Eliza: Surgery needed, now weaning off Omeprazole

[Eliza]

I am 23 days post op from Nissen Fundupliction.  I am 45 years old and have suffered atypical symptoms of acid reflux for about 9 years now.  I never get heartburn, but was constantly nauseous.  I would also have very scary "panic attacks" after eating acidic foods or drinking wine that would wake me up 8 hours after eating with SEVERE nausea, puddles of sweat, a heartbeat too fast to count and a feeling of death or doom.  They would last at least an hour, coming and going in waves.  I would sleep sitting up and holding my husband's hand.  

 

It is my own opinion that my acid was coming up to my vagus nerve, where it didn't belong, and cased my body to go into fight or flight.  This happened two to three times a month until after months of testing, I was diagnosed with acid reflux.  I tried different medications while my entire body started shutting down, one system at a time.  I was not able to empty my bladder, my moods were all over the place and intense, my skin was green and my muscles were fading away.  I had constant headaches, etc.  

 

I settled on Omeprazole but still had symptoms and felt terrible.  PH tests and swallowing tests all showed that I produced way too much acid and it washed into my mouth, even when I was upright and eating a very alkaline diet.  My teeth were decaying at an alarming rate, my voice would be gone for months at a time, and the nausea was constant. I finally found an occupational physiologist (a nutritionist who works at a cellular level) who helped me with a very restricted diet.  

 

My life got better and I felt amazing.  I lived like that, while still on 80 mg. of Omeprazole for 3 years, but could not continue the diet as strictly as I had been. (life gets in the way)   My GI said that my acid tests didn't change, even though I felt better.  He wanted me to see a specialist 6 hours away.  The thought of staying on medication for life worried me. Since I had tried every "fix" I am aware of and I was still struggling with the reflux, I decided on surgery.

 

After reading the posts, I am very happy to be weaning off of PPIs. My surgery was intense and I just started transitioning from a liquid diet to soft foods.  It is not for the faint of heart.  My esophagus is so tight that I feel like an anaconda eating a rabbit whenever I swallow anything, but healing will be a process.  I am happy that I am not waking up nauseous and water finally tastes good.  (acid and water are not friends). I hope my improved body will keep the acid where it belongs and am excited to start weaning off of my meds.   I truly appreciate the advice that I found here.   

Edited June 23, 2016 by KarenB
added paragraph breaks

[vetdoc]

I am 23 days post op from Nissen Fundupliction.  I am 45 years old and have suffered atypical symptoms of acid reflux for about 9 years now.  I never get heartburn, but was constantly nauseous.  I would also have very scary "panic attacks" after eating acidic foods or drinking wine that would wake me up 8 hours after eating with SEVERE nausea, puddles of sweat, a heartbeat too fast to count and a feeling of death or doom.  They would last at least an hour, coming and going in waves.  I would sleep sitting up and holding my husband's hand.  It is my own opinion that my acid was coming up to my vagus nerve, where it didn't belong, and cased my body to go into fight or flight.  This happened two to three times a month until after months of testing, I was diagnosed with acid reflux.  I tried different medications while my entire body started shutting down, one system at a time.  I was not able to empty my bladder, my moods were all over the place and intense, my skin was green and my muscles were fading away.  I had constant headaches, etc.  I settled on Omeprazole but still had symptoms and felt terrible.  PH tests and swallowing tests all showed that I produced way too much acid and it washed into my mouth, even when I was upright and eating a very alkaline diet.  My teeth were decaying at an alarming rate, my voice would be gone for months at a time, and the nausea was constant. I finally found an occupational physiologist (a nutritionist who works at a cellular level) who helped me with a very restricted diet.  My life got better and I felt amazing.  I lived like that, while still on 80 mg. of Omeprazole for 3 years, but could not continue the diet as strictly as I had been. (life gets in the way)   My GI said that my acid tests didn't change, even though I felt better.  He wanted me to see a specialist 6 hours away.  The thought of staying on medication for life worried me. Since I had tried every "fix" I am aware of and I was still struggling with the reflux, I decided on surgery. After reading the posts, I am very happy to be weaning off of PPIs. My surgery was intense and I just started transitioning from a liquid diet to soft foods.  It is not for the faint of heart.  My esophagus is so tight that I feel like an anaconda eating a rabbit whenever I swallow anything, but healing will be a process.  I am happy that I am not waking up nauseous and water finally tastes good.  (acid and water are not friends). I hope my improved body will keep the acid where it belongs and am excited to start weaning off of my meds.   I truly appreciate the advice that I found here.   

**** luck recovering with your surgery.  I hope all goes well.  I have severe gastric reflux and I have been on omeprazole for over 15 yrs.  I have often considered surgery, but never took the plunge.  I think at this point I am to old (70) to consider that intensive surgery.

[KarenB]

Hello Eliza and welcome to SA,

 

What a lot you've been through, both over the years and then more intensely over the last wee while.  I'm hearing a lot of strength in your words. 

 

I imagine you've seen this:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4361-tips-for-tapering-off-stomach-acid-blockers-or-ppis-esomeprazole-lansoprazole-omeprazole/ with it's discussion of tapering rates etc (but I'll put it here just in case).

 

Are you on any psych drugs?  What tapering have you done of the omeprazole so far?  Thanks for writing your signature. 

 

Please keep coming back to this thread to ask any more questions you might have.  This can be your journal to record your tapering and healing progress. 

 

It's good to have you here Eliza,

Karen

[Eliza]

I have .25 mg of Xanex for when I feel the anxiety come on after eating foods that are too much for me.  I need it mostly on vacation since I am not cooking my own food or I get a little too comfortable with what I want to eat.  I use it to help me sleep when my heart starts racing (around 1:00-3:00 AM after eating at 9:00).  I have not needed it in a few months.  Alcohol is usually connected.  My husband is in the wine/restaurant business, so eating out and having an occasional glass of wine is something I would like to keep in my life, as it is a big part of his.    I a hoping this surgery stops these anxious feelings, but I am ready if not.  

 

I started weaning off Omeprazole a few days ago and went from 40 mg two times a day to only once.  I am measuring my acid through urine acid strips, my water/acid ration on the scale and how I am feeling.  Even if the acid is not refluxing, I can feel when my body is overloaded.    

 

I am going out to buy Calcium, Magnesium and B12 in forms that don't need to be swallowed.  I am moving not to a soft diet but am still unable to swallow pills.  

 

Again, I appreciate the help I have found here.  

[KarenB]

Sounds like you are very aware of what is happening in your body - and that's a great skill during w/d.  Are you feeling okay since the 50% drop?  It's pretty big, so if things start to feel too shaky you may like to back track a little so that it's closer to a 25% drop. 

 

Magnesium is very helpful, but doesn't work well with calcium.  Epsom salt baths are an easy way to absorb mag.  B12 can cause extra problems if people start taking it once they are in w/d.  The other supplement we recommend is fish oil. 

 

It's a good idea to enter your reductions in your signature so we can easily see where you are at further down the track. 

 

Karen