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Tips for tapering off stomach acid blockers or PPIs (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole)


Altostrata

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"Among the most widely sold drugs in the world," according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton-pump_inhibitor , proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are terrible for general health. See That acid reflux pill may be causing your health problems

 

Stomach acid blockers, usually PPIs such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, ranitidine, and cimetidine, or antacids are intended for only short-term use, unless you have an extremely serious case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- which few people do.

 

Most people can resolve their digestion issues without PPIs. Read Chris Kresser on how to resolve acid reflux without drugs http://chriskresser.com/heartburn

 

These drugs change the way your digestion works, which is that your stomach naturally fills with hydrochloric acid. This is a necessary body function! For most people, there's no such thing as too much stomach acid. (Common reflux is caused by gas after eating certain foods.)

 

Altering the stomach environment causes problems further down your digestive tract, which is designed to process food that's broken down by the hydrochloric acid.

 

Among other problems, by reducing stomach acid, stomach acid blockers or PPIs reduce the absorption of important vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, which is essential to good neurological functioning.

 

By blocking the absorption of vitamin B12, over time, stomach acid blockers cause your body to use up all the vitamin B12 naturally stored in your liver. Low B12 may cause symptoms that can be mistaken for a psychiatric disorder and make your nervous system susceptible to damage from withdrawal.

 

See Vitamin B12 deficiency can be mistaken for dementia

 

From the June 25, 2012 New York Times Well blog:

 

Quote

But in recent years, the Food and Drug Administration has issued numerous warnings about P.P.I.’s, saying long-term use and high doses have been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and infection with a bacterium called Clostridium difficile that can be especially dangerous to elderly patients. In a recent paper, experts recommended that older adults use the drugs only “for the shortest duration possible.”

Studies have shown long-term P.P.I. use may reduce the absorption of important nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, calcium and vitamin B12, and might reduce the effectiveness of other medications, with the F.D.A. warning that taking Prilosec together with the anticlotting agent clopidogrel (Plavix) can weaken the protective effect (of clopidogrel) for heart patients.

Other research has found that people taking P.P.I.’s are at increased risk of developing pneumonia; one study even linked use of the drug to weight gain.

 

Stomach acid blockers on their own can have adverse neurological effects:
http://www.rxlist.com/prilosec-drug/side-effects-interactions.htm

Quote

Nervous System/Psychiatric: Psychiatric and sleep disturbances including depression, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, confusion, insomnia, nervousness, apathy, somnolence, anxiety, and dream abnormalities; tremors, paresthesia; vertigo

 

Acid blockers, like other drugs, lack necessary tapering instructions, according to People's Pharmacy:

Quote

Although the official medication guide warns patients not to stop Prozac without checking with their doctors, it doesn't tell doctors how to help people discontinue the drug without symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, changes in sleep habits, headache, sweating, nausea, dizziness or electric shocklike sensations.

Doctors may encounter similar challenges when they try to help patients discontinue other medicines. Acid-suppressing drugs such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) may trigger rebound hyperacidity and reflux if they are stopped abruptly.

 

If you don't have very severe GERD -- and very few people do -- and you've been on a stomach acid blocker for any length of time, you are putting your health at risk. Not only might you not be absorbing important nutrients, your stomach may have been discouraged from producing adequate stomach acid. To quit a PPI, tapering is a good idea, or you might suffer rebound reflux worse than you ever had, which can make you very sick.

 

If you've been on an acid blocker for any length of time, you may wish to get a vitamin B12 shot or start supplementing with sublingual B12 before starting a taper of a psychiatric drug, See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1392-vitamin-b12-essential-for-mood-nervous-system/


How to taper a stomach acid blocker or PPI

Tapering an acid blocker is easier than tapering a psychiatric drug. The reason you taper PPIs is to avoid rebound acid production, not withdrawal. A gradual taper allows your digestive system to adapt. You can taper faster than with a psychotropic drug.

