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HELP! Need to get off 80mg of PPI (Pantoprazole) a day for over a year Anyone on such a high dose?

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michael63682
michael63682

Hi everyone,

Read with interest recent post on weaning off PPIs and it has helped me a lot.

I am sure PPIs may well help in many cases, but I have been on the highest dose of my PPI for well over a year and have developed atrial fibrillation (AF- irregular heartbeat) - Please note I cannot state that it is a result of either the PPI or acid reflux but it certainly is causing me extra big problems. I would like to hear from anyone on high doses being taken especially for over a year. And any experiences. Kind regards.

0 likes, 28 replies

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  • Collies
    Collies michael63682

    Posted

    hi

    Started on 40mg Omeprazole after diagnosed with Acid Reflux for few years. Problem got worse, had second endoscopy which showed i had Gastritis. Advised to take 80mg Omeprazole which i have been taking for months but noticed didnt feel quite right, depressed. Read leaflet for side effects and depression was one of side effects. I have reduced my dose to half for past week myself but make sure i take Peptic liquid after each meal. so far so good. mind you PEPTIC LIQUID not as good as double action Gaviscon. Wish I could manage without this medication. My doctors very good but will only give Peptic liquid.

    GOOD LUCK

  • Jonathan57679
    Jonathan57679 michael63682

    Posted

    I get a bit angry when I hear of someone possibly getting a serious side effect from so called safe drugs.

    It appears that your PPi drug is a tablet. I normally recommend that a person open up capsules and take less and less of the tiny time pills over a 4 week period. You could ask for a new prescription of Esomeprazole. Or you could ask for a new prescription of your medication in capsules, if available.

    All PPi drugs will quickly cause massive nutrient deficiencies such as potassium.

    I recently have learned that almost everyone is low on potassium. Yet, it is critical to almost every function of the human body. A deficiency can cause all sort of issues.

    Major benefits

    It regulates heart rhythm.

    It helps each cell communicate and regulates blood sugars synthesis.

    It is involved in proper digestion and proper stomach acid production.

    It is involved in all muscle movement.

    So, just to rule it out, you can juice dark green veggies, like Kale and spinach. Or you can eat 8 oz of pistachios or similar nuts every day. I take two potassium tablets with every meal. I am treating my type 2 diabetes and getting good results, but it takes a few weeks. Try it, if it does not solve your issue, it will only make you healthier and maybe prevent something worse.

    If you have a weak esophageal sphincter you can do my carbonated water treatment . It involves drinking 8 oz of fresh carbonated water and holding down the urge to burp. You start with 5 minute sessions and slowly increase to 20 minute session. Week one, 4 times a day, 5 minute sessions. After each session slowly release the burp. If no burp comes out, it will later. 3 hours between sessions. before meals is likely better. Each week add 5 minutes to each session. on week 4 you will be up to 20 minutes each.

    Keep us posted. John

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Jonathan57679

      Posted

      Hi I notice a lot of your posts mention potassium. Are you in the field of median. The reason for asking is that I took a very low potassium supplement and ended up with a raving heartbeat and ended up having bloods test which showed potassium too high. Was told by consultant that if you eat a banana a day and good food don't supplement unless specifically need it as it can be dangerous. My GP said most people are low on magnesium which I do take

    • Jonathan57679
      Jonathan57679 youngatheart1

      Posted

      I'm not in the medical field, but I have had to do a lot of reading to overcome my health issues. Mainly by using natural foods and supplements. Many medications today are potassium based. Doctors will rarely suggest diet improvements, they just prescribe medications.

      Eating more dark green vegetables will not cause any issues, except in rare cases, because they are natural blood thinners. They are balanced in everything we need. If people just ate good nutritious foods, most would not be on this forum.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 Jonathan57679

      Posted

      Thanks for replying. I am very cautious about supplements as I do take thinners. I do take magnesium for restless legs but was warned off anything else by haematologist. We all need to do what makes us feel better and as I have taken PPI for 15 years do get my nutrient levels checked and have so far never been too low which I am pleased about. Just got to get off thinners now.

  • youngatheart1
    youngatheart1 michael63682

    Posted

    Hi have taken upto 80mg per day for 15 years and have had no problems whatsoever. My GP said that it's the acid affecting your vagus nerve that causes occasional palpitations which I sometimes get. I have weened myself to between 40 and 20 per day depending on how I feel. I use ranitidine on top with a lower dose. PPI lowers acid production and ranitidine soaks up acid so work well together. It is a bit of trial and error but worth working on

    • michael63682
      michael63682 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Thank you youngatheart1. Your reply much appreciated. May I ask was it Pantoprazole you were taking when you were on 80mg - and for how long were you on the 80 dose?

      Thnaks again for replying and the info on vagus nerve. Best wishes.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 michael63682

      Posted

      Hi I am on esomeprazole and usually take 20mg as I can manage on that, but was on 80mg for many years without any problems.

    • jenga21
      jenga21 youngatheart1

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. We need to hear more stories like this. It's hard not to be scared with the studies about PPI's and the anti-medication rhetoric. I was diagnosed at 35 years old and the only thing that works for me is a strong dose of PPI. I have no side effects and tolerate them great. I tried several times to get off 40 mg Protonix (tried every diet, every natural cure out there) and finally my gastroenterologist said, "Don't try again. I know people are hell bent on attacking these drugs right now, but they're not that bad and they save lives." So I have surrendered and am grateful to find something that has worked for me. Your reply prompted me to share my story for some reason. Thanks again.

    • michael63682
      michael63682 jenga21

      Posted

      Thanks Jenga21. Glad you did share. My concern is not so much the PPI (which I have no doubt are very necessary for me as I am also a laryngectomee) but the dose I am on. I was told by the chemist that my 80mg was very very high and usually not recommended. In fact nobody on the chemist's books were on 80 for over a year.

      It also means that whatever side effects would be four times more likely to than anyone on the minimum dose of 20 and twice that of someone on 40. So it made sense to me to bring the dose down to 40 which I am trying hard to do. Having been on 80mg a day for well over a year, I would be more than happy with 40.

      Thanks again for the reply: That people care enough to help is both an inspiration and encouragement, especially as I'm feeling down. Best wishes.

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 michael63682

      Posted

      As I think I have mentioned in another post if you mix PPI with ranitidine you get a better effect and can reduce PPI easier. I cut my 40mg into 2 and take one half in the morning and the other before bed if I need it. Do you feel really bad if you don't take the full 80 or do you take it because gp said to. I read that 80 does not really work any better than 40 which seemed odd but I am on 40 max now so maybe there is some truth. Unfortunately it's a bit of trial and error until you find what works for you. Take care

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 jenga21

      Posted

      Hi, happy to have been of help. I am sure that there are some people may have side effects. To be honest if I am given anything new to take I always look at the side effects, they are virtually always the same no matter what you take. They need to cover themselves when producing these pills but in the process frighten you at the same time. I strongly believe that you can worry yourself into a lot of these symptoms by becoming anxious which causes a lot of problems. I have done it myself, talked myself into symptoms which when I calm down disappear. I have no problems after years of PPI and don't worry about taking them. They help me get through each day and that is the aim in life for any of us. Take care

    • michael63682
      michael63682 youngatheart1

      Posted

      BIG thank you again. Been some great words of wisdom in this post which has helped me a lot.

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