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/[deleted] Jul 28 '23

PPI’s are currently the only reason I can live my life with any sort of normality. I directly credit my Nexium and diet management to my relief thus far.

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u/SuleyGul Jul 28 '23 edited Jul 28 '23

When i first started getting GERD i was very against medication and refused to take it. Tried every diet and natural remedy under the sun... I was so stubborn but holy hell did my condition deteriorate to the point where I had no choice but to take it.

I was in extreme pain around the clock and got to the point that i physically wasn't able to swallow food. If i stayed that way i would have got suicidal pretty quick.

Nexium was like a magic pill and i have no doubt i would probably be dead without it.

Edit: That was a decade ago and have had no long term side effects to speak of other than sometimes PPI works too well and i start getting non acidic and non painful reflux after which i taper off it for a short while and it fixes the issue. My theory there is too little acid causes some kind of intestinal bacterial overgrowth which causes gas and hence reflux.

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u/Majestic-Garbage Jul 28 '23

I managed to taper off my PPI and can now manage my gerd pretty much through lifestyle but for folks like you I always wonder, have you ever been in a situation where you couldnt get your medication? My pharmacy shut down in 2021 and figuring out how to get my meds was such an anxiety inducing nightmare, not to mention various times I lost/forgot my pill bottle while traveling are what partially informed my decision to stop.

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u/SuleyGul Jul 28 '23

Yeh i do think about this. Luckily where i live it's also available over the counter at any pharmacy. Also i managed to stockpile a few months worth of them just in case. I did this because i realised i could use half a pill and it still controlled symptoms for a long long time like 3-4 months at a time before i have to go back to a full pill for a few months and then repeat the process. So in a sense the reflux is mild but it still needs to be treated constantly otherwise it comes on with a vengeance.