 

To allow your stomach to regain natural acid production and prevent rebound reflux,  my guess as a medical non-professional is a good rate would 25% per week. If you get rebound reflux, stop decreasing, let your digestion settle down, and take taper by smaller amounts than 25%.

For example, to taper Prilosec OTC, I would open the Prilosec OTC capsule, carefully pour 1/4 out, put the capsule back together, and take the other 3/4. Do this for a week. Then pour more out a half, take 1/2 capsule for a week. Then take 1/4 capsule for a week. After that, stop taking the drug.

If you're taking this kind of prescription Prilosec:
http://www.drugs.com/prilosec.html

Quote

You may open the Prilosec delayed-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

 

Edited by Altostrata
updated

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 11 months later...

I have been on PPIs for over 13 years. They did not cause a deficiency in Vitamin B12.  What they did do, was exacerbate my iron deficiency anemia and cause gall stones.   A lowered acid environment reduces iron absorption and a deficiency in iron contributes to gall stones.   Acid blockers over long term can also lead to osteoporosis and inflammation.  A complete study of the long term use of these drugs was done by the University of Texas.

http://www.utexas.edu/pharmacy/divisions/pharmaco/rounds/01-13-12.pdf

 

When I switched from taking 40 mg of Nexium to 15 mg of Prevacid, it took about 3 months for my body to adjust and stop producing rebound acid.

2005-2008: Effexor; 1/2008 Tapered 3 months, then quit. 7/2008-2009 Reinstated Effexor (crying spells at start of new job.)
2009-3/2013: Switched to Pristiq 50 mg then 100 mg
3/2013: Switched to Lexapro 10mg. Cut down to 5 mg. CT for 2 weeks then reinstated for 6 weeks
8/2013-8/2014: Tapering Lexapro (Lots of withdrawal symptoms)
11/2014 -8/2015: Developed severe insomnia and uncontrollable daily crying spells
12/2014-6/2015: Tried Ambien, Klonopin, Ativan, Lunesta, Sonata, Trazadone, Seroquel, Rameron, Gabapentin - Developed Anxiety disorder, PTSD, and Psychogenic Myoclonus
7/2015-1/2016: Reinstated Lexapro 2 mg (mild improvement, but crying spells still present)

1/2016-5/2017: Lexapro 5 mg ( helped a lot, but poor stress tolerance & depressive episodes)

5/20/2017 - Raised dose to Lexapro 10 mg due to lingering depression(Total of 2 failed tapers & severe PAWS)

9/11/2018 - Present: Still on 10 mg Lexapro and mostly recovered.(Anxiety still triggers Myoclonus.)

10/7/2022 - 20 mg Lexapro (brand only) Plus occasional Klonopin for anxiety and Ambien for insomnia.

 

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Thanks, Lilu. Perhaps you might reduce Prevacid as well.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Thanks, Lilu. Perhaps you might reduce Prevacid as well.

Wish I could, but at 15 mg it's barely controlling my symptoms of reflux/regurgitation.  Don't know if I'll EVER be able to stop taking PPIs altogether.

 

There's no way to taper this med, btw.  For those wanting to get off of it, as it is an extended release tablet that can't be cut. you pretty much need to stop and get by with the help of antacids and avoiding trigger foods if you have heartburn.  My dad did that, but unfortunately continued to suffer with heartburn and after more than 6 months decided to go back on meds.  But he manages on the lowest possible dose, 10mg of Prilosec (which many docs don't even know is available), and it controls his symptoms just fine.

