically if you want to know!!!).

When you take Nexium or Prilosec or any of those types of drugs (not Zantac or Pepcid), it turns off many of the proton pumps in your stomach. Your body does not like this because it thinks it is supposed to produce acid. So while your adding these drugs in, it tries to produce more acid. In doing so, it increases a chemical in your body that's called gastrin. Gastrin drives the proton pumps. The more and more you take these drugs the higher your gastrin count goes. I've had mine tested and it's well out of the normal range. So if you stop taking these drugs "cold turkey" your gastrin count is very high, you come off the drug, and the huge amount of gastrin makes the proton pumps produce a HUGE amount of acid. This will, of course, irritate your stomach. Until your gastrin count decreases you are going to have this problem. Your stomach may get irritated also, from the excess acid so it won't hurt you to take a less powerful antacid in the meantime (to protect it), like Tums or Gaviscon or even Pepcid.

Thank you for the information, Christine. I did find some information yesterday stating, after you stop taking the medicine your body increases the acid production. You explanation was much better. I wish I had tapered off the med. I don't recall reading anything about tapering it off in the leaflet. The doctor nor the pharmacist didn't mention it either. I should've looked it up for myself, but usually either the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give a heads up for that kind of thing. Plus, I didn't think it was that strong! Next time I go on any new meds, I will investigate it thoroughly first!

I did start taking Tums yesterday. It helped immediately. So glad to get relief. I am also putting myself back on a modified bland diet. I think having chili, pizza, and coffee put my stomach acid in overdrive. That was before I knew what I know now.

It's weird to me to have to modify what I eat. I was fine, no gastric problems till July of this year. I'm hoping after I get over this I can go back to eating what I want in moderation.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I developed severe heartburn during my pregnancy and it never cleared up. After a battery of tests over the years the conclusion my doctor came to was.....I just have too much stomach acid. It can be hereditary....which mine was.

I now take the minimum amount of omeprazole they make (10mg generic prilosec) every day and probably will for the rest of my life. I'd rather live with the minor possible side effects of daily acid reducers than the run the very real risk of esophageal cancer from the acids chewing away at my esophagus. My father died from this kind of cancer and it wasn't pretty.

I hope you can make your problem go away but if you have to take something for the rest of your life to control the acid I hope you'll do it. The alternative could be far worse and so far these meds haven't been shown to cause many problems if taken long term.

Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear what your dad went through, and that he lost his battle. I did read about the risk of esophageal cancer associated with acid reflux. It was alarming.

Thank you for the warning, it was very kind of you.

I just put the two together (med and side effect) recently and got the information I need. I think I'm on the right track now. I hope so.

 

[Christine]

I should've looked it up for myself, but usually either the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give a heads up for that kind of thing. Plus, I didn't think it was that strong! Next time I go on any new meds, I will investigate it thoroughly first!
!

The medical community doesn't often talk about it and I think, for a long time, they didn't realize it. I've talked to a few doctors who seem ignorant about the withdrawal issues. Anyway, in some medical circles it's referred to as "purple crack."

 

[OceanAnnie]

The medical community doesn't often talk about it and I think, for a long time, they didn't realize it. I've talked to a few doctors who seem ignorant about the withdrawal issues. Anyway, in some medical circles it's referred to as "purple crack."

I can see it! Absolutely.

I have read where people will go back on the meds to avoid the acid rebound! So in that regard, it *could* be a cash cow. And "purple crack", makes a lot of sense in light of that.

 

[DisMN]

I'm sorry to hear what your dad went through, and that he lost his battle. I did read about the risk of esophageal cancer associated with acid reflux. It was alarming.

Thank you for the warning, it was very kind of you.

I just put the two together (med and side effect) recently and got the information I need. I think I'm on the right track now. I hope so.

I'm so glad you're getting it figured out. Heartburn of any type is really uncomfortable isn't it? Sounds like you know what foods trigger it too so that makes it a little easier to deal with.....

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm so glad you're getting it figured out. Heartburn of any type is really uncomfortable isn't it? Sounds like you know what foods trigger it too so that makes it a little easier to deal with.....

I hope you feel better soon!

Thanks, DisMN!

 

[Flyerfan]

This strikes a nerve with me. I am 2 months into the acid rebound phase. I had been on acid reducers for 10 years prior to stopping them in August. I was put on them years ago because of a "nervous stomach", nothing else. Don't get me started on what I think of doctors who are too quick to throw these pills at you. Back then, I didn't know any better and just took the pill all these years.

With the help of a Naturopathic Doctor and my modified diet I am doing well. I stopped the Aciphex (proton pump inhibitor) cold turkey on 8/3 and took Zantac for about 10 days after that. I went off them pretty quickly because I was just sick of the side effects and the 7 months of stress of trying to figure out how to effectively go off these pills. I will say I did have a stomach scope done earlier this year and everything was fine. Doctor said I could do what I wanted as long as the test came back clear.

Since I stopped I have had gas pains, stomach pains and a burning stomach at times along with some minor irritation in my throat. This is not constant with me, only intermittent and doesn't last long. There was 2 or 3 times I reached for a Zantac but I am relying mostly on a natural alternative called DGL Licorice. It works for me. I have not experienced much actual heartburn, just the symptoms mentioned above.

