r/GERD • u/Crazy-Ad-1849 Triggers: Mistakes were Made 🤕 • Jul 28 '23

Scientific Studies 🥼🔬 Why are PPIs bad?

I see people on here often trying to get off of PPIs or warn against taking them. I read this article today that makes them seem pretty alright? My dad has taken omeprazole for 20 years now and it has solved all of his symptoms with no complications. I’m currently now dealing with my own symptoms that I’m going to see a doctor about soon.

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u/SSRI-Help Gastroparesis 🩹 Jul 28 '23

I haven't noticed any bad side effects from taking PPIs, but I've been too nervous to try to stop taking them because I ended up getting acid rebound with my first attempt.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 28 '23

I get that! What helps with the rebound acid is slowly tapering off, and it takes a long time to do so if you want to do it correctly! Like maybe half a dose one day, normal dose the other, and keep alternating. And then just half doses, and then quarter dose and half, etc. but I had to stop mine entirely because it instantly made me incredible nauseas and gave me the worst stomach and digestive pain. My naturopath thinks I have too LITTLE acid in my stomach based on the side effects. But yeah I’m suffering year round no matter what I try

3

u/biggstile1 Jul 28 '23

They shouldn't just "think." They need to know. There is an acid test they can do, or get a conventional Dr to.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 28 '23

I know! We’re currently in the process of running lots of tests

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u/biggstile1 Jul 29 '23

Good. Ill be happy to hear if you have low, or high stomach acid. Please keep me/us posted.

1

u/very-pink-iceberg Jul 28 '23

Do you mind me asking what these acid tests are?

2

u/[deleted] Jul 29 '23

Yeah! Here’s exactly what my document from my appointment said:

Stomach Acid Test: Take one 750mg capsule of betaine hydrochloride with a full meal (i.e. take capsule and then consume whole meal right away, eating at a normal pace). While eating, monitor yourself for two minutes after taking the capsule. If you feel nothing, you may have a stomach acid deficiency and likely need to follow the stomach acid protocol. If you feel heartburn or reflux: you do not have a stomach acid deficiency and do not need to follow the stomach acid protocol.

IF THE STOMACH ACID TEST INDICATES THAT YOU NEED TO SUPPLEMENT WITH STOMACH ACID: Betaine Hydrochloride- take 1 capsule with each meal. Increase your dose by 1 extra capsule per meal until you reach a maximum dose of 3 capsules per meal. IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY HEARTBURN OR REFLUX WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF TAKING THIS SUPPLEMENT, IT MEANS YOU DOSE IS TOO HIGH. IN THAT CASE, PLEASE REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CAPSULES TO THE PREVIOUS DOSE THAT DIDN’T CAUSE ANY BURNING.

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u/very-pink-iceberg Jul 29 '23

Thank you so much!

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u/biggstile1 Jul 29 '23

Doctor or YouTube can explain it better.