2005-2008: Effexor; 1/2008 Tapered 3 months, then quit. 7/2008-2009 Reinstated Effexor (crying spells at start of new job.)
2009-3/2013: Switched to Pristiq 50 mg then 100 mg
3/2013: Switched to Lexapro 10mg. Cut down to 5 mg. CT for 2 weeks then reinstated for 6 weeks
8/2013-8/2014: Tapering Lexapro (Lots of withdrawal symptoms)
11/2014 -8/2015: Developed severe insomnia and uncontrollable daily crying spells
12/2014-6/2015: Tried Ambien, Klonopin, Ativan, Lunesta, Sonata, Trazadone, Seroquel, Rameron, Gabapentin - Developed Anxiety disorder, PTSD, and Psychogenic Myoclonus
7/2015-1/2016: Reinstated Lexapro 2 mg (mild improvement, but crying spells still present)

1/2016-5/2017: Lexapro 5 mg ( helped a lot, but poor stress tolerance & depressive episodes)

5/20/2017 - Raised dose to Lexapro 10 mg due to lingering depression(Total of 2 failed tapers & severe PAWS)

9/11/2018 - Present: Still on 10 mg Lexapro and mostly recovered.(Anxiety still triggers Myoclonus.)

10/7/2022 - 20 mg Lexapro (brand only) Plus occasional Klonopin for anxiety and Ambien for insomnia.

 

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Hi Lili,

 

One more time, I realigned how similar our med history on both PPI and AD, including timing!

 

Ironically, after taking 16 yrs proacid 15 mg, my doctor suggest me to switch to antacid. I did about 3 weeks ago and that was when I started seeing lights with my WD symptoms. It made me wondering if PPI is somehow part of the reason of the Wd.

 

I just read this topic today. Hope sudden stop of the PPI won't cause me any future problem. I'm good so far with the prescribed antacid.

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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Oh, by WD I meant WD from lexapro.

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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I used tums and baking soda and water... to help get off the ppi... I got the lowest dose and took them only when I really had to....eventually I was done with them... thank heavens.  Changing my diet helped too.  Lots of bran veggies and  water. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 1 month later...

I should also say I started waiting in between pills .. that is how I started getting off taking it only once the symptoms came... not treating before there was an issue... depending how bad the symptom... I would try all else to treat it before resorting to the pill.... the only ppi I could tolerate was pariet... all the others cause reactions. Some caused psych reactions. ... search the drug you take for psych reaction you have such as famitodin and depression you may be  surprised. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • Moderator Emeritus

I've recently quit taking PPI's   (Omeprazole ) After 20 years. I took a few months to taper but at the

end had to take a full dose now and again. I have just realised after seeing this thread bumped that I haven't

taken one for a few weeks now which is great but I do still have antacid medicine occasionaly when the reflux

gets right up my nose, literally! I've had to reassess my diet and make some changes because I was falling

back into bad habits but things are settling again. I started PPI's for a hiatus hernia that was made worse by the

pain and psych meds.   Meds cause heartburn......PPI's cause depression...... more meds.... and on it goes,

the drugs merry go round is in full swing. 

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Administrator

Occasional use of PPIs shouldn't be harmful.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've recently quit taking PPI's   (Omeprazole ) After 20 years. I took a few months to taper but at the

end had to take a full dose now and again. I have just realised after seeing this thread bumped that I haven't

taken one for a few weeks now which is great but I do still have antacid medicine occasionaly when the reflux

gets right up my nose, literally! I've had to reassess my diet and make some changes because I was falling

back into bad habits but things are settling again. I started PPI's for a hiatus hernia that was made worse by the

pain and psych meds.   Meds cause heartburn......PPI's cause depression...... more meds.... and on it goes,

the drugs merry go round is in full swing. 

I did not know ppis cause depression ... guess it would makes sense as it stops the use of B12 and low B12 causes depression... 

Is this what you mean?  I hope I got it straight. 

I used them when I needed them when I was first off but I could feel a difference like I was not getting the most out of the food I ate and my digestion was not near as good as before I went back on them.  I had been off them for 5 years before he car accident but for some reason maybe breaking the rib ... acid became a problem again .. tho I did not think it was acid as the symptoms were extreme pain.. in abdomen and neck. It seemed to help it did not stop the pain completely but helped. peace

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 6 months later...

