PPI meds may lead to esophageal cancer

I weaned off Prilosec once, but ended up going back onto it as I couldn't take the breakthrough acid. I had been on it for 8 years or so.. I also did some google searches- the way I did it was:

1 regular 20mg dose (my norm at the time).. cut down to every other day for a couple weeks.. still controlled, good.

Broke in half- took every day for 2 weeks... then every other day for a month.. doing ok.

Broke in thirds (harder than you imagine).. took every other day, with Pepcid as needed for breakthrough acid.

Tapered off the 1/3 dose to 75 mg Pepcid in the am only.. mostly controlled till about 4pm, then dinner would control it.. Gaviscon liquid at bedtime was needed.

Could have totally controlled it with Pepcid 2x a day, but at that point decided to get back onto the PPI for now in prep for WLS. I didn't have a hernia, so I was (am) hoping it is weight related and after I get to goal I will taper off again.. I started to have the issue as I got bigger in my 20's. Before that it was only an occasional issue. The osteoporosis link is what bugs me.

edit: Post op- I was on Nexium 40mg, after a month- switched back to 20mg Prilosec, and after a month on that- I can now take 10mg daily, no acid issues yet!

Thanks for your input.  What I think is almost criminal is that neither of the two Gastroenterologist who have prescribed PPI meds to me (and said it's OK to take long-term) told me about the risks associated with taking them, nor did they suggest supplementing the nutrients that are impacted by reduced acid in the stomach!  

I did an Advanced Google Search on PPIs, selecting this forum as the source, and man, you guys know your PPIs!  I got tons of good information.  

Tami

Ditto on my Dr, though I love him. I was taking cal carbonate all these years..

 Me too!  I loved my chewy little chocolate Viactivs, until I found out they were little better than a Tootsie Roll!

Tami

Wow! What do you mean about the Viactivs? Are they no good and are you talking about the multivitamin or the calcium one?
 

 I was referring to the calcium, which is calcium carbonate.  It's not as bio-available as calcium citrate, and *must* be taken with food to be available at all.  Some docs say it's OK, simply because people are more likely to take it because it comes in a yummy chewy package, but honestly, you get more from calcium citrate.  

But, I'd check those Viactiv vitamins, too.  I used to take gummy vitamins until I found out that they really aren't very complete.  They leave out all the stuff that might make 'em taste yucky, but that we need!  I'll bet the Viactiv vitamins are the same.

Tami

 Thanks, ya'll, for your responses.  As I said to one poster in this thread, I learned a lot about acid reflux and PPI meds by doing a Google Advanced Search, with this forum as the source.  One thing I wish I hadn't come across was a link between stomach acid and increased hunger.  I hope that by knowing it's a possibility that I'll recognize that it's not really hunger, but stomach acid!

Tami

Thanks for the info. I wonder if the holistic doctors- like Andrew Wilde have any ideas. 

I hate taking these meds because I know that they make me worse and more dependent.  I had heartburn/reflux so mild that I wasn't aware that I had it. I told my pulmonologist that I sometimes weezed at night when I went to bed and that I had to get back up to use my inhaler. She told me that I needed prevacid. I didn't believe her but gave it a shot. I stopped wheezing- she was right. But now I am so much worse. Now I use Dexilant ($60 with insurance and coupon). I tried weening myself off months ago, but I got so much worse.  I got so sick and my chest and shoulders hurt. So I thought I had a heart condition. No, I just needed to take a stronger drug (entered expensive-ass Dexilant.) After the surgery, I wasn't taking it. Then one day while laying down and taking a nap, I woke up choking on acid reflux. Literally, choking with my eyes watering. The other symptoms started coming back. After a couple days on Dexilant, I was better. I hate these drugs. And I was extremely disappointed to see that those that have reached goal weight are still taking PPIs.


This is a great dicussion with some great ideas.  I definitely want off of this medicine.

 From what I've read, holistic docs take a different path altogether.  I've been reading about acid reflux *a lot* over the past few weeks.  I actually just summarized my thoughts in a blog post here on OH earlier today, feel free to take a look.  Here's an excerpt about what some holistic docs say about acid reflux:

"There's another school of thought that says that the culprit in acid reflux is actually too little stomach acid, instead of too much.  If the stomach is producing too little acid, the signal to the LES to remain tightly closed is not sent, so the LES relaxes, allowing stomach acid to flow through the esophagus.  Even though it's lower-than-normal acidity, it's still plenty to cause distress.  And, of course, if you have too little stomach acid, you get lots of those side effects noted above that are associated with taking PPIs (poor digestion and absorption of nutrients, increased chance for bad bacteria to thrive).  Proponents of this theory say the worst thing you can do for acid reflux is go on a PPI.  They suggest getting acid levels checked, and if low, following a therapy with Betaine HCL to increase the stomach acid. "

Apparently *low* acid is typical with aging (over 40).  I'm going to taper off the PPIs, and get an acid test to find out for sure.  I'd really like to get off of PPI meds, too.  It's just not healthy to stay on them long-term, for a lot of reasons!  But, preventing reflux is just as important.  Some people just have to take PPIs long-term, but they just have to make sure to take the necessary supplements that are impacted by low-acid conditions to be healthy.

Tami