Has anyone here gotten off Pepcid AC or Zantac? I've been on a high dose of Pepcid AC (60mg -- 20mg taken three times daily) for the three months since I got off a PPI (to counter the rebound).
I feel the Pepcid is really messing with my digestion, possibly even causing gastroparesis (I plan to get tested for this). I also think it's giving me extreme anxiety plus a fast heart rate (I've read about those as side effects). Even though I eat super low carb/Paleo/Keto, I think the Pepcid is keeping my GERD going by creating SIBO and causing undigested food to push up my esophagus.
Right now my main symptom is a pretty constant pressure/ache in my chest area that turns into more of a burn after eating. My heart is fine (had it checked).
Do you think going to 10 mg three times a day (instead of 20mg three times a day) is too ambitious a step down? Or do some people just stop the H2's cold turkey (which I know is not advised for PPIs)?
I'm almost wondering if I should just stop them and then if I feel some acid creeping in, take 10-20mg on an as needed basis instead of a prophelactic basis, with the hope that I'll need it less and less? I tapered exceedingly slowly off the PPI (Dexilant) but don't know if that's necessary with the H2.
By the way, I've been on an H2Blocker for a year now for gastritis and GERD...that plus a PPI. I'm glad to be off the PPI but also looking forward to being free of the Pepcid and welcoming a healthy amount of acid to my poor digestive tract.
So I guess my questions boil down to: Do I taper off the Pepcid or just stop it and use as needed? And if I do taper, should I go down 50 percent for a week or two or in smaller increments?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Getting off an H2Blocker -- Wayne?
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Gabes-Apg
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Suzy
from memory you have only been doing the higher doses of vit D3 and magnesium for a week or so?
my suggestion is to not make any further medication changes until you have had a chance to increase the Vit D and magnesium levels in your body.
it can take 8 weeks (or more) to correct magnesium deficiency and vit D3 deficiency.
from memory you have only been doing the higher doses of vit D3 and magnesium for a week or so?
my suggestion is to not make any further medication changes until you have had a chance to increase the Vit D and magnesium levels in your body.
it can take 8 weeks (or more) to correct magnesium deficiency and vit D3 deficiency.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Suzy,
Those are uncharted waters, so there is no "ideal" plan that works for everyone. You may need to experiment to see what works best in your particular case. If I were in that situation I would try cutting the dose in half, and continuing to do that in steps of a week or 2 at each dose level. You may need to occasionally use more, on an as-needed basis. But if you find that you need more at each meal, you may have to increase the dose and taper it more slowly. IOW you'll have to find what works best for you.
And as Gabes says, significant doses of vitamin D especially will help to suppress acid reflux, and magnesium treats and prevents gastroparesis.
Tex
Those are uncharted waters, so there is no "ideal" plan that works for everyone. You may need to experiment to see what works best in your particular case. If I were in that situation I would try cutting the dose in half, and continuing to do that in steps of a week or 2 at each dose level. You may need to occasionally use more, on an as-needed basis. But if you find that you need more at each meal, you may have to increase the dose and taper it more slowly. IOW you'll have to find what works best for you.
And as Gabes says, significant doses of vitamin D especially will help to suppress acid reflux, and magnesium treats and prevents gastroparesis.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Suzy,
I forgot that you mentioned your vitamin D level previously — yes that's higher than necessary, so you sure don't need to boost your vitamin D level.
Tex
I forgot that you mentioned your vitamin D level previously — yes that's higher than necessary, so you sure don't need to boost your vitamin D level.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.