The nice thing about the Omeprazole capsules I have is that they are filled with little beads instead of powder. That makes it so much easier to taper than having to measure a fine powder or having to cut and shave tablets.

I opened the capsules and found 18 granules inside each one. The method I'm using to taper is to simply reduce my dosage by one granule every two weeks.

I bought empty capsules from Amazon.com and every two weeks I put together a new batch.

As of today I'm down to taking one capsule per day of six granules of Omeprazole. On Monday, I start my new dosage of five granules per day.

So far, I have no rebound acid at all.

Circa 1995 put on Paxil; Tried various meds over the years in an effort to get away from Paxil's side effects

06/29/13 Switched from 30mg Paxil to 10mg Lexapro

10/24/13 7.5mg Lexapro

12/01/13 6.25mg Lexapro

01/01/14 5mg Lexapro

03/01/14 3.75mg Lexapro

04/01/14 2.5mg Lexapro

05/01/14 1.25mg Lexapro

05/28/14 Med-Free

02/27/15 300mg Neurontin twice daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

May 2015: 600mg Neurontin twice daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

08/05/15: 600mg Neurontin twice daily, 30mg Paxil daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

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I'd also like to say that when I first told my doctor that I was concerned about the problems associated with long-term use of PPIs, he was happy to try to help me get off them. But when he switched me right from Omeprazole to a milder antacid, I had terrible heartburn symptoms. His response? He told me that since I got heartburn, that meant that I would need to stay on PPIs "indefinitely."

Yeah, he gave up that quickly. When I told him that I'd like to try tapering more gradually, he told me that would be fine. But if I hadn't spoken up for myself (because of what I read on this site), I would be on this medication "indefinitely."

Circa 1995 put on Paxil; Tried various meds over the years in an effort to get away from Paxil's side effects

06/29/13 Switched from 30mg Paxil to 10mg Lexapro

10/24/13 7.5mg Lexapro

12/01/13 6.25mg Lexapro

01/01/14 5mg Lexapro

03/01/14 3.75mg Lexapro

04/01/14 2.5mg Lexapro

05/01/14 1.25mg Lexapro

05/28/14 Med-Free

02/27/15 300mg Neurontin twice daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

May 2015: 600mg Neurontin twice daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

08/05/15: 600mg Neurontin twice daily, 30mg Paxil daily, .25mg to .50mg Xanax as needed

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  • Administrator

Right, you got rebound stomach acid!

 

Thanks for sharing the details of your tapering off omeprazole; I'm glad it's going well for you.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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VERY informative thread, thank you!

 

For the past few years withdrawing from benzo's has ruined my life. Just when i didnt think things could get any worse, they did. 

 

In comes Prilosec, just a few months on this poison and im suffering every problem known to man. Currently im having a symptom that had me see every doctor on the east coast, and get every test known to man done: 3 months of nonstop chills/bodyaches. For awhile i thought i was getting better, but recently they've gotten way worse. Luckily ive finally discover (i think) the nature of this condition after months of research. I believe i have destroyed all the good flora in my stomach with antiobiotics, and then shut down my acids with prilosec, leading a massive uncontrolled growth of bacteria and fungus in my intestinal tract. These bacteria produce toxins that spill out an produce a plethora of symptoms which mimic over 50 different diseases. 

 

Take it from me, i havent worked/gone to school/gone to the gym in 3 months, i lost 50lb (of muscle), and my face is paler than a ghost - prilosec is poison. The doctor that put me on it said im going to haveto take it for the rest of my life.

 

at the moment ive tapered down to 2mg (i open the capsules and count the little pebbles inside, than close them back up), and im going to buy some probiotics from vitamin shoppe today, any recommendations?

Most likely im going to haveto take a megadose of bactrim and other antibiotics to treat my condition, but lets hope not, i will try natural healing first. 

 

Thank you everybody

 

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Welcome, Bodybuilder.
 
Please start a topic for yourself in the Intro forum.
 
