Getting Off PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors)

[NJCher]

A few days ago, news about another study that discussed dementia and PPIs was published in Latest Breaking News:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143112929

It seems like a lot of our posters were on PPIs, so I researched it a bit and found this article by an MD who seems to have a good deal of experience in working with techniques to get people off PPIs. If that's your goal, this article might help although I warn you it is very long. It was also published before this latest study, but the latest study is just another in a series of studies indicating that PPIs are not good for long-term use.

One of the most interesting things to me is that the quit rate on PPIs is very low and that is because there is a rebound effect of hyperacidity when quitting. This makes patients return to the PPI.

However, this doctor says there are a lot of techniques to which you can turn to get over the hyperacidity hump, because the hyperacidity only lasts for so long. He states:

The elevated gastrin levels with rebound hyperacidity can last for a week or two after stopping the drug. (4)

He recommends a tapering off technique where you open the capsule and take out a certain amount of the time release granules. You mix them with applesauce. Full details on how to do this are in the article.

There are many, many other techniques described in the article, so if you want to take this step and want a better chance at success than cold turkey, you might want to schedule some time to read and understand it. In addition, there's the added element of buying products to help you get through the adjustment period (products like slippery elm, aloe vera, etc.)

He discusses how techniques like apple cider work, which was suggested by one of our posters on the LBN thread for which I pasted the link above.

When I read this article the first time, it seemed like a lot to absorb, so I said to myself that I would just make an appointment with my gastroenterologist. However, it says in the article that most doctors won't tell you about many of these techniques:

With the exception of H2 blockers, your GI doctor will never mention any of the other remedies, nor provide tapering instructions.


If this is true, you're kinda' on your own, however, I am still going to work with my doctor as I go through the PPI quit process.

Here's the link to the article: https://jeffreydachmd.com/2022/03/getting-off-omeprazole-prilosec-and-other-ppis/

I also did a search under Jeffrey Dach reputation and found he has a good reputation, but I would welcome others to research this and add anything found to this thread.

[Diamond_Dog]

1. K and R

Thank you Cher!

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. That new study has been contradicted by previous, better constructed studies

https://apple.news/A7zDcTxGWRKiylYSpf0cyxA

The study’s authors have been careful to explain that the association they’ve shown doesn’t demonstrate causation. But news outlets haven’t been as careful: “Long-Term Use of Acid Reflux Drugs May Increase Your Risk of Dementia,” read one of yesterday’s headlines. The drugs ”may raise the risk of dementia up to a third,” read another.
Importantly, the study comes on the heels of several larger, higher-quality studies showing the exact opposite of its conclusions — namely, that these medications do not portend an increased risk of dementia.

[NJCher]

8. yes, I knew this when I posted the above

But I don't think you can say there are enough studies leading to an overall conclusion that PPIs do NOT have anything to do with dementia. What I think you're saying, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that the studies you're citing are saying they don't and that they are better than the one cited recently and about which there is so much discussion.

So in other words, there are a few better studies than this one.

The problem is that in medicine, science, academia, etc., we never depend on one or two studies for anything. It's the accumulation of what many studies over a long period of time shows.

So what I would ask you is: are you saying there are enough long-term studies that show PPIs do not have anything to do with dementia or are simply saying there are a few studies that are better than this one?

[Fiendish Thingy]

9. I'm saying there is no conclusive proof of a link between PPI and dementia.

Unlike tobacco use and cancer, alcohol use and cirrhosis or fetal alcohol syndrome, or thalidomide and birth defects.

[MOMFUDSKI]

3. Thanks.

On Prilosec for about 20 years. Tried it all to get off. One new primary said just take Pepcid AC. Thought I was gonna die. I will just take it daily and let the chips fall.

[multigraincracker]

4. Another problem with PPIs is

low vitamin B12 absorption.
I have a great DO and she told me I have a lot of symptoms of low B12 and may start monthly injections. See her again in Sept.
for those, like me on long term PPis, you might want to get that checked. Plus I don’t eat much red meat.

[NJCher]

7. if I remember correctly

the absorption of that can be helped with apple cider vinegar. Check that section of my link out.

[multigraincracker]

5. I just googled low B12 and dementia.

Looks like there might be a correlation.
Taking PPIs reduces B12 absorption. Could that be the cause?

[NJCher]

11. interesting

I think we should go back over the studies in a while, after the medical people have time to discuss it, and see if conclusions are drawn that involved that.

Good point.

[Midnight Writer]

6. Elevating the top of your body a bit while you sleep helps a lot for gastric reflux.

You can put something under the feet of your bed to prop it up a couple of inches or you can get a wedge-shaped body pillow.

Or, of course, an adjustable bed frame.

It doesn't take much. Just enough to let gravity assist in keeping the contents of your stomach from rising.

[NJCher]

10. I've drastically reduced my use of these things

and following the directions, it's a cake walk.

I'll write more about my experience at another time. I'm working now.