Hang in there. It is possible to get off these pills. You've only been on them a very, very short time so the rebound should be short lived. If you can, eat low carb and low sugar. That really helps for me.

 

[Flyerfan]

This strikes a nerve with me. I am 2 months into the acid rebound phase. I had been on acid reducers for 10 years prior to stopping them in August. I was put on them years ago because of a "nervous stomach", nothing else. Don't get me started on what I think of doctors who are too quick to throw these pills at you. Back then, I didn't know any better and just took the pill all these years.

With the help of a Naturopathic Doctor and my modified diet I am doing well. I stopped the Aciphex (proton pump inhibitor) cold turkey on 8/3 and took Zantac for about 10 days after that. I went off them pretty quickly because I was just sick of the side effects and the 7 months of stress of trying to figure out how to effectively go off these pills. I will say I did have a stomach scope done earlier this year and everything was fine. Doctor said I could do what I wanted as long as the test came back clear.

Since I stopped I have had gas pains, stomach pains and a burning stomach at times along with some minor irritation in my throat. This is not constant with me, only intermittent and doesn't last long. There was 2 or 3 times I reached for a Zantac but I am relying mostly on a natural alternative called DGL Licorice. It works for me. I have not experienced much actual heartburn, just the symptoms mentioned above.

Hang in there. It is possible to get off these pills. You've only been on them a very, very short time so the rebound should be short lived. If you can, eat low carb and low sugar. That really helps for me.

 

[Christine]

This strikes a nerve with me. I am 2 months into the acid rebound phase. I had been on acid reducers for 10 years prior to stopping them in August. I was put on them years ago because of a "nervous stomach", nothing else. Don't get me started on what I think of doctors who are too quick to throw these pills at you. Back then, I didn't know any better and just took the pill all these years.

With the help of a Naturopathic Doctor and my modified diet I am doing well. I stopped the Aciphex (proton pump inhibitor) cold turkey on 8/3 and took Zantac for about 10 days after that. I went off them pretty quickly because I was just sick of the side effects and the 7 months of stress of trying to figure out how to effectively go off these pills. I will say I did have a stomach scope done earlier this year and everything was fine. Doctor said I could do what I wanted as long as the test came back clear.

Since I stopped I have had gas pains, stomach pains and a burning stomach at times along with some minor irritation in my throat. This is not constant with me, only intermittent and doesn't last long. There was 2 or 3 times I reached for a Zantac but I am relying mostly on a natural alternative called DGL Licorice. It works for me. I have not experienced much actual heartburn, just the symptoms mentioned above.

Hang in there. It is possible to get off these pills. You've only been on them a very, very short time so the rebound should be short lived. If you can, eat low carb and low sugar. That really helps for me.

Thanks for your story. I've been on Prilosec since 1998 (sporadically) but probably everyday since 2000. I have a terrible time trying to stop and just haven't been up to it yet. I never had heartburn but I was having an irritated stomach, queasiness, feeling of fullness, etc. Now if I try to get off them, I get such a sour, acidy stomach it is unreal.

You give me hope!

 

[Flyerfan]

Thanks for your story. I've been on Prilosec since 1998 (sporadically) but probably everyday since 2000. I have a terrible time trying to stop and just haven't been up to it yet. I never had heartburn but I was having an irritated stomach, queasiness, feeling of fullness, etc. Now if I try to get off them, I get such a sour, acidy stomach it is unreal.

You give me hope!

I understand there are people who really need these (those with Barrett's Esophagus...a pre-cancerous condition) but a good majority of people do not. Most people have too little stomach acid, not too much.

Like you, I was put on them because of problems with my stomach...I had no heartburn. Most medical doctors (not all) are too quick to put a bandaid on the problem rather than get to the root of it. That is why I am seeing an ND. She has me on some supplements and is pretty thorough with questions about my diet and how I'm feeling. I may have some sort of food intolerance or what I'm feeling may just be all acid rebound. I don't know how long it will take until I'm 100%. I have a day or two where I'm really good, then the next day my stomach will bother me or gas pains will kick in. There's no rhyme or reason to it. My system is trying to get back to normal before I screwed it up by taking the meds.

Like I said, a diet low in carbs, sugar and the common trigger foods really helps. Coffee, alcohol, soda and certain teas are very acid producing. Depending on how your diet is now, this may be difficult. However, it is worth it to get off the meds for good.

Good luck to you.

 

[Dakota731]

How long did it take you to feel normal again? Oh no I just saw this is an old thread when I did a search, so not sure if you’re still on the boards. I was only on them 2 weeks and have been having rebound for six weeks which is crazy to me! Any other folks out there with advice?

 

[Distinkt]

Been there, done that and got the t-shirt. I took Prevacid forever, and then decided after reading the warnings of long term use (and discussing with my doctor) to stop. I had acid reflux that would get really bad during periods of stress. Worked for a arts organization and performance periods could be like putting your head in a blender and I would have issues. At any rate, rebound was bad for about 6 weeks to 2 months, and then dissipated. I would think you should start to notice a downturn soon, from my experience.