My understanding is that Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast probiotic, helps drive out destructive yeasts in the gut and provides a substrate for the growth of beneficial bacteria.
 
See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296087/
 
Other good probiotics are Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium infantis.

 

I like a juice-type probiotic called Goodbelly, it contains Lactobacillus plantarum.

Some people like soil-based bacteria probiotics to heal the gut.

 

Nothing is more complicated than gut flora, though -- it's impossible to predict what will help. Try a small amount of something -- open the capsule and take a fraction of a dose -- before you start taking it.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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People like both of those products. You'll have to look at the ingredients for each product yourself.

 

You'll have to evaluate Labdoor's criteria, I think they're quite limited.

 

Some probiotics are shelf-stable and do not need refrigeration. They should be labeled as such.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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ok i bought ultimate flora critical care, its refrigerated. It says 50 billion on it, there was one that also said 200 billion...whats the difference should i take 4x 50 billions or just 1?

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  • 4 weeks later...
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I would start low. The bacteria multiply inside you.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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I have a bit to add to this I found this today antibiotics are made from the earth.. I mean soil. 

http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/antibiotics-breakthrough-could-offset-problem-of-drug-resistant-bacteria-1.2178643

 

I just thought perhaps this is why some people find the earth probiotics better.  The more I thought about it the more sense it made to me and I am thinking of trying one... 

If anyone has a type they have used with good results for diarrhea please send the names.  I have used the fridge lacto bacil... kind and the self steady kinds both worked well for me in the past... this round.. I find there use seems to increase the pain I have in my foot the one I keep breaking... seems this way to me.  Hence I am not using to the extend I could or maybe should and can't beat this hit of runs.  

 

I can get it to settle using what the doc said that worked before... 3 caps in apples sauce 3 times a day... I find now one dose of this causes a l of pain.. I know it does not seem to make sense but I do listen to my body now and this is what it is tell me. 

 

I have had countless stool test for bacteria and have always been ok... I am thinking science is not as smart as it thinks it is .. so just maybe this soil one will work better. 

 

I did use pariet a ppi unlike the others when I reacted to all others..it is a bit different I am not sure how you would have to ask the pharmcist who adviced my stomach specialist years ago... I don't live in that city anymore but I reacted to all other ppi drugs. still I taper of this one asap it is still a ppi but if I need one badly it is the one I take.  I know it may not be good for everyone I had severe side effects immediately from the others... 

 

. famitodine cause a psych reaction of suicide on increase dose tho it has a different route than ppi it dose the same thing... by lowering histamine ..... so careful with that one..... and floristore gave me the bonus yeast infection... ya says it can't do that.  but it did... 

 

I keep looking hope it helps somebody.. 

I am thinking of buying the earth type probiotic soon so if there are any suggestions soon would be the time to post them other wise I will report how it goes which ever sort I get

peace all

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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  • 3 months later...

I would like to add a trick that helped my mom when acid reflux is in the chest causing pain.

This is usually due to gas build up forcing acidic gases up the esophagus.

Low stomach acid causes the spincter to stay open.

 

Ice cold contracts gas and has helped my mom's chest pain from acid reflux (rebound) while getting off Nexium and tapering Valium.

Putting an ice pack on the abdomen and taking fennel extract was a life saver.

Fennel extract with this helps to get rid of the gas.

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  • 1 month later...

I am glad that I found this thread. I have been on Omeprazole for just 2 years, and I'm already having bad side effects. I was just diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia a few weeks ago. Currently, it feels like the Omeprazole, vitamin c, and iron are fighting with each other, because I've been losing my appetite frequently. I will be following up with my doctor in about two hours, and I'm going to ask her if I can taper off of the Omeprazole. I think it will solve all of my medical problems. I tried to quit cold turkey about 6 months ago, and I felt like I had morning sickness all day long for a week. I didn't want to move. I couldn't eat. I just curled up in bed and didn't want to move. I'm guessing this is the rebound reflux that I saw someone else talk about. I found a website that said that DGL Licorice or Mastic Gum will help with the withdrawal from Omeprazole. Hopefully, this will work for me. 

