Nexium and microscopic colitis

Rebecca Krebs · Post by **Rebecca Krebs** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 10:15 am

I am a 70 year old female resulting diagnosed. My doctor has recommended that I go off Nexium ( taken for several months) but has been of little help in explaining the best way to accomplish that. I have tried twice only to experience debilitating nausea/vomiting. After reading info on this site, I'm tending to think that the Nexium could be the cause of colitis. Has anyon been successful in weaning of ppi's? What is the process? How long before symptoms subside? Any input greatly appreciated. I'm also in the process of changing doctors but earli st appointment is mid-July at a GI clinic at Vanderbilt. What a life-changer this has been!!

Post by **tex** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 11:24 am

Hi Rebecca,

Welcome to the group. Yep, many drugs that doctors prescribe cause this disease, and then the doctors don't understand how serious the disease can be nor do they understand how to control it. Weaning off PPIs can be tough, but it has to be done in order to stop our immune system reactions against them.

The Microscopic Colitis Foundation has a download discussing the PPI problem, and it includes some guidelines on how to wean off PPIs. The article can be downloaded directly at the following link:

http://www.microscopiccolitisfoundation ... 112716.pdf

It can take weeks or months to wean off PPIs, and the time can vary considerably from one individual to another. You may need to taper the dose very slowly in your case. Relatively large doses of vitamin D (8,000–10,000 IU daily) can help prevent acid reflux, and magnesium can help to reduce the nausea.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

shekoe · Post by **shekoe** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 3:30 pm

I have had CC for several years. Prior to the diagnosis I had taken both Nexium & a NSAID for a few years. I believe both contributed to developing CC. My schedule for weaning off Nexium was as follows: 1 capsule every other day for 4 weeks. Then 1 every 2 days for 4 weeks, then 1 2x/ week for 4 weeks. Then none. I had no bad side effects. HOWEVER, I went completely gluten free at the same time. I remain gluten free & rarely have GERD.

Good Luck. Sheila

vivian · Post by **vivian** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:24 pm

I was on Nexium for 18 years. I did get off it by taking 1 capsule ever other day for a while and then every 3 days. I also quit eating meat and was surprised that my acid reflux went away. If I had just known that meat was my issue, I could have been off the stuff years ago. Good luck and I hope you have good success. Vivian

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:33 pm

my suggestions for going off nexium

- follow low inflammation easy to digest eating plan
- take good amounts of Vit D3 and magnesium for at least 8 weeks before you go off the nexium
- use H2 blocker like rantidine to assist while you do transition off nexium

JeniferWilliams · Post by **JeniferWilliams** » Fri Apr 27, 2018 7:50 am

Gabes-Apg wrote:my suggestions for going off nexium

- follow low inflammation easy to digest eating plan
- take good amounts of Vit D3 and magnesium for at least 8 weeks before you go off the nexium
- use H2 blocker like rantidine to assist while you do transition off nexium

Great Suggestion, thanks for telling us.

Rebecca Krebs · Post by **Rebecca Krebs** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 3:02 pm

Thanks for the info! I'm sure I'll have more questions and I'm so happy that there is support group to come to for answers!