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I find DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) to be very helpful for digestive issues.

 

Be sure to get the deglycyrrhizinated kind, regular licorice can have strong hormonal effects.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi,

  I was searching about rebound effects of PPIs when i came across this site. I was diagnosed with GERD when I was 17 and put on prilosec which worked grest for 5-7 years, then I got switched to prevacid and finally was upped to 30mg 9 yeasr ago. Well The first of May my acid spiked and I had an EGD scope (everything looked normal) they said continue and didn't change it. Due to the sever acid I wasn't eating alot and ended up with severe weight loss I noticed first of June. Since I couldn't get in to see the gastro dr. that did the scope right away my dr. finally upped my previd to 60mg a day and gave me a nusea pill, after a couple days I could eat again and started to get some energy back. Then the gastro dr. switched me to Zantac 300mg 2xs a day, and siad it was fine just to stop and switch. I had no idea till recenly about the rebound, so took it for 5 days or so and thought it didn't work, only partially. In the mean time they are doing all sorts of tests that were all negative, and no explination for my sudden increase in acid. So called them back and the assistant told me they would try me on a different PPI but they never pre-approved it or called me back, so i was forced to go back to the prevacid which started giving me headaches, but I could eat. Finally Mom took me to a different dr/place and she has been wonderful so far, but again, not finding anything wrong and I started getting a tight feeling my throat for about an hour after taking my prevacid, so she switched me to nexium and pepcid if I needed it for break through the second evening after my second dose of the day I got a swollen tonugue with large red bumps (no pain to them, felt solid), almost went to the ER, I called the on call gastro who had me take a clariton and promise to go if it got any worse, thankfully it didn't. So I had to stop PPIs cold turkey and can't taper off of them. :(
        Now they are talking about a 24 hour probe to check my acid and PH levels and if meds can't control it then surgery!! :( Is there other alternative therapies for acid reflux? or the rebound which I am sure I am having, been on the 20ish years?  I saw the info on the liquorice and saved it, and been trying the applecider to no avail, it might be slightly working? Currently on a pepcid a day I started today and tums.  I am just frustrated and upset and of course they label you depressed immediately.
        The only other things I could tink of that happend is my allergy dr. started me avoiding 3 foods aroudn that time, cause I had reacted to something 2 days in a row (tomatoes - I eat alot of ketchup, garlic - eat alot of that, and hard/moldy cheese - eat some but not as often), so I stopped eating all of those first of May. In late April I had to stop hard and fast due to someone stopped in the middle of the road in a 40 and ended up with whiplash in my neck (realized this a month later beginning of June).

Thank you all for listening and any suggestions for the rebound or where to look would be great? Alternative medicine, accupunture?, grapsing at straws?

Deb

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Hi, Gypsy. We mostly talk about going off psychiatric drugs on this Web site.

 

Please read this topic from the beginning and read the links, too -- there are many alternatives to taking PPIs.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 1 month later...

I've been on 40mg Protonix since 8/6/15 due to stomach issues caused by an E coli infection that I'm thinking I obtained while in the hospital. I've been having terrible insomnia, anxiety, anxiety attacks, and dizzy/double vision sort of spells. I don't know if it's from the Protonix but I am guessing that could be a piece in this puzzle, due to the gut-brain interaction.

 

How do I taper off of this without it causing rebound acid? I've never had a problem with acid before this.

 

Unfortunately, I can't talk with doctor about the possible mood side effects of Protonix listed here, since he just thinks I am "anxious" and told me that "Protonix has very few possible side effects". Before taking this medication, and before being in the hospital where they stopped my Zoloft, my anxiety was under control with 25mg Zoloft.

Since 1990s: Various meds depression/anxiety. A little benefit from Effexor; Zoloft/Sertraline. Unsuccessful tapers

Feb 2015: Neurological crash / Hemiplegic Migraine after Sertraline taper slower than pdoc's suggestion 50-37-25-12-6-0mg.

Found SA. Reinstated 25mg Sertraline

July 2015:  Medical occurrence thought to be due to Sertraline. Told to D/C. Hypomania/anxiety resulted. Reinstated

Sept 2016: Increased to 37mg Sertraline due to depression/anxiety symptoms or more likely withdrawal symptoms

Dec 2016: Insurance company refused to fill 37mg (1 1/2 pills) Given 25mg.

2017: Started taper, got fearful of possible withdrawal effects, stopped.
May 2018: Still dealing with side effects. New pdoc. 25mg Lamictal added to 25mg Sertraline. 5 mg Melatonin added. Feeling better. Would still like to wean off Sertraline and then Lamictal, but holding for now. I have a very sensitive system with meds.

No other meds. Supplements: Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Probiotic, Fish oil.

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Please read this topic from the beginning.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 2 months later...

I have to take a Zantac every night because my meds cause bad heartburn when I take them. 

-Started on Citalopram 20mg & Zopiclone 7.5mg in August 2010 after stressful life events induced anxiety attacks

-Given olanzapine 2.5mg due to not sleeping through the night with zopiclone (I have never had any symptoms of psychosis)

-Went up to 40mg Citalopram sometime in 2011 after disastrous flirtation with Wellbutrin

-Tapered off zopiclone by January 2013 (take as PRN sometimes)

-Jan 10/2016: Back up to full dose of citalopram after attempted taper from late November 2015

-Jan 2018: Cut to 1.8mg of olanzapine from 1.825

-Mid-August 2018: Cut from 1.8mg olanzapine to 1.76mg. Probable withdrawal symptoms emerged about ten days later. Went back up to 1.8mg

-July 2021: Currently experiencing a strange "episode", withdrawal but no dose changes???

Current meds and doses: 1.8mg Olanzapine (compounded capsules), 40mg Citalopram, 1.25mg zopiclone (as PRN, taken once every few weeks during good periods and once or twice a week during bad ones)

 

 

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Please read this topic from the beginning.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Have you tried acupuncture to offset withdrawal symptoms from Omeprazole? I came off Omeprazole and had acupuncture 5 days ago. I have only had minimal reflux and very slight stomach discomfort, all hardly worth mentioning. I hope this helps.

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  • 3 weeks later...

What worked for me:

At my worst I was taking 40 mg Omeprazole plus 75-150 mg of ranitidine and antacids. Thankfully I am down to just 20 mg of Omeprazole. I tried to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet the best that I could. That diet's aim is to let your gut heal so you don't need acid reducers, antacids, etc. This website gives more info on the diet plus recipes.

 

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

 

The diet is very similar to the Paleo diet which is popular now. It is/was hard for me since I live in Midwest US and fresh produce can be expensive in off seasons. It was also hard because you basically have to cook everything from scratch, and I don't particularly like cooking. I plan on getting back on that diet or a modified version next month. I want off the Omeprazole all together.

 

The biggest things for me were cutting out all coffee and soda pop. I was drinking 20 oz of coffee in am and 12-24 oz of pop with lunch. I got to where I didn't need the caffeine and just drank water or milk during the day. Plain water upset my stomach sometimes, especially if it was nearly the only thing in my stomach. I would add a little lemon juice or a flavor packet and that seemed to help.

Current medications: Effexor XR 150mg QD, Wellbutrin XL 300mg QD, Norvasc 10mg QD, Flexiril 10mg BID, Singulair 10mg QD, Norco 5/325mg QID PRN, Flonase 50mcg PRN, Zyrtec 10 mg QD, Omeprazole 20mg QD PRN (down from 40 mg in Jan 15), Melatonin 10mg QHD, Albuterol inhaler and nebulizer PRN. Benadryl and Ibuprofen for insomnia.

 

Medication I quit on my own:

Xanax: No tapering about a month ago.

Seasonique: I was worried about what the chemicals were doing to me.

Atorvastatin: I think high cholesterol is caused by other medication. I want to control it through diet and exercise.

 

Medication stopped by Docs:

Propranolol: for HBP, Lisinopril: for HBP, Gabapentin 300 mg BID: for migraines, Topiramate: for migraines, Sumitriptan: for headaches.

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Thanks, JustMe. Good to hear you're off the acid blockers.

 

It sounds like you might have low stomach acid. You might find a little apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or betaine HCl with meals will help.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • 1 month later...

Ugh so I just came back from GI doctor. I saw a nurse practitioner this time and she told me that what I have isn't heartburn or acid reflux so I should go off the Prilosec the other GI doctor Rx'd me last year. My symptoms were always FULLNESS in the upper abdomen. So, I haven't been on it for a full year yet, I started last May or June 2015. 

 

Are the withdrawal symptoms bad for coming off these? I am so scared that it will make me nauseas or vomit. Please help!!

Current meds: Escitalopram

Was put on 20mg Lexapro for 4 years; was at 18mg for ~1 week.

4/19/15: 15mg; WD symptoms include: loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and indigestion after eating, diarrhea, and anxiety. Most of these happen at night.

6/5/15: 13mg; WD symptoms include: tiredness/lightheadedness, indigestion, numbness (emotionally)

7/6/15: 11mg --> 7/10/14: 11.7mg (wanted to taper by 10%)

8/10/15: 10mg; WD symptoms include: anxiety, nausea, GI upset, headaches

9/1/15: bumped back to 10.5mg (back to tapering by 10%); 10/5/15: back to 10mg

11/8: down to 9mg: feeling depressed so far ---> 11/16: bumped back to 10mg :(

1/23: back to 9mg; headaches, "motion sickness" feeling, anxiety

3/24: 8.5mg; 5/24: 8mg; nausea and dizziness bumped back to 8.5mg 3/26 :(

 

blog: https://offwithyourmeds.wordpress.com

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The nice thing about the Omeprazole capsules I have is that they are filled with little beads instead of powder. That makes it so much easier to taper than having to measure a fine powder or having to cut and shave tablets.

I opened the capsules and found 18 granules inside each one. The method I'm using to taper is to simply reduce my dosage by one granule every two weeks.

I bought empty capsules from Amazon.com and every two weeks I put together a new batch.

As of today I'm down to taking one capsule per day of six granules of Omeprazole. On Monday, I start my new dosage of five granules per day.

So far, I have no rebound acid at all.

I'm currently on 40mg of Omeprazole. What were you on? And 1 granule every 2 weeks? That must take forever! This is all so discouraging and I am cursing another doctor for prescribing me yet another medication that I never needed!!!

Current meds: Escitalopram

Was put on 20mg Lexapro for 4 years; was at 18mg for ~1 week.

4/19/15: 15mg; WD symptoms include: loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea and indigestion after eating, diarrhea, and anxiety. Most of these happen at night.

6/5/15: 13mg; WD symptoms include: tiredness/lightheadedness, indigestion, numbness (emotionally)

7/6/15: 11mg --> 7/10/14: 11.7mg (wanted to taper by 10%)

8/10/15: 10mg; WD symptoms include: anxiety, nausea, GI upset, headaches

9/1/15: bumped back to 10.5mg (back to tapering by 10%); 10/5/15: back to 10mg

11/8: down to 9mg: feeling depressed so far ---> 11/16: bumped back to 10mg :(

1/23: back to 9mg; headaches, "motion sickness" feeling, anxiety

3/24: 8.5mg; 5/24: 8mg; nausea and dizziness bumped back to 8.5mg 3/26 :(

 

blog: https://offwithyourmeds.wordpress.com

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blackrabbit, please read this topic from the